Lily

I'm trying to fit Delphi into my itinerary for my trip to Greece. From Athens I will be going to Nafplio for three nights leaving early Sunday morning and returning to Athens on the following Wednesday for a flight to Santorini at 1:00. I understand that Delphi is about 4 hours from Athens so if we arrived about 10:00am, toured Delphi, then left for Nafplio around 4:00, about what time do you think we would arrive in Nafplio? As I'm writing this I'm thinking this is way too much driving for one day and we would be better off to stay Sunday night in Delphi then drive to Nafplio for two nights on Monday morning. I guess my real question is should we skip Delphi in order to stay three nights in Nafplio or stay one night in Delphi and only two nights in Nafplio? We would end up with only one full and one half day in Nafplio to see the town and the surrounding sites in Mycenae and Epidaurus.

Lily

anyone?

Nikki

I would not skip Delphi. That was one of the highlights of Greece for me. The bonus is that you will get to spend the night in Delphi, where I took beautiful photos at dusk and dawn in the mountains. And the tour I took went to both Mycenae and Epidaurus in one day, so I think you would have enough time for both with two nights in Nafplio.

Lily

Thanks Nikki!

MollyBrown

Delphi is nice, but in such a short time frame I would consider just staying put in Nafplio for all three nights and leaving Delphi for another trip. Ancient Mystras near Sparta is plausible with a car from Napfplio as a day-trip - I would do that instead. It is stunning and should more than fill your ancient beauty quota. Napflio is lovely and perfect for 3 days - The Palamidi fortress and island fortress in Napflio can easily amuse for a full day. Don't forget to follow the path along to the local beach and beyond - lovely trail. You can also visit Epidavros, Mycenae as mentioned. The free fortress up above Argos is a nice stop if you have a car too - great views (although Argos doesn't have much else to recommend it).

Check out Mystras - honestly it is a sight worth a trip and it makes better sense in my view to Delphi which is in the opposite direction of Nafplio.

Have a great trip,

MollyB

WTnow

Delphi is wonderful, but we were VERY disappointed with Nafplio after hearing so many raves here about it. Perhaps the problem was we were there in high season when it is VERY miserable, hot and crowded. ( We did like the ancient sites nearby). We could not wait to get out of there and left early.

BUT we were also in Delphi in high season as well as Olmpia and they were both wonderful. I would spend the night... or two... in Delphi. We love it.

We were in Satorini in June...fabulous...then after a Turkey tour we returned in high season...yuck! So *when* you go matters.

Lily

Thanks for all the recommendations -I hate to miss Delphi but I also don't like to stay in a hotel for just one night especially as we will have just arrived in Athens 2 days before. Gets a little too hectic for me as part of what I like about travelling is slow travelling. We will be there in early June so don't expect the large crowds yet. I know what you mean WTnow about crowds - while in Spain earlier this year, I was looking forward to seeing Ronda after hearing so much about it but we arrived to huge crowds and after just driving through, we left for the hills and stayed instead in the quite white village of Cartajima which was heaven.

MollyBrown

I was in Nafplio in...early June I recall and had the run of the place! I agree that can make all the difference. If your in the Palamidi Fortress be sure to travel beyond the entrances - there are amazing nooks and crannies if you have the time to explore.

Also..there is a "master Italian gelato maker" in Nafplio - I wish I could remember the name....but its just off the main squre near the prominade - you should come across it easily when wandering around. I managed to come across it twice a day as I recall....

MollyB

dutyfree

My daughter and I found quite alot to see and do when we were in Nafplio and surrounding areas in March. We also tried to squeeze in Delphi (which I had already seen years ago) but the driving (which I did) was too much for the week we were in Greece. Have fun!

DAX

bookmarking

Lily

I will definitely find that master gelato Molly B. And thanks dutyfree for posting your experience - guess we'll just have to make a future trip to Greece to include Delphi as I don't relish the drive and trying to fit it in.

dutyfree

Check back to previous listings as I posted about my daughter and I experiencing one of my favs ever abroad in Nafplio-being invited at the restaurant that we were eating at to stay and join a "seniors" birthday party complete with music,wine,lots of dancing,etc. Just delightful and one of my reasons I LOVED staying in Nafplio!Its got great places to see,shopping and wonderful restaurants-you will love it and the surrounding areas like Mycenae.

mfk59

Here's my question for all experienced visitors to the area:

how are the roads/highways b/n Athens and Delphi? and est. driving time.

thanks!!!!