8 full days in Greece solo- ideas?

I have vast experience traveling in Greece. This is what I would do:

Upon landing in Athens get directly into a rental car (just outside the terminal) and head to a fun place like Nafplio. From there you have the option of dozens of first-rate historic sites (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Mystras, Argos, Corinth, Nemea, et al), spectacular outdoors, very nice beaches including one in town, outstanding entertainment and food. My favorite city in Greece.

From there, drive to Parga with the option of staying a night in Nafpaktos or Patras or a couple of nights on the island of Lefkada which you will be driving past. Lefkada is one of only two Greek islands that you can drive onto via a causeway so it takes ferries out of the equation.

My favorite Greek beach Alonaki Fanariou is near Parga and the whole coastline there is spectacular. There are fun boat trips from there, to Paxos, Antipaxos, Corfu, etc.

From Parga drive towards Meteora. Depending on your time you will be passing numerous excellent historic sites like Dodoni and lively Greek towns like Ioannina (and, to be honest, if you wanted to make your trip strictly about the outdoors I would send you here. The region is called Epirus and it is a hiking paradise.)

Visit Meteora and then head towards Delphi. After Delphi drive to Athens. Find a place to park your car and forget about it, visit the city, get in your car, drive to the airport, drop car, walk into terminal.

This is a phenomenal itinerary, requires no metros, taxis or ferries and will give you a first good look at the country with little hassle.

You can see a lot in 8 days if you are transit-efficient. I think you'd best skip Crete, and also may not have time for ferries. Is Santorini a "must-see"? If mainly to see The Famous Caldera View, and check it off your list, then u could give it 36 hours.... then get to a place that would provide history- seaview- swimming - hiking - sunsets (NAfplio), then back to ATH for 3 days sightseeing. Here's How:

• OCT 3 - get a 6pm flight to Santorini, stay in FIRA town, early bus/taxi to OIA (to beat cruise mobs), hike partway back on rim trail, bus to FIRA, possibly visit ancient AKROTIRI ruins? or (my fave) cliimb ancient THIRA bluff. Sunset dinner, early AM flight back to ATH>

• OCT 5 - arrive ?10 am, pick up rental car, drive to NAFPLIO on modern intercity highway runs by sea... (See route on this map - https://tinyurl.com/zekuft9 ). Quick exit to see CORINTH CANAL... 15 him onward, just off Highway is ANCIENT NEMEA, thrillling "ancient games" site (Olympia runner-up), to NAFPLIO early afternoon. Stroll Greece's most beautiful Old Town & enjoy THE best sunset in Greece IMHO.

• OCT 6-7-8 - this superb noncoommercial website - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ - is complete guide to what to do, see, where to hike - swim - eat - nightllife; click every Link!! Ancient sites about - Mycenae - Tiryns - etc, tons of great walks... swims at Tolo or Asine/Kastraki, also cute town beach; castles, fortresses, Palamidi peak!

• OCT 9 - after early breakfast, drive EAST across Peloponnese "Thumb" to ANCIENT EPIDAURUS,skip ruins, just go to its world-famous theatre, then drive up seacoast road to ISTHMUS where you take same highway back (turning N at Elefsina) to return car to airport by 1pm - taxi or metro to Central ATH hotel to begin Athens sightseeing (you might plan Acropolis at 5pm using R Steve's free downloadable audio tour!

• OCT 10 - 11 - Athens highlilghts (R Steves also has free audio tour of Agora, and Arch. Museum's Top 10 treasures.