I am planning a sojourn to the Peloponnese May 2017.

While I have been to Greece many times before the Peloponnese is an area I have visited only once. ( Nafplion, Olympia, Monemvasia)

At the moment our itinerary includes: Nafplion, Mystras,The Mani, and Kalamata to visit the site of Messenia. We have about 8-10 days.

I am looking for a replacement for a 2 day side trip to Hydra. I thinking it is too much driving to the port of Metochi ( from Athens) and a ferry ride of which I am not fond of. ( Hate boats)

Any thoughts on some wonderful villages or towns to set roots for a few days in the Peloponnese?

Thanks

Beach/swimming? Mountain? City? Does it have to be on the Peloponnese or will the opposite side of the Gulf of Corinth also do?

Like the beach, not a swimmer.

As we are doing Nafplion, Kalamata, and a little Athens....village/town sounds more inviting then city.

I have never been to the opposite side of the Gulf of Corinth ( I worked in Ancient Corinth in 1979 as an archaeological illustrator for a year) Certainly open to thatidea....what did you have in mind?

Thanks.

I guess if you spent one year as an archeological illustrator you've seen most of the old stuff and you need no hints. Here are some other ideas with very brief descriptions:

- Monemvasia on the East coast. A medieval town on a huge rock in the sea, accessible over a bridge. Although hardly any wine is produced there, the etymological course for Malmsey and Malvasia, as wine from Greek islands was shipped to Venice and from there to the rest of the world through Monemvasia.

- Tsakonia, the mountainous area roughly between Sparta and the East coast down to Leonidio. People speak a local dialect that is not easily understood. They also produce the best aubergines in Greece.

- Mani. I spent 5 days in Gerolimenas in 1979, great!

- Being close to Kalamata, don't forget to visit the Σπήλαιο του Δηρού (Cave of Diros). A unique experience, greatest cave I've ever seen, you'd need a couple of hours. Also, don't forget to eat γουρουνοπούλα (gourounopoula), the amazing piglet on the spit.

- Galaxidi, on the "other side". I don't know, though, whether ferries still cross the gulf midway between Rio and Corinth.

- Stymphalis lake, close to Corinth. Up on the mountain, but accessible through a very good road. Very beautiful nature and, being Greece, good restaurants where you can have small meat orgies.

Enjoy your trip, the Peloponnese is an amazing place...

Thanks for suggestions.

We did pick up a few days near Monemvasia. I found a neat hotel that appeals to our " grand " side ( more money then we should spend....but how often do we go?). Kinsterna Hotel. It is a few kilometers from the rock. We have stayed on Monemvasia during our last time...we got bored after a day.

Dislike caves. My husband loves them so we will check it out in Kalamata.

I do, however, love roasted pig and have fond memories as a child eating that along the roadside in western Crete.

Now I just need to snag the award tickets.

Even if I suggested it, so would I!

Diros is a unique experience.

Must have been at Yenni Gave between Rhethymno and Heraklion. Nowadays a place where yuppies not affected by the crisis bring their parents/grandparents to lunch on Sundays in their Mercedes SUVs...