Scheduling Greece for the month of May (our third try to get there - damn you covid).
Looking for recommendations for northern Peloponnese.
Anyone tried the scenic train from Diakopto to Kalavryta?
Planning a week for the whole area, unless I cut short and add days to Santorini.
It is the northern Peloponnese I really could use some direction.
Thank you in advance!!
For northeastern Peloponnese, be sure to include Napflio (maybe stay there at least 3 nights, and use it as a base if you’ve got a rental car), Nemea museum and ruins site (including Olympic-type stadium that’s in remarkable shape), and Mycenae.
Northwestern Peloponnese, visit Archaea Olympia - outstanding museum, and what’s left of the actual Olympic stadium - not as much still standing there as at Nemea.
We did have va a car, so I can offer advice about trains or other transportation options or attractions.
I definitely would not take time away from the Peloponnesean peninsula to give to Santorini.
I’ve done the Diakopto rail journey twice and would really recommend it. The scenery on the trip is really spectacular. On the last trip, in September 2019 we spent a couple of nights in Diakopto, which is a nice little town with a couple of pleasant restaurants. We stayed at the Alkistis Hotel which was comfortable and friendly
https://www.alkistis-hotel.gr/
Kalavryta itself isn’t that interesting. As you may know it was the scene of a massacre in World War 2 and it always seems to me to have a gloomy atmosphere. Perhaps it’s just the association. The memorial, just outside the town, is atmospheric.
I agree with Suki that I would do this rather than add time to Santorini. I’d never put anyone off going to Santorini - it’s spectacular and Akrotiri is fascinating - but it really is over developed.
Alan
Santorini is definitely worth a visit, but only if you have extra days. Don't go if you only have a week in total.
