We’ll be spending a few days in Athens after our Mediterranean cruise in June and would like to take a day trip outside of the city. Many companies offer day tours to either of these places, which would you choose and why?
Posted by
11153 posts
Delphi, beautiful setting.
What is included in a day trip to the Peloponneasean Peninsula? It is too large an area for one day! Maybe Napflion, and ancient Mycenae, Epidavros are included? We spent three or four days doing only that. You will need to return to Greece.
Posted by
OP
257 posts
Yes it looks like the tour of the Peloponnese includes a stop at the Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Nafpilo.
Posted by
Jasper, GA, USA
85 posts
Honestly you can’t make a poor choice here. I personally love Delphi just for the beauty. You probably see more sites in the same time doing Epidavros etc because of driving time.
Posted by
Rockville, MD, USA
595 posts
"...includes a stop at the Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Nafpilo."
My sister and I took this day tour - it seemed to us to involve less time on the bus and more time sightseeing.
Posted by
CO
54 posts
Watch the BBC documentary Delphi Why is Matters, then decide. Many tourists miss out on what makes Delphi so special.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3320 posts
We SO often get inquiries like this about Day Tours... and I want to scream NO! about certain ones. Especially DELPHI> THe Bus Daytrips are a Nightmare ... 20 years ago I experienced one & it was awful & frustrating... then 10 years later I went myself, on public bus, stayed overnight, wonderful experience (of course i'd prepped a lot; others may benefit from 2 hrs w licensed guide).
There is one -- only one! -- Bus tour I can thoroughly recommend -- to Sights in the Peloponnese/Argolid -- Mycenae, Epidaurus and the stunningly beautiful town of Nauplio (NAfplio). That's because its a TWO-DAY Tour and SO very importantly, 50% of it is "free time" for you to wander & experience. Here's the link - https://keytours.gr/en/athens/two_day_trip_to_nafplio_epidaurus_mycenae-41.html and I hope it has dates that work for your post-cruise days in Athens... I think it only goes once a week.
Read its details; you get to see Corinth Canal outbound, then Mycenae & get to Nafplio early afternoon - and then FREE TIME! This allows leisurely discovery, dinner on your own (not 30 people) and Free time next AM, then see Epidaurus enroute back to Athens. NOTE - you are offered a "luxury" or "budget" hotel... take the latter! It's a perfectly nice hotel, and is just off the main town square so you can experience the delightful evening scene -- whereas the "luxe" place is miles away, requires taxi to/from. NOTE - If this requires you to leave your Athens hotel then return, don't fret -- Athens hotels are very accustomed to guests doing this; they can store your large luggage in a secure baggage room, & you just take a light bag, then return to your hotel after 1 night away.
If -- in addition -- you want to go to Delphi and have deep pockets ... you might consider going on your own (via private car? the intercity bus leaves 7 am or so), and booking a local "licensed guide" to walk you thru the site & explain. WARNING - many places advertise "taxi tours" or "private car tours" but drivers are NOT licensed to escort you thru ruins or museums... all they really are, is expensive cab drivers.
Posted by
OP
257 posts
Wow just watched “Delphi Why It Matters” and it was fantastic. Thanks for the recommendation.
Unfortunately we do only have the one day. We have booked a private driver and are inquiring about a guide. Does anyone know if they are available to hire on site?
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3320 posts
No you cannot count on a licensed Guide hanging around entrance to make up a group -- the only place that happens are sites like Knossos on Crete, because of large tours... the bus tours all bring their own (mediocre) licensed guides.
If you want to really appreciate Delphi (unless you've prepped thoroughly/taken some classics courses) a licensed guide makes a difference .. there are several based in Delphi ... meet u at the entrance - going rate as of 2 yrs ago (probably more now was €60 per hour (for up to 4 people), 2 hr minimum. Best-known best-reviewed Delphi guide, Georgia Hasioti - http://www.delphi-guide.gr/ -- she is in demand tho, good luck getting her. Here is a link for 2 more (the middle one is NOT licensed; cannot take you into site or museum) https://www.privateguide.com/en/guides/delphi/
... there may be others online but be sure their credentials include LICENSE ... and if you think the rate is high, consider this: to obtain a license, guides must undergo YEARS Of intensive study (art/archeology/architecture/history etc), pass rigorous tests, be fluent in several languages. Avoid "taxi tour" offers.. a driver with brochures.