Rodos is NOT "skippable." What a completely ridiculous statement made by a boor. Any old "new money" can hole up at the Grande Bretagne and take a guided tour. How dreadful and middle class.

Go to Rodos and see Rita at ilias lalaounis.

Have you read my famous trip report on Greece, sweetie darling?

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

Danalou had a wonderful time in Greece and bless her, she wants you to enjoy the places she enjoyed most. But it was probably her first time in Greece, others here who have been advising you have visited Greece quite a number of times, and they consider Nafplio a gem; so take that into consideration.

Also, Danalou was influenced in her opinion of Nafplio and Peloponnese by discomfort in a heat wave; in October that will not be the case. If you have not yet seen this slide show of some of the delights of Nafplio, foto'd by stanbr, click on this:
http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/551991579dJbWvh

The sequence that makes sense is to do the islands first. Fly to Santorini, ferry to Mykonos, fly back to Athens airport, get car there and drive immediately to Nafplio on major hi-way (thus avoiding any driving in or around Athens).

I agree with the poster who advised you to check out ancient Corinth enroute BACK to athens, to avoid backtracking. Drop car at airport & take metro (45 mins) to Central athens.

This will leave all your Athens time until the end, in one chunk .. and gives you more flexibility in case you have a delay, or decide to stay longer somewhere.

NOTE: those domestic flights if u watch can be bargain Aegean flights. Jump on them early in the year.