Kalavryta and Vournakis Goge

We can't give you an appropriate answer without more information. How long is your Driving Tour? 4 days or 8 days? What other sites are on your "must-see" list? What time of year? How old are parents? 65 or 85? All these factors could affect advice.. Many of us are experienced, but few are mind-readers.. please share so we can help.

We stayed in Diakofto two years ago to do the railway trip through the gorge to Kalavryta.

The scenery is spectacular and the railway line is impressive. The journey takes about an hour and you need to book in advance.

https://www.trainose.gr/en/tourism-culture/train-and-recreation/the-rack-railway/

Kalavryta itself isn’t particularly interesting. It was the site of a horrible massacre of civilians during the Second World War, and there is a large memorial on the outskirts of town. Whenever I’m there it feels to me that the history casts a pall over the history.

On the other hand we like Diakofto which is a quite little seaside town with a couple of nice tavernas and a good local bar in the old railway station.

Alan

Sorry about the lack of information, I’m driving my parents around who are 83 and 85 but in pretty good shape and like to keep moving. We have 8 days and night of driving, plus 2 more for Hydra and 2 for Athens. We are also thinking about adding Meteora if possible. Thanks for all you advice.

Also, what time of year?? August is way different from late Sept - early October. I'm in your parents' cohort, tho insanely lucky health & stamina-wise, but 90° heat, I just want to be up to my neck in the sea.

Also, why Hydra?>?? as u know, it's a no-car island, and riding a donkey not very good either, you'd be limited to area near harbor. I know I know, the Rick Steves org. pushes Hydra constantly, but there's a reason --- his tours are all on mainland, so they tack on a visit to Hydra, so that people can go home saying, yes, I saw a Greek island. Too many Rick-Buffs just follow his lead, without doing their own research, or considering what they want from an island.

If you want to consider another Alternative that's even easier to access from Pireaus, I suggest AEGINA. It's only a 1-hour ferry trip from Pireaus, and IF you choose a conventional open-deck ferry (rather than a hydrofoil), you can sit out & have a lovely "mini-cruise." U have a seascape of everything from huge cruise ships to freighters to motorboats to schooners, to tiny sailboats, seabreezes, gulls and -- if lucky -- even a dolphin! Heres' a fab foto album of a day-trip that not only shows the island, but the ferry views -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/36264706@N03/sets/72157621604646139/detail/

The port town is interesting but u can rent a car right there, and drive to mid-island to THE most perfectly preserved Temple on any Greek island on a rise that gives a 180° view of island & Saronic Bay. If it's a day-trip then move on to a beach for lunch, then return to Port town, or if you want a stay-over... you can go to a nice Beach like Marathonas & The Beachhouse Apts. On weekends, Athenians flock there, but weekdays are serene ... and Aegina is more of a greek place the backstreets of the port are v authentic.
Just a thought.

Also, in terms of sightseeing, I would suggest just an overnight on an island and allow 1 more day in Athens... then you would not have to cram too much in one day in Athens.. pace yourself, allow time for a NAP. Another important thing, try for an apt or hotel as close as possible to Acropolis... and I favor the area just south, along that no-cars promenade. Quieter, greener, very enjoyable. The promenade before didnner has strolling greeks w baby carriages, kids on trikes, ice-cream carts, balloons. Like a postcard! These days if you use booking.com with a filter "closest to Acropolis" -- http://tinyurl.com/heq6edp -- they NOW list not only hotels but private apartments, at very good rates. I mention this because sometimes people automatically think AirBnb, but lately I hve read on Greece forums about difficulties on AirBnb refunds if there are travel disruptions -- and Bookng.com has stronger rules & guarantees. In these uncertain times, it feels safer. Juat an (unsolicited) opinion.

Have added all this to a query about a Gorge, because I've travelled widely in islands AND pelops, from age of 60 onward ... and have taken along a number of retirees. I know what works (BTW in Nafplio, you want to book Hotel Agamemnon -- Perfect! The ONLY hotel with balconies right on the seafront... unobstructed views... an Elevator (unusual), AND v. modest rates. THe creator of THE best (and uncommercial) Nafplio website - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ - also picks this as best choice.

WOW, thanks for the information. Our dates are September 8-21st. I still haven’t ruled out Santorini as our island stop. That would probably mean taking a flight rather than a ferry. Kind of wonder if it won’t be so crazy this year as it has been in the past. I have been to Hydra and enjoyed it but wondering if the postcard on Santorini shouldn’t be missed. Thanks again for any insight.

You get best answers when most Specific and Clear -- you have an ambitious agenda, 2 elders, and not a whole lot of time. Clarify: is Sept 8 the day you leave texas? And is Sept 21 Departure day? I'm guessing that's the case, since your post only listed 12 nights What time exactly is your arrivals Sept 9?? Nonstops from US arrive in AM, changes in Europe (besides being exhausting for elders), arrive in afternoon so day #1 essentially shot. Hoping you have an AM arrival, my thoughts re Island.

CONFRONT BUDGET IMPACT - to do Santorini means flying BOTH ways. On Aegean/Olympic, in Midserpt ROundtirp about $240 each with 1 checked bg = $750 for 3. Lodgings with view @2rms/2 nights = $730+ Total = $1500 minimum Good news is by midsept the crowds will be less, weather still very enjoyable.

•ITINERARY IF SANTO is MID-TRIP. On Arrival If you rent car & tuck parents in back to snooze you can zip off to Nafplio for night of Day#1. I don't know what your agenda is, but in order NOT to pack it super-tight, I'd suggest only SIX nights in Peloponnese.
•MID-TRIP to SANTORINI? - Return to ATH Airport before noon Sept 15 & take 1:30pm (50 min) flight ... car service from airport €30? Fly BACK to ATH Airport late afernoon Sept 17, to get good rest for Sightseeing Sept 18-19-20.

• SANTO LODGINGS - Above all you don't want a place with steep steps UP or DOWN, and too far to walk anywhere. I always stay in Firostephani ... easy walk to FIRA attractions: bus or taxi to visit OIA... good caldera-view cafes for sunset dining. One a good "few-steps" hotel w balcony caldera view = Hotel Mylos, 2 rms/2 nights = $728 . A True bargain. My budget Gem Villa Fotini about 500 yards away is 30 feet from the Caldera rim-path view, but "few-steps" adorable balcony rooms = $428 2rms/2 nights. Most otehr places are $1200 - $2500.

If this is of interest I can provide experience taking retirees around santorini, having fun & seeing a lot with least effort.

Janet, lots of good information. Thank you very much. If I can swing it, I’ll probably drop Hydra and try Santorini. Our flight from the States gets in at 10. My plan is to head to Delphi for the night. I probably have 7 nights of of Delphi and the Peloponnesian Peninsula. Then I’m thinking about heading to Santorini by plane for two nights, maybe ferry to Mykonos for a night and then fly to Athens for the last two nights. My parents don’t tend to enjoy the big city and I thought we’d do the Acropolis and maybe the museum. I know things are tight, but if they get tired we’ll skip some sights and just relax a bit. My plans are fluid but I appreciate all the info on Santorini.

Good luck on your plans .... I hope & assume that you will have at least ONE night in what is acknowledged by the world to be THE most beautiful Old TOwn in All of Greece -- Nafplio. And if so, you undoubtedly have consulted the best (and noncommercial) website on the town and the Argolid - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ Here are fab photo albums by a notable RS contributor, Stanbr, that show Nafplio's delights and ALSO a sampling of the surrounding highlights -- Nemea, Mycenae, TIryns, Epidaurus, then afield to Mystra, Monemvasia etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/48866176952/in/album-72157711323535897/

If/when you stop there, I strongly urge booking HOTEL AGAMEMMNON -- also recommended as best choice by the creator/mgr of "visit nafplio." It is one of the very few hotels right on the sea front and the only one with balconies with views not partially obstructed by cafes. It has spacious rooms, a lovely breakfast buffet, AND an elevator (which you'll find is very unusual outside of Athens). And guess what! its rates are moderate, far less than some hotels with less to offer.Of the albums above, the first few pictures show the view from this hotel. PS: be VERY careful not to unknowingly book a hotel that requires climbing the "stairstep streets" (I did that for years, but most won't).

Hello Janet,
Just wanted to thank you for the recommendations for the hotels on Santorini and in Nafplio. I’ve booked both of them! Do you have any recommendation for Mykonos? LOL By the way our itinerary is to arrive on the first day at 10 AM, rent a car and drive to Delphi, then we have stays at the following towns: Olympia, Kardamyli, Monemvasia, Nafplio (2 nights), Santorini (2 nights), Mykonos (1 night), and 3 nights in Athens. As for the answer to my question, I’ve decided to bypass Kalavryta, due to time constraints. Thanks again for your help!

Lee I very seldom give recommendations to Mykonos ... because I consider it Overpriced, over-promoted, jampacked with cruise crowds and package-tour throngs 5 days a week, and basically, "famous for being Famous." The ONLY reason to go there would be if you are an ancient-civ buff, enough to go there specifically to take a ferry to DELOS & wander around there (hard to appreciate without a GOOD licensed guide, or else lots of homework & research). I happen to be one, had my share of graduate-level Classics courses & a long shelf of books, otherwise it would be rubble. And in the hot sun -- no place to rest, no real cafe. Is that something your parents would enjoy??

In Mykonos Town itself Yes, there are mazey lanes to wander (packed night & day with above tourists), and like Snatorini, close to 200 Famous-Name Shops -- Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, etc. Is that what you & parents seek? Rodeo Drive?

IF you insist on going there, it will be a "fast-ferry" no view of Snatorini cliffs on exit, it will land at the new faraway pier & you'll have to get a shuttle to even reach the traditional seafront. This is for the convenience of the cruise ships and major ferries with package tours. I"m not a stranger to Mykonos, have stayed there 3 times (the last 2 as an ovrnight "connection stop"). I have an artist friend (American, married a greek) who runs a quiet place ANgela's Rooms, in a rose garden (to locate on map, it's just behind Hotel Despotika)

However, if you just plan to stay ONE night on another island, why spend it in Disneyland/Rodeo Drive??? I'd rather you go to a REAL island, NAXOS -- closer than Mykonos, wander a fascinating Port Town with NO cruise crowds or package-tour mobs (and no Cartier-Gucci).. enjoy a stunning sunset at a seafront cafe with moderate prices, real local people making your food and serving it (unlike Santorini &Mykonos waiter, mainly from the Balkans!). Have you even heard of Naxos? It's been named the Best Island in the Med/Aegean multiple times -- but of course it's not ballyhooed by Cruise lines or Travel Agents because it doesn't have super-luxe hotels paying them commissions. Here are a couple of videos by my dear talented friend "stanbr" views in town & around --
NAXOS Sept 2019 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711294807761/page1
-- much more than possible in 1 night but do look at end-pix of sunset & dinner in Port Town seafront
NAXOS June2015 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157656336387898 (I'm on P 2 -- do note the perfect cafe-seats at start of the port promenade for pre-diinner sits)
...after your cruelly SHORT visit, you can fly Naxos to ATH On Sky Express at 11am, 1:30 or 5:20

IF IF IF You are smart enough to choose this option, here's how y ou do it:
• BOOK a FLIGHT NOW! - these sell out WAY in advance; small modern turboprops.
• FERRY from SANTORINI - the only 2 good ones are 3:15pm BLUE STAR open decks (BUT a big crowd & steps to climb, rush on/off, stressful for newbies) and (your choice) 12:10 WORLDCHAMPIONJet - Open Back deck tostand on for photos during dept, then sit inside, all reserve, no rushing. book tix when u get to greece, any tix office
• BOOK ROOM! - I recommend hotels ON St. George Beach directly adjacent to Port Town.. easy 15 min walk OR a €5 taxi. Upscale Price Hotel at beach end closest to town = Nissaki Beach Hotel ... 100yards away, a fave of mine Hotel Palatia has a double room w seaview balcony for $114 (you can stay next door).

On arrival u can taxi to hotel(s) check in, rest, walk beach, go to town for Sunset dinner. In AM can visit the "top of town" Medieval castle, BEST (tiny) Museum in the Islands, then curse yourself for not booking a WEEK there, then check out & go to airport.

My work here is done. You're welcome. Since I'm not able to go to greece, I'm leaving for the Pool.

Janet,
Thanks again, you have definitely given me something to think about. I have thought long and hard about what to do for my parents best enjoyment. I’ll give it another day then I need to buy those plane tickets. Right now I have two full days and three nights in Athens. I may rethink that and have two days to spend in Naxos and skip Mykonos. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Thanks again for all your insight and enjoy the pool!

I'm glad to hear you're giving serious thought to what your parents might enjoy most, not just what is most famous. Actually, I they will have had a HUGE helping of ancient sites since you're walking them through Delphi, Olympia, probably something nearby to Nafplio - you might think about just ONE full Day in Athens, with 2 nights (go to bed early the night before, up to see Acropolis & Parthenon at 8 AM before crowds arrive.... Then exit & walk a few feet to Acropolis Museum. THey can put up feet & have snacks/lunch & relax in its lovely glass-enclosed terrace, before looking at exhibits. TIP: best way to tour is Escalator to TOP floor, see the Fabulous 30-minute video that explains the whole parthenon/acropolis .. then the whole museum makes the most sense. After that, back to the room for a rest, then u can walk around Plaka, See the Temple of Zeus, have a celebratory rooftop dinner with view of Parthenon --( Hotel Hera & Hotel Herodion on S. Side of Acrop both have roof dining).

That would give you that extra night in Naxos... show your parents the videos of sunset in Naxos.

But do NOT NOT DITHER ... while you're hemming/hawing -- the domestic plane flights and Hotel reservations are booking solid!! Y Ou can book without danger -- free cancellation thru booking.com -- free flight changes w. Sky Express -- but only if you book NOW.

We loved Naxos but I question whether it is a good idea to go to any island for one night, especially with older parents. You will have like half a day and a evening there.

If is much more effort and time to move from one island to another than you think. You might be happier in the long run adding that night to somewhere else in your itinerary,

I agree with you Beth, that's why I proposed a strategy that would add a day to Naxos ... because I think for Elders, a final "peak experience" of just the Acropolis & its Museum would be enough in Athens.