Hello -

I was looking for some feedback or tips on my itinerary. We are a family of 6 (four boys ages 6-13). The boys have been on an extended trip abroad each year their whole life so they are good travelers. Two of them have recently done a report on Greece so they are interested.

I was looking to get as authentic as possible and skip touristy spots. I was hoping to mix beaches/mountains/islands (although I had trouble adding an island to this trip). We were looking for a fair amount of swimming/beach time, a hike or two, maybe a local festival or event. I wanted to minimize or eliminate one night stands and keep logistics to a minimum.

I have bought tickets flying into Athens and out of Amsterdam. I have not bought tickets into Amsterdam yet. I was thinking of flying from Preveza Airpot to Amsterdam (also looking at Zakynthos Airport to Amsterdam). Basically, flying out of somewhere that has direct to Amsterdam. I was originally going to fly out of Athens but wanted to avoid back tracking if I could.

Here is what I have so far:

June 14-17 - Athens
June 17-21 - Areopoli (maybe stop in Sparta because a kid did his report on Sparta)
June 21-23 - Dimitsana
June 23-25 - Kanali or Monolithi

Thanks!

Title edited from "Itinerary Help" to "Greece Itinerary Help", and added Greece country tag

Should be nice! Seeing some of the places two of your sons have studied should add to your experiences.

I’m a little confused by your itinerary because you are double counting the transportation days. It’s usually best to lay an itinerary out by nights.

As I read it, you have only two full days in Athens – barely enough, IMO, to see even the best known of its magnificent sites, especially because you will probably be jet-lagged during that time. In contrast, you have 3 full days in Areopoli. You might consider shifting a night from Areopoli to Athens. And you have only one full day in Dimitsana, which might be enough for your purposes … only you can decide that! I don’t know either Kanali or Monolithi; they seem a long way to go for just one full day. Again, it really depends on what, exactly, you want to see and experience.

Hope that helps!

In case you haven’t seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report:
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

The dates are when we get there and when we leave. So three nights in Athens (arrive on the 14th and leave on the 17th).

Yes, I understood. I wanted to make sure that YOU weren't counting those travel days as days for sightseeing.

Yes and no. There are three big drives. About 3.5-4 hours probably longer with traffic and conditions, etc. If there's something worth seeing on the route I would definitely make stops and break up the trip. Some of the best days I've had are on road trip days. Other times you just gotta bang it out when everyone else sleeps.

It looks like your link has plenty of suggestions along this route so I will dive into that. Thank you!

Why Dimitsana? a small mountain village where is nothing to see and nothing to do.
There isn't much to see at Sparta, but nearby Mistras is a gem.
The Mani (Aeropolis etc.) is a nice area, but it would by far not be my first choice.
June is still low season in many parts o Greece, even at nicer places like the Islands of Schinoussa, Iraklia, Psara, Inousses, Skyros or even Lefkas.
Once at Kanali or beyond, it might be easier to fly to AMS from Corfu
Saturday June 27th, there are also direct flights from Kalamata to Amsterdam

Thank you for the tip! No reason for Dimitsana other than it was a small mountain town. Trying to do a city (Athens), a coast town and then something in the mountains. Would love to add an island but wanted to minimize logistics. Mistras sounds great I'll check it out. Thank you so much very helpful!

Dimitsana is, I believe, a good base for walks and it has a fascinating Open Air Water Power Museum.

AMS can be reached by direct flights (not all daily, hoswever), from the following Greek Islands:
Rhodos, Kos, Samos, Lesbos, Crete, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Corfu, Lefkas.
I didnt mention the tourist traps Myconos, Santorini and Skyathos.

Dimitsana is lovely—not every destination must be packed with Sites. It does have gorgeous scenery, great food, lovely people, hiking, monasteries.

I know, you can hike to the top of the mountain above the village or to Profitis Ilias (although most people don't find the smalll footpath to Zigovisti and remains on the small road), you can walk down to Paleochori or even up to the the Lousios river and to the abandonded Philosophos Monastery on the otgher side. You can get occupied during a whole week in this way.....
But what's good for, if the original poster has such a short time to spend in Greece!
For reallly nice villages, I would rather go to the Pilion, BTW.. .....or to Astypalea

And if I would have to choose between the open air power museum and the sites of Koroni, Methoni, Bassae and Olympia, all not too far away.........
Mais les goûts sont differents, I agree. And that's good so.

Thank you!

Thanks for the insights!

Great tips thanks!