Hello -
Our family (2 adults, 2 teens) will be visiting Greece for the first time for 8 nights/7 full days at the end of March/beginning of April. We know we want time in Athens and Nafplio (w/ day trips to at least Mycenae and Epidavros from there) and maybe a visit to Delphi. Because of the time of year and weather, we'll save the islands for another trip. We're trying to decide if we have time to visit Meteora or if we should spend more time in Athens and the Peloponnese. We'll rent a car for the time we're not in Athens. We're interested in history and scenery. While we'd like to see as much as we can, we are realistic - our kids need some downtime and we know we'll only have about 12 hours of daylight/day. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!
Posted by
France Southwest
3336 posts
It's technically doable, but let's be clear, you won't be visiting Greece, you'll be going from one site to another and spending a lot of time in the car. It's a bit like going to Disneyland, except you spend hours traveling from one attraction to another but in a context where you miss everything in between.
Here's how it could go: (just a draft)
Day 1: Arrival at Athens airport, rent a car, drive to Nafplio. Check-in at the hotel, first night in Nafplio.
No jet lag? Great!
Day 2: Nafplio, night #2 in Nafplio
Day 3: Nafplio again, night #3 in Nafplio
Day 4: Early morning, check out of hotel at 8:00 AM, depart to Kalambaka/Kastraki (Meteora), arrive at Meteora around 2:00 PM (later if you stop for lunch or breaks). Check in to hotel, night #4 in Meteora
Day 5: Visit monastery(s), lunch, check out of hotel, around 3:00 PM departure for Delphi. Arrival around 6:00 PM if no breaks are taken along the way. Too late to visit Delphi, check in to hotel and night #5 in Delphi.
Day 6: Visit Delphi, lunch, check out of hotel, around 2:00 PM depart to Athens airport to return the rental car around 5 PM.
Taxi, bus, or metro to Athens, check into the hotel. Dinner, night #6 in Athens.
Day 7: Visit Athens (day 1) and night #7 in Athens.
Day 8: Visit Athens (day 2) and night #8 in Athens.
Day 9: Check out the hotel, depart for the airport, return flight.
Easy!
See if your kids are okay with that.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1371 posts
I certainly hope you do visit Meteora - its my favourite place in all of Greece. Only recommendation is I would not do Meteora as a daytrip. Its 4 hours from Athens and 3 hours from Delphi (8 and 6 hours return). You really need to overnight in Kastraki to make the most of a day there. Doupiani House is recommended accommodation; and Visit Meteora recommended tours.
Posted by
6358 posts
Agree with Jo--save it, you can always come back! Make the best trip with the time you have available, which to me does not include such long drives but enjoying all of the amazing things already at your fingertips (the Peloponnese is particularly packed with attractions).
Posted by
OP
US
3 posts
Thank you! You confirmed my concerns. We'll just have to plan to return!
Posted by
3363 posts
If you drop Meteora, I would stay 4 nights in Nafplio, 1 in Delphi, and 3 in Athens. If you arrive later in the day or know that driving two hours after arrival is not a good idea (we used to do it, but would not any more), then stay first night by airport and rent car next morning.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3631 posts
About driving to Nafplio on arrival from N America -- it depends on 3 factors
(1) ARRIVAL TIME - if 2 pm on, definitely stay near airport & go next AM ... March gets dark early, remember? Benefits in energy AND savings. How? Book HOTEL AVRA 25 mins away by FREE shuttle there & back (u just need to specify shuttle times when u book rooms). Go to bed early, get up, shuttle frree to airport at 8 or 9, pick up rental car & u have a full day ahead!
(2) START-POINT - Westerners may have 15 hours flying time/9 hrs clock-change so will be exhausted. East Coasters = nonstops can be 9 hrs/7 hour clock-change, so not as wearying.
(3) AGE - if retirees, maybe groggier, slower reactions. If mid-age & healthy & shorter total flight-time, AND Arrive mid-mor ning, then couple cups of espresso & you can power through, then collapse in a cafe in beautiful Nafplio for sunset & early sleep.
These Maps show how easy the drive f rom Airport to NAFPLIO is -- if nonstop and not Fri night traffic, about 2 1/2 hours.
AIRPORT to CORINTH
- http://www.greeceathensaegeaninfo.com/a-ath/maps/07-greater-athens3-lg.jpg
-- shows how modern divided highway bypasses athens - nonstop to Corinth Canal
CANAL To NAFPLIO
-- https://ontheworldmap.com/greece/peninsulas/peloponnese/large-detailed-map-of-peloponnese.jpg
-- Use side-slides to navigate... you follow Big Green Road to first RED road Southbound (Down)
== Great Quick & Fab Ancient Site at that intersection .... ANCIENT NEMEA!
... if you're peppy enough & its before 3pm, YOu & teens would love this "Olympia Runner-up" Sacred Games Site... careful excavation & discovery of Stunning Stadium from 400 BC! They can race from start-line of Greek runner heros! - check photos of MODERN Conpetition here on this website - https://nemeangames.org/en/home-english/ ... easy to see in 45 mins or so! Then juct cross the Big Green road, go south thru citrus orchards & olive groves for 30 mins, toi Nafplio.
Posted by
OP
US
3 posts
Thank you for the driving tips and itinerary suggestion!
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3631 posts
If u were addressing me, glad it was useful. If Indeed NAFPLIO remains on your agenda, then all 4 of you should look at THE best (nocommercial) webssite -- http://www.visitnafplio.com/ -- and click EVERRY link! - the work of an expat who's lilved there 20+ years.
Especially click top item "Really Useful INFO" which has a rolldown menu on best places to STAY And EAT ... have tested all, and agree heartily. IF you are lucky, you can book HOTEL AGAMEMNON, which is the ONLY hotel directly on seafront, great views & balconies if weather permits sittng out. Also check OMORFO POLI.. just off water on quiet lane. And ALL her restaurant tips.
HERe's the google map of Nafplio I find most useful... of course expands to show whole area
A dont-miss Nafpllio WALK... at waterline, around Tip of Peninsula, below huge cliff -- here's a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AVW6oAFXuE -- a about a 20 min stroll, unforgettable.
SIGHTSEEING - don't miss small Ancient Arch Museum right on Square -- has the ONLY Iliad-era suit of armor int he world (!). Instead of Fortress of Mycane (famous but takes 3 hours+) Go to TIRYNS just outside of Nafplio 10 mins, right on highway. HUge Boulders. Evvery one wants to see famous Theatre of Epidaurus,... On Other side of the "Thumb" of Peloponnse "hand" (see Map). If you are returning to Athens area, direclly after NAfplio, you can avoid Baacktracking. How? On last day, check out, drive EAST across "thumb," see Epidauras, then contiue to the Shore. Go NORTH to ISTHMUS, and you see the amazing Corinth Canal farom the Old Bridge there, before getting on that Big Green Highway you took outbound. (look at maps I provided)