M1

I will have one week free in Greece in mid-March and am planning on spending it in the Peleponesse. SInce history, food, scenery and Byzantine architecture are high priorities, I have narrowed the list to include these three places. My question is--are there public transportation options among these three locations that are possible or is a car required? I will need to start and finish the trip in Athens and am trying to avoid a rental car. Any info would be helpful, as well as your experience with these towns, especially Monemvassia and Mystras, which have gotten somwhat less attention in the forum.

stanbr

All 3 places on your hit list are highlights. I would suggest if you can rent a car as that gives you maximum flexibility. The roads from Athens out of the airport are all highway and are relatively easy to drive. Just stay way over to the right and let all the fast guys speed past you.
On the way to Nauplion stop at Corinth and visit Ancient Corinth the Roman city plus Ancient Nemia ( a sister city to Olympia) with a stadium temple and a good Museum. Each can be nicely done in an hour,
Nauplion is a great city particularly the old town with its 3 Venetian Era Fortresses.
Mystras is the last home of the Byzantines and stretches down the side of a mountain. It takes a good 4 hours to do it justice and is well worth the effort.
Monemvassia is a step back into living history as you can stay inside the walled city in period rooms. I have to admit I have not been there in March which is way out of season but in May it was a memorable experience.
Here are our pictures
Nauplion
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551991579dJbWvh
Monemvassia
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551987765EoLDkO
Mystras
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551988174qxbTNw

cathies

In Athens there are some fabulous small churches that feature Byzantine art. I can't remember the name of any of them, but don't be afraid to pop into any small churches that you see.

The monastries at Meteoria are incredible if you can get that far. One that we visited had the most amazing Byzantine art.

We were on a bus tour, but in hindsight we would have been fine driving.

yiassas

By far the best option is to have a car. It can be done by bus, but it involves a few changes, don't expect times to connect conveniently!
If you use the buses, from Nafplion you need to get to Sparti (probably via Tripoli), easy to visit Mystras from there. Also buses to Monemvassia from Sparti.
I don't have the Lakonia (Sparti) timetables to hand, but will try & find out times for you.

ms_go

We spent about a week on the Peloponnese--including Nafplio, Monemvasia and a few hours (not quite enough) at Mystras--three years ago, also in March, and it was a fantastic trip. Staying inside the walls at Monemvasia during "quiet" season was a real experience--we felt like we were practically the only people there.

I can't speak to public transportation--we drove and found it pretty easy to get around.

Here is a link to our trip report and photos in case this is helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-go-ms-go.cfm

travelerjan

If the aversion to rental cars is the worry (well-placed) about Athens driving; there is one car-hire, Avanti/Swift, where their guy will actually drive you to the on-ramp to the arterial hiway out of town, then u could return it to airport = no driving on city streets.

M1

Many thanks for your comments and suggestions. I will use these suggestions as I continue my planning.

george_wilson75

What Stanbr has said regarding ancient Corinth is a great idea. I have read a lot about it and it is worth visiting on the way to Nafplion. I am going to make such a trip and I can’t wait being at the ancient sites of Greece. Corinth used to be one of the most important ancient greek cities which had played an important role to the political affairs of the ancient state. Do not omit to make a short stop at the canal of Corinth. If you want to know some things about ancient Corinth, have a look here http://ancient-corinth.com/ . Visit Acrocorinth, a very important site of ancient Corinth.
My wife and me are fond of culture etc so we have decided to overnight near Corinth in order to explore the ancient sites of it.
As far as the south part of Peloponnese is concerned, I was advised to visit Dyros cave in Messenia which, according to my research, must exciting. People sail in the cave, there is water in it, looking at huge stalagmites and stalactites making peculiar patterns with their shaping!

yiassas

If you come to Messinia (it's where I live) make sure you visit Ancient Messini, they are still working on the site, it large, very interesting, has a small museum & is rarely mentioned on tourist sites or in books.
Some photos here,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7618342876072/
Also the castles of Methoni, Koroni & Pylos,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7624073836072/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7623948199309/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7622501863319/
For a totally different day, the (small) lakes & watrfalls at Polilimnio are worth a visit too,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yiassas...7624016326546/

yiassas

BTW, the Diros Caves are great, but I believe the price has now been hiked to about €12, many are saying that is too much. You are taken through them on a small punt, you have to duck at times when you go past an overhang. It's been some years since I last went & I gather it's under new management, hence the price rise.
It does get very busy at times, with long queues if a coach party or two are there.