Ideas for our first trip to Greece
Nov 10th, 2009, 05:09 PM
#21
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Hey Bettina.
We go to Nauplion every time we go to Greece and always rent a car. Actually we rent it at the Athens airport and drive to Nauplion. The roads are very good although the other drivers Having a car is really great. You can do day trips from Nuplio to Epadarus, Mycenae, Tyrns and a bit longer to Ancient Corinth, Ancient Nemia and for a real long day try Mystras near Sparti.
We go to Nauplion every time we go to Greece and always rent a car. Actually we rent it at the Athens airport and drive to Nauplion. The roads are very good although the other drivers Having a car is really great. You can do day trips from Nuplio to Epadarus, Mycenae, Tyrns and a bit longer to Ancient Corinth, Ancient Nemia and for a real long day try Mystras near Sparti.
Nov 11th, 2009, 01:41 PM
#23
Bettina,
Yes, we rented a car. That's how we did all the day trips we did. Stanbr is right about all the places that are within driving distance from Nafplio. The ferry we took to Hydra was out of Tolo, a little town not far from Nafplio. We drove to Tolo. You will be amazed at all the restaurants in Nafplio. To be honest, I really don't remember their names. There were several around Constitution Square, several in a row a block away from the square, and of course many along the waterfront. We stayed away from those as they are more expensive, except for the last night when we went to one at the far end of the town. It kind of hung out over the water and was very good.
Yes, we rented a car. That's how we did all the day trips we did. Stanbr is right about all the places that are within driving distance from Nafplio. The ferry we took to Hydra was out of Tolo, a little town not far from Nafplio. We drove to Tolo. You will be amazed at all the restaurants in Nafplio. To be honest, I really don't remember their names. There were several around Constitution Square, several in a row a block away from the square, and of course many along the waterfront. We stayed away from those as they are more expensive, except for the last night when we went to one at the far end of the town. It kind of hung out over the water and was very good.
Nov 11th, 2009, 02:11 PM
#24
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Hey Bettina
We are going back to Chania again in late May and we have decided to stay at Nora again as well.
We wanted to make a statement.
As to dining in Nauplio we loved Taverna Faneria.
It is a block away from Constitution Square down a small side alley. It was always full while nearby tavernas were empty. That always tends to tell me that it is a good place. Food was good and prices were very reasonable.
Here are our pictures of Nuplion. Faneria is the 3rd picture.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551991579dJbWvh
Have a great time.
We are going back to Chania again in late May and we have decided to stay at Nora again as well.
We wanted to make a statement.
As to dining in Nauplio we loved Taverna Faneria.
It is a block away from Constitution Square down a small side alley. It was always full while nearby tavernas were empty. That always tends to tell me that it is a good place. Food was good and prices were very reasonable.
Here are our pictures of Nuplion. Faneria is the 3rd picture.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551991579dJbWvh
Have a great time.
Nov 11th, 2009, 05:02 PM
#26
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Bettina - I recommend you rent a car and drive to Nauplion. You need a car there and the drive is very easy. It is a beautiful area and rich with history. Not to be missed! Plus lots of great tavernas and walks.
Have you been to the south coast of Crete? I recommend Plakias and Mirthios. Cheers!
Have you been to the south coast of Crete? I recommend Plakias and Mirthios. Cheers!
Nov 11th, 2009, 05:18 PM
#27
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FirstTriptoGreece,
Go hang out in a bookstore and look through the travel books. There are so many choices in Greece. 8-10 days means you'll need to narrow your focus. The mainland has lots of hiking and fabulous historical sites. You really don't need to sign on with a tour. My husband and I are older and we just plan our own itineraries. You can stay in Athens in a 2-3 days, then rent a car and head out to Delphi and/or the Pelloponnese. The islands hold their own allure and there are so many. My favorite is Paros and Crete. I think you will spend too much time in transport to go to Rhodes or Crete even if you fly. It is a short hop on Aegean Air but you'll have to deal with airport time. I find the ferries run reliably despite what some reviewers say. You could also save time by going to a closer island in the Saronic Gulf. Have a great time - you'll want to back again to see what you missed!
Go hang out in a bookstore and look through the travel books. There are so many choices in Greece. 8-10 days means you'll need to narrow your focus. The mainland has lots of hiking and fabulous historical sites. You really don't need to sign on with a tour. My husband and I are older and we just plan our own itineraries. You can stay in Athens in a 2-3 days, then rent a car and head out to Delphi and/or the Pelloponnese. The islands hold their own allure and there are so many. My favorite is Paros and Crete. I think you will spend too much time in transport to go to Rhodes or Crete even if you fly. It is a short hop on Aegean Air but you'll have to deal with airport time. I find the ferries run reliably despite what some reviewers say. You could also save time by going to a closer island in the Saronic Gulf. Have a great time - you'll want to back again to see what you missed!
Nov 12th, 2009, 10:40 AM
#28
Stanbr,
Your pictures of Nafplio are outstanding. They certainly depict the lovely little city as it truly is. Future visitors should know that besides this beauty are frindly and really nice residents. We were also struck by the children playing in Constitution Square, even in the evening hours when you would think they should be tucked into their beds sound asleep, but they were having such fun. And we were too just watching them.
Linda
Your pictures of Nafplio are outstanding. They certainly depict the lovely little city as it truly is. Future visitors should know that besides this beauty are frindly and really nice residents. We were also struck by the children playing in Constitution Square, even in the evening hours when you would think they should be tucked into their beds sound asleep, but they were having such fun. And we were too just watching them.
Linda
Nov 12th, 2009, 11:14 AM
#29
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I was at Delphi on October 26. The upper part (the sacred way) was still closed but the museum and the rest of the site were open. The site is spectacular. We also briefly visited Arachova, the village about 2 miles away that is popular with skiers in the winter. It is a lovely village with many craft stores and tourist amenities and it looks like a very pleasant place to stay. I definitely want to go to Delphi again, but this time I would stay a day or two in Arachova.
Nov 17th, 2009, 11:54 AM
#31
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Sorry, I've been away. It was 200 euros for the taxi tour, and that was the price whether there was 1 person or 4.
I too recommend Arachova. I spent 2 nights there at the Santa Marina Arachova Resort, which was lovely. The town was so charming too, especially when you wandered the narrow streets off the main street. The town is built on the side of Mt. Parnassus, and around 200 stairs up from main street, there are beautiful views from the church.
I too recommend Arachova. I spent 2 nights there at the Santa Marina Arachova Resort, which was lovely. The town was so charming too, especially when you wandered the narrow streets off the main street. The town is built on the side of Mt. Parnassus, and around 200 stairs up from main street, there are beautiful views from the church.
Jan 11th, 2010, 04:08 AM
#33
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@Delaine's taxi tour... is this a reasonable cost? how far in advance should you book one of these?
I am going to Athens 10/28-11/1/10 and just started looking at locations and options for my sightseeing. Most of my time will be spent at the marathon event but will try to see everything I can squeeze in.
I've seen many people suggest taxi tours as the way to go, but I'm not really sure what to expect as I've never booked one before. It does sound like a better option than the tour bus because I am truly not interested in the "rug guy's" offerings. Thoughts or suggestions on the taxi tour?
I am going to Athens 10/28-11/1/10 and just started looking at locations and options for my sightseeing. Most of my time will be spent at the marathon event but will try to see everything I can squeeze in.
I've seen many people suggest taxi tours as the way to go, but I'm not really sure what to expect as I've never booked one before. It does sound like a better option than the tour bus because I am truly not interested in the "rug guy's" offerings. Thoughts or suggestions on the taxi tour?
Jan 11th, 2010, 08:07 AM
#34
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Text-t-weed ... That would be a reasonable price for a full-day hire to go to those places in the Argolid, because it is over 100 miles there & 100 back, and takes a full day of the drivers time. It would be quite efficient use of time, if you have only 1 day. Note that this trip of Delaine's did not include Delphi -- that was a separate day.
The only objection is to the use of the term "taxi tour." The accurate term would really be private car-hire, because the driver is not a licensed Guide and cannot provide what you think of as a "Tour." He can drive you to the sites but is not allowed to accompany you onsite and give information; licensed guides in Greece must take an intensive long course & pass tests; taxi drivers mainly supply anecdotes and transportation convenience. You will note that Delaine said she liked to prepare herself by prior reading, and to take a guidebook and print-outs from internet sites... thus enabling a "D-I-Y" tour. VERY do-able, and i recommend it to you!
The only objection is to the use of the term "taxi tour." The accurate term would really be private car-hire, because the driver is not a licensed Guide and cannot provide what you think of as a "Tour." He can drive you to the sites but is not allowed to accompany you onsite and give information; licensed guides in Greece must take an intensive long course & pass tests; taxi drivers mainly supply anecdotes and transportation convenience. You will note that Delaine said she liked to prepare herself by prior reading, and to take a guidebook and print-outs from internet sites... thus enabling a "D-I-Y" tour. VERY do-able, and i recommend it to you!
Jan 13th, 2010, 07:44 AM
#37
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Delaine - We will be in Greece with a group of friends in March and have one day in Athens that we would like to use to take a day trip to Delphi. There will probably be 8-10 of us going and we don't really want to do a group bus tour that involves stops at rug shops, etc. When you arranged your taxi tour, did Paul actually give you a "tour" of Delphi, or just drive you to the places you wanted? Did you take this as a 1 day tour, and if so, where else would you recommend stopping? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Jan 13th, 2010, 11:56 AM
#38
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I think Delaine explained quite clearly in her mention of her sightseeing in the Nafplio area that a taxi driver does NOT give a tour of anancient site... and it is the same case in Delphi She explained that she did reading beforehand and took along maps & a good guide book. I further explained in my post (see above) that taxi drivers are not allowed to go onsite with their clients, because they are not licensed guides. Licensed guides are a strictly regulated profession in greece required years of study and rigorous testing. if you would wish to have a guide take you around the site, you could arrange for a guide to Meet you at the entry to the site. This can be done through a special request to Athenswalkingtours.com or to the organization of professionl guides -- the e-mail is at this link. http://wftga.org/page.asp?id=9#Greece.
You might look at a map before suggesting that you can stop at another place besides Delphi in a 1-day tour. Delphi is a 3 to 3.5 hour drive from Athens... altogether 7 hours of driving (or riding in a bus) in a single day. Many tour groups offer it as a 2-day tour for this reason. Do a bit of reading in a guide book, it will clarify things for you .
You might look at a map before suggesting that you can stop at another place besides Delphi in a 1-day tour. Delphi is a 3 to 3.5 hour drive from Athens... altogether 7 hours of driving (or riding in a bus) in a single day. Many tour groups offer it as a 2-day tour for this reason. Do a bit of reading in a guide book, it will clarify things for you .
