Naxos or Nafplion

You have plenty of time to switch the Athens accommodations & that's what you should do first. Why? 3-4 Very good reasons -- and we "Greece vets" explain it every week, because we're just trying to help newcomers with short stays have the best experience: (BTW, I"m hoping your 10 days doesnt includ BOTH arrival & departure day.. you can't count Departure day at all & only count half of arrivl day if you land before noon) 4 reasons why:

• Since you need to be in Athens (or the Athens area) the night before you fly home anyway being in Athens TWICE is a waste of time. Going in central Athens. check into hotel, checking out/ getting out of centrals -- takes precious HOURs you do not have.
• On arrival you're exhausted, jet-lagged, not fit to launch into whirlwind sightseeing in a large bustling National capital where you can't even read the alplhabet. MUCh better to reenergize in a slower-paced place - island or mainland
• With a few days orientation, you'll be more savvy about how things work & better able to navigate Athens easily
• Even a few days immersed in Greek culture/history will make Athens Famous Landmarks so much more meaningful for you.

My thought on your sequence &choices:
(l1) On arrival (with 2 hrs layover) immediately take domestic flight to SANTORINI. By 3pm You could be on a balcony with view. Even if you arrive ATH later (due to Europe connection), you can still be on your balcony before sunset. And you'll wake up on an island, not a busy big city! Enjoy Day/Nights 2 & 3 exploring Santorini.
(2 - OPTION #A) -- On Day 4, take 2 hour ferry to NAXOS --there's a 10:30 ferry & a 3:15 ferry y our choice. Stay on St. George beach directly adjacent to port town walkable to all sights, diniing, cafes, shops etc. Enjoy Naxian scenery, swms, higlights for 3-4 days. Just a few pix here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157634605629689/
(2 -- OPTION #B) - OR -- on Morning of DAY 4, FLY back to ATH airport arrive 11 or so, pick rental car, and drive (on Greece most modern mutlio-lane divided highway) over Corinth Canal, thru lovely orchards & Olive Groves too Greece's MOST beutiful Old Town, surrounded by water -- NAFPLIO! Enjoy ancient sites, scenery, great dining, smart shops, and IMHO the BEST sunsets in greece A few pix here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/
-- BTW, if u don't want to drive, Intercity KTEL bus takes same route, 2.5 hrs, many runs daily, modern vehicles

(3 - OPTION #A-1) - On Day 8 , FLY from NAXOS to ATHENS -- you'll have afternoon & 2 full days (9 - 10) to view the major landmarks of 2,500 years of civilization, then have a gala last dinner on night 10
(3 - OPTION #B-1) - On Day 8 , Leave NAFPLIO, either driving or by intercity KTL bus, back to ATHENS -- you'll have afternoon & 2 full days (9 - 10) to view the major landmarks of 2,500 years of civilization, then have a gala last dinner on night 10.

If I'm off by one day, its because it's not clear whether your 10 days was to include all travel time to/from Greece. This sequence at least makes travel more efficient between your 3 destnations. IMPORTANT: You MUST get the travel logistics locked down before you book accommodations... you can't get tied into a hotel when u cant get there. BTW, your Athens hotel will switch dates for u.

Athens deserves a minimum of 2 days with 3 better. There's more to Athens than just the tourist sites.

Most travelers recommend saving Athens for the end of your trip and head straight to your destination if connections are possible.

With 10 days and 2-3 in Athens that leaves 7-8 days. You could split it between 2 islands but you lose time getting from one island to another depending on which combinations you choose.

Nafplio is one of Greece's nicest towns and is a perfect base to explore the area and beyond including World Class Archeological and historic sites. It's a relatively quick and easy trip either by rental car or bus from Athens. I would recommend a car while in Nafplio because there is so much to see in that region.

Here's the best website for Nafplio. You'll see there is enough to do, see and experience in the region to keep you occupied for your entire stay:

https://www.visitnafplio.com/

Naxos is very nice and a lot of people recommend it. If you want an island experience rather than a mainland experience then Naxos would be fine.

ha ha tommy, cross-posting... Great Minds run in same channels!

As suggested up thread, I also recommend to do both Naxos & Nafplio! Great advise. We visited Nafplio on the RS Greece Tour. On our own we spent several days on Santorini and a week on Naxos- (our favorite Greece experience). We were there in the month of September several years ago. Janet was our “go to” for itinerary advise. ;) Enjoy!

Janis, I would have suggested both, but they are just about 4 days too short --- and trying to squeeze in both would ruin the experience. BTW, usually "stanbr" chimes in on threads like these, but not lately and alas, I know why ... he & spouse took off for a long Greece holiday... first to West Crete and I think about now they are gettng to Naxos (groan... am SO envious) ... At least I know where they are about 7:30 at night -- I click on the NAXOS camera with view of harbor... and they'll be sitting on a couch at Bossa Cafe... at the end of the port promenade, having & ouzoo and watching Naxos Town turn gold in the setting sun ... (I would join in, but 7:30 is just noon in Philadelplhia) ... ah well, yammas!

Thank you so much! Each of you are so helpful in our decision process. We decided to head to Santorini first, Naxos, Nafplion, and a small amount of time in Greece.
We really debated cutting out Nafplion but decided to keep it in and have a more “on the go” trip.
We think that re organizing the trip will really help cut down on travel time and allow us to see more.

Thank you again!
I may be asking a few more questions in the coming months

hi - just came back from greece... had a wonderful trip and posted a trip report on the travel forum if helpful.... i would echo the others that given a choice , try to maximize time in Naxos and Nafplio and do the minimum time on Santorini if it on your bucket list and you feel like you cant miss it - although maybe in Sept it will not be as crowded as it was for us, (and we were not yet in June and had the benefit of extremely windy days where boats could not bring in their tenders) but the day we arrived there were three cruise boats in town and it indeed felt like Disneyworld queues... this groups advice is always on point !

Having not read all the replies, and having just stayed in both Napflio and Naxos..
hands down for me is Napflio. Beautiful waterfront promenade, great restaurants (get away from touristy locations and eat in the small side alley tavernas), now my favorite bar (Yacht), various cultural sites, but just a great vibe for a small town. Naxos was good, but I don't need to return although had a great haircut experience. 😁Napflio for me.

I have just returned from Greece and, while we did not visit Naxos, we just loved Nafplio. The town was great and the close-by sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus were spectacular. We had two recommendations, including RS, for the Pensionne Mariana and it was a wonderful place to stay.

Santorini and Naxos with the final day/night In Athens would make for a wonderful trip! Nafplio is also beautiful. Just returned on Friday, and stayed at the lovely Aetoma Hotel for the second time. It’s perfect! If you can fit them all in, you’d be very happy.