Anyone been to both Nafplio and Ortygia?
 

If so, can you please tell me your reactions to both? Several years ago we started a Greek trip with a couple days in Nafplio because everyone raved about. For us it was fine and okay, but we found better and more interesting places later on in our trip. I wouldn't gush about it.

Now I am trying to plan for a Sicily trip that will start in Ortygia which many people also seem to love. I don't want to short it on the time it deserves, but I also don't want to book us too long if we have kind of a "it's nice but not great" reaction.

By the way, we are not looking for the opportunities just for lots of sight-seeing (and we are not shoppers). We are primarily looking for ambience in a place that is nice to wander in.

Thanks for the help.

I've been to both. I want to say I liked Ortygia much better, but we were there recently for several days as opposed to one overnite at Nafplio years and years ago and so not much chance to see anything.

One nice thing about Ortygia is that it's attached to a mainland city (Siracusa) with quite a bit to see on its own.

was in Napflio so long ago, I couldn't compare.

Have you got a guide like the Rough Guide to Sicily or the Cadogan, that describes every town? You could read up on places like Paterno or Adrano or Augusta and see if you would be more intrigued. But if you want pretty waterside town in Italy, it is going to have many aspects of it exploited for tourism. What they won't have though is the startling Duomo that Ortygia has.

I was in Nafplio in 2006 and Ortigia in 2008. I would be happy to go back to either, but while I liked Nafplio I loved Ortygia. Read my TR for why - stupid iPad won't let me copy from it.

Oh good. Now I am feeling fine about Ortygia and will even add in another night.

Just as I was about to suggest Pachino...

http://www.sicilia-ferien.de/en/sici...t/pachino.html

(Never been but it has always sounded so pretty, and the tomatoes are great)

I too have been to both: Nafplio this year and Ortigia last. I really like them both. Ortigia was busier, though that might be because Greece was quiet this year. Both are good bases for getting around by public transport and I suppose by car. I stayed in both places for about a week. Click on my name for TR including both. What a dilemma, lucky you!