I'm looking for a place to stop between Athens and Delphi on 9/28 as my husband and I will be flying from Naxos that evening.

The flight leaves at 5:55 pm, arrives at 6:40pm. I'm sure by the time we leave and pick up a car, it will be well after 7pm. Sunset is at 7:14pm that evening (I checked!).

I understand Delphi is 2+ hours away. From what I've read, it's not easy or a good idea to travel there in the dark. Ideally, I would like to stop about 1-1 1/2 hours away from the airport so that the next day is a relatively easy drive to Delphi. That is the day we will spend exploring the site.

From looking at the map, Thebes looks like the most logical place to stop. Is there any other place that might make more sense? In a much earlier post, I think it was yiannis who suggested Halkida in Evia as a good stopover. But it looks like it goes off in another direction, and more important, we're not going to be there long enough to take advantage of the town and its attractions.

So, where is the MOST convenient place to stop? If Thebes, is there a recommended place to sleep? If not Thebes, where else can I stop primarily for convenience to Delphi that is easily accessible in the dark?

Thanks for your help again,
Paule

Thebes ( Thiva in Greek) is everything but a touristy city...
There are a few hotels there, but i would recommend only 2

1. Hotel Niovi http://www.hotelniovi.gr/
recently renovated small hotel, only problem is that it is located in the top centre of the city, on a pedestrian walkway.
Parking there could be very very difficult though

2. Hotel Filoxenia http://www.philoxenia-thiva.gr/
new hotel,, build in 2010 and located 500 meters outside of the city, it does have a private parking which is a big plus.

an alternative would be to overnight in the small village of Kalamos at

3. Dolphin Resort Hotel http://www.dolphinhotel.gr/
a 3 star hotel, 150 meters from the beach and 60 km from the Athens Airport ( Thiva is 90- 100 km from the Athens Airport)

on your way from Thiva to Delphi do make a small stop in Livadia for a coffee break in Krya, locals will show you the way, it is located near the center of the small city and it is a beautiful spot with a small river, big trees and a perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee...

Clausar, thanks for the hotels in Thiva - if I do stay there, it is great to have some recommendations. Kalamos looks nice, though I would really like to get a little closer to Delphi that evening.

On another thread, Mariha suggested Livadia - is this a place easily accessible when it gets dark? It looks like a nicer place to stop.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll keep looking at them!

Paule

Livadia is the city where i suggested to make a coffeebreak...
It is only 1/2 hour away from Thiva, i wouldn't drive though to Livadia at night.... narrow street passing through villages, with heavy traffic and many trucks.....

So, it seems that Thiva may be the best (easiest) place to stop for the night and get an early start the next day, no?

Are there any easily accessible small towns along the way?

Dear Paule, since you don't wish to drive when it's dark Thiva is to my opinion the best solution.
There is nothing worthseeing along the way, only small villages.... only 2 exceptions
1. Krya in Livadia ..it is a very nice spot
2. Monastery of Osios Loukas, one of the most important byzantine monuments from the 11th century

http://osiosloukas.gr/osiosloukas/en...xml/index.html

Thanks -- it's not that I mind driving in the dark, it's that I don't want to get lost in the dark!

If a place is easy to get to because it's off a main highway or road, that wouldn't be a problem in the dark. If, however, we need to find a place that has multiple turnoffs & poor signage, then I'd rather travel in the light hours when things are easier to find.

A small village could be a fine place to stop -- it doesn't have to be a particularly significant "tourist" stop -- if it has some kind of charm, such as a nice local restaurant or cafe.

Hm... there is really nothing significant on the way to Delphi.. no charming villages, only villages where there is nothing to do or see...
You will drive through Arahova anyway, that's the main winter attraction for Athenians, due to it's proximity to the Parnassos mountain skiing center...
But i am sure you 've read about it already... there are many nice restaurants and cafes there, you can walk up to see the old part of the village, once you have found a parking place.. ( which is not always easy)