Nafplion for the last three days...

We took a ferry to Athens and then rented a car and drove... based on this Rick Steve's recommendation, "The Peloponnesian port town of Nafplion, two hours southwest of Athens by car or bus, is small, cozy, and strollable. It's a welcome relief after the black-hanky intensity of smoggy Athens. Not only is Nafplion itself fun, but it's a handy home base for exploring two of Greece's greatest ancient sights: Epidavros and Mycenae.

Nafplion's harbor is guarded by two castles, one on a small island and the other capping the hill above the town. Both are wonderfully floodlit at night."

The town itself is very international feeling.  Beautiful town squares with delightful shops and delicious restaurants.  What interested us most was what lied beyond the "tourist" town, the historical aspect of this area.


Epidarvos was a very developed site in 5th century BC.  It was a center for health and theater (built 2,500 years ago to seat 14,000).  We were amazed at being in such an ancient local until we went to Mycenae the next day.


This was the capital of the Mycenaeans, who won the Trojan War and dominated Greece 1,000 years before Socrates. As we toured this fascinating fortified citadel, we marveled that these people were as awesome to the ancient Greeks of Socrates' day as those Greeks are to us. The classical Greeks marveled at the huge stones and workmanship of the Mycenaean ruins. They figured that only a race of giants (cyclopes) could build with such colossal rocks and called it "cyclopean" architecture.


Our ten days in Greece were incredibly diverse:  full of great food, exceptional history, and warm Greek hospitality.  All we could have hoped for and more!  μέχρι την επόμενη φορά... until next time.

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1 comments:

Four Points Bulletin said...

Wow, that last picture is especially incredible. How did they do it with such minimal technology? Amazing!
You look great in all the pics...I love the long hair!
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