I am leaving on Friday for Greece with my 22 year old daughter-Athens, Delphi and the area around Nafplion. I have done alot of research and checked various websites but I still have a few questions that I need some information on.
I am planning on using George, the famous taxi driver for a one day trip up to Delphi which we are sharing with another couple to cut the costs. How much do I need to tip him for a one day trip in his private mercedes?Trip is the same cost as a tour bus-80 euros a person.Since it is low season, we were having trouble finding any tour other than one on Weds.
I still cannot get the exact times that the ferries/cruise ships leave for the 3 island/1 day tours. Anyone got any ideas? Do I need to book this before I go? Would it be cheaper to do it on my own ie. get my own way down to Pireaus on the metro?
Is it really stupid to go all the way back into Athens for one night after we return our rental car at the airport following 3 days in the Nafplion area? If so-what hotel would be REALLY inexpensive by the airport?
Thanks for any help that you can provide.

If you are happy with George 10-15% ,if not nothing. Depends what time you leave the car at the airport and what time you depart next day. Sofitel hotel at the airport is very expensive for just few hour. If time permits take the bus to Sindagma Sq. they run 24/7 and the ticket is good for 24 hr for all transports. Reasonable hotels near Sindagma Sq. are the Arethusa and Astor. Next day you can use the same ticket to go back with the subway or bus. The hotel can call a radio taxi for you . it cost me 40eu at 4am the tariff doubles after hours.For the one day cruse I will buy the tickets at any travel agency which includes a bus trip to the terminal which is not in Pireaus. If you use the Aretusa or Astor walk down the street, is a very lively area with cheap food or you can walk to Plaka both are walking distance from these hotels. Good Luck have a great time.

There are numerous ferries leaving throughout the day to Aegina, Poros, and Hydra, so you don't need to worry about exact times.

Quote from Greek Island Hopping 2007: "One set of boats definitely to be avoided are those doing the 'three-island' day cruise trips widely advertised in Athens tourist shops and travel agencies - taking in Aegina, Poros and Hydra. You can do these yourself over the course of a day for half the price (using hydrofoils and catamarans) and save even more using the local ferries."

There are only really EXPENSIVE hotels near Athens airport. You don't say what time the flight departs, and I couldn't find it in your previous posts. Apart from staying in the Sofitel at the airport or the nearby slightly less expensive Holiday Inn, your options are going back to Athens or finding a hotel in Rafina, which is closer to the airport. Much depends upon how early your flight departs as to which is the best alternative.

Thanks for the tips everyone. Our flight to JFK leaves around 11am on the 25th so I quess we could just go back to the Attalos and enjoy Athens for one more night. Of course, my DH has just informed me that there is going to be an ice storm in NYC tomorrow so this could be VERY interesting trying to get to JFK from ORD? Any other last minute suggestions-for instance that I will be fine driving with the daughter to Nafplion who doesn't read maps well........

Just one correction to the info about the airport bus: it's no longer valid for 24 hours on all forms of transport - you can ONLY use it for ONE journey to or from the airport. Still good value at 3.20 Euro. I totally support Heimdall's advice re. trip to islands - you'll enjoy it more if you do it yourself. You might just decide to spend the day on Aegina - lots to see! Be prepared to be flexible, though - yesterday and today high winds kept nearly all the boats in Piraeus! I shouldn't think you'll have any problems driving to Nafplio: it's a direct route which is very clearly marked! Have a great trip!