Naxos/Pelopponese/Athens - please comment on my itinerary

ATL Girl - Wouldn't it be easier to do Athens, Peloponnese region of Greece, and include an island closer to Athens instead of Naxos. It would be more convenient to boat to an island nearby Athens then flying to Naxos. You're flying into Athens then immediately catch a flight to Naxos then once you are done there , get back on a plane again to go back to Athens to rent a car to drive to peloponnese. The first 5 days will be tiring for you.

Fly into Athens:

Athens - 3 nights

Santorini, Hydra or Tinos - 3 Nights (Choose 1)

(Athens) Nafplion - 5 Nights

Delphi - 1 Night

Athens - 2 nights

Fly Home

I visited the Peloponnese and Athens in late May. Weather was gorgeous, crowds nonexistent in Peloponnese--only the Acropolis was crowded. We had some sites practically to ourselves!
While it is theoretically possible to visit Mystras and Messene from Nafplio, a lot depends on how early you like to get up and how long you wish to drive in one day. I found Google Maps estimates reliable. I chose three bases in the Peloponnese to see all I wanted to see with minimal driving (visiting Mystras and Messini while I was on the west end). I skipped Monemvasia. So, my suggestion is to look at drives times and take your own personal characteristic into consideration (for comparison: we do NOT get up early, we do not like long drives, and we like to have plenty of down time on a trip). Mystras and Messene are remarkable, but if you think you will come back one day (we certainly intend to!), you could save them. There is just so much to see in the area.
I had planned to visit Epidaurus and Mycenae on the same day, but the was our first full day and we had to sleep off the overnight flight. I was glad we did separate days because we spent hours at both and then also had more time each day to enjoy Nafplio in the evening. There is a mountain route you can take to link the two without backtracking (if you like mountain driving!).
We made a quick pitstop at Nemea on the way back to Athens, and we did have time to see the temples and museum and walk through the athletes tunnel, plus we ate lunch. Since you plan to explore the wine area (saw many signs for that), you may wish to have longer.
I would also consider visiting a closer island or just getting your coast time on the mainland--the Peloponnese has some cute seaside towns and marvelous beaches as well. But the is just a personal preference for doing more in a concentrated area and depends on if you think you will be back of course.

Rjean --- you advocate choosing islands closer to Athens than Naxos --- and then suggest two about as far (Hydra/Tinos) one that is the farthest of all the Cycladic isles, Santorini -- and MUCh more hectic (besieged by Multiple Monster Cruise ships 5 x a week).

I think the itinerary works very well. Matter of fact, just returned from a trip almost exactly like this one --I've visited many times, but my 2 companions were newbies. End of May, 2 weeks in june.... They landed in ATH am on AA nonstop, took that 12:40 flight to Naxos to meet me ... 5 days (on 1, they took the MV Alexander day- excursion to Santorini, while I lolled at the beach). Next, an AM flight to ATH airport, rental car to Nafplio ... stopping on way at NEMEA for an hour. In Nafplio area 4 days, we explored ruins, castles, enjoyed; didn't attempt delphi. Next AM we drove to Epidaurus, then up the COAST road to Isthmus for quick look at Corinth Canal, then returned car to ATH airport. Spent next 4 days in AThens. We saw a lot, had some great food, did not feel rushed.

I think your choice of last week may/1st week june is very good. In the past, I've advocated 1st 2 weeks in June, but given the earlier-occurring heat (we had 2 3-day stretches with temps over 90F), I think slightly earlier now is better. Everything will be open, things will be lively but not crowded, only difference is that water will be a tad more "brisk" but still very swimmable.

Only suggestion would be to "play it by ear" a little during your Argolid time; don't knock yourself out for Mystras/Monemvasia ... there's so much to explore in/around Nafplio besides y our list; check super noncommercial website http://www.visitnafplio.com

Thanks everyone. I will keep Mystras on the “maybe” list of things to do while we are in Nafplio, if we find ourselves feeling ready for a new adventure one day. We don’t mind driving or getting up early for a great experience or to avoid crowds.

Janet- is 3 full days in Naxos with the trip? I’d really like to spend time on an island, and Naxos most appealed to me. I’d consider swapping out Naxos for an island that was closer to Athens. The Saronic islands didn’t jump out at me as places to go on my first visit though. I’d appreciate any personal recommendations of mainland areas that would give us the same feel, or an island that is a short boat ride away.

Thanks everyone, I think this itinerary is getting close to finished.

RE mainland beaches. I did not make it this far, but Gialova has a gorgeous beach, plus there are some castles in the area, and that would allow you to see Mystras/Messene en route.
We enjoyed Kalamitsi beach near Kardamyli. Further south there are some nice beaches as well, though some may be a tad chilly unless late May.
Check out the Nafplio website, as if memory serves it also describes beaches in the vicinity.
With all that coastline, it is just a matter of picking the right town for you.

If I were you, I'd drop Mystras in favor of 4 nights in Naxos... just because it's an island that "ticks all the boxes" -- great sandy beaches, dramatic inland mountain landscapes, small hillside villages, a fascinating port town, ancient ruins, and great locally-produced meat, veggies & fruits, and tavernas that serve them up deliciously. The Saronic islands don't come close, IMHO. You'll have plenty of classical landmarks in the Nafplio area to satisfy you. And yes, if you had a 3rd week, I'd say add Mystras and stuff in the West of Peloponnese -- but why not save that for your next trip? When you get greedy, you shortchange your experience by rushing around just to mark something off a checklist.

Case in point: on one of those hot June days, at 6:30 pm in Nafplio we sat down in fab upholstered loveseats under a shady canopy at the Nafplio seafront, to have an adult beverage and enjoy the view as the sun neared the mountains across the Bay of Argos. The sky grew rosier ... our mood mellowed. Couples wandered by, children in strollers. Sunset approached. I said, we should leave; remember, we planned to go to (Taverna X, an excellent dining spot). No, said one friend. Let's just stay here, order a pizza, have another glass, and keep the vibe. So we stayed until full dark, with the most gorgeous sunset of our trip ... a magical moment that happened because -- as you said above -- We were wise enough to "slow down a little and enjoy the surroundings."