I have brought along newcomer companions on at least 4 trips to Greece at that EXACT time of year -- to EXACTLY those 4 destinations -- and I can testify it works! All completely delighted as was I. Others here have made same "tweaks" I'd suggest so I'll just second the motion, and say why.

• NONSTOP to ATHENS -- doing an overnight from US gets you there between 9:15 - 10:30 depending on airline ... if you change in Europe/UK, aside from further Covid exposure, schedule & layovers & traffic delays mean u don't arrive much before 1-2 pm, even as late at 4 & your first day is shot. If u plan & book ahead u can get a noonish flight onward to your first island.
• NAXOS FIRST -- Heimdall is right.. that 2-hr Blue Star Ferry ride to Santorini as #2 Isle is just about right... and yes, you CAN remain on deck for the view almost until docking. (Ferry tip: u leave your big bags on vehicle deck; 1 of you can do tha while the other rushed up the escalator & steps to snare seating on one of 2 back decks -- its' first-come, first-served).
. NAXOS TIPS - (1) LOCATION In May it won't be too crowded yet, so it's great to stay at St. George Beach adjacent to port town, because it's a lovely short walk by shore to all the attractions ... for an afternoon's swim at outer beach like PLAKA, it's just a 25 min bus ride. Naxos is a fertile farming island, and lately there are wonderful tavernas (restaurants) that feature all local products. (2) TOURS - There are food tours, and a "lunch on a farm" adventures. U can D-I-Y in rental car, but there are also really good small-bus tours like this - https://naxostours.net/en/bus-tour-around-the-island -- that cover all the highlights @ about 23-4€€... including a swim-stop at lunch! Advantage of this is, gives u a good overview, & idea of places you might want to explore further, with a 1-day car rental (3) HIKES - I also don't do extra-strenuous hikes, but there are fun short ones. on this great list - Walking, hiking and trekking on Naxos - #14 is just perfect late in day; sunset then dinner.
• SANTORINI - U can experience the Famous Caldera View and see the sunset (to compare w. Naxos & Nafplio, the winners IMHO).. in 2.5 days enjoyably, if you employ crowd-avoidance strategies. #1 - if you can, time your Santorini visit between Friday & Monday, because weekdays have heaviest cruise-ship dockings & crowds. #2 - I advise looking for lodgings NOT in Fira or OIa, but FIROSTEPHANI . This overlooked spot is Easy walk along parapet lane to Fira's attractions (msueum, bus to elsewhere), but bypassed by those package-tour & cruise throngs, so it's serene. #3 - Do OIA at 8 am if possible... the mob scene begins at 10, then u jump on bus & go elsewhere... to Akrotiri, or Ancient Thira ruins. Also, avoid Oia Sunset scene - it's a ZOO; sunsets just as lovely all along the west rim. #4 - Despite constant recommends, do not do the looong hike Oia - Fira... u can appreciate caldera to/from Firostephani... this is promoted because it's of that isles only hikes.

• NAFPLIO & ARGOLID Area - try for flight to ATH with midAM - noon arrival. Your drive over Corinth Canal to Nafplio can include enjoayble stop at ANCIENT NEMEA... and maybe village of Nemea, heart of wine district... there's a bottling plant right on main street! where u can pick up something for y our Nafplio balcony.

•ARGOLID THOUGHTS - To try to do Mystra is over-reach, save that for next trip. SO much to see/experience IN Nafplio & ancient sites around. This superb AND noncommercial website - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ - is Pure Gold... click on Every Link! Especially walks! &overlooked places like Asine ( a ruin overlooking my fave secret swim spot... a rocky cove with ONE fish taverna). Also, you can see ANCIENT EPIDAURUS without doing a backtracking drive, IF you do it after exiting Nafplio early on last day, driving EAST on Peloponnese "Thumb" to the site (acres of ruins, but main focus is the fab theatre), then CONTINUE East & go up the shore road to Isthmus, where u can hop off to see Old Bridge over Corinith Canal, and only then join the big Intercity road back to Airport. BTW, en rout to Epidaurus, keep eyes peeled to L of highway for perhaps World's Oldest In-Use Bridge (myceanean - 1300BC) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkadiko_Bridge Another overlooked gem!

• ATHENS - Only recommend here is u might look for lodgings in area SOUTH of Acropolis "precinct" ... because it's mostly traffic-free, quieter, greener... It has a wide pedestrian promenade all along the south edge ... relaxing, Greeks come out for pre-dinner "volta" (stroll), kids on trikes, balloon man, ice-cream carts etc. Don't be allured by internet pix of fancy room decor into booking something far away... when u suddenly crumple in early afternoon, its nice to be a short walk to get a nap.

I would put one thing on your radar for Napflio and one for Athens.

Napflio - the Nemea games site (similar to Olympia and much closer), very nice little museum and what is left of the stadium

Athens - the Byzantine museum, beautifully curated items and excellent audio guide https://www.byzantinemuseum.gr/en/museum/

And while it is a bit further would highly recommend Mystras, a unique place but entirely worth the day out there https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/511/

I would love to visit Meteora but we definitely don't have time on this trip. Thanks for the recommendation, though. I hope we can return to Greece in a few years to visit Crete for a week or two, and then maybe add on central Greece and whatever we miss in the Peloponnese this year.

Wow!!! Thank you everyone! I really appreciate all the time everyone has put into responding to my post.

Progol, I do agree with you that we need to prioritize and make our decisions based on what is the most convenient for us. At our ages, convenience is very important! We do plan on visiting Akrotiri, and while I hadn't thought about Delos, that is something I will consider as a day trip from Naxos, depending on what our schedule is like on Naxos. I hope we could make a last-minute decision and book the ferry to Delos at the last minute if we so decide. I am also assuming that if we decide to fly directly to Santorini from Boston, that we will get beautiful views of the caldera while taking the ferry from Santorini to Naxos. And if we decide to add an extra night to our trip, we will add it to Nafplion, so we would be there 5 nights.

I know several people have recommended flying to Athens to avoid transferring somewhere in Europe, but I don't believe that is possible for us. I did a quick search on Expedia, and there aren't any non-stop flights from Boston to Athens. We have to change planes somewhere in Europe. And that doesn't bother me at all. Maybe we have just been very lucky, but we have been flying to Marseille to visit our daughter and her family ever since she moved there in 2013. There aren't any non-stops from Boston to Marseille, so we always have to change planes somewhere in Europe. And, knock on wood, we have never had any problems, including this past August. Oh, there was one issue one year when there were strikes at the Marseille Airport. Our flight was cancelled from Lisbon to Marseille, so we did have to overnight in Lisbon, and TAP put us on the next available flight the next day. But that has only happened once since 2013. I also have a friend who has been going to Crete every year for the last 10 years, and they typically change planes in Zurich, and have never had any problems, including this past September.

Travelerjan, thank you so much for your detailed reply. Staying at St. George Beach on NAXOS sounds wonderful. Can you recommend some places? We typically don't want to spend more than $200 per night, but less would be nicer, as well. :) We like convenient locations, cleanliness, and a nice breakfast would be great, too, but not necessary. And nice ambience, nothing sterile. In SANTORINI, I am considering staying in Imerovigli. I know Fira or Oia would be too crowded and hectic for us. You didn't mention Imerovigli so I assume you prefer Firostephani, Why is that? How would you compare Imerovigli with Firostephani? On the PELOPONNESE, if we stay 5 nights, do you recommend spending all 5 nights in Nafplio? Or breaking up the stay, such as 3 nights in Nafplio & 2 nights elsewhere? Can you recommend lodgings for Nafplio?
And what is the name of the neighborhood that you recommend for lodgings in ATHENS? Traffic-free, quiet, and greener sound great to me. Your description reminds me of the time we spent strolling on the Roman Bridge in Cordoba. Spaniards and their families were strolling along the bridge, socializing, and with their children on their bikes. It was so nice and serene and felt really "local" not touristy.

Laurie_ann, I have made note of your two recommendations. Mystras does sound wonderful! Is it reasonable to drive from Nafplio to Mystras?

Heimdall, I did find a flight that flies from Boston to Heathrow, with a connecting flight from Heathrow to Santorini. But thanks for mentioning the part about Gatwick. I will be careful to make sure our connecting flight is from Heathrow, if we choose to connect in London.

Re your feedback/queries:

NAXOS LODGINGS -- In May, it's actually hard to spend $200 on St B. Beach unless you go to the only 3 "upmarket" hotels (uniformed staff, fancy lobby etc). If you choose a nice family-owned place with 15 - 30 rooms, many with balconies facing right on the water, a double can be $100- 120. but things are filling up amazingly fast -- a lot of pent-up travel fever -- so to get the location you want, book NOW; you can cancel w. o. penalty up to 2-3 weeks before trip, so it's no-risk. to check availabilities & exact location, recommend browsing with use of Booking.com - https://www.booking.com/landmark/gr/...os-beach1.html plug in your dates & click the winow "show on Map" to see ALL availables & where they are. Many are "studios" -- ie. they have kitchenette ell, so u can fix breakfasts if u wish... all have fridges of course. Some that have nice water views from include Studios Kalergis, Hotel Palatia (my choice) , Hotel Kymata (upper floors), Studios Thomais. If some are not shown, they may not be putting up their 2022 prices yet, or may not be using a rental agency.... so find their website & email an inquiry direct. A nice upscale boutique place, Villa Naxia, has not used agencies for some years now -- I guess we regulars recommended it so often they don't need to!

SANTORINI -- Firostephani vs Imervogli. I su!gest look at a map. Both have hotels with lovely caldera views ... but Firostephani is handier... as I said, it's a nice 20 minute downhill walk down the parapet path to Fira.... Walking home, you can avoid the incline by using a "secret" flagstone walk that paralells the main road. But Imervogli is more distant from Oia AND Fira, so you need to take a bus to either, or taxi or a car & parking is hellish in both places. Again, for browsing & availability, booking.com - https://www.booking.com/city/gr/firostefani.html -- will show exact locations (as we all know, sometimes descriptions fudge, but maps dont lie). In FIrostephani, for balconies or roof terrace with a caldera view, -- depending on your budget -- nonpool hotels to check out include Hotel Mylos, Sunset Hotel, Remvi,Villa, Blue dolphins. Hotels w pool include Agnadema Apts, Blue Dolphins, Mill House, Villa Ilas . Check reviews carefully -- for instance many hotels are built DOWN the cliff & you have to walk down 50 steps to your room (!). My secret adorable budget Gem, Villa Fotini, 50 feet from the caldera path, only has 8-9 rooms so may be full already. Again, if you don't see a name listing on booking.com, find the website & write directly.

PELOPONNESE -- YES, I reommend staying the full time in Nafplio... SO handy, So relaxing after a day of explorting ruins etc ... and SO many wonderful choices of cafes & tavernas, besides having the BEST sunsets in Greece (My decision after 13 trips, including visits to 20+ islands). For stays in Old Town, The Visit Nafplio website creator & I agree that Hotel Agammemnon right at seafront is top choice (And moderate rates), but already booked solid. Boutique Omorfo Poli is a lovely small choice Athena Hotel faces right on the square -- could be noisy on weekends, but if u are there during week it's a great choice. Grand Bretagne has a couple of rooms with sea view, more $$ Don't be tempted by places up by the castle wall -- lovely views, but do u want to walk up steep stairstep streets after a wine-y dinner? Don't think so! Booking.com also lists some pvt-owner apts as well. Beware of the narrow streets 2-3 streets in from seafront, because of street-level cafes open late

ATHENS -- Here's an Online Map of Central Athens -- Attachment 6081 -- click & it gets huuuge - use side-slides to navigate. Find Acropolis & put it in the center, to orient y ourself. The neighborhood I like is called Makrigiani, but it's considered really the southern part of Plaka dist. The building marked #24 is Acropolis Museum - and South entrance to Acropolis precinct is right across the promenade. Again, u can browse for availability & location using booking.com's special filter - lists places according to how close they are to Acropolis - (tiny url) http://tinyurl.com/heq6edp Always start with "map view" to see the "ballooons" of available places w prices A new development is they also list pvt apts, sometimes in VERY good locations & less €€ than hotels.

Yes, Mystras can be done as a day trip from Napflion.

Mystras is about 2 hour drive from Napflion. It is a full day out but we thought totally worth it. You might watch out though for google maps directions and maybe compare the route to paper map. I am sure we were driving through an orange orchard they way that google sent us. But must have been the most direct.

Do read up on all the ancient sites in advance if you can. They take a bit of imagination to see what they must have been in their time but makes a difference.

Thank you to laurie_ann! Driving through an orange orchard sounds like fun! Do you know if it's possible to book a private tour guide once you arrive at Mystras? Sometimes we like to wander on our own, and other times we like to have a guide, if possible. Do you have a favorite of the ancient sites that you saw on the Peloponnese?

Travlerjan, thank you for all of your detailed information and the links. I've been checking some of them out & saving them to my desktop. I booked 2 hotel reservations! The first time I've ever booked hotel reservations before our air reservations! In Naxos, I booked a room with a sea view at Hotel Palatia. Studio Thomais only has non-refundable rooms on booking.com. I couldn't find Studio Kalergis on booking. com so I went to their website. It looks like we have to pay when we reserve, and it's a free cancellation policy if you cancel early, but they don't say what early is. So I emailed them and waiting to hear from them. In Nafplio, I booked the Omorfi Poli. And you are right, the prices are so reasonable. I think a little under $100 for Hotel Palatia, and a little over $100 for Omorfi Poli. I might search a few more places, but at least I have these booked. Will tackle Santorini and Athens another day.

Thank you! That's good to know!

YOu wil be happy with the 2 you booked ... good friends of mine, well-traveled architect & wife (he leads pvt tours of ancient Italian architecture!) had NEVER been to Greece... so I planned a trip for them - Firostephani, Naxos, Nafplio & Athens. They had a Sea view balcony at Palatia & loved it... also FIrostephani.

KarenWoo,
We stayed in Studio Kalergis in 2011 and were very satisfied with our stay. It was very “plain vanilla” but a huge space with a kitchenette for something like $40/night! I just checked their website (so much slicker than 10 years ago!) and, if you click on “details”, you’ll find the details of the cancellation policy. You can cancel for 100% refund up until 14 days prior to your reservation. The Hotel Palatia looks fine, though, and I’m sure you’ll be happy there.

Progol, thank you so much for checking for me. I don't know how I missed that. I don't want to pay now so I will stick with Hotel Palatia.

Tonight I booked the Mill Houses Elegant Suites in Firostefani on Santorini. I booked a Junior Suite with Caldera View. Price is roughly $255 per night which I think is good for a caldera view. The description does not say anything about the number of steps so I have emailed the hotel and am waiting to hear back from them. Thank you, Travelerjan, for the recommendation.

Karen, it sounds as if you've got it all 'sorted," as the Brits say. Your next task is the domestic flights -- unless you are going direct to Santorini as part of your International fllight plan connecting in Europe. Also, if you are fly ing from Naxos to ATH airport, don't wait long on that booking.... Aegean/Olympic in May only does 2-3 flights per day, and their Very modern turboject planes are small -- due to airport limitations -- only about 40 psgrs per flight. Sky express the same. A good flight to get is mid-morning. Someone says that Sky has lower rates if u are flying midweek but don't count on it. ... it's chilly in Philly tonight, I just had hot soup, and am thinking about warm sun on St. George beach. Sigh. Do give us a trip report next summer!

I just heard from Studio Kalergis, and we don't have to pay in advance. So there is something I misunderstood on their website or they weren't very clear. But I will stay with Hotel Palatia on Naxos.

Travelerjan, I have not made my airline reservations yet. We are going to Santorini first because as I think I mentioned in an earlier post, there isn't anything non-stop from Boston to Athens. So in this case, I prefer to do what is the most convenient, which is flying from Boston to Santorini on the same ticket and changing planes only once. I plan on flying from Naxos to Athens. Don't want to take a ferry. BTW, I assume you have seen Mill Houses Suites in Firsostefani. Do you remember if there are lots of steps? I haven't heard from them yet. I still have to book the Athens hotel. I also contacted Villa Naxia in Naxos and they are fully booked for our dates.

Sorry, KarenWoo, I meant to say that you don’t get charged until 2 weeks prior! I was just meant to clarify the cancellation policy. But it seemed to me that the reservation you made was good and no need to change it.

I don't think you need a guide at Mystras or any of the other Peleponnese sights.

Mystras actually is quite well signposted within, some actually quite humorous describing daily life in what was a very large city in its time. You might browse the internet for background like wikipedia and save to your phone or print a few pages on paper. Or a book like "The Lost Capital of Byzantium: The History of Mistra and the Peloponnese" by Steven Runciman and John Freely (a used copy is $10 on Amazon)

For Nemea there is a U.S. archeology professor who made it his life's work. He has a book about Nemea available on Amazon too. Here is an interesting article about him. https://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/inter...stephen-miller

Thanks for this info! We will be visiting Mystras in May.

laurie_ann, thank you for the information on Mystras and the books.

No I don't think Mill House has enormous # of steps -- the Firostephani places I listed are not that way ... many in OIA and Fira caldera-front are, however. Good for you, getting to Santorini first...
FERRY to NAXOS a 1.5 to 2 hour ride to Naxos is a short fun sail ... the morning (1045) CHAMPION JET is a large catamaran, more costly than the BLUE STAR, but has its advantages: • is 500+ all-reserved seats, so not a stampede to board & you need only be down at the pier about 30 mins before departure • you sit inside but can STAND on open back deck at departure to see the cliffs... then go inside • It's fast, & gets you to Naxos a bit after 12 noon, so yo have half a day there. The BLUE STAR leaves at 3:15 and has its plusses: • the economy fare is just about €20 • you get rear deck seats (1st come 1st serv ed) on top 2 decks, nice vista of cliffs at departure, then relax & watch the wake • huge vessel (holds 1500psgrs - 250 vehicles including huge trucks), so its very smooth ride, and corridors to walk on & stroll, many coffee bars, snack shop etc Blue Star "drawbacks" or things to be aware of: • Its the start of this run, and HUGE crowds assemble in the dock "pen" (2-ended building) -- you really need to plan ahead to get down to the pier, it's a zoo • YOu leave your big suitcases on vehicle deck near the ramp, be careful to stack where they can be retrieved quickly • That boarding throng will stampede to get deck seats, so one of u needs to scamper upstairs to snag seats • When loudspeaker announces "Naxos" u need to hustle down to vehicle deck for arrival; boat only docks for 15 mins or so.

You can avoid some of the “drawbacks” of Blue Star by reserving a numbered air seat or buying a business class ticket, which I always do. You can still walk out to the open deck, knowing that a seat will be waiting for you when you go back inside. The show isn’t over after the ferry leaves the caldera, because it passes closely by several other islands on the way to Naxos.

Another advantage of business class is that it is at the front of the ship, with windows at the front and both sides. Business class is located directly below the bridge, so you get essentially the same view as the Captain and his officers navigating the ship. The last time I took Blue Star to Santorini I didn’t even bother going out to the open deck, because views were better from business class.