Kalamata or Another Option?

You might want to consider either the towns of Petilidi, Pylos, Koroni or Methoni which have far more character and charm than Kalamata.

They are all on the water, small, very Greek and within driving distance to major archeological and historic sites especially sites like Messinea, Nestor's Palace, and lots more.

Ok! I will check them out!

Thanks tommyk5!

About 20 miles south is Kardamyli. It was a stop on the RS tour and found it a nice 'Greek' seaside village.

You may want to take a look to see if it works for you

Thanks Joe32F! We have reservations for Vardia Hotel in Kardaymyli - it will be our second time staying there - it's a great place!

We were happy to keep driving through the city and out when we reached Kalamata.

Wow Suki!

I think you've answered my question!

Thanks for your reply!

You could leave Kardaymyli drive through Kalamata, you will see why Suki made her comment. However keep on going and visit the ancient site at Messini . It one of the great sites in Greece but it is seldom crowded.

You can see images in this album. Messini images are about half way through the first page.
Peloponnese, Mani and Monemvassia. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711323535897

Then a visit to Pylos, Methoni and Koroni . We stayed in Methoni but if we ever do that trip again I think we would try Koroni. It has a Venetian fortress where people are still living within the walls.
Here are images of that trip
Peloponnese Battle Castles https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157645468134284

Lastly do take time to stop in Corinth on this trip. Most people just drive by but Corinth has some great sites. The canal of cours ebut there is also Ancient Corinth, next door the mighty fortress of Acrocorinth and just a litter further west Ancient Nemia which had sister games to Olympia.
Corinth Area. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711755443483

We loved the rest of the Peloponnessean Peninsula! Kalamata is a port city where many of the Greek immigrants headed to the USA left from. Don't miss Ancient Olympia, goosebumps!

Pick up the Cadogan Guide to the Peloponnese. Even though the last publication was 2008 it's still the best and most informative guide. Filled with lots of out of the way locations to visit, more history from ancient to current times, nice maps and recommendations.

An alternative is the Bradt Guide. Up to date but far less info.

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. It's helped us to revise our itinerary and we're excited about the changes. We have deleted Kalamata for a 4-night stay but we're not so far away so we could check out the Archeological Museum and/or the weekly markets (Wednesday and Saturday) as a day trip if we want to. I always like to see your photos stanbr and we'll try to make a stop at Corinth on the way back to Athens.

We've added Koroni and have booked at stay at Pelagia Apartments.

I have a copy of the Brandt Guide for the Peloponnese but I wasn't aware of the Cadogan Guide so I've ordered a used copy of that. Thanks for that suggestion tommyk5! I like both the Brandt Guides and Cadogan Guides - also the Blue Guide.

Best travel wishes all!

Sharon:

I bought the Cadogan from a used book website and at a great price. I was overwhelmed with the info in it, far more than any other guide for the Peloponnese.

I keep referring to it for my upcoming trip late Sept/early Oct. The more I read it the more places I find to visit. Obviously 13 days in the Peloponnese is not enough but by separating my time in three locations, Nafplio, Gythio and Petilidi I should get to see as much as I can but don't want to give up quality for quantity!

I find the Blue Guides are some of the best guides to have!

@tommy5K - your plan sounds like an excellent one. There are so many options - it will be a great trip, whatever you chose but you've spaced out the destinations for maximum coverage.

I'll write a trip report when we return.
Cheers!

Sharon: Looking forward to your trip report.

What road map do you have for the Peloponnese.

I'm thinking of ordering the Road Map – Peloponnese # 5 (Greece) | Road Editions last published in 2019 so it should be fairly up to date.

I've driven on a number of Greek Islands so have a general idea of what to expect for roads.

I bought a road map at a travel bookshop in Athens a few years ago but can't find it at the moment! I will continue to search for it.

Lately, for driving directions, we've used Google Maps if we have data or we download maps to used offline at HERE WeGo.

Another book that I've used for planning is the National Geographic Traveler book for Greece. There is outline for a "Drive Around the Mani" starting in Gythio that we'll try to do. The roads may be a bit rugged but it looks like there are some interesting villages along the route (Pirichos, Chimara, Chalikia, Kokkala, Tsikkalia, Vatheia, Alika, Mezapos, Pirgo Dirou (Diros Caves), Areopolis and back to Gythio)

I'm feeling hopeful that the trip will actually happen - fingers crossed!

If you have some extra time after you return to Gythio you might want to continue on a bit further and visit Monemvassia. It is a 14 th century walled village with a fortress on the top of a mountain in the sea. Its well worth spending he night there. All the hotels are period rooms spread around the village. You really do step into the past in Monemvassia. The first half of the first page of my Mani album already posted are of Monemvassia. It well could be the highlight of the trip.

I know I'm in the minority here but I was not taken with Monemvasia! We had a lovely room overlooking the sea a few years ago but there are other places that I've enjoyed more.

Thank you, though, for the suggestion stanbr! We're always looking for new places to visit!