Unless you are time pressed, you might wish to spend a full day (at least) in the Nafplio area -- although it is in fact a bit out of the way -- visiting in also Mikine and Epidavros archeological sites, which are both at least as much interesting as Olympia (if not more). Skip Argos and Tripoli, -- 'nondescript' is the nicest way of defining both.

When in Olympia, choose the Pelops Hotel, one of the best hotels I found in Greece.

Hi,

Thank you for the response. Our itineray is still in develpment. Since this is our first trip to Greece, we want to combine exploration (history and archeology) with relaxation (islands). We plan to drive around first then visiting the islands. We will arrive Athens on Sept.12, rent a car and explore surrounding area, be back to Athens on Sept.16. Then we plan to catch a flight to Mykonos in the morning of Sept.17 spend two days there, then go to Santorini for 3 days before going back to Athens. I'll stay in Athens for another 5 days for a conference before coming back to US.

For the land trip from Sept.12-16, I orginally plan to follow and modify the classical 4 days 3 nights tour provided by many tour companies. The brief description is as follows:

Visit the archaeological site at Mycenae and then on to visit Nauplia. You will pass through the central Peloponnese area passing the cities of Megalopolis and Tripolis then on to Epidaurus where you will visit the archaeological site and the Theatre, famous for its remarkable acoustics. You will see the archaeological site and museum in Olympia, Delphi and Meteora.

I don't have a clear idea if this is the best route or best itinerary. All the tour goes first to Olympia. We don't want to drive 5-6 hours straight the first day we arrive Athens. Philhellene, your suggestion makes me wonder if I should go first to visit Meteora, then drive to Delphi,Olympia and Mycenae, Nauplia. I'm sure there are better itineraries.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

- Seashell

You can stay in some seaside resort in Corinthos region, such as Loutraki (1 hour from Athens- see for example http://www.poseidonresort.gr/ www.clubhotelloutraki.gr/ ) or the seaside villages of Vrahati (www.alkyonhotel.gr) and Xylokastro ( for example http://www.xylokastro.gr/adv/xylokastrobeach/ or http://www.leconvivial.com/ or www.daphnesclub.com)

Vrahati and Xylokastro are only 1,5 hour from Athens

I too am in the process of developing a Grrece trip combining mainland and islands tours. I have received lots of advice from on here as well as others who have done the same thing themselves. In all cases, it has been recommen to me, to go to Meteora first, followed by Delphi and then Olympia etc, ending up with Nafplio and Epidavros.

However, I have 7 days for this, so the first night off the plane, I am staying in Mati, having picked up my car at the Airport around noon. Hopefully I will be in the sun relaxing by early afternoon.

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