Southern Peloponnese in March
 

Hi all--we (mr_go, 15 y/o daughter and I) are planning our next trip, which will include nine nights in Greece in late March. We will stick to Athens and the mainland. Interests include a mix of classical sites and scenery.

Our current thinking is to spend three nights in each of the following:

-Nafplion, for Mycenae, Epidaurus, Corinth, etc.

-Gythion, for Monemvasia and a bit of the Mani peninsula, with a stop at Mystras coming or going

-Athens, for the Acropolis, National Archaeological Museum, Agora, Plaka, etc.

Our questions really center on the second stop. After much reading, we (including our daughter) chose this area over some combination of Olympia, Delphi and/or Meteora, but are a bit concerned whether it is too early in the season. We've researched weather and know what to expect, but will we find many places still closed? Or, perhaps the opposite issue? Independence Day will fall during this part of the trip. What can we expect on that day in this area? We know that many archaeological sites will be closed, but those aren't really a focus for this part of the trip. And finally, would Gythion be a good base? I'm sure we'd like Monemvasia, but it looks like it would not be as convenient if we wanted to spend some time on the Mani, and we really prefer not to have a series of one-night stays.

TIA.

TTT. Not mentioned above, but we will be renting a car.

TTT, one more time. Any thoughts?

I have only drive through Gythion, so don't know what it would be like to stay in but what you are doing sounds reasonable. We had a similar dilemma when planning our trip last May and we ended up with 3 nights in Nafplion (well, near it) 3 in Monemvassia, 3 in Paralio Astros and one in Athens before our return flight. We have however visited the Mani and Athens before. Our trip was a month later than yours, we started 29th April and had a mix of a couple of showery days then sunshine - warm but not hot. Generally ideal for sightseeing.

We loved our stay in Monemvassia - it is such as special place to stay but think 1 or 2 nights would really have been enough to see it. There is so much to see on the Peloponnese that the tempation is to do too much, which is why we didn't want many 1 night stops either.

My trip report and link to some pictures is on here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34803709

I spent a couple of nights in Gythio, and although it is an OK town, it pales in comparison with other places in the Peloponnese. I would definitely plan to stay in Monemvasia, if only for one night (and I much prefer multi-night stays), so you have the place to yourself (although there may be fewer day trippers in March). If I were going back I would plan to stay in Gerolimenas, an idyllic seaside village. (My Peloponnese trip report is at www.wilhelmswords.com/eur2006 - Heart of Greece, pix at kwilhelm.smugmug.com )

Thank you, both, for your thoughts, trip reports and photos. I've just skimmed them, but we will both go back and peruse in more detail this weekend.

Does anyone have any insights on what to expect on Greek Independence Day in this area--Monemvasia, Gythion or somewhere on the Mani? Thanks.