After much help from this forum, husband and I have reworked our itinerary for three weeks starting on May 27 and ending on June 15. We are a 59 year old active couple. Rank order of our interests for this trip would probably be scenry, photography, food & wine, local flavor and customs, history and beaches. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. It is our first trip to Greece.

5/27 - Arr. in Athens 9am, connect to flight to Crete at 12:00. Six nights on Crete at bed and breakfast of American acquaintance,

6/02 - High speed ferry to Santorini. 3 nights in Imerovigli.

6/05 - Flight to Athens and rental car . Make Nafplion base for 2 nights with day trips to Epidarus, Mycenae.

6/07 - Drive to Monemvassia area - spend two nights with day trips .

6/09 - Back to Athens to drop off car. 5 nights at Athens Gate. During that stay, a two day (one night) tour to Delphi and Meteora. And a day trip to Hydra.

6/14 Last night at Sofitel to make morning flight home to Philadelphia.

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated. We can be flexible once we leave Crete.
Question::
1. Traveling during this time frame, do you think we need to book ahead in Nafplion and Monemvassia? We thought we would book Santorini hotel and Athens hotels ahead of time. Crete is taken care of.

"do you think we need to book ahead in Nafplion and Monemvassia? "

I would. Both are popular, and the tourist season is well underway in June.

Monemvasia has limited accomodations inside the medieval walls -- staying inside the old town is a big part of the allure, IMO.

Nafplion has quite a lot more rooms available in the desirable, old-town, Venetian section, but I note you're staying in Nafplion on a Friday-Saturday, and there will be many native Athenians arriving for the weekend.

Thanks for your advice, we'll get right on that!

Sounds like a really well-thought-out trip. But those reservations really are a must. You also should know that June 5-6-7-8 is "Holy Spirit Weekend" (Pentecost) ... which is a 3-4 day holiday weekend for greeks (think Memorial Day weekend) -- and Nafplio is a top favorite getaway for Athenians! Get on that right away!
Here's a good map of Old Town: http://www.latinihotel.gr/nafplio.asp

3 Places to try, up On Zigomala street looking down on the town -- Hotel Leto (my fave but probably booked), Pension Eleni, and Pension Ligeia (all have websites, and are well reviewed on Trip advisor). Another one up that way, a bit pricier very nice, Marianna Pension. If all these are booked, Hotel Victoria is a good bet; has 34 rooms, elevator. It's at the foot of the steps coming down from Zigomala street... it's 2 corners away from the central square, on the quiet side of it, and you can ask for room w. balcony view of Palamidi.

I realized I also did not give you a suggestion for Monemvasia that I discovered last year when advising someone, they got a room there, and liked. It's in the old town and not as pricey as some of the accommodations -- It's called Goulas, Monemvasia. It's a traditional house .. IN the old town. Be sure you get the right one - they also have accommodations, Goulas Beach hotel, across the causeway from the Old Town.
http://www.greeka.com/peloponnese/mo...ulas/index.htm

We stayed in the Byzantino in Monemvassia and booked through YourGreece who we've used a couple of times. The "hotel" isn't just one building but a collection of rooms in the village. They are full of character though don't expect huge luxury bathrooms. Staying in the old town is a unique experience and shouldn't be missed.

http://www.yourgreece.gr/page/defaul...44&pk=41&ap=35

We also stayed two nights in Byzantino in Monemvassia. It is indeed a collection of period rooms spread around the city. Our bathroom had a gunport as a window. We also had a balcony overlooking the town and the ocean.
I do have some pictures of Monemvassia if you are interested.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551987765EoLDkO

Thank you for the suggestions. We were able to book the Malvasia in Monemvassia and the Byron in Nafplion. Many hotels were already booked so thanks again for the heads up on the National weekend! This forum is great!