If I only have a few days in Greece and would prefer to do just one night in Athens to see a few sites what might be another easy location. This is a bonus addition to another trip and it is for my grandson (age 10) with some Greek heritage, so would love to give him just a 'taste' of Greece...he is also very into experiencing Greek food and loves history.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8130 posts
Two options, if you really only have a day or so besides Athens, then Delphi would be a good choice, easily done by bus. If you have a couple days, then Nafplio is probably better. The town is neat, has a couple large forts, and you could hit Epidaurus (the big amphitheater) or Mycenae. It is also easily reachable by bus.
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1421 posts
Terry I second Nafplio. An easy journey from Athens by bus (just under 3 hours), a beautiful town in its own right, and access to Mycenae and Epidavrus. Alan
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
If he likes boats and being on the water take him to the quaint island of Hydra on the FlyingDolphin. It's just a couple of hours from Athens.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3401 posts
A wonderful 2-night trip to Nafplio is SO easy! Taxi (10-12€) to Kifissou KTEL station, reserved-seat comfy busses hourly on half-hour, take 2.5 hours, scenic route along water most of way. Try Hotel Victoria, just off the central square; ask for top-floor room with view of water OR Palamidi. Nafplio's called Greece's most beautiful town: this slide-show shows why -- http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/551991579dJbWvh Nafplio Old Town is at the TIP of a cliff-like peninsula in the Bay of Argos; surrounded by sea. A seaside walkway around base of the cliff will thrill u both, and leads to a tiny BEACH! More History: on square is a thrilling arch. museum, with the ONLY Iliad-era suit of armor in the world!. Nafplio has THREE FOrts/Castles:#1 in the bay, #2 is Palamidi, on Gibraltar-size "rock" behind town (taxi up there for €5, have driver wait, take pix & drive down). #3 is parapet on the heights.. you get there by an elevator IN the rock! (ask your hotel). Oh, and Nafplio has terrif restaurants NOT junk food, AND Antica Gelateria has best Gelato in all Greece. U don't say WHEN u go: in summer there's a 1-day bus tour excursion to both Mycenae & Epidaurus. BUT easier is to TAXI just 5 Km out of town to Tiryns fortress (Achilles-era ruin), Great for a 10-year old to climb on, NO crowds. U can get public bus to Epidaurus to see its 400 BC theatre seating 15,000. Wow! Here's a super website to tell all u need to know about Nafplio's delights: http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnafplio.com/Home.html Really, I hope you'll consider this. I have a 12-year-old grandson who loves history, forts etc, and if I could only take him one place outside Athens this would be it.
Posted by
OP
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
All these ideas sound great... I will look into everything. He is also a mythology fanatic, so I just might give him these options and we can plan together. We are going to Turkey and he does not yet know that I am taking him to Greece as well (which was his first choice) so that is why I only have a few days, but it will be better than not going at all. Thanks for all the ideas.
Posted by
OP
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Janet... just met up with my grandson and told him about Greece... very excited, and I am going to take your advice. I will cut a day or so out of Istanbuhl and make this happen. Thanks so much and I hope someday you can take your grandson there too.