Nafplio on the weekend? Santoríni and Naxos for 7 nights — another island for 2 nights?

Olympia 2 nights
? Another spot 2 nights
Nafplio 3 nights

Kardamyli deserves consideration

If you say you don't want days and days of archeological sites, why why 2 nights in Olympia??? You don't say what your timetable for arrival is, but a good plan is to come in the evening before, get an EARLY start in AM, and hit the Museum FIRST (it's in reverse order to what the bus tours do)... you'll have it ALL to yourself at 8 am, an d be able to gaze and absorb the splendor ... as you leave the tour groups will be startng to line up, but then you're off to the ruins... a large site, never can get crowded. If you don't have a guide at LEAST have a Guide BOOK, because signage is haphazard& you won't get the most from it. Then LEAVE -- don't hang around another afternoon/night....

Drive down the coast.... you can stop at Nestor's Palace if you want (but oooh, another ruin, ew) ... go to my favorite hidden gem, Gialova... a tiny village of 3 block long, along a STUNNING beach... stay at Hotel Zoe (website says resort but it's just a wonderful famlly-run hotel). Perfect base for exploring Castles, wildlife sanctuary, Pylos (a lovely village with a remarkAble pllaza open to the sea... laid out by the French 200 years ago)... use that extra day or 2 there, then check out Kardymyl, or if you wnat a total nontouristed town, Petalida. Then head for Nafplio.... and don't worry if it's a weekend, it's in May, there will be plenty of people around, but most of them will be Greeks, Athenians on a weekend getawAy.... the marble-paved central square after dinner is a delight... kids playing soccer, toddlers on trikes, moon overhead. Nights to remember.

thanks, Janet. you have already influenced our trip considerably. i'm glad you clarified Zoe's - i looked at their website after your last post to me and it just looked like a large resort.

I don't want to imply we don't like to do archaeological sites, why else would we bother to come to Greece! but with almost a month to spend, we want some variety. There are only so many cathedrals one can look at too!

You don't think there is any place between the west coast and Napflio worth a dawdle?

Also, thanks for the guide idea -- we will definitely do that.

Believe me I've stayed at Hotel zoe 2 unforgettable times ... The first time taking 2 busses & a taxi down from Olympia, and the 2nd time taking a 5-hour KTEL bus ride from Athens to do so! Hotel has 2 buildings, with a pool in between. The building more inland has apts. & designed for families... the building right in front of the sea has these marvelous rooms with canvas canopies shading the balconies... there's a small grove of palms you look thru, and at the edge of the sand are lovely basket chairs where elderly BRits sit and read 19th C novels. Under the palms are japanese lanterns and small tables, for breakfast or for dinner. It's good to check what's on for dinner because they have a limited menu. You can just ask Zoe at the desk. Yes, there is one, she's now in her late 20s, multi-lingual, university degree. The place was founded by her grandad, who named it when she was a newborn. She and Her parents & her brother run it now. They are VERY knowledgeable about the area, and activist in protecting the environment, & supporting the nearby wildlife refuge.

Just to the left of the hotel is a small pier jutting out into the bay... but no scheduled boats come in. Occasionally, swanky yachts anchor far out, and posh people come to shore in tiny motor boats but not often. The pier is just a concrete plaform for fishermen, and, at 5 pm , for local dads to drive up with their kiddies & park. Dads & kids frolic in the ocean for awhile before heading home to dinner. There are 3-4 other tavernas along the shore to choose from.

As for other sights ... I'm not mch on cathedrals, but can't resist a cool ruin. I was lucky to have a friend ("Yiassas" on Trip Advisor) whom I connected with in Pylos, and they took me to Ancient Messine --- WOW. A huge "Great Wall" built by Messines, to protect themselves from the SPartans after thy finally freed themselves from Spartan slave-labor. Supposed to be longest such wall in the world, after the Great Wal of China. check it out ... and nearby, right in the ruins area, is a nice taverna with swell view.

For some variety, consider walking from Nafplio to Karathona beach. It is mentioned in Rick Steve's guide. It is about 30 to 45 minutes from parking lot of Arvanitia Beach in Nafplio. I know you aren't beach people but it is a beautiful walk along the sea. It was hot going there in early June but very pleasant returning. You are going to be there a little earlier than we so I would think it could be lovely both ways. There is a snack bar at beach there and you could always have something to eat and walk back, if you don't want to stay. We rented chairs and chilled out for awhile. Some of us swam.

Also, the Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio has a very different feel from visiting ancient ruins. It was built in 1700s and is more intact and was a favorite of our group. It didn't require as much imagination as Mycenae, for example, and the views were spectacular from every where. We walked the 999 steps up and back and spent an entire morning exploring (although you can drive up).

Also there are wineries in the Nafplio area. We visited one and it was fun and a nice change from ruins. We had visited wineries in the U.S. and the contrast was interesting. And we bought some great wine too!

We were traveling with a group of seven so tried to mix things up a bit which worked well. There were no complaints about too many ruins!

Beth

If you’re still looking for another island for two nights, I suggest either Amorgos or Antiparos. Both are small and lightly touristed, and easily accessible from Naxos.

Amorgos has two ports — in May I’d suggest Katapola, and recommend staying in Porto Katapola, a wonderful hotel right on the harbor with a huge balcony. You can visit the famous Hozoviotissa monastery carved into the side of a cliff. Lots of hiking options and great little restaurants around the port.

Antiparos is even smaller. You get to it via Paros on little ferries that run all day. My favorite activity here was an all day cruise around the island — Google “A lazy day with Captain Ben”.

I think either island would be a great addition to your trip.