We are hoping for advice on our itinerary.
We are arriving in Athens 22 Sept and leaving Thessaloniki 17 Oct, plan on renting a car from the airport in Athens and dropping off in Thessaloniki,and heading straight out to Nafplio.
We like to see things, but at the same time don't want to rush and see everything (quality rather than quantity). We enjoy longer stays and doing more things on foot than driving.
I think our biggest struggle in planning is the Methoni/Dimitsana/Kalavarta/Meteora stretch. Is Dimitsana worth visiting? Will we manage the road to Dimitsana? Is Kalavarta worth visiting (we are thinking of going on the Cog train)?
We do need to get from Methoni to Meteora so should we consider other options?
Using google maps we would be going from Methoni to Meglopolis and then up to Dimitsana and then from Dimitsana to Kalavarta up via the 111. From Kalavrata we would likely go up the E591 and then 5 via Ionnia to Meteora). Some people recommend routes that are more indirect using the highways. We are happy driving slow and scenic as long as it is not dangerous.
Is Kardamyli worth a night or should we stay longer at Methoni or Areopoli and just see it on the way?
Here is our tentative schedule.
We have not itemized the things we would do on route from stop to stop (like seeing Mystra). Unfortunately we will not have time to stop in Corinth on our first day.
1) Nafplio 4 nights
2) Monemavsia 5 nights
3) Areopoli 2 nights
4) Kardamyli 1 night
5) Methoni 2 nights
6) Dimetasana 2 nights
7) Kalavrata 2 nights
8) Meteora 4 nights
9) Thessoloniki 3 nights
Thanks in advance for any comments and advice!
David and Lynne

Some thoughts:

If you will arrive in Athens after crossing multiple time zones, PLEASE don't pick up a rental car until you've had at least 24 or 36 hours to adjust! Driving with jet lag is FAR more dangerous -- to yourself and others -- than most people realize. With your current itinerary, you could take a bus to Nafplio, explore that town for a day or two, and only rent a car after that. Or, for that matter, spend a couple of nights in amazing Athens, which doesn't seem to figure into your itinerary.

I thoroughly enjoyed a brief (one-night) stay in Dimitsana. I didn't visit Kalavarta.

The routes I drove were those suggested by my now defunct TomTom, so I can't speak to the difference between your options. I can say that I found driving in Greece to be safe and relatively easy ... as long as you drive defensively, especially on the sections through mountains. I do remember some, uh, challenging roads in and around Dimitsana.

Absent information about your interests, it's hard to comment on your itinerary. As already noted, I'm surprised that you plan to skip Athens. Even if you've been there before, it has such a wealth of offerings that I'm sure you could find things to enjoy there. Likewise, your time in Nafplio and Thessoloniki seems short to me, relative to the time you are allocating elsewhere. In contrast, 4 nights seems a lot for Meteora. I haven't visited many of your other destinations, so can't comment. Your interests could well be sufficiently different from mine that my reactions could be irrelevant. I'm sure you'll see some wonderful things no matter what!

Have you seen my trip report? You might find some value in it. The section on the Peleponnese begins with post # 137
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

FWIW, when I researched Greece, I read that the region of Arcadia (Dimitsana) is supposed to be one of the most beautiful and culturally distinct areas to visit. I don't see how you can go wrong.

I agree that it's difficult to critique your plans as everyone likes different places and activities.

I'm not sure of your plans for Monemvasia. If your focus is on the island, then I would consider adding a night to each of Areopoli and Kardamyli and spend less time in Monemvasia. But I do understand the appeal of just staying places longer. I would say the same of Meteora but longer there would be nice if you plan to hike or drive to other destinations. Thessaloniki is a bit gritty in parts but there's a lot to explore and enjoy there. Dimitsana and the other nearby villages are indeed lovely, as is the countryside. For us the focus of visiting there was hiking but you can also just wander the towns and enjoy the cafes, etc. Kalavryta is a fairly short drive from there. I agree with kja that Athens is great to visit, especially if you haven't been there before. Friends have highly recommended a visit to Vergina, which would be enroute to Thessaloniki for you. Unfortunately we didn't make it there.

We also were recently in the Pelopponese and central Greece, though I’d say our focus was a lot more on ancient sites than your itinerary is.

This was our second trip to Greece and, I agree with the others, Athens is worth spending several days.

The itinerary feels unbalanced - places can be consolidated (Aeropoli and Kardamyli) and Methoni is a bit of a drive for only 2 nights. This area deserves more time while some of the other locations may not warrant quite as much time. We opted not to go to Monemvasia, so perhaps there are reasons to stay here for 5 days, but it sounds too long to me given some of the other areas that you’re staying in briefly.

4 nights in Nafplio is a minimum - SO much to see in this area and in the town itself! Loved, loved, loved this town.

We stayed just outside Aeropoli for 4 nights - we visited Kardamyli and were not taken with it at all. It’s a busy tourist town and very crowded. I would not stay in Kardamyli but add at least 1 day, possibly 2, to Aeropoli. There are many day trips to take from this area and 2 days would not be enough.

The same can be said for Methoni - we stayed on this peninsula at Pylos (loved it!) for 4 nights and found we had plenty to do. I really liked the castle at Methoni and the town was pleasant, though we had a fabulous stay at the Karalis hotel in Pylos, and were really happy with this location.

We didn’t make it to Dmitsana much as I’d like to have visited it. We did, however, travel to Olympia and then onto central Greece, stopping in Nafpaktos on our way to Delphi.

From Delphi, we took the highway to Meteora which was relatively quick. We loved Meteora and I wish we had 3 nights and not 2 (though my husband got sick and our second day there was a wash).

Are you visiting any of the ancient or Byzantine sites? Our favorite was ancient Messene which we did as a day trip from Pylos. Another fabulous site is Mystras, the amazing Byzantine town with its fortified castle which we did as a day trip from the Mani peninsula. This was a highlight. Of course, there are sites like Mycenae (a must for us) and Epidavros, which we visited from Nafplio, that were incredible to see.

And there are sites like Olympia and Delphi that you don’t mention so I’m guessing that the ancient sites aren’t a focus for you.

Vergina is amazing!

Thanks so much kja for your advice and quick reply. We opted to miss out Athens as I have visited it and I agree it is well worth plenty more visits.We did look into the options of busing to Nafplio or Corinth and renting a car from either place. Unfortunately we could not find a rental that allowed us to return in Thessaloniki. As for Athens we know we will return there so wanted to focus on more of the remote areas of Peloponnese. We did rush into booking Monemavsia as we found a great place that we wanted to just relax.We will see if we can change our booking.Having read all the comments we will definitely plan more time in Dimitsana. There is a great 5 hour hike to Gortys archeological site and up to 2 monasteries which we wanted to do so we are going to have to play a bit more with our itinerary. Meteora has a lot of hiking which we enjoy but because of all the steps and my old knees I opted for the extra time. Again thanks so much. Will sit down and replan.
Lynne

Thanks so much. Have definitely planned to visit Dimitsana and surrounding area.

Thank you so much for all your advice. I wish we had more time to do it all. There is so much to see. We had big plans to see Delphi and Olympia etc but just can't fit it in. Already it seems too rushed but we can always hope to return. I agree with you Athens is lovely but we will return to do that again.As we love hiking and just getting off the beaten track and exploring and finding old ruins and hidden coves that are not often on media we will still be taking in some amazing historical sites.So far we have chosen Mystras and Messini as the major two. Monemvasia we unfortunately booked way before we had planned our itinerary and as it is non refundable we can't change that.Still the accommodation is in the old town and close to the beach. It will be relaxing and fun no matter what. We are definitely going to Dimitsana. We are hoping to hike to through the gorge and up to the monasteries if time allows.



Here is our new plan;



22 September :Arrive Athens 2pm. Rent a car from the airport and travel to Nafplion.



22 `25 September 4 nights : Nafplion . Nafplion sounds amazing and depending on how jetlagged we are we might explore Epidaurus or Mycenae or just relax.



26 ~ 30 September : Monemvasia Stay 5 nights (if we can we will try and cancel one night) Stop to visit Mystras on the way.



1~ 3 October : Areopoli. Stay 3 nights. Explore Mani peninsular : Limeni, Vathia and whatever time allows,



4~6 October : Methoni. Stay 3 nights. Visit Ancient Messini on the way. Explore the castle,old town and beaches



7~9 October : Dimitsana or Stemnitsa. Stay 3 nights. Hope to do some hiking and if possible see the gorge and monasteries.



10 October : Nafpakpog Stay 1 night. A stop over to break the long journey to Meteora.



11~13 October : Meteora. Stay 3 nights



14 ~16 October Thessoloniki Stay 3 nights



17 October Fly to Paris

It seems a bit rushed but wish we had longer. Appreciate if you have any other advice.

Thanks

Lynne and Dave

You might look up "sunk cost."

Judging from your itinerary, I suspect you know your own mind. I looked up those places you listed, and they look utterly amazing. I think your trip will be even better than what you can imagine. I am jealous.

Yip. . I am sure it won't be disappointing though.. Take care and have an amazing summer.

Your new itinerary sounds much, much better!

On October 10, do you mean Nafpaktos? It’s a charming town and a good place to stop along the way. Galaxidi might be worth looking at, too.

Sounds great! If you take the route from Nafpaktos to Kalambaka via Galaxidi and Lamia, you pass very close to Delphi. Have an amazing time.

Thank you so much and especially looking up the places. We do a lot of research but value everyone's input.Our itinerary still seems too rushed for me. I would love to spend so much longer and just explore. There is so much to see but am excited as it is such a privilege to be able to travel.
Enjoy your travels and maybe take a trip out yourself.
Regards Lynne

Yes,to Nafpaktos. I looked up Galaxidi and it looks lovely. Just a question we were considering going on highway 5 up to Meteora as it is a 1/2 hr less driving time according to google. Do you know if E65 past Delphi is a better route and more scenic?

Hi Dreamon. I looked up Galaxidi and Lamia. Both look lovely.
Just a question we were considering going on highway 5 up to Meteora as it is a 1/2 hr less driving time according to google. Do you know if E65 past Delphi is a better route and more scenic? If so we may just drive from Dimitsana and aim for either of the 3 options and if possible visit Delphi.
Thanks so much
Lynne and Dave

Delphi is utterly awesome. If you can find a way to include it, my advice would be to do so!

There is nothing wonderful about the drive between Delphi and Meteora. It's twisty, but nothing to see really. Which doesn't mean you shouldn't see Delphi.

We took the bus from Delphi to Meteora via Amfissa, Lamia and Trikala and thought it was pretty scenic. We also took a bus from Athens to Ioannina via Arta and parts of it were great too, mainly up to the north. I don't think I could say would be better.