I was recently in Nafplio and went to Rick's recommended gelato establishment, Antica Gelateria di Roma. It was satisfactory but it you just go up the street you can have great gelato at Gelarto. The gelato is much better, the service is much more friendly, and the crowd is down the street at Antica Gelateria di Roma due to it's not deserved fame. And it doesn't have all the tacky-tacky tourist elements, just great gelato.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32699 posts
Isn't gelato an Italian confection?
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3317 posts
Yes Nigel, gelato IS italian and the name of the more-famous shop states it clearly. It was started by an Italian guy who fell in love with and married a Greek girl, settled in Naplio, but still longed for Gelato. I'm glad that John found a new shop, Gelarto, with no touristic drawbacks. He seems annoyed that Antica Gelateria is well-known. Well it was first, and for many years the ONLY Gelato place, not just in Nafplio, but in most places in Greece ... and its quality attracted notice in guidebooks and travel forums, etc. Had it not been for A-G, there wouldn't have been a market for the treat, which inspired a new shop. That's the story of free enterprise!
A similar story is found in Athens, where a wonderful pedestrian promenade runs from the busy Avenue Amalias, all the way past the Acropolis & the ancient forum. On the very first part of the promenade, one of the first, probably THE first Yogurt shop in Athens opened up, FRESKO Yogurt .... run by an American Guy from Kansas who fell in love with and married an Athens girl. Of course, yogurt IS greek, but there hadn't been shops who sold it in cups & cones, with splendid greek toppings like walnuts & honey, and "spoon sweets" -- SO delectable. Their luscious wares were a HUGE hit -- and now there are yogurt shops all over Athens. Probably someone will write here about finding THE best yogurt shop that charges less than Fresko, and doesn't have lines or crowds. So it goes.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32699 posts
great story....
Posted by
195 posts
We would also recommend Retro Latteria, which is nearby. They make their ice cream in a "traditional Hellenistic" method (whatever that means). My husband and I have been to Italy and other locations around Europe, and we agreed that this was the best ice cream we'd ever tasted! The lady working at the counter didn't speak much English, but using our phone translation app, we were able to ask her which flavors were the most popular. One that she gave us was called "Mouxalempi" - still can't figure out what this means, but it was great! Very kind employees and great ice cream.
Posted by
7639 posts
I remember in 2010, we were in Nafplio and walked up the steps to the fort above the city. Scenery was great.