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7 day Greek trip - March 2020

Hi Folks,

Thanks in advance for your help/advice.

My wife and I are taking our 16 year old son to Greece this coming March. We all agree that we like good, honest, local "blue collar" food and shopping as well as historical/geographical sites and would like to spend most of our time engaged in these activities. We plan to stay a week in Greece; however, the first and last days are limited due to flight schedules, so our trip is really five full days. I have a few questions for more seasoned Greek travelers.

If we stay three nights in Athens, should we purchase a multi-tourist pass or pay as we go from site to site? I read somewhere that it's cheaper in March to pay entrance fees at each site especially if you're accompanied by a minor.

Other than Thermopylae, Delphi, and Meteora, is there a must-see site generally north and west of Athens? I don't think we will have the opportunity to go south onto the Peloponnesus or to the Aegean islands on this trip.

Thanks to All!

Posted by
11579 posts

Yes,Napflion is a waterfront gem on the Peloponnesean Pen. Two hour drive from Athens. Surrounded by amazing antiquities.

Posted by
3398 posts

There's nothing in Thermopylae but a monument, and the terrain has altered so radically in 2400 years that you won't be able to visualize the battle layout. In a visit of only 5 days, you don't have time to go to Meteora -- you can't pour a quart into a pint bottle, no matter how you tilt it. I guess I qualify as a seasoned Greek traveler with 13 trips, 5 of them with newbies like you along. So here are my thoughts.

What you should do first depends on where you're coming from, and what time of day u arrive in Athens -- neither fact provided. IF you have a nonstop from N. America, arrive before noon and aren't too exhausted, I would suggest you rent a car & go to your first destination upon arrival. You could drive to DELPHI, get a hotel, check out the wonderful museum, then crash for a couple of hours, then enjoy a sunset dinner. Next AM, (Day 1) get up early go to the ruins by 8 am & you'll beat the bus tour crowds.

Leave by 10 or 11, and drive to NAFPLIO... Use GPR for directions or michelin/plann my trip. Also here's a good online map http://euro-map.com/karty-grecii/peloponnes/podrobnaya-turisticheskaya-karta-peloponnesa.jpg On the way you can stop at ANCIENT NEMEA, just about 5 miles off the big intercity hiway.. It's a sacred-games site, runner-up to Olympia, authentically excavated.. Temple columns, and a swell stadium- your lad can race from starting-block 2300 yrs old. then on to NAFPLIO. Greeks consider this the most beautiful Old Town in the nation... it is on a peninsula surrounded by water, and is Ground Zero for Ancient stuff - stay there 2 nights; here's a guide to the highlights, read every link http://www.visitnafplio.com/

On the Morning of Day #3, on your way out, drive up the back road of PALAMIDI (the gibraltar size Rock looming over the town, with a fortress on top), take fabulous photos. Drive EAST to EPIDAURUS -- don't spend much time on the ruins, its the world-famous Theatre that will amaze you... you don't have to backtrack, just go up the Seafront road to ISTHMIA, and jump back onto the big intercity --- go back to Airport, NOT into Athens, return your car and get a TAXI (flat rate €38 to Central Athens) to a hotel, That leaves you 2 full days -- #4 & #5 -- to see Athens landmarks.

As for getting the "6-pack" ticket, it's up to you... just €30 Euros vs €20 for Acropolis only. Some of the other 5 y ou can do as "walk-by" -- Temple of Zeus and Roman Agora, for instance -- but you probably will want to explore the Ancient Agora. If you are not well-versed on Ancient stuff, Rick Steves has provided wonderful podcasts on this website you can download FREEEE ... to do step-by-step DIY visit to Acropolis, another to Ancient Agora, another to the "top 10 things to see" at Nat Arch. museum.

Posted by
8 posts

A huge thanks for taking the time to post replies and suggestions! I will research logistics much more and will certainly take everyone's recommendations into serious consideration. Happy travels!