Roadtrip: Peloponnese - Delphi - Meteora in Oct? Feedback welcome!
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Roadtrip: Peloponnese - Delphi - Meteora in Oct? Feedback welcome!
We will be arriving in Athens (airport) from Santorini in the first week of October, picking up a car and heading to Napflio for three nights. As far as that go I can make hotel reservations without agonizing over choices for the next 8 days.
A little background: We love roadtrips, don't mind driving for hours if the scenery is worth it. No problem with curvy roads, mountainous routes or aggressive driving. We take the Michelin map 'green' roads whenever we can. Don't mind using the 'gray' ones either. We do not mind one-night stays in hotels when we are doing these roadtrips. We realize that this style of travel is not for everyone and as we get older we try combine on-the-move vacations with longer-stays.
We are early risers, typically only snack for lunch and love to sit down in the afternoon in a café to watch the world go by in the late afternoon. Finish the evening with a lovely meal. Well, maybe some after dinner drinks can be enjoyed as well. No driving after dinner is required.
So this is what I would like to do:
- leave Napflio after 3 nights
- leisurely drive through the coastal road, spend 1 night in Monemvasia
- Drive Gyhio, Mani peninsula, visit Pyrgos Dirou Caves, spend 1 night in Areopolis or further north (Kardamyli?) depending on energy level and cave visit.
- Do the caves if not done the day before, drive to Mystras and visit, spend 1 night in the general area
- Head to the temple of Apollo at Bassae, visit and drive to Olympia. Visit museum if enthusiasm exists. Spend the night in Olympia.
- Visit Olympia in the AM, drive via Patras, E65 to Delphi. Spend the night.
- Visit Delphi leisurely, spend a second night if necessary or head to Meteora if done in a couple of hours.
- Drive early in the AM to Meteora 1 visit a a few monasteries, spend the night in Kalampáka
- Visit/hike monasteries, spend a 2nd night if needed or start driving to Athens if enough
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If push comes to shove and we wind up spending more time in the Peloponnese I would be willing to (gasp!) cut out Meteora and gain two nights, but this would only be possible if we are not tied down with reservations.
So, what do you guys think of the itinerary and do you think I can just wing it? No hotel reservations until between Nafplio and Athens. We can always ditch the car a day early and wing it for a night in Athens if we get there ahead of plan (unlikely!).
A little background: We love roadtrips, don't mind driving for hours if the scenery is worth it. No problem with curvy roads, mountainous routes or aggressive driving. We take the Michelin map 'green' roads whenever we can. Don't mind using the 'gray' ones either. We do not mind one-night stays in hotels when we are doing these roadtrips. We realize that this style of travel is not for everyone and as we get older we try combine on-the-move vacations with longer-stays.
We are early risers, typically only snack for lunch and love to sit down in the afternoon in a café to watch the world go by in the late afternoon. Finish the evening with a lovely meal. Well, maybe some after dinner drinks can be enjoyed as well. No driving after dinner is required.
So this is what I would like to do:
- leave Napflio after 3 nights
- leisurely drive through the coastal road, spend 1 night in Monemvasia
- Drive Gyhio, Mani peninsula, visit Pyrgos Dirou Caves, spend 1 night in Areopolis or further north (Kardamyli?) depending on energy level and cave visit.
- Do the caves if not done the day before, drive to Mystras and visit, spend 1 night in the general area
- Head to the temple of Apollo at Bassae, visit and drive to Olympia. Visit museum if enthusiasm exists. Spend the night in Olympia.
- Visit Olympia in the AM, drive via Patras, E65 to Delphi. Spend the night.
- Visit Delphi leisurely, spend a second night if necessary or head to Meteora if done in a couple of hours.
- Drive early in the AM to Meteora 1 visit a a few monasteries, spend the night in Kalampáka
- Visit/hike monasteries, spend a 2nd night if needed or start driving to Athens if enough
---------
If push comes to shove and we wind up spending more time in the Peloponnese I would be willing to (gasp!) cut out Meteora and gain two nights, but this would only be possible if we are not tied down with reservations.
So, what do you guys think of the itinerary and do you think I can just wing it? No hotel reservations until between Nafplio and Athens. We can always ditch the car a day early and wing it for a night in Athens if we get there ahead of plan (unlikely!).
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I think it will be fine to wing it. I did the same in Italy last sept. and it was fine. I did make some reservations the day before we arrived at a specific town using the internet. I am one who did not appreciate Meteora. I feel pictures of it are more beautiful than being there. I love Delphi and the Peloponnes. Another lovely area is the Pelion Peninsula near Volos. Have a great trip.
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Don't know if you have the time to fit this in your itinerary, but I was very impressed with Ancient Messene, and the port towns of Koroni, Methoni, and Pylos, all near Kalamata. I was there in mid-September, and we had Ancient Messene almost to ourselves. Here are a few photos of the area:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...7627739427148/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...7627739427148/
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Your itinerary sounds great to me, especially your flexibility to overnight wherever you want on your way....
I have done it many times, and that should be no problem at all...
The western part of Messinia, mentioned by Heimdall is a great area , strongly recommended, and that could be combined with Vasses.
Stoupa and Kardamili are wonderful places to overnight if you can make it coming from Areopolis..
I have done it many times, and that should be no problem at all...
The western part of Messinia, mentioned by Heimdall is a great area , strongly recommended, and that could be combined with Vasses.
Stoupa and Kardamili are wonderful places to overnight if you can make it coming from Areopolis..
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Thanks for the replies! I did have Koroni, Methoni, and Pylos in a previous iteration of the route but I cut it off in order to have a second night in Delphi.
I'm definitely overthinking this part of the trip and I think I will just need to prepare as much as I can and then let it happen whichever way it does
I'm definitely overthinking this part of the trip and I think I will just need to prepare as much as I can and then let it happen whichever way it does
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Sorry to add to the confusion. Do go to Ancient Messene if you can. It's amazing to walk around a huge archaeological site with few other people around! There were only about six other visitors while we were there. I actually had to wait for people to appear in the photo of the stadium (DSCN0244) to give it perspective.
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There are excavations going on the last years in Ancient Messini and they have restored a big part of this major archaeological site.
Last year the theatre was used for theatrical plays and concerts for the first time.
www.diazoma.gr is a private association with the aim of restoring many ancient theatres, and they are active in Ancient messini as well.
Have a look at the following video, where you can see the progress that has been made, it is in Greek, but the pictures speak for themself...
http://www.diazoma.gr/GR/Page_92-03_Documentaries.asp
Last year the theatre was used for theatrical plays and concerts for the first time.
www.diazoma.gr is a private association with the aim of restoring many ancient theatres, and they are active in Ancient messini as well.
Have a look at the following video, where you can see the progress that has been made, it is in Greek, but the pictures speak for themself...
http://www.diazoma.gr/GR/Page_92-03_Documentaries.asp
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