Itinerary for Greece Classics 3 days

Book your car rentals through AutoEurope.com in Portland, ME before you leave.
Stay in Nafplion, one of Greece’s prettiest towns, to explore Mycenae and Epidavros. More time there would be wonderful. It is not an easy drive to Olympia, mountainous, but worth it. We drove via Mystras to Kalamata and then north to Olympia But you do not have enough time for Mystras. After Olympia, cross the Rio bridge near Patras and drive to Delphi. We spent several nights in Nafplion, and then a night each in Sparta( for Mystras), Olympia and Delphi. Stay in a hotel with views from Delphi down to sea. It looks like a olive tree flow across the land. Stunning.
Crete- stay in Chania, another beautiful small city. We picked up our car at the airport in Chania.

We were there exactly a year ago right now. We rented from Pop's Car Rental ( http://www.popscar.gr/ ) - recommended in Rick Steves' book), and while the price was good, their rental office in Ermioni was a bit disorganized. If you're renting in Atherns, that might not be an issue. Also, they couldn't provide us with a Greece road map, and the local bookstore didn't have any in stock. The owner had to drive a few blocks to his house and bring back their inventory of road maps, which they normally don't keep on the shelves in April. So we did get a workable folding map, but if you get one in the USA, or one in Athens before you pick up your car, that might save you time and aggravation.

Anyway, if you're driving from Athens to Napflion, consider stopping at the wonderful ruins/museum at Nemea. We virtually had the place to ourselves in April, and literally had their stadium to ourselves. It's an interesting contrast from the stadium site in Archea Olympia.

We stayed in Napflion at the Marianna Hotel - great location with fantastic breakfast and good price.

Definitely book a tour of the Archea Olympia site/museum with Rick's recommended guide, Nikki - well worth it. We met first thing in the morning, before the crowds arrived, which made for a better visit and easier parking at the site.

Consider staying in Galaxidi, just west of Delphi, and then seeing the ancient site on your way to Athens the next day. The toll bridge crossing onto the mainland, a while after leaving Olympia, was a challenge, with confusing signage as to the correct lane to get to the toll booths vs. going elsewhere. Give yourselves plenty of time to ensure you're in the lane you want to be in. And the drivers on twisty roads don't necessarily stay on their side of the center line, especially around curves - we didn't have any head-on collisions, but it was unsettling seeing someone coming towards you, partly in your lane!

I think DIY is the way to go. There are a lot of guide books and websites that can make it easy and you'll be doing it at your own pace and schedule and a lot less expensive.

Nafplio is a lovely town, in fact one of Greece's best and an excellent place to base yourself to explore nearby World-Class archeological sites. Don't overlook Tiryns one of the best in the area and often overlooked.

Instead of Olympia consider Messini even more impressive than Olympia and not as crowded or commercialized and definitely not as far of a drive.

It will be a long drive from the Peloponnese to Delphi. You may want to explore the numerous and less-known archeological sites while in the Peloponnese like Nestor's Palace. Check out this website for some of Greece's best and less-known archeological sites in the Peloponnese.

https://archaeology-travel.com/destinations/europe/greece/peloponnese/

I've heard very good things about Athens Car Rental. However, I've never rented a car on the Greek Mainland so can't say much about it. But I did get the recommendations from reliable sources who are seasoned Greek Traveler.s

We rented from Athens car rental and they also did not have a map to give us. So make sure you get one in airport before going to lot.

Really appreciate these specific suggestions. thanks for passing on details of your recent experience. I was feeling so bad because we came to this realizing of driving(instead of a tour) just now. Now, we're revitalized about our drive. I like alternate, better ideas both for accommodations and sites. Now, we wish we had more time.

Keep ideas coming.

ello again -- I keep feeling I'm in that movie Groundhog Day; keep giving you answers and back you come. Anyway, my feelling is that ther eis NO way you can do the 5 things you list in 3 nights/4 days even if you don't leave the car to eat. Here re my thoughts which you probably will resist, but that's happened before. Here's a very good ONLINE Map http://euro-map.com/karty-grecii/peloponnes/podrobnaya-turisticheskaya-karta-peloponnesa.jpg To show what I'm suggesting.

OMIT OLYMPIA -- Not enough time unless you want to marathon drive... however you can get a great "Sacred Games" experience at NEMEA, a little known Gem right off the highway on the road to Nafplio -- It was the "runner-up" games site to Olympia... has been authentically excavated, revitalized by UC Berkley archeologists - Now it has Nemean Games every 4 years. it has temple, ruins, small superb museum, really Swell stadium!! everything but crowds.

BEFORE TRIP - Book car online at http://www.athens-carrental.com/athens-car-rental.php
BEFORE TRIP - Book Guide at Delphi ?- http://www.delphi-guide.gr/
BEFORE DRIVE - Either in Athens or at Airport get good PAPER map of peloponnese; you also can plan drive, using https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Routes on your smartphone.

MAY 14
• DRIVE from AIRPORT - 8 amTaxi to airport; rental guy will meet you & take you to car.
Go Nonstop til after Corinth Canal on Greece's most modern multi-lane intercity highway; on Map it's the BIg Green Road.

• EXIT at ANCIENT NEMEA 10am (see Map); on RH side, just about 15 Km after Canal... see ruins and stadium (starting-blocks 2500 years old!! Athlete's tunnel !). 1 hour is plenty. If u want u can stop in Village for sandwich, see a wine-bottling place, tasting etc.

• HEAD S. to NAFPLIO (go UNDER big green Road); Arrive early Afternoon, go to FAB small museum in Square (closes 3pm), explor Old Town, enjoy BEST sunset in Greece. Hotel recommends - Agamemmnon, Omorfi Poli, Ippoliti, Hotel Athina, Pension Dafni For ALL to do- see-eat-walk etc use this TOP (noncommercial!) website - http://www.visitnafplio.com/

MAY 15 - • 8 AM - MYCENAE - Get there by 9 to beat Crowds: prep w. guidebook or see if you can pick up guide at entry... the great "beehive tomb" down the road is a Must-see. (2+ hours)
REST OF DAY -- Drive up Back way of PALAMIDI -- amazing photo ops!! Take elevator in Cliff to Acronafplia?? Walk around the "point" at waters edge... Swim at cute Town Beach?

MAY 16 -- 8 AM - EPIDAURUS - check out, drive across "Thumb" of Pelops to this famed site, don't spend much time in ruins, Theatre is Main thing, AMAZING! Then drive up the COAST road to ISTHMUS --stop to stand on Old Bridge above Canal, have lunch.

DRIVE to DELPHI -- (see map) - return on Big GREEN to Elefsina, turn NORTH on RED ROAD to THIVA (thebes), & left-ish up to Delphi... arrive about 4? Check in Hotel (I recommend PAN or ARTEMIS, insist on balcony w. view down mountain to sea). Drive downhill to Athena Tholos ruin (open 24/7)... have lovely sunset dinner on a terrace looking down to sea.

MAY 17 - 8 AM - Meet Guide @ gate for tour of ruins & then museum; she usually has 2 hr minimum @ about €60. If you want to do D-I-Y, Do some Serious reading; I have links if interested. Have lunch, and leisurely drive back to Airport.

OK that's it... no more keyboarding; if u need more info PM me