Delphi to Nafplio drive question

One option is to take the western route via the Rio-Antirio bridge. It’s very slightly longer than going via Corinth but is a nicer drive, I think. You could then stop the night in Nafpaktos, a nice little town with several hotels. It’s about 90 minutes from Delphi and would leave just over two hours drive the next day.

It has been several years since we did that drive, However as I remember the trip was 3.5 or 4 hours. The drive as you get closer to Delphi goes through the mountains so its slower driving in that portion of the trip.
If I were you I would depart Kastraki before 8 am to give you more time in Delphi. It is truly a great site. As you explore it even today you can imagine why the location was sacred.

By the time you get to Delphi the tour buses will be there ahead of you so it could be crowded. Since it is October there will likely be fewer people at the site.
We visited the museum when we arrived in Delphi then did the site, Doing the museum first prepared us to view the site with some knowledge of what we were going to see.

We spent the night in a hotel in Delphi. The view was amazing. We could see down the mountain all the way to the gulf. It seems like there was a river of olive trees all the way down the mountain. The birds were flying by below our balcony. It was special. Be sure to confirm you hotel has the view down the mountaIn. Staying overnight in Delphi gives you an opportunity to stay at the site longer after the tour buses depart in the afternoon.

Were you only planning one night in Nafplio?

If that is the case I would skip Mycenea ( we were not particularly impressed with it) Do take the drive so you can do the drive over the bridge at Patras, It is a destination in its own right,

Nafplio needs a full day to visit and has lots to see.

When you drive back to Athens take the opportunity to stop in Corinth. There is an outstanding site beside Ancient Corinth. Is a huge fortress called Acrocorinth. You have a 360 degree view over the countryside. Its easy to understand why it was built in that location.

Here are some images.
Nafplio https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094108982
Delphi and Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157698930270992

Corinth Area. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711755443483

Thank you Alan and Stan. Nafpaktos looks interesting and was one I had penciled for possibility.
Thank you also for the reality check regarding driving time from Kastraki to Delphi. We will leave as early as breakfast/coffee availability allows.

In Delphi, we have a reservation at Amalia Hotel, which mentions balcony and view of mountains, so that is definitely an option to take it a bit easy and just stay in Delphi.
For Napflion, we are planning two (or even possibly three nights). If we reach Nafplion early enough, we will get better part of half first day, one full next day (thinking of Epidaurus in the morning for sure), and close to one full third day. We have not decided if on the third day, we stay in Nafplion or move to Gythio or Kalamata. We want to see the Caves of Dior on the way go Gythio or Kalamata. When in Kalamata, we want to see Messenee and even Olympia if possible. Hopefully, we get one day to just rest on a good beach near Kalamata. Six full days in Pelopponese, but that is not enough, I know.

Kalamata is not a very interesting place from a tourist point of view compared to the surrounding area but it is true that near the site of Messene there are not many accommodation options. However I can recommend the Messena Hotel if you want to stay close to the site.

http://www.messana-hotel.gr/en/

Another place nearby that I like is the taverna To tiganaki tis Xristitsas in the small village of Arsinoi 10 minutes from the Messene site:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/umioYpsQcune8u2y7

The coastal road between Kalamata and Diros Cave (not Dior Cave!) is very winding but scenic.
All along this route there are plenty of places where you can stop like Kardamyli, Stoupa, or even Aeropoli not far from the cave.

I didn't really understand how many days you will have to see all these places. We covered this route in 5 days and it was way too fast for us.

I posted an older album of Nafplio. today I finished my Nafplio 2024 album.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720319228274/

Thank you JoLui for additional ideas, and Stan for all those wonderful photographs.

Our overall trip includes the islands Santorini (2.5 days), Crete (8 days).
On mainland, the plan is Athens for 2.5 days, drive and stay in Meteora (1.5 days stay in Meteora, 2 nights), then one day in Delphi (see above) , drive to Napflion and stay in Napflion (about 3 days) and Kalamata (3 days). Flight is from Kalamata in the morning after. Idea for Kalamata was mainly as a base with possibilities for historical sites, and relaxing locations. Open to suggestions for other central locations. We realize we need 2-3 times more time to see all parts of Pelopponese, and hope we will come back to see the rest at some point.

We want to see some unique vistas, visit unique sites (including historical ones), stroll through interesting towns, while experiencing variety of Greek food, drinks, and observing/interacting with people. We like history and Greece has a lot of interesting sites, but it can get a bit repetitive unless we mix it up a bit. For each location, we are budgeting good part of one day to just relax with no particular plan.

By staying in Kalamata 3 days (I assume 2 nights) you won't have enough time to do/see everything

While Messene is relatively close to Kalamata, Olympia and Diros Cave are in opposite directions and each of these places requires a full day including travel time from Kalamata + the visit.

That being said, Messene is in my opinion just as interesting and spectacular as Olympia.
If you visit it with a guide it's even better
(we had the chance to visit it with someone working on the archaeological excavations on site)

Although Kalamata doesn't have too much charm, it does have a waterfront and a local Greek vibe that may appeal to you. We stayed there on a Sunday, it was spring, and it was quite lively with lots of families at the café and restaurant terraces, very little to do with Nafplio which doesn't really have any local life apart from the people working for tourists (there are only 150 permanent residents in the old town of Nafplio)

Kalamata would be 4 nights. Pelopponese geography likely means we need to focus on some regions. Trying to sample it all is going to make it more travel vs. enjoying places.

Nafplio (roughly 2.5 days, 2 nights) - Day 1 would be early drive from Delphi to Nafplio, Day 2 - full day in Nafplio Day 3 - more time in Nafplio area, and then leave for Kalamata mid-afternoon to arrive just before sunset (we try to avoid driving at night in new places as much as possible).

Kalamata 3 full days, 4 nights. - On full day 1 we can go and see Caves of Diros and pass through/stop at interesting locations for lunch, coffee, etc. on the way back (suggestions welcome).
Day 2 - we can see Messene and half-day in a relaxing location TBD
Day 3 is open, but we can choose either Gialova/Voidoklia or Methoni or Koroni. Or just enjoy strolling through Kalamata and relaxing next to a local beach, plus pack!

Any pointers for Kalamata airport welcome. We can consider returning our car the previous evening if we stay in Kalamata, and just arrange a taxi to drop us at the airport in the morning, so that we are not rushed for the 8 am flight.