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From Athens to the Peloponnese to Thessaloniki - 30 day draft itinerary and lodging conundrums

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Our plans are moving along -- but - do you think I'm getting greedy? I just went thru our itinerary (for the umpteenth time) and wonder if we are trying to do too much. Usually, we prefer to spend several days in a place but, with this agenda, we are hopping about. What are your thoughts? Should we delete some stops - and which? Stay longer - and which? Or - other stops we should think about?

We have a month plus and want to enjoy it. We have visited before and loved it - so we are returning to some of the places we loved (the Peloponnese) and then embarking towards central and northern Greece. We are interested in "down time" (sun, pool, beach, food, quiet, nice hotels (preferably which serve dinner)) with doses of culture in between. We prefer not to stay in the middle of town because parking is often a challenge ge, In our 70s, so our hiking days are behind us...

Day 1-7. Crete (7 days). (we are meeting our daughter(
Day 8-10 Fly to Athens, get rental car, head to Corinth. 2 nites. (Enalio Suites,Lechaio or Hotel Cokkinis in Kineta ??)
Day 10-15. The Peloponnese Mid (Colonides Beach Hotel, Koroni) OR South Peloponnese (Castello Antico Beach Hotel, Mavrovouni Beach or Margo Beach Hotel, Mavrovouni Beach ??) 5 nites. Thoughts on this??? Mid or South??
Days 15-19. Olympia 4 nites. (because we enjoyed the Hotel Europa last time).
Days 19-21 Head north, stop in Parga 2 nites (Byzantio Hotel & Apartments, Valtos Beach or Hotel Sol Parga, Parga ??)
Question - is this a worthwhile stop? I've added it to break up the drive a experience a new beach but I'm not sure ,,,)
Days 21-24 Ioannina. 2 nites. (Golden Suites & Spa or The Lake Hotel ??)
Days 24-26. Kastoria 2 nites. (Calma Hotel & Spa ??)
Days 26- 28 Veroia. 2 nites (Hotel Kapsalis, Seli ??)
Day 28- 33. Thessaloniki. return rental car. 5 nites. (Makedonia Palace or Elektra Palace ??)

Many, many thanks for your thoughts and suggestions?

Posted by
32 posts

Just returned from two weeks in Greece. Stayed in Corinth on first night, but in retrospect had wished we had simply stopped to visit the archaeological site and headed on to Nafplio for the night (Aetoma Hotel). On our return we stayed at Hotel Cokkinis. While it served the purpose of bringing us close to the airport for our day of travel back home, I don’t think I’d stay there again. (Great views, nice staff, basic rooms, isolated.)
Had the pleasure of spending two nights in Pylos at the beautiful Karalis Beach Hotel. If you like to swim it is the perfect spot as the hotel sits right on Navarino Bay and the views are breathtaking. There are two ladders to climb down into the see, and we enjoyed swimming both before breakfast and after returning from touring for the day.
Hope this helps. Feel free to message me.

Posted by
254 posts

Thank you VERY much!! After much thought, we've decided to stop in Corinth for a few hours before heading to the Peloponnese - because that is really where we want to be. We were in Napflio last September and, although we enjoyed it as a base for Epidaurus and Mycenae and wandering the town, I wasn't as wowed as Rick is - we thought it was lovely town but surely not our favorite (we stayed for 5 days and found it to be 2 too many), We may plan on Pylos for next year - I just booked our hotels and hope that the reviews in trip advisor and elsewhere are valid. The Karalios Beach looks wonderful and I do love top plan... In sticker shock over the high car rental prices ($100 per day if you are over 70 - and I dread the gas prices) - but so looking forward to going!!

Posted by
32 posts

You're very welcome! Would love to see your complete itinerary to get ideas for next time. Thanks!! Have a wonderful time!

Posted by
3250 posts

We traveled around the Peloponnese in April/May and had a great time. I agree that the Karalis Beach Hotel in Pylos is a special place. We spent 4 nights there and had a memorable and relaxing stay.

Koroni is a small seaside village with some cute shops, a fascinating castle and good tavernas by the sea but 5 nights may be too many - we spent 3.

We spent two nights in Kastoria on a previous trip and while it was ok, I think there might be more interesting cities for a 2 night stay. The Byzantine Museum there is very nice. We liked Metsovo quite a lot.

We’re fans of the Electra Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki - we always enjoy the view from the top at breakfast.

You’ll have a great time whatever you decide - it sounds like a relaxing trip with plenty of time at each stop.

Posted by
254 posts

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement - so nice to learn that others have gotten a bit off the well-beaten tracks to explore Greece. I'm hoping that this will be in our future but, unfortunately, a health issue has popped up - fingers crossed thAt we will cross the ocean! If we do, we will follow in some of your footprints as, yes, the Electra Palace is on our list.

Posted by
3250 posts

I know that you’ve been planning this for quite awhile…I hope that everything works out and that all is well!

Take care!

Posted by
254 posts

Thank you so much - so kind of you. Yes, all is well at last -surgery last week and radiation to come - but ready to go by September. So very happy!!

Posted by
207 posts

Going to be great. My two cents: I love Hotel Cokkinis. Whenever I land in Athens later in the day or night and need to get to the Peloponnese, that is always my first-night stop. Done it about five times.

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