Peloponnese with Kids

[Ktlnhunt]

October 20-30 we are headed to Greece with 8 and 13 year-olds. Any advice appreciated on the below itinerary. Is Monemvasia worth it? We'd also like to day trip to Elofonosis Isle, hence what seems like a detour to Monemvasia-- rather than going straight to Gythio from Nafplio. Or should we lose Monemvasia/Elofonosis and add Delphi before Athens? Number of nights in each? We like ruins, climbing up towers, towns with little alleyways to lose ourselves in, eating/wine, a little adventure, and swimming. Thank you!

Friday - fly
Saturday - Arrive am Athens, get car, drive to Nafplio, see fortress, sleep there
Sunday - See Mycenae and Epidaurus, sleep Nafplio
Monday - Drive to Monemvasia, see town, sleep there
Tuesday - Day trip to Simos Beach on Elifonosis, sleep Monemvasia
Wedneday - Drive to Diros Caves, see caves, go back to Gythio to sleep
Thursday - From Gythio day trip to Mani peninsula, sleep Gythio
Friday - Drive to Olympia, see Olympia (could see Mystras/Sparta if time)
Saturday - Drive back to Athens, sleep Athens
Sunday - Athens
Monday - fly

 

[Dana]

Well... the Peloponnese is really mountainous, the roads are slow and to me it seems like you are driving back and forth a lot for the sake of staying in the same hotel (esp Gythio) more than one night. Unless you are very hardly it might well be too chilly for a swim, for instance, so you might just want to skip Elafonisos and replace Mystra to the list.. After the Mani consider heading west to Pylos ( Voidokilia beach and Mycenaean palace) on your way up to Olymbia. On Saturday you might consider getting up early, crossing the Rio bridge to the north shore of the Gulf of Corinth and hitting Delphi on route (do check opening hours and driving times though- it's all mountainous). But it is spectacular, as is the 3 hour or so drive to Athens.