We are planning our first trip to Greece and are working on itinerary. We will have 13 days without travel days. We will fly into Athens and then thinking:
Fly to Santorini- 2-3 nights
Ferry to Naxos- 4 nights
Ferry to Athens- rent car
Tour Athens and Napfio for remainder of time.
Does this make sense? Or are we trying to squeeze to much in for our length of stay?
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
Don't rent the car till you're done with Athens. It will just be a nuisance there. Most of the places you'll want to visit are close to the center.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Good to know!
Thank you
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Sequence is ok, transportation is not. Do NOT Ferry from Naxos-Athens you lose almost a whole day! ... the "fast-ferrries" lock you into a seat, no deck, no view, no corridors, bad for a family and only saves you about 75 mins. The larger open-deck "conventional" Blue Star ferry, while comfortable will take you an entire day!! (check out of hotel by 9 am; get to dock; sailing 9:45, arrive Pireaus 3:15 -- it willl be 3:45 by time you get luggage & are on pier. Then u have to get into Central Athens; 60-90 mins b efore you get checked intohotell). Do ATHENS LAST.
Best Tested Option: FLY domestic (Aegean or Sky Express) NAxos to ATH Airport (if u plan ahead & get "promotional price" tix, the fare is not mch dif from reserv seat conventional ferry rates).. A 40 min flight, get one that arrives 11 am, you'll have your car & be on the way by noon toward Nafplio. This Map shows entire route from Airport to Nafplio AND All around it -- https://tinyurl.com/zekuft9 (Click & it gets huuuge). U then have time for fave family stops enroute As FOllows:
EN ROUTE to NAFPLIO -- exit at Corinth Canal (ISthms exit) for 20-30 mins, to walk on Old Bridge, photo the canal (SO deep! SO SKinny)... then aabout 15 miles further on big intercity highway, exit RH side (WEST) 5 miles to ANCIENT NEMEA -- fab recovered sacred-games site "runner-up to Olympia" -- youngsters love to race from 2500-yr-old startline in Stadium). You'll reach Nafplio late day to explore Old Town & enjoy seafront sunset (better than Santorini IMHO).
NAFPLIO & AREA -- 3? days there, SO much to explore!! THis superb non-commercial Website http://www.visitnafplio.com/ has BEST advice on walks, climbs, ancient sites, beaches, fun finds -- click every link!! If u want to avoid bus-tour crowds @ Mycenae, just outside town & NO crowds is another fortress ruin, TIRYNS, u can explore in less than 1 hr. At end of stay, u can visit ANCIENT EPIDAURUS and its thrillini huge theatre without time-wasting backtracking. After breakfast check out & drive EAST across Peloponnese "thumb" (see map) to Site, then continue to SEASIDE road up to Isthmus, to the big highway into Airport. Do NOT drive into Central Athens (trafffic hell!), instead get car service (Welcome Pickups is good), same fare as taxi by day to C entral Athens.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1444 posts
Listen to Janet. Her plan is efficient.
Just a couple of thoughts. When you fly from Naxos to Athens you can rent the car at the airport. The most recommended rental company is Athens car rental. They do not have an office at the airport but bring the car to you at a set time at arrivals. From the airport you will go west on the national road on the way to Nafplio. Janet mentions Ancient Nemia and the canal but there is another great stop in Corinth, Anceint Corinth from the biblical time plus right next door the great Fortress called Acrocorinth. It might be one of the best fortress experience that we have seen. Its well worth the stop.
Nafplio itself will use a day to explore the old town and the fortress that still guards the city. Don't miss evening in the old town where all the local families gather at the huge marble paved central square.
Here are some images
Nafplio https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094108982
Corinth Area. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711755443483
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for your help! I have some work to do on our plan!