|
Arriving in Glorious Nafplio
Leaving Athens was, surpsingingly, a bit sad. This was our second visit and we enjoyed it so much more than the first time. I really enjoyed the walking tour; seeing the Acropolis again; and generally getting a much better feel for the city. There really is so much more to see but, at least, we left with having a good experience. Thanks to Elias from Swift Cars, we were picked up right on time at our apartment by Dmitra, the representative from the rental car agency. She drove us just out of town, going over the car with my husband (the driver), leaving us only after we were comfortable with the car and knew where we were going. The car drove like a dream and we were off. The road to Nafplio was easy. I would’ve liked to have stopped along the way at the Corinth Canal, but these days, we tend to take it easy and get to our destination first, settle in and explore once we’re rested. Arrival in town, about 2 hours later, was pretty easy, too. We stayed in Pension Omorfi Poli, recommended by KarenWoo (thank you!). Located in the old part of town, the pension is a short walk from the waterfront and about a 10 minute walk from the huge (free!) parking lot, where we parked the car. I was very happy with the pension and its location, that was convenient to explore the town and its access to the parking lot. Even though there was a huge yacht show taking place when we arrived, we had no trouble finding parking and even though there were dozens of yachts parked for the next few days, we never felt overwhelmed by crowds. We stayed in a small apartment that was in a separate building just around the corner from the main pension. This is a long, simple space that had a comfortable bed, terrace, couch and kitchen area, which worked well for us since we were staying for 6 nights. Breakfast was served by the main pension and the beautiful weather allowed us to sit outside to eat every morning. They make a good cappuccino, too!! After a rest, we had lunch at the Taverna Archontiko half a block down from our apartment, a good meal - nothing memorable, but satisfying. We were hungry and it was there. And then to meander* the streets of Nafplio! A wonderful wander…. *Did you know that the word “meander” comes from the Menderes River in Turkey? I love to mention this since we actually saw the river from above and it twists and winds back and forth as it flows through the plain, so has come to mean anything convoluted and wandering! |
More Nafplio meandering
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...056a796c57.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9597867d6e.jpg Church of Ayios Georgios with Palamidi castle in the background https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3263f316ee.jpg Church of Ayios Georgios - interior https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a70723f8ca.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2209dc2839.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f50f0a0c66.jpg It was a few days before the Orthodox Easter and the shops were filled with Easter eggs and goodies! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...057661aa7d.jpg It was a few days before the Orthodox Easter and the shops were filled with Easter eggs and goodies! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ee9e7f7a07.jpg Gelato man outside of Gelato, one of several ice cream and gelato shops https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...61b9f8804d.jpg My friend and I |
Mycenae
Mycenae, one of the great Greek cities of an important civilization that dominated Greece from 1600 to an our 1200. The Mycenaens were warriors, traders and were skilled in engineering and arts. The site, with a citadel at the center of what was once a large city, is magnificent and sited beautifully amongst the mountains with a great view of the surrounding countryside, a rugged but beautiful landscape. Seeing the magnificent Lion’s Gate, with its (now) headless lions at the top, is an awe-inspiring site. Walking through, passing the burial sites, coming to the top and imagining the fortification that once stood here, looking at the massive walls that surround the city, coming to the cistern, still retaining water that was once fed by a eucalyptus tree, and then visiting the remarkable Treasury of Atreus, or tholos (beehive tomb), is a truly breathtaking experience. We loved it. |
Archeological site of Mycenae
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cae780c1a3.jpg Approaching Mycenae https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...724a982b3d.jpg Approaching Mycenae https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...14668912e4.jpg Lion Gate walkway https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d40045accc.jpg The magnificent Lion Gate https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bedeaabf90.jpg Grave circle https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...55889c8018.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b1c4e3ea84.jpg The walls surrounding the area https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b09f2d29bd.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...797311966f.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e4ec378838.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...76f74d8669.jpg Entering the cistern https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bf49b0980e.jpg Cistern entrance https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ca6a45647e.jpg |
The Treasury of Atreus, or tholos (beehive tomb)
This is one of the most remarkable structures anywhere - there's nothing like standing inside and looking up into the pointed dome. We were thrilled to absorb this remarkable space for a little while without any other tourists. Mycenae wasn't too crowded but there were tour groups arriving so we managed to view this between groups. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b7f7454fd1.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8787de02c2.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...828687089c.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d66dbf3b77.jpg |
I am enjoying reliving our trip to Greece through your wonderful photos and report! I loved Nafplio
even though I had an accident there. I received excellent medical care in their hospital and was only charged 3€! I was happy to see that you went to the top of Lycabettus Hill as I don’t think many visitors go up there. Greece remains one of my all time favorite places to visit after two trips there. Thanks so much for writing this report. I am along for the ride! |
Wow! I don't know where to begin. Firstly, I, too, am enjoying reliving our trip to Greece through you. Nafplio is so amazing! So beautiful with all the bougainvillea. I love your photo that captured not only the bougainvillea but the petals on the ground. And love gelato man! How cute!
In Mycenae I notice your photos focus on the rocks and boulders strewn about, and I think that makes the scenery so much more interesting. And I don't know how we missed the beehive tomb. I looked through our photos and we don't have any so I'm sure it's not a case of not remembering. Somehow we just missed it. Too bad. And maybe it's a typo but there are actually 999 steps to the top of the Palamidi Fortress. Needless to say, we drove up to the top.:) |
We also climbed up to the top of Lycabettus Hill on our last afternoon/evening in Athens. I clocked close to 27000 steps that day and my feet were killing. Needless to say I was definitely happy to be seated on the plane the next day! 😉
|
HappyTrvlr, thanks so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying this trip report and it’s bringing back (mostly) good memories - though how awful to have had an accident while you were in Nafplio. It’s wonderful to know you got great care and only got charged the unbelievable amount of €3!,
KarenWoo, thank you! I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying this - the bougainvillea was just so beautiful throughout the town! And thank you for the correction - the “93 steps” was definitely a typo! I could manage 93 steps but not 999! The Treasury of Atreus (beehive tomb) is located on the road just before the entrance to the fortification so it’s understandable that you missed it. I’d visited in the early 70s and knew to look for it. |
geetika, you CLIMBED to the top of Lycabettus Hill?! We took the cab as far as we could go and it was still a hike up - but no way were we going to start from the bottom! I’m sure sitting on the plane was a welcome relief!!
I’m truly impressed - that is a big hill! |
progol, you’re telling me! I was egged on by my niece, nephew and his girlfriend, all in their twenties. And here I was almost forty years older and nowhere as fit as them. But that’s part of the fun of traveling with youngsters, they make you push yourself. Which is why I always enjoy reading about Seamus’s trips with his nieces and nephews. I have been taking mine on vacation every year since they were in high school, it’s been a pleasure watching them mature into well traveled adults with an enquiring and open mind.
|
What a fabulous report - lots of great info! And the photos are just stunning 🤩
Thank you 🙏 |
geetika - what a wonderful aunt you are!
helenvj, thank you so much for your sweet words! there is more to come!! |
I envy that you were there at such a magnificent time to see those flowers. So much vitality!
|
shelemm, Nafplio was magnificent, probably the lushest place on our trip. Although we had plenty of greenery and more flowers, I don't think any other place had the profusion of flowers that Nafplio had. I can't complain, though -- it really was a delight.
|
Horseplay!
We stopped at what was called an antique center and found the Trojan Horse! There were no other antiques but this was worth the stop to see them up close. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...79f692d1a1.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b0194af733.jpg |
Market
We arrived in Nafplio just at the end of the outdoor market just below Palamidi Fortress was coming to an end. We were on the search for fresh figs but alas (we city folk forget this) they weren't in season till the end of the summer. A brief rest back at our charming pension before we head out for an afternoon adventure. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...20e9d8554b.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8917cd46ab.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3f6dd4cb6a.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4c5f95f63c.jpg So lush!! |
Oh, I love the Trojan horse, that story is the stuff of dreams! 😍 Have always wanted to visit Troy in Turkiye, but I believe it’s not a very interesting site, unlikely some of the magnificent ones in that country.
|
Thanks for the TR, Progol-love the photos and was esp interested in your discussion of Milan (a city I've only passed through several times on my way to some other wonderful place). Have been meaning to organize a trip that has me staying in Milan. Your photos and discussion have me thinking more seriously about doing so sooner rather than later. And great to know re the well priced all business class airline out of Newark. I used to fly from Vegas to London for a regular work event on a now defunct airline (the name of which escapes me now) only bec it got me cheap business seats.
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:58 PM. |