Greece Itinerary Feedback

As you've noticed, and as advised here before your first trip, seeing a lot in a limited time means spending a lot of time driving and constantly changing accommodations. Of course, all that time is deducted from the sightseeing time.

So, lesson learned: you slow down, but you're still tempted to make a detour to Olympia... It's up to you!
As the Chinese saying goes, "The first time is a mistake, the second time you're doing it on purpose."

Speaking of Olympia, we visited Ancient Messene with a professional guide who was also a member of the archaeological research team on site. So, when we visited Olympia a few days later without a guide, it seemed rather uninteresting in comparison. I mostly remember the large parking lot for tourist coaches, the souvenir shops, and the dozens of tour groups wandering the site's walkways. Something that doesn't exist at Ancient Messene.

So this is my entirely subjective perspective.

As for whether it's worth visiting one place or another, that's also up to you. Do you have a preference for the Ancient, Mycenaean, Roman, Byzantine, or Venetian periods? That's the question, given that there can be a gap of 3,000 years or more between two sites. Someone from the Byzantine era visiting Nestor's Palace is like you in the 21st century visiting Epidaurus—it's perhaps something to consider.

I dont know

Anyway, if you're looking for sightseeing ideas along the way...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1HzqyEorKrUZxc5LjPjlvG2utnKof78E&usp=sharing

Thank you for your reply, and sightsee ideas.

Your right, this trip we'll slow down. (Too much to see and too little time.) Our interested are more towards the Ancient and Mycenaean sites. Based on what I've read of ancient Messene it sounds more interesting to us than the extra time and effort to go to Olympia. Similarly, we won't make the side-trip to Bassae.

I know it's a personal preference, however any thoughts on using Pylos versus Koroni (or Petalidi) as a base to explore this area, and making longer day trips? Versus splitting our time between Pylos and Koroni, and shorter day trips.

We went to Nemea and really enjoyed it. We are going back to Peloponnese this coming May and decided against going to Olympia, since they were both sites for the games.

So one thought is to go to Nemea and skip Olympia . There are not many people there and the museum is fabulous.

Any thoughts on using Pylos versus Koroni (or Petalidi) as a base?

From a geographical and logistical point of view, there isn't a huge difference between Pylos and Koroni. As for Petalidi, you're getting closer to the eastern part of Mani, the area that ends at Cape Tainaron, where there are still other places to see... (it never ends!)

I have a very personal preference for Pylos and its surroundings, which is linked to the history of the Greek War of Independence.
You can read why here:

https://kids.kiddle.co/Morea_expedition

Since you can't escape the recent history related to the War of Independence in this region, it's best to know a few facts beforehand.
Furthermore, the French general Audoy designed the reconstruction of Pylos and other towns in the region in a "bastide" style, the style where I live.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastide

And he's buried not far from my home.

Getting back to the topic of choosing a base, it's up to you to decide where you want to go and what day trips you plan to take. The advantage of taking your time and not rushing is that you can prepare a list of things you'd like to do/see. Once you're there, you can decide based on how you feel at the time. Perhaps you'll be interested in something unexpected you might encounter along the way... you never know. In my opinion, the important thing is to do what you enjoy, not to tick off every box on a pre-prepared list.

That's how I do it, and it works for me.

Thanks BethFl and JoLui for your thoughts.

I'm relooking at our agenda and likely will revise it to spend more nights in fewer locations (or a longer trip :^) ). The way like to travel is to have a list of sites and things to do in each location and then decide each morning what we'll do that day (maybe something on the list, something newly discovered and not on the list, or nothing at all). Similar to what you do JoLui.

I will use booking.com and other sites to identify hotel suggestions. Any suggestions for Pylos and Koroni, and Dimitsana?

PS - the Morea Expedition facts are great

This is in the village adjacent to Dimitsana but was outstanding: https://archontikoanyfanti.com/en/

If you are interested in ancient and Mycenean sites then Nafplio would be the best choice to visit those sites as the Argolis Region is filled with them including the fantastic Mycenean Fortress, Tyrns, Midea, Dendra in addition to numerous sites since the Myceneans plus a huge amount of Byzantine Sites & Churches

Of course this adds to everything else you want to see.

I would highly recommend Messini Archeological Site as it's one of the best and least visited sites in Greece. Many people consider it better than Olympia as it's less commercialized, touristy and touristed. I've never been so can't compare the two but I found Messini the most intact of many other ancient sites.

I stayed in Petilidi and found it a good base to explore the left "finger" of the Peloponnese. Nice town on the water, very Greek, not overly geared to tourism and enough services to keep one happy. Close enough to Messini without a long ride plus the entire southern part of the left finger and beyond.

I also stayed in Gythio one of the best of the southern Peloponnese towns and can highly recommend it. Good base for the Mani, Mystras and Monemvasia plus numerous other sites hardly mentioned.

Too many options for the Peloponnese but that's a good thing so that you can have lots of choices but that can be overwhelming trying fit in everything in the time you have.

If interested you can read my trip report with photos of one of several trips I took to the Peloponnese which may help make decisions.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g189483-i1277-k14200587-Peloponnese_Trip_Report_Sept_25_Oct_12-Peloponnese.html

In case you're looking for accommodation near Ancient Messene, we really liked this one, which is simple and close to the archaeological site:

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

Also in the same area, in the village of Arsinoi, we have excellent memories of the taverna To tiganaki tis Xristitsas, where we spent more time than planned...

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VETPckNsUKjh2tjVA

Based on your comments and suggestions we're relooking at our itinerary and will drop staying in Koroni in favour of adding more nights in Pylos and using that as our base to explore the left "finger" of the Peloponnese. And adding a night around Corinth to break up the driving from Pylos to Athens, which will also give use time to visit Nemea and Ancient Corinth. Maybe we'll stay in Nafplio instead of Corinth, which we did for several nights in spring 2025.

In Plyos we'll likely stay at Karalis City Hotel. If forum members have thoughts on other places to stay in Pylos or the Corinth area I'd welcome them.

Thanks again for your thoughts as they helped to make a better trip.