JustineA

Let me begin by saying that I have been to Greece many years ago and spent months seeing as much as possible.
On this upcoming September trip I will be traveling with a person who is older and tires easily although is a great sport and likes what I plan. However, I have to be careful not to over-plan and keep it simple. He has never been to Greece. We will have a bit more than 2 weeks due to other family plans. He likes architecture, ancient sites, natural beauty, good food, and does not like to be in overly touristy areas or resorts, yet he surprisingly loved Palma de Mallorca, so he is not always predictable.

I am trying to keep it to two areas which is what he likes. He likes a base and to take day trips. He tells me that he's afraid he will be stuck on an island where there is nothing to do but lie on the beach. I want him to see some of the great sites so he doesn't feel like he has missed anything and at the same time don't want to over-do it.

We will arrive in Athens after a very long trip from the Southwest United States. I can't see us getting on another plane to go anywhere at that point. He will have to rest for a few days. So we will begin with about 4-5 days in Athens.

I was hoping to hit a couple of areas after Athens,that will tick his boxes. Was considering spending the remainder of our time on Corfu. It's a bit costly to fly there and I think that driving is too long a trip for him. So not sure about that. And if he doesn't like it, we are stuck on an island with a rental commitment. I tend to worry.

But then I think what a shame he won't experience some of the Peloponnese.
Another option is the Island of Evia. Sounds like a interesting area but I wonder if there is enough there to hold his interests.
He has told me that he doesn't want to go to Santorini or Mykonos.
I spent a month on Crete years ago and would like to see something different.
Was also thinking of Samos with an excursion to Ephesus. Or several days on Hydra.
Also, I am concerned that the Northern Islands will be chilly in mid-September and I, myself, would like to have some time on beaches and by the sea as I miss that where I live in the mountains of New Mexico. So maybe Skiros and Skiathos won't be warm enough although I have always wanted to see them and have heard they are wonderful.

Any thoughts, insights, recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I need a simple uncomplicated itinerary and if possible even rent a vacation house as a base which he loves to do.

suec1

Rhodes?

JustineA

Okay. I will check it out. Thanks.
Do you have a moment to tell me why you suggest Rhodes?

brotherleelove2004

Go with Samos, if for no other reason than for taking the daytrip excursion to fantastic Ephesus, one of the most important archaeological/historical sites in the Med.

HappyTrvlr

From Athens head ro Napflio and use it as a base to explore the Mycenae and Epidavros.

laurie_ann

We just had 10 days in Greece at the end of May, split between Athens and Napflio.

Napflio is a lovely small city I would say half way tourist, halfway not, but with a lot of lovely cafes, restaurants, shops.

And we had great day trips. We did Mycenae, Epidavros, Mistras (not that well known but very cool medieval city) and Nemea (where they had ancient games like the Olympics). Each made a nice long morning out and then we spent afternoon evening in cafes and restaurants.

You could also do day trips to Hydra and to wine tasting. (We just ran out of time).

jamikins

We also loved Nafplio! We spent a week on Naxos, 4 nights in Nafplio and 4 nights in Athens. We thought it was a great mix.

You can see our pics here

Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627668851905/

Nafplio https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627669385061/

suec1

Well I've only been on Rhodes for one day but I did do some research for a possible future trip. It has some historical sites - main town would be very historical and it also has many beaches. It is to the south of Athens so should be warm in Sept. It's big so good for day trips, I think there are some island "hops" as well. The extensive beaches would be good for a day or two in the sun. The one thing I didn't like much was some of it is quite developed - I'd guess alot of package tours go there from N. Europe. It might be nice to stay in town instead of along a beach with sprawling resorts.

I'm guessing there would be several flights a day from Athens to the island so no need for long ferry ride.

A great research site is Matt Barrett's Greece - you can get alot on info there on Rhodes and most of the other islands as well.

JustineA

Thank you everyone for your suggestions; this is all great! I will check out the links, photos, etc...
Getting excited!

travelerjan

Justine, I agree with Jamikins, Laurie-Ann and Happy traveler that Athens/Nafplio would be a happy choice for a 10-day visit, without too much rushing & long-distance travel... your companion would not be "stuck on an island with nothing to do," he'd get his fill of architecture, ancient sites yet you could get your beach time in ... I even have a perfect rental to suggest.

The other places are all wonderful (I've been to most of them multiple times) but the transport logistics can eat up time for Rhodes, Samos,the N.E. Aegean; and Ephesus tho wonderful can exhaust some people; even my beloved Naxos can be a challenge unless you fly both ways. And even when one flies, there's all the hassle of airport transfers, waiting & delays. You can have it all, without ferry or more flying.

The scenario I'd suggest would reverse the sequence -- A Nafplio-area stay FIRST, then Athens at the end, when your companion is revitalized by a restful low-key time, and ready for a vibrant big city. Yes, I know you'd be coming from a loooong journey (when u include clock-changes it would be nearly 24 hours. But I have an answer for that:

• Book a flight with just ONE change, leaving at a decent hour, arriving by late aft next day.
• Pick up rental car (or taxi) & go to St. Thomas B & B 10 minutes away, a villa in an olive grove, with pool – http://www.stay-in-athens.com –and gracefully collapse. After a restful night & leisurely breakfast buffet, your friend may be ready for a lovely 2.5 hour drive on a modern intercity highway with a great view of the sea.
• Drive over Corinth Canal, turn off on quiet road to Nafplio area, destination Tolo.
• Phaistos Bungalows– http://minoanhotels.gr/Hotel-in-Tolo...galows/en.html – overlook lovely sandy beach... with use of neighboring hotel pool as well
• Tolo is only a 10 minute drive by car or hourly bus to gorgeous Nafplio ... which Greeks consider their MOST beautiful Old Town... peninsula surrounded by water, gorgeous golden Italianate architecture, museums, history, shops, fab sunsets. This great (Noncommercial) website covers the whole area. http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnafplio.com/Home.html
• Spend 4-5 days relaxing, exploring, see Palamidi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Asine, Tiryns etc. Try my tested routine: Morning - a Site/Museum, Aft - a swim & nap, Eve, a splendid dinner!
• Rested & Revitalized, drive back to ATH airport, return car, ready for 3+ days in Athens
• Take taxi (€35 flat rate) to a Central Athens hotel, preferably on quiet lane, and VERY close to Acropolis, Agora, new Acropolis museum. Tops in that category if your budget allows: AVA Hotel (boutique). Also in same area, nice, convenient, quiet, Airotel Parthenon, Herodion.

If this appeals ... I urge action on the lodging suggestions ASAP ... September is still a popular time for travel, and good options fill up fast.

JustineA

Hello Jan,
Thank you for your kind and helpful itinerary.
The Bungalows are booked for most of September, by the way.
I will consider your other suggestions as well.
Thank you again.
Justine~

travelerjan

Here's another place that has 11 bungalow units in Asine which is right on the edge of Tolo http://bungalows-villa-christina-ass...en/aboutus.htm ... surrounded by orange trees, w. views of the sea, it's just 250 meters or so from both a small pebbly cove that has nice fish taverna, very lovely... looks across the water at Tolo Beach. Down a small tree-arched road; discovered the cove/taverna when getting off a Tolo-bound bus at the "azine crossroads" a few years ago, walk right by this place en route to Assine ruins & a swim. Since then, when I go by car from Napflio with 3-4 newbies on a day jaunt to Epidaurus, this cove is the perfect stop to stretch our legs, do a quick ruins-scramble, then sunbathe & swim and have a sunset dinner -- a perfect traveler trifecta. Good luck booking this one ... it's not advertised to USA.

travelerjan

And here's an offbeat suggestion, but in tune with Greek hospitality habits ... there are nice facilities that just don't make it on to the internet. If you decide to contact Villa Christina, you could also ask, if they are full, is there another bungalow/villa they could recommend which is equally close to the beach, sea view etc. Often these family-run places know of attractive lodgings virtually next door, which do not have much internet presence. I have found hidden gems in this way, before.

JustineA

Jan, Are you discouraging staying in Nafplio?

travelerjan

No no no no no! These are places just 10-15 minutes OUTSIDE of Nafplio Old Town, and they meet 2 of other wishes expressed by you for yourself and your companion: (1) "rent a vacation house as a base, which he likes to do " and (2) "some time on the beach and by the sea as I miss that" ... These locations permit you to have your cake & eat it too!!

If you wish to stay IN Nafplio's Old Town, that's lovely too. I usually stay in town up high at Hotel Leto (you know by now that Nafplio streets go up the side of a peninsula) -- Leto as just 14 rooms, all with balconies looking down on town roofs and the sea ...you can drive up there when arriving. You descend via stair step streets to the level of the sea (and of course back up) but since you have a car, you can drive down a ramp, and all along the promenade is a vast free parking area. If you wish to stay at sea level, the loveliest upscale place in Old Town faces directly on that promenade looking out at the tiny Bourtzoi castle in the bay...Hotel Amphitryon. If that's a bit pricey, check Hotel Agamemnon right next door, faces on a plaza open to the sea, balcony rooms with sea view are €85 in September.

Again , I myself love staying in Old Town, but I was trying to respond to your wish list. If you do decide to stay in town, be aware that weekends are very popular with chic Athenians (these are not the ones suffering in the financial crisis!), and the best locations do fill up. I say, book NOW -- Greek law permits cancellations without penalty up until a few days before the date.

HappyTrvlr

I think your older family member would find the center of Napflio more interesting with easy access to restaurants and sites than being stuck out on a beach area such as Tolo.

stanbr

We always stay in the old town and this June stayed at Hotel Agamanon. I think yu can get everything you described right in the old town and you have the added bonus of being able to have a lovely dinner each evening with wine or ouzo and not have to worry how you get back to your hotel.

It is just a few meters away from the ocean and is right on the waterfront promenade. It had a great breakfast and a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter all day long. It is well worth the price.
Here is an album of our recent trip. The first 16 images are of Nafplion and the 6th through 11 are images taken from or near Agamemnon including one image from our balcony.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645468134284/

Here is a second album with Nafplio and the day trips that have been suggested.

Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/

jamikins

We stayed here and really enjoyed the gorgeous views

http://www.hotelmarianna.gr/index.php

Would definitely recommend it.

travelerjan

jamikins, marianna is lovely ... However, for an elderly person who tires easily, it has the same drawback as Hotel Leto -- it's way up by Acronafplia, and in order to avoid climbing all those steps, one needs to use the car every time one wants to wander the town. that is why I suggested the sea-level places.

JustineA

He's not elderly.....yet! Just so you know, just not real healthy energy wise. He can manage the steps and they would be good for him! You guys are so great. You have no idea how wonderfully helpful you are. I really appreciate it.

I am still going back and forth in my mind over this trip. I feel that some 'island' life would be essential. I'm still tossing Corfu (although worry about all the rain they are having now) around or Rhodes or an island not too terribly small or difficult to get too. I would love to wing it but that's not his thing and there's too little time.