August Itinerary - Advice

I would vote for the 2nd scenario -- there is not that much for kids in Santorini, beaches are black and HOT, crowds are gigantic. When u arrive at naxos at 5:30 pm, and get thee to a beach as the sun nears the horizon, u will breathe BIG sigh of relief.

On Wed Aug 24 there is room for 2 adults 2 children on 9:25 plane arrive 10:10 AM... you do not have time to dither, because 1 flight that day (11:30) is already fully booked.

As for your Argolid sightseeing: I would omit corinth, v. hard to interpret ruins. And Instead of Mycenae on the way, Consider a stop at NEMEA -- the "runner-up" Sacred Games site. ruins, Temple columns AND a thrilling stadium where your kids can come in thru the Athlete's Tunnel to cheers from parents, and line up at the actual Ancient Race start-line. The aura of olympia and only 5 mi off the main highway!!! I suggest maybe skp Mycenae, substitute a stop at Tiryns (right by the Nafplio road!!). That would still give you THursday Afternoon, all day fridy, and most uf Saturday for Athens. TIP: in august, Acropolis is open until 8 pm ... 6 pm a good time to go up there, the columns turn all golden with setting sun, crowds are gone.

That 3-stop Ruins Day Trip is efficient but will be a lot of grownups, lots of time on a bus. If u stay in Nafplio, your youngsters can run around. On arrival in Nafplio, after checking in hotel, YOu might consider driving up to Palamidi the BACK WAY before its closing time (7 pm I think). Then you all 4 can drive down OR ... if 1 parent has any pep left, he can walk DOWN the 999 steps with the twins, while the other parent drives the car to the nice cafe at the foot of the steps to await them.

thank you!! which airline for the flight on the 24th?

In Santorini ... Homeric Poems, Manos Small World, or Mill House? Villas Ilias fully booked. Or another recommendation? Again thank you!

Kbeg there is only one airline... there are 2 names on planes, and i think still 2 weblinks, but the Olympic will click over to Aegean because Aegean bought Olympic nearly 2 years ago.

Janet, I dithered ... the 9:25 am is booked. Looking at options, the next flight available is the 2 pm, taking the 9:00ish Blue Star ferry that gets you to Athens around 3ish, or take the overnight (get a cabin) 10 pm ferry on the 23rd which gets you into Athens at 5 am? Advice/thoughts? Thanks.

I would fly back to Athens. You have a very short trip and 5 hours on a ferry is a big piece of time. On vacation. time is more precious than money. You can rent your car right at the airport and be off to Nafplio quickly.
Just for fun here are images of Nafplio and surrounding area.
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/

Very good point. Thank you!

Okay so flight options...

(1) Tues. Aug. 23rd: 6:40 pm - 7:25 pm flight. Would give us less time in Naxos but more time at Nafplio. But after the car rental and the 2 hr drive to Nafplio, it may be a little crazy and late arriving there.

(2) Wed. Aug 24th: 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm flight. Less time in Nafplio but not as stressful as the 6:40 pm flight the evening before.

Thoughts? Again thank you so much for your help. Can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Kim

I agree. So my flight options are ...

(1) Fly out Tues. Aug. 23rd - 6:40 - 7:25 pm - This would give us less time on Naxos but more in Nafplio. I'm a little concerned with arriving so late. We have to rent a car and still have a 2 hr drive.
OR
(2) Fly out Wed. Aug. 24th - 2:00 - 2:45 pm - Less time in Nafplio and Athens but less stressful.

Appreciate your thoughts! Thanks.

Kim

That overnight ferry DOES look appealing, because it gives you a head-start on a FULL day on Wed 24th .. you can rent a car right in Piraeus (get GOOD directions to the intercity highway), then ALSO good directions for returning it to agency's in-town office. But DO NOT DITHER on cabin bookings -- those sell out super-fast also.

how comfortable are the cabins? can you actually get a decent night sleep? thanks!

Kbeg, we can't test the beds for you. It's above our pay grade. Why not take a Benadryl & a glass of Nemean Red? Works for me!

Ha! What I meant to ask was did the cabins actually have beds or were they just separate cabins with seats. Unfortunately, the cabins were all gone. I actually went ahead and booked the 6:40 pm flight from Naxos to Athens on the Aug. 23rd. Will rent a car and drive to Nafplio that night. I'm assuming we'd get there 10ish between getting the rental and the drive. It's one less day in Naxos but one more evening in Nafplio. Thanks for your help!

Good call on booking the flight. Have a great time.