Greece in August

Flexibility is often the best way to go in Greece, but August is a busier season than the times that I have been there. Will you have a car on the mainland, which makes that easier, or take buses?

Hello Laura - We always travel by public transport. Thanks Richard

Of course August will be busy, but you are obviously "old Greek hands" so know how to go with the flow ... Of course plan FIRST about the middle week (Aug 12 thru Sunday Aug21) because the BIGGG holiday Aug 15 in there will have the most Greeks in holiday places. I suggest maybe doing Peloponnese thru 16th or so, then heading off ... Many people like to start Pelops with a stay in beautiful Nafplio, exploring the Old town & local/nearby beaches, doing daytrips to Mycenae, Epidaurus etc. Good-value lodging in Nafplio probably is already filling up. For small hotel in wonderful location at sea level, just 1 lane back from seafront promenade is OMORFO POLI. Ample parking at Seafront. Here's the BEST (and noncommercial) website for Nafplio and the entire area (with photos & videos http://www.visitnafplio.com/ The editor of this (and I) both recommend Hotel Agamemmnon, facing on an open plaza leading to sea, with upperlevel rooms w seaview & plazaview balconies. For both of these, book ASAP.

In Peloponnese, if going to Olympia and just wanting an overnight stay, I found Hotel Hercules very moderate & accommodating. I went down the west coast to just before Pylos, and found my Secret Eden -- Gialova. It's just a turn-off from the coastal road toward the water, and it's a tiny place, maybe couple thousand meters long right on the water... 7 - 8 t avernas, a store, 3-4 places to stay. Hotel ZOE is fabulous. http://www.zoeresort.com (Don't worry, it's not a resort just a lovely family-run place, some marketer had them change its website). Has 2 buildings; the one w. family apts is back from water, facing a pool. The original building (THAT is place to stay) has rooms w. canopied balconies facing a small grove of palms and thru it, the sea. Golden sand. aquamarine water... walk on beach northward for miles ... only camping grounds not big hotels (but they are coming; go NOW!). Gorgeous Navarino Bay, stunning Voidokilli beach, castles, wildlife habitat. Jst 10 Km south is Pylos, charming waterfront setting, so chic. From this area y ou can head down the peninsula, stay at a NON-touristy village like Petalida. Others know more about the Mani area and going eastward back toward Corinth area.

Hello Janet - Thank you very much for your very informative & helpful information. And for taking the time. Very much appreciated. Regards, Richard

Looking back after I posted, i note that you'll be taking public transport ... you still can accomplish a lot. KTEL bus is 13E one-way from Athens to Nafplio... and local busses can take you to ancient sites thereabouts. The only drawback is that you can't usually fit 2-3 sites into 1 days, as one can with a car. However, sometimes (one never knows) a local travel agency offers a Mycenae-Epidaurus daytrip. I went to Olympia right from the airport to KTEL station to a 5- hour bus ride around the rim of the peninsula. Then I took 2 busses down the coast. I ran out of busses, about 20 miles short of Gialova, and bargain with a taxi for the rest. Going the other way (as i did on my 2nd visit to Gialova) , you can take a 5-hour bus ride straight from Athens to Pylos, then a 1E bus ride (infrequent) or 7E taxi to Gialova. You can WALK on its beaches to the wildlife habitat, castles, Voidikilli etc. I also took a bus to Nestor's Palace (But it is currently closed for restoration). I really enjoy the KTEL rides ... I take a good book, and snacks. After Tripoli, heading toward the coast, you go through verdant valleys, and moms & kids get off on dusty roads beside a vineyard, to be greeted by joyous grandparents. It's a relaxing trip. Try it!