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5 Days in Peloponnese

Posted by on

I have read so much great advice here that I am hoping you can help me with our trip. We are getting to Athens next Monday and plan to spend 2 nights there leaving first thing Wednesday morning. I realize that we are off season but that is what happened.

We are mostly interested in historical sites and perfect examples of Greek towns. This is what I am thinking about doing. I would love some help with what we can actually do and where is it best to spend the night. We don’t mind doing a lot of driving or hotel hopping.

Wednesday - rent car and leave Athens early visit Corinth, Mycenae, etc. Nauplion

Thursday- Epidaurus,Nauplion.

Friday - early start, Nauplion - Visit Mystra then get to Monemvasia

Saturday- drive around going ( where is best). Visit ancient Messini

Sunday - What makes sense for us to do all day? Depart for Delphi late in the afternoon

Monday - visit Delphi depart for Athens.

I am open to any suggestions or whatever you think I need to make this great. Thanks!

Posted by
1441 posts

Not a bad plan. You might want to include a drive around the Mani peninsula on Saturday. The tower houses are pretty amazing. I understand Messini is quite good but have not been there. You might want to do some Venetian castle visits in the Pylos, Koroni Methoni area. Of course you have not even mentioned Olympia which is east. Lots of options.
Some images.
Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157645469717811/
Peloponnese Battle Castles https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157645468134284/
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/

Posted by
2480 posts

Sunday - What makes sense for us to do all day?

Assuming that you are determined to bypass Olympia, you could spend the night in Kalamata (accommodation in Mavromati / Messenia is extremly limited) and go next morning to Karytena (medieval castle, accessible via Megalopolis) and Andrisena / Vassae (the famous temple of Apollon Epikurios), from there NW via Krestena to Pyrgos (neoclassicist market hall by Ernst Ziller) and finally to Chlemoutzi (impressive crusader's castle).

But don't underestimate the travel time from Kalamata to Delphi along that route - it's a seven hours trip (including the detour from Andritsena to Vassae) plus two hours for the visit of Karytena and Chlemoutzi.

Posted by
11569 posts

Do not skip Olympia! The visit there was a highlight for us. Now whenever we see the Olympic flame , we remember exactly where it was lit. Good Museum too.

Posted by
3397 posts

IF you cannot make it to Olympia (and I did not try to do it in my 1st or even my 3rd visit to the Pelops), you can get a feel for the Sacred Games at a stop at Ancient Nemea -- and I'd recommend it as a substitute for Ancient Corinth (unless you are Bible buffs, and the platform where St. Paul spoke is a must-see). Nemea is just over the Corinth Canal about 15 miles ... about 5 miles NORTh of the big Highway, just about across from the exit road going SOUTH toward Nafplion. Nemea has been authentically & carefully excavated & restored by a U of Cal Berkeley Arch. team ... has temple columns, ruins, and a fab Stadium -- u can walk thru the very same tunnel athlete-heroes took, and run from 2400-year-old starting blocks. Open until 3 pm (check first w. call from Athens, sometimes staff shortages affect if it's open, alas) - u can see & enjoy in an hour, then move on to Nafplion.

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