Does anyone know if it is possible to travel from Crete directly to the Peloponnese(specifically Monemvassia, but Neapoli or Kythera would be close)or vice-versa, in October? I'm trying to find a route that will hopefully prevent any doubling up, since I won't be renting a car while visiting the Peloponnese. I'm ultimately trying to make a giant loop from Thessalonoki(where I fly in to Greece from Rome) to Crete(by air) to monemvasia(?) to sparta(bus) to Nafplion(bus via Tripoli) and finally to Athens(bus). Am I stuck with traveling by road or rail to the Peloponnese from Athens instead? (basically doubling back on my route so I can hit Monemvassia) Am I being too ambitious? Thanks in advance!

The website www.gtp.gr is curently showing a once-weekly ferry from Kasteli in western Crete to Monemvassia. It's way too early to know if and when it will be sailing next October.

The ferry doing this route is Mirtidiotissa, which does a run from Piraeus down through the Peloponnese, Kithera, and on to Crete. The port on Crete, Kasteli, is also known as Kissamos. Mirtidiotissa is operated by Anen Lines: http://www.anen.gr/AnenUK.htm

Heimdall, thanks so much for the suggestions! I'll check them out!

Last summer's schedule for the MYRTIDIOTISSA and other ferries from Crete are on www.cretetravel.com.

I traveled that ferry last summer in August (from Kalamata to Crete). The Mirtidiotissa is possibly the oldest and most decrepit ferry in the entire Greek fleet, so expect a very slow-moving smog-belching ferry with few amenities. The arrival and departure times of this ferry are not always as listed because of its snail like pace so be sure to confirm the times with a local travel agent.

On the plus side as it's a seldom used ferry route the boat will be mostly empty and you'll be able to lie down on a couch and watch tv or read without anyone disturbing you.

Your itinerary doesn't seem overly ambitious if you give yourself enough time. It seems very exciting and interesting in fact. Aside from double checking the arrival/departure times of the ferry locally the only other hitch might be in the Monemvassia--> Sparta bus (I believe there is only one or two/day).

One last point: if you do decide to take this route the port in Crete (Kastelli/Kissamos) is NOT in town. You'll have to take a short taxi ride to the port from the bus station.

Best of luck!

Thanks so much to Geoffhamer and spartakos for the additional ferry info! I didn't think I would get more replies! Spartakos, do you have an additional words of wisdom to impart? For the sake of time and quality, I may drop the Thessalonoki portion of my trip.....is that a mistake? I'd hate to miss out on that part of Greece, but if I had to drop something......