To Use a Travel Agent or Wing It for Greece?

Not sure how a travel agent would solve the problem with strikes and riots. A travel agent has no more of idea where that will happen than you do it. It will be more expensive because the TA has to make some money somewhere in the deal. Reservations are never a must. Just depends on how flexible you are. Driving outside of Athens is fine but I would not drive in Athens for anything.

Gayle, As Frank said, I don't think that using a Travel Agent will provide any benefits in terms of strikes or riots. The situation in Greece seems to have been reasonably quiet so far this summer (except for the Taxi strike a few weeks ago), so I wouldn't be too concerned about "civil disobedience". I used one of the Travel Agents listed on Matt Barrett's website for my trip to Greece last year, and they did an excellent job with the arrangements. I didn't have the perception that using the Travel Agent cost me any more. I suspect the Hotels provide them with a "cut" for referring customers, so perhaps that's how they earn their fees? In any case, I felt the service was worth it so wouldn't hesitate to use the same T.A. again even if there was a small charge. Based on my observations sitting on the RS tour Bus, driving out of Athens and around the Pelopponese is not very difficult, although some of the roads can be narrow and "twisting". One point to note is that each driver will require the compulsory I.D.P. for driving in Greece. Based on my experience in Santorini and on reports here on the HelpLine, you'll very likely be asked for it when you rent the Car. Happy travels!

Seeing that September is just after the Holiday rush (My favorite time to be in Greece is September) my preference would be to wing it. My main reason is just to maintain flexibility. The last time, I did have reservations I made myself for one hotel for four days, since I was meeting up with someone, plus a flight or two between the islands to get a good price, but otherwise hotels in the islands and the peloponnese were plentiful, ferries and buses always available. We did have a good list of hotels researched, called ahead a day or two in some cases, but also just picked up rooms at the dock. I will say that in each of my trips to Greece, some mishap, bus schedules, ferries cancelled due to weather, bus delayed due to a road closure, have occurred. It can be a bit maddening to get around if you are accustomed to the plentiful connections and timelines of most European Transportation systems, but I will say that having a car, if you are up for it, will help.