luv2globetrot

So, it has taken me awhile, but I'm finally getting around to our trip report to Greece!

My husband Michael and I were in Greece from May 1 to May 10, 2007.
We visited Nafplio, Athens and Santorini and we had a great trip...thanks in part to the help I received in my planning right here on this forum. Thanks to all of you who offered your advice and tips...with special thanks toBrotherleelove2004, who ALWAYS comes thru , VERY promptly too, I might add, with really helpful info. But so many others helped and I appreciate it This forum is invaluable to me. I wouldn't go anywhere in the world without coming here first

My biggest passion is taking photos and Greece, especially Santorini, was like a playground for me
Here is the link to our travel webpage where you can see photos if you're interested:
www.luv2globetrot.com

We arrived in Athens around 11:30am and picked up our rental car that we rented from AutoEurope (€30 per day for a Nissan Note, which is a 4 door with hatchback). We easily fit 2 large suitcases in the hatch, so we thought that was a pretty good deal.
However, it did take us awhile because there was no counter for AutoEurope anywhere!! We looked and looked and asked at the Hertz counter if they knew where AutoEurope was and they looked at us like we were crazy! We were getting a little worried. Then we showed our confirmation paper to someone at the information desk and she pointed out to us that in small print it saidAutoEurope National, which apparently meant that AutoEurope works in conjunction with National Rental Car. Once we finally figured out that it was actually the National counter we were looking for, everything was OK. But there was not a sign anywhere at the counter that saidAutoEurope. And I reserved the car from AutoEurope .com and it's not mentioned anywhere on their website either. We thought that was kind of a bad system...oh well...live and learn.

So, in our car and on the road at around 12:30, we're on our way to Nafplio!!!

We had directions with us that we had printed out at home and we had no problems with the directions, especially on the highway. The signs were in English. There were a few tolls which totaled about €11.
We stopped at the Corinth Canal and got out to take a look. It's pretty cool and we thought worth the stop. We only spent a few minutes, got a picture and were back on our way.

Once off the main highway, the signs got a little more difficult. We had to really keep our eye out for the many different spellings ofNafplio (Nafplion, Nauplio ) and sometimes the word was only in Greek. But once we knew what it looked like in Greek we were OK. With stops, the trip took us 2-1/2 hours.

NAFPLIO---MAY 1-3

HOTEL:
Pension Amfitriti.
Here is my review that's posted on tripadvisor.com under username luv2globetrot (along with photos) but I'll post it here as well (same goes for the next 2 hotels reviews):
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...loponnese.html
We stayed here for 3 nights the first week of May and really liked it and would highly recommend it!

We had not made reservations, but I had read the reviews before our trip and kept the name in my mind, so when we got to town we went straight for it and there was availability in two of the rooms. One room was on the top floor (which appeared to be the attic that had been converted into this neat cozy space). The other was on the first floor (right next to the reception, but much larger).
The host, Anastasia, let us take a look at both rooms (which were both €85).

Even though the top floor room was smaller, we were a little worried about the noise on the first floor, so we went with the smaller one. We were very pleased!
The whole house was lovingly restored and decorated. The room had a lot of nooks and odd spaces, plenty of room to store our luggage out of the way. There was a sitting area with a view out the front window toSpyridon Square (a very teeny tiny square in front of the church).
And we also had a small balcony with a lovely view out to the rooftops behind the hotel, with a table and chairs (a great place to sit and have breakfast!)

There was also a desk area with TV. There was free high speed internet access in the room if you have your laptop. We didn't bring one but the hosts were happy to let us use their computer to check e-mail, etc whenever we needed. The room had AC which you control, which was nice. The bathroom was very nice and had a really nice shower (although a bit small, but with really good shower-heads and water pressure).
The bed was pretty comfortable and there were extra pillows and a blanket.

Anastasia and her sister, Evangelia (the owner) were very friendly, spoke English very well, and were extremely helpful with directions, advice and they met all our needs!! Anastasia was almost always there!! And we really enjoyed talking to her and learning a little bit about Greek life!

Breakfast was great, with way more food than 2 people could eat and, once again Anastasia made sure we got anything extra we might want (we don't eat meat, so since we didn't have any of the cold cuts, she made sure I had some boiled eggs). And when we had to check out really early in the morning, she packed us a bag to take with us! I can't say enough good things about Anastasia!! It really does make your stay so much more pleasant when you have people go out of their way to make you happy!

For that reason alone, I HIGHLY recommend staying at this great little pension!

The location is great and we just parked our car on the street just a few blocks away for free. If you can't find parking near the hotel, there's a big free lot right at the port just a few minutes walk. Do keep in mind that the streets right around the hotel are a bit of a maze for driving, lots of one way, dead end, really narrow streets, so you CAN drive right up the to hotel and drop off your bags (or even park atSpyridon Sq. if you can get a spot) but it's not the easiest thing to do...we found that out the hard way once or twice Best to just park near the port.

We were so pleased with this adorable pension in this lovely little town! Definitely recommend!!!


WHAT WE DID:
We spent 3 nights in Nafplio which we felt was the perfect amount for us. That gave us a very leisurely 1st afternoon (which we needed due to jet lag and getting hardly any sleep on the plane rides over). We just did an easy stroll around the town and got an idea of what was in store for us the next day, then had our first Greek meal atMarkezinis. I had great chicken souvlaki with pasta & Michael had cod fish and mashed potatoes with garlic. We also had olives, bread, wine and beer---Total €20. The we called it a night.
Our first full day, we spent exploring the Old Town. Nafplio was just the kind of town we love!! Wonderfully picturesque, set on the beautiful blue water, with a neat Old Town with wonderful little streets and alleyways to explore; lovely architecture, interesting churches and mosques, a cool fortress to climb up (Palamidi) and lots of nice shops and restaurants. There is also a nice promenade that we walked that takes you all the way around the edge of town along the water...that was lovely! We had dinner atZorbas The Greek. This time I had cod fish with the garlic mashed potatoes (apparently a popular local dish) and Michael had stuffed eggplant, with wine and beer---Total €17


Our second full day, we drove out to Mycenae (pronounced Mi-KEY-ness, we were told by our Greek hostess). We got there around 10am and we recommend getting there early because, by the time we left around 11:30 it was PACKED! We found it very interesting and great for a side trip. We visited the museum and enjoyed it.
We also went to the Treasury of Atreus across the street (which was included in the ticket price from Mycenae, €8). That was really neat and only took a few minutes.

We went back to Nafplio for lunch and walked around the town a bit more because we just loved it so much. Then we headed back out to Epidavros to see the ancient theater. That was impressive, and it's just like you read in the guidebooks...if you go sit all the way at the top, you really can hear someone drop a penny from the center. ..don't worry, there were plenty of tour leaders who were dropping pennies for their groups Also there were lots of impromptu performances by just regular tourists who just got up and started singing for everyone!!! We were amazed at how well regular people can sing We also walked through the small museum there and were very impressed with the pieces on display...we recommend that for sure.
There is also a very large archaeological site across from the theater and we spent a good hour or so wandering around there. Then we headed back into town for one last walk around, a nice dinner, and then got some greatgelato and enjoyed it while strolling one last time thru the beautiful Syntagma Square. What a wonderful way to end our fabulous time in Nafplio!!

Next...Santorini!!!

tod

What a lovely detailed report - please continue!

SeaUrchin

yes thank you for the wonderful report and the beautiful photos, you are such a happy couple!

luv2globetrot

tod and seaurchin...thanks so much!

I had a problem with my computer and didn't know this posted and I went ahead and posted under a different thread name.
Look for "Trip Report: Nafplio, Santorini & Athens"

dmate

WOW!
Your website is great and the pics are just awesome! Fun to look at the NZ pics as I am from CHCH. I am heading to Greece (Athens/Naxos)with my partner in July for 6 nights and I can't wait, but looking at your pics of Santorini, I think we should have gone there!!!!lol
That will def be on our list of places to visit on our next trip