Greece -- Alternative to Athens

Old Dec 15th, 2017, 06:54 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Greece -- Alternative to Athens

My partner and I will be sailing from Athens to Polyegos, Milos, Santorini, Patmos, Kusudasi, Mykonos and Kythnos this Summer. We plan on spending a few days in Athens on the front end. We had intended on flying from Athens to Istanbul on the back end for a few days. However, with the on-going USA/Turkey visa situation, this might not be an option. With that said, we won't want to spend another three days in Athens and I already have our airlines tickets booked with a return from Istanbul.

There's ample time for a resolution between the USA and Turkey between now and the end of August, but I'd like to have a plan B in place. Can anyone please recommend any alternatives within 3 to 4 hours of Athens (Marina Zea)? Since we will have already hit many islands, I don't think we necessarily will need to jump on a ferry unless there's a superb island close by. I'd like somewhere relaxed with a small luxury hotel perhaps on a beach?

Thank you in advance.
mjz_kc is offline  
Old Dec 15th, 2017, 07:43 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nafplio! Three hours by road from Athens, a beautiful seaside town amongst some of the most important historical sites in Greece.
http://visitnafplio.com/
Heimdall is online now  
Old Dec 15th, 2017, 07:45 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17,949
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
Yes, one of the two most beautiful cities in Greece, Napflio.(The other is Chania,Crete.)
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Dec 15th, 2017, 08:42 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 2 Posts
If you don't want to go far from Athens, we liked The Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort.
MoBro is offline  
Old Dec 15th, 2017, 02:11 PM
  #5  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree that Nafplio would be well worth considering.
kja is offline  
Old Dec 15th, 2017, 06:07 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another recommendation for a trip to the Pelopponese, with stops in Corinth, the fascinating Mycenae, then Napflio. Seeing Mycenae before we saw all its treasures at the Nat'l Archaeological Museum (Athens) was of particular interest to us, but it might be nearly as enjoyable seeing it in reverse. If Hydra is not included in your other stops, that might work too.
aliced is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2017, 05:27 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you to all. I've spent coffee time this morning reading about Peloponnese/Napflio. Excellent suggestion. This is definitely plan B for us. Actually, I'm thinking we're just going to nix Istanbul and do this instead.

Happy Holidays!
mjz_kc is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2017, 08:32 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Since you seem to have chosen the Peloponnese you might want to stop in Corinth for Ancient Nemia and Ancient Corinth then on to Nafplio and all the antiquities in this area.

Then continue deeper and take in Mystras the Byzantine city at Sparti, perhaps Monemvassia and stay in a period room in a 14th century walled town.

Then look at the Mani and further west at Koroni, Methoni and Pylos, there are Venetian castles in this area.

And by now you are close to Olympia.

Then head north and then east cross the gulf at Patras and visit Delphi then continue north to Meteora. Its an unforgettable circle trip.

Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645469717811/
Peloponnese Battle Castles https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645468134284/
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/
stanbr is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2017, 10:12 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for the detailed advice, stanbr.
mjz_kc is offline  
Old Dec 16th, 2017, 11:44 AM
  #10  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are adding to your time in Greece, you might find some useful information in my trip report:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-in-greece.cfm
kja is offline  
Old Dec 17th, 2017, 08:44 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow, excellent report with great details. Thank you, kja.
mjz_kc is offline  
Old Dec 17th, 2017, 08:46 PM
  #12  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Glad you found some value to it! Thanks for letting me know.
kja is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2017, 03:17 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi there

How many days do you actually have in Athens at the start of the trip? You can easily spend a week in the city, there's just so much to see and not just the major ancient sites. All I'm saying is by all means continue with your "plan B" but do allow sufficient time to see all that Athens has to offer.
haritakiscrete is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2017, 04:45 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,566
Received 22 Likes on 8 Posts
“Actually, I'm thinking we're just going to nix Istanbul and do this instead.”

In 2012 or so we went Athens, Nafplio, Istanbul. In your shoes I would be tempted to spend those first few days in Nafplio. And Istanbul would be the last place I would cut from any trip. Have fun.
xcountry is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2017, 08:22 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Xcountry, read the original post and you will see why mjz_kc is wisely considering Plan B. In October Turkey suspended most visa services for US citizens, while you, as a Canadian, can still get an electronic visa or one at the border.

The latest info from the US State Department is as follows:

"On November 7, 2017 the Government of Turkey announced the resumption of limited visa services. U.S. citizens may request in–person appointments for visas at Turkish Embassies and Consulates in the United States and abroad. U.S. citizens cannot obtain new e-visas, and most airport visa options for U.S. citizens remain suspended."
Heimdall is online now  
Old Dec 20th, 2017, 08:28 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,566
Received 22 Likes on 8 Posts
I think we all know that by now Heimdall. The OP also said "Actually, I'm thinking we're just going to nix Istanbul and do this instead."

I'm suggesting in her shoes I would not do that.
xcountry is offline  
Old Dec 20th, 2017, 10:29 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Xcountry, so in "her shoes" you would make an in-person appointment for a visa at the Turkish Embassy or a consulate? How far would you be willing to travel to reach the nearest consulate?
Heimdall is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
harroody
Europe
31
Aug 29th, 2013 06:41 AM
tasta
Europe
10
Mar 21st, 2012 02:02 AM
surfingmomma
Europe
4
Mar 21st, 2007 09:00 AM
oneillchris
Europe
42
Feb 25th, 2007 08:42 AM
Eleni
Europe
15
Aug 2nd, 2005 05:52 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -