lauramsgarden

We are looking at taking a one, two or even three night tour after our initial stay in Athens before heading for whichever island(s) we "settle" on. Curious as to your experiences/favorites/suggestions: looking at possibly Delphi - Meteora - Corinth canal - Mycenae - Nafplion - Olympia (not all, and not in that order - just ideas we've looked at).

priorities would be beautiful scenery, village life, history - Thanks so much!

Katie2

We rented a car in Athens and drove to Nafplion and stayed for 2 nights. Corinth is on the way to Nafplion. We were there in mid October and stayed at a B&B. It's a beautiful sea side resort. As I recall, we saw the ruins of Mycenae which weren't very far from Nafplion.

joannyc

I loved the monasteries at Meteora! Highly recommend a visit.

HappyTrvlr

Nafplion fits all of your requirements. My friends in Greece consider it one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. A lovely town on the water, two castles, beautiful plaza, surrounded by the ancient history of the Mycenae.

SkaleItIn

We went to Greece in October 2014 and fit in a 2 day tour to Delphi and Meteora. They were both excellent and I highly recommend this. You will never see anything like Meteora anywhere else in the world. I booked this tour through Atlantis Travel based in Athens and they were great.

mariha2912

Hello! Do you plan to hire a car or rely on public transport or taking organised tours???

WWK

We just visited Nafplion in June, and would highly recommend it. Nafplion fits everything on your list: "beautiful scenery, village life, history", and is very close to several other historic destinations, including Mycenae. You could also easily stop to see the Corinth Canal on the way from Athens.

The city used to be the capital of Greece, and is probably one of the most picturesque places we've ever visited in many trips to Greece.

It's just over 2 hours from Athens - very easy drive!

lauramsgarden

Hi Mariha2912 - right now thinking of taking a private tour to avoid the stress of navigating in a new place, then rent a car once we get to whichever island(s) we settle on. I've looked at a couple of tour companies that offer different itineraries. When in portugal we loved driving through the countryside - but could have done without the stress of the in and out of the larger cities. of course advice is always welcome

mariha2912

A customised private tour can be ideal if you are willing to make the expense

An idea out of many could be:

Day 1 - Early start from Athens drive to Levadia, head to Piges Kruas area for a coffe break, then drive to and visit Hosios Loukas Monastery. Continue to Delphi, check in a hotel, have a nice lunch and siesta, then visit the archeological museum and the lower archeological site. Have a nice stroll and dinner in modern Delphi. Overnight in Delphi.
Day 2 - Early visit to the upper archeological site, then a visit to Angelos&Eva Sikelianos museum (make arrangements with local municipality in advance about the Sikelianos Museum). Drive to Arachova for lunch. Then drive up to Parnassos mountain to Paliopanaya area where car could wait you for an hour or so till you hike to the Corycean cave and back. Then drive to the other side of the mountain to Polydrosos village and visit Argyriou winery. You can overnight at the winery or drive and overnight at near by Agoriani village.
Day 3 - Drive to Meteora, allow a day to explore the monasteries in leisure, hike etc, overnight at Kastraki
Day 4 -Drive back towards Athens, stopping by Kamena Vourla for a nice coffe break and by Thermopylae for a quick look around.

PetrosB3

Want any advice on Athens?

WWK

laramsgarden,

If you prefer to explore on your own and just need a private transfer service, I can highly recommend PKTravel.com based in Athens.

We've used them many times over the last several years for trips with extended family members to Cape Sounion, Nafplio, Delphi, etc.

They do NOT provide licensed tour guides. This is a transfer service only, but the drivers have been reliable and good company for long drives.

julies

We did something different and visited an area that few non-Greek tourists visit. Check out the Pelion Peninsula; we truly enjoyed it.

http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/eu.../where-to-stay

travelerjan

Laura I keep thinking we've discussed this before, you post so many different threads that I lose track ... and your plans seem to have changed with each thread. Anyway, if you contact me (click on my name, contact info is in my profile) I can send you my complete Tipsheet for "Nafplio & Environs". I believe Nafplio is THE gem of the Peloponnese and the ideal 'base" to see the nearby ancient sites. And no you do NOT have to rent a car to get there. I do not drive, and for my first 3 visits, used public transit only. Strategy:

DAY 1- taxi to KIfissou KTEL Bus Station (about €11 from central ATH hotel). Go to Argolid ticket desk -- right by the station's exit door. First bus is 8 AM, then 9:30 then hourly. €13? one-way (don't get r-t, because then u have to choose which inbound bus you want). Reserved comfy upholstered seats/AC. Take LH side for lovely view of Saronic bay en rout. takes 2.5 hrs, the last part thru lovely orange groves, rolling hills. From Bus station if u have high-up lodging, take taxi (3-4E). Otherwise,just roll your bag down flagstone no-car lanes. Spend rest of day exploring FAB Old Town, enjoy BEST sunset in greece from cafes along sea front.

DAY 2 -3? Rent car (35E per day?) for local site (go up BACK road of Palamidi fortress), Tiryns, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nemea (ancient Games) etc. http://www.visitnafplio.com is BEST website for area, Noncommercial & splendid... videos too.

RETURNING -- Either end of Day 2 or on day 3, depending on your plans. If going to isles by plane, u can do "shortcut" from bus to airport, avoiding city traffic. Get bus ticket to Eleonas, a stop on city's edge (TONS of people get off here), right at Blue Line Metro station. From there, get express Metro to airport, about 45 minutes. IF going to isles by ferry, you take bus to Kissifou station, taxi (about 13E outside rush hour) to Piraeus.

lauramsgarden

Thanks Jan, it is all work in progress...as you pointed out earlier we have time so still trying to pin down exactly what we want to do. I do appreciate all your detailed and thought-full advice!