Isabel - I look forward to your trip report. Did you rent a car to go to Delphi and the other places or did you take a tour?

I've really appreciated everyone's suggestions for my upcoming trip to Greece. After reading many travel books, threads on this site and talking to people, I've tried to put together an itinerary that gives me a good taste of Greece. I think there's a few areas that I'm a little unsure about like renting a car and driving to Nafplio, but I don't want to miss out on some really great places in the short amount of time that I have on my vacation.

I'd appreciate any comments that anyone could give me on the following itinerary. I'm also trying to decide on Paros or Naxos.

Since my last comment, Isabel has posted a trip report and a link to view her amazing photos.

Here's the initial plan in September:

Date, Location

9/10, Depart LAX
9/11, Arrive Athens 4:50 PM
9/12, Fly to Crete (or eve before?)
9/13, Crete
9/14, Crete
9/15, Crete
9/16, Ferry to Santorini
9/17, Santorini
9/18, Santorini
9/19, Ferry to Paros or Naxos?
9/20, Paros
9/21, Paros
9/22, Ferry to Athens (rent car-Nafplio?)
9/23, Nafplio
9/24, Epidaurus
9/25, Athens
9/26 Depart ATH 12:35 PM

Thank you!

Aquawink,
Can't wait to hear about your trip! I'm already planning my next trip with a similar itinerary somewhere in the (hopefully) not too distant future. Have a wonderful time - and take lots of notes!
Paule

Haven't checked in for a few days (hard drive died-- pause for shock & sympathy), and in the interim I see u have firmed up your plans, and very do-able they seem. (I do wish you'd chosen Naxos over Paros, just because it's a lot easier to get around without renting a car to reach good beaches).

About your trepidation regarding car rental to go to Nafplio -- that's easy! DON'T. If it's just YOU, then take the bus... grab a taxi to the KTEL Kifissou St. Bus Station (about 8€ from Plaka dist), go to the Argolid window, and buy a ticket on the next KTEL bus ... goes every hr on half-hour, costs 11.5€, takes only 2.5 hours. A/C, comfy reserved seats, ask for seat on LH side (on the sea side), no worrying aout where to get off, it's the last stop.. Dont get RT, no savings. Buy your return ticket just before u leave. You don't need a car in Nafplio... you can swim right at the cute pebbly town beach (Arvanita), and get a LOCAL bus to Epidaurus. Hotel? I love Hotel Leto, small budget hotel, all rooms have view down over the town & bay, ask for a balcony, tell them Janet from Philly sent u. Some people say that the town is re-opening that waterside Kiosk with an Audio guide of town landmarks... I'll believe it when I see it. But just go to Bookstore in Main Square, excellent blue-cover guide to Nafplio & area, with a map with numbered sights. Don't miss the renovated Archeology Musuem right on the square... the Folk Museum is also a prize winner. The shops are BRILLIANT. I never shop in Athens, only here, for little bibelots.

Have a stunning time.

Hi Travelerjan,

Sorry to hear about your major computer issues and I'm glad that you are back online.

After reading about Naxos a little more in the past few days, I've switched my plans to going there instead of Paros (on this trip). Thanks for all your encouragement and ideas on Naxos and the bus to Nafplio. I appreciate the Nafplio hotel recommendation and will mention your name.

I'm in the process of trying to book a hotel for Naxos. Any hotel suggestions for 50 to 70 euro near the beach/town?

aquawink - I recommend the Hotel Anixis in Naxos. It was 45 euro in July. It was a great hotel except for the difficulty in initially finding it. I reviewed it and give directions to find it in my trip report.

I used to stay way up in Old Town too ... but you know, I got tired of going up and down all the time -- and if you forgot something, whew!... now I stay in St. George Beach, in the area nearest to Naxos Town ... madly convenient (5-10 minute walk along the seafront) to the cafes, shops, tavernas of Naxos Town harborside but very quiet at night. St. George beach is shallow, but NOT crowded at the time you will be there... if u want to try another beach, it's easy to hop a bus (every 30 mins, takes only 15 minutes) to Ag. Prokopios... but best to stay at St. George in Sept, as the other beach areas begin to close down...

In that area you would like hotel Galini/Sophia L (2 bldgs together)... just 50 feet from the beach, no car traffic down the lanes beside it -- ask for room with a sea view. Has the BEST buffet breakfast in Naxos! (and I've tried a few). Free internet in lobby, very helpful owners. Hotel Glaros around the corner is much praised here but since it got mentioned in Michelin it's packed most of the time has raised its prices, and no better value. If Galini is full, Hotel St. George is very nice as well, very close by.

About Nafplio -- over on the TA forum, we finally untangled the mystery of the missing Audio Guide kiosk! These devices are now available NOT at a free-standing "kiosk but instead at the the culture office of Nafplion,opposite to the ote building (that's the phone company),next to the Nafplion fire station,tel number: +30 2752024444. You can get the free audioguide from them from 9.00a.m to 1.00 p.m and from 4.00p.m to 8.00p.m 7 days a week. The only thing they ask as security is your passport or an identity card (drivers license), which they store safely to assure you will return the equipment. Available in English and in French.