Pat

My husband and I are planning a trip to Greece in May 2003 and need a bit of advice.<BR>Ferry from Ancona, Italy to Patras, any recommendations, we are thinking of using Superfast. Not sure whether to book ferry online or use an agent, help. Have contacted Uli at Dolphin Hellas in Athens but she says schedules for next May will not be available until March whereas I can bring up the schedules for our dates online and book now. Has anyone stayed at Saga Hotel on Poros? Lastly can anyone recommend a middle of the road hotel in Olympia. Thanks all.

Geoff Hamer

ANEK Lines, Minoan Lines and Superfast all have daily services from Ancona to Patra and the ships will be quiet in May - you will be able to book a ticket before joining the ship. All have modern ships of a similar standard, so there's not much to choose between them. I've always preferred Minoan Lines, but I'd happily travel with the others. If you are staying on Poros, there's no need to book tickets in advance as there are plenty of ferries and fast craft - it's best to buy a ticket at Pireas for the next departure rather than be committed to a particular sailing in advance.

Pat

Thanks Geoff for info on ferry companies. We will actually be driving from Patra to Poros via Argolis to Galatas and crossing on the small car ferry to Poros. We think the drive takes about 3/4 hours so would arrive in Galatas between 7/8p.m. Do you know anything about this ferry and if it operates during the early evening.

Geoff Hamer

From Galatas to Poros, there are small launches that cross frequently on demand till late in the evening, but the small car ferry runs less frequently. The road to Galatas is a minor mountain road and most traffic goes on the ferries from Pireas. I don't know where to find the times for the Galatas ferry, but if you're booking a hotel in Poros, they should be able to get details for you.

jef-europe

Hi Pat!<BR><BR>As for the ferry from Ancona you can use Superfast,Minoan lines , or Anek.<BR>All of them operate state of the art ferries with luxurious amenities identical to those one can can find on a cruiseship.<BR><BR>It is true that the schedules for the summer are not set before april.<BR><BR>I think it will be more efficient and cheaper for you to make all your bookings for hotels/ships/tours etc... directly with a major Greek travel Agent who will constantly monitor your bookings and of course assist you during your stay.<BR><BR>I assume you plan to travel as follows:<BR>from Patras to Galatas-Poros via Olympia(or vice versa).<BR><BR>If you need to stay near Olympia I suggest the Aldemar Olympian resort:www.aldemar.gr.<BR>It is a fabulous resort with a splendid beach 20/30 min by car from Olympia.<BR><BR>Then from Olympia to Galatas take the scenic mountain road via the villages of Dimitsana ,Karytaina .<BR>Try to spend at least one night on the mountains.<BR>It is one of the best areas you can visit in Greece with nice lodges,plenty of historic places and excellent food.<BR>

Pat

Hi Jef, Just a query about the ferries. If I go to Superfast Ferries and follow the online booking sequence, fill in all the desired areas it brings up the schedules for the dates we want in late May plus return in June. So.... are these schedules not correct and likely to change in March/April next year? Thanks for info on hotel in Olympia, our thoughts are Olympia, Sparta then Poros or vice versa.<BR>Anyone out there stayed at Saga Hotel on Poros, found it on Matt Barrett's site.

jef-europe

The search engine of Superfast ,operates with the actual data.<BR><BR>You should wait for the summer schedule in april for more reliable info,and better rates.<BR><BR>As for Poros do not consider Matt's recommendation as the absolute (outdated)reference.There are many new places not mentioned by this website with outstanding service and facilities.<BR><BR>The routing around Peloponissos you are planning ,is breathtaking !<BR><BR>On your way down to Sparta(1h30 min from Olympia) do not miss the Temple of Apollon.Probably one of the most secret antic temple...<BR><BR>Of course do not miss as well Kardamyli,Mani,Mystras and of course Monemvassia.<BR><BR>From Poros you can plan a full day visit of hydra and Spetses islands

Yiannis

I don't know if Jef is Greek or not but his information is really correct and his proposed scheduled seem ideal for Peloponese. (If you want the opinion of a Greek)<BR><BR>Yiannis

Pat

Hi all, thanks very much to you all for the help. Have made two decisions - to definitely use a Greek travel agent to avoid any problems and to stay a bit longer on the Peloponese and have alook around the Mani.