Athens, Greece
Jul 23rd, 2013, 07:28 PM
#21
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Thanks heimdall.
Also, I was thinking about Crete. But we don't have a lot of time (and we also want to spend some time with our grandkids & our DD & SIL which in Athens). Any suggestions as to whether we should definitely not miss it or if there is much to see in and around Athens & environs.
Also, I was thinking about Crete. But we don't have a lot of time (and we also want to spend some time with our grandkids & our DD & SIL which in Athens). Any suggestions as to whether we should definitely not miss it or if there is much to see in and around Athens & environs.
Jul 23rd, 2013, 10:48 PM
#22
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Within easy reach of Athens (and still on the mainland) are Nafplio and Delphi. There are many historic sites around Nafplio, so that would be worth at least a couple of days. Delphi is simply spectacular, and can be done as a day trip, but overnight is better.
Since you are there visiting family, I can understand why you don't want to stray too far from Athens. If you prefer joining a tour group, there are Athens-based companies that offer tours outside the city ranging anywhere from half a day (e.g. Ancient Corinth) to several days. Do a Google search for Chat, Key, and G.O. Include 'athens' in the search string to filter out companies with similar names.
Since you are there visiting family, I can understand why you don't want to stray too far from Athens. If you prefer joining a tour group, there are Athens-based companies that offer tours outside the city ranging anywhere from half a day (e.g. Ancient Corinth) to several days. Do a Google search for Chat, Key, and G.O. Include 'athens' in the search string to filter out companies with similar names.
Jul 24th, 2013, 04:34 AM
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Thanks heimdall.
So far we have Delphi, Hydra on our must see list. We are now looking at places to see on the Peloponnese Island. But, I wasn't sure if we should also include Crete. We live in So. Cal. so if the main attraction is the beautiful beaches - we would prefer visiting historic places in other areas.
So far we have Delphi, Hydra on our must see list. We are now looking at places to see on the Peloponnese Island. But, I wasn't sure if we should also include Crete. We live in So. Cal. so if the main attraction is the beautiful beaches - we would prefer visiting historic places in other areas.
Jul 24th, 2013, 05:21 AM
#24
Napflion is a beautiful waterfront small city surrounded by incredible antiquities. It was an easy drive from Athens, many hotels and BnBs in all price ranges.
We also did a day trip from there to the very green island of Spetses which is near Hydra. They had organized tours in Napflion that included both islands.
You can spend several days visiting visiting the Mycenae(Agememnon), the ancient theater Epidavros, Tyrons, Corinth.
There is lots more on the Peloponnesean of course , depending on how much time you have to explore. We also enjoyed seeing Mystras and Olympia.
We also did a day trip from there to the very green island of Spetses which is near Hydra. They had organized tours in Napflion that included both islands.
You can spend several days visiting visiting the Mycenae(Agememnon), the ancient theater Epidavros, Tyrons, Corinth.
There is lots more on the Peloponnesean of course , depending on how much time you have to explore. We also enjoyed seeing Mystras and Olympia.
Jul 24th, 2013, 06:11 AM
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Crete is a large island, so you would need a car (and plenty of time) to do it justice. Point taken about the islands — I agree they are mostly about beaches with a few antiquities mixed in. You will get more bang for the buck in the Peloponnese (which, btw, has great beaches too).
If you were to hire a car there are many more places to see in the Peloponnese, including Olympia and Monemvasia. I was especially taken with a visit to the southern coast of the Peloponese (Messinia), where I saw Ancient Messini and several beautiful seaside villages, including Pylos, Methoni, and Koroni. You can see a few photos of that area in http://www.flickr.com/photos/heimdal...7627739427148/.
I'll admit to being a beach lover, and for that reason most of my trips are to the islands. However, for a sightseeing holiday I would much prefer the mainland. If you do want to include a short visit to an island, though, an obvious choice would be Santorini. The views there are like nothing else on earth!
If you were to hire a car there are many more places to see in the Peloponnese, including Olympia and Monemvasia. I was especially taken with a visit to the southern coast of the Peloponese (Messinia), where I saw Ancient Messini and several beautiful seaside villages, including Pylos, Methoni, and Koroni. You can see a few photos of that area in http://www.flickr.com/photos/heimdal...7627739427148/.
I'll admit to being a beach lover, and for that reason most of my trips are to the islands. However, for a sightseeing holiday I would much prefer the mainland. If you do want to include a short visit to an island, though, an obvious choice would be Santorini. The views there are like nothing else on earth!
Jul 24th, 2013, 06:24 AM
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If you choose the Nafplio area of the Peloponnese (the Argolid), here is an absolutely splendid noncommercial website which gives wonderful details about the entire area, WITH photos ... http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnafplio.com/Home.html
... if u are interested in the ancient Games, but don't have the time/inclination for the long drive or bus ride to Olympia, way on the other side of the Peloponnese, there is a little-known GEM, just over the Corinth canal, just 4-5 miles off main road on RH side ... Ancient NEMEA. It's the "runner-up" site for ancient games. It's been excavated and much of it authentically and carefully restored ... has stadium, theatre, a temple with towering columns, a great small museum -- everything but crowds! What's the secret?? $$$ Site "sponsor" is U of California Berkeley, which drew in many big donors to help. Every 4 years (2016 is next), Nemea stages a Games event in June, hundreds compete, thousands attend, from all over Greece and 150 countries. We visited this june, loooved it; easy to enjoy in under 1 hour. A plus is that the area is the Heart of Greece's best wine country... in village of Nemea there's a winery righ on the main street where u can watch the bottles being capped, and sample their wares. Nemea Red is Famous.
... if u are interested in the ancient Games, but don't have the time/inclination for the long drive or bus ride to Olympia, way on the other side of the Peloponnese, there is a little-known GEM, just over the Corinth canal, just 4-5 miles off main road on RH side ... Ancient NEMEA. It's the "runner-up" site for ancient games. It's been excavated and much of it authentically and carefully restored ... has stadium, theatre, a temple with towering columns, a great small museum -- everything but crowds! What's the secret?? $$$ Site "sponsor" is U of California Berkeley, which drew in many big donors to help. Every 4 years (2016 is next), Nemea stages a Games event in June, hundreds compete, thousands attend, from all over Greece and 150 countries. We visited this june, loooved it; easy to enjoy in under 1 hour. A plus is that the area is the Heart of Greece's best wine country... in village of Nemea there's a winery righ on the main street where u can watch the bottles being capped, and sample their wares. Nemea Red is Famous.
