Saronic / Argolic in May

[Oliveoyl]

2 weeks cruise lined up. Have searched these fora and other web info, and it seems we will not be going to Hydra. However, there seem to be some absolute "musts", BUT, will have 20 month granddaughter on board, so want to avoid long passages, and give her enough shore based activity. Have looked at the charts and pilot books, and it seems we will have to choose between Monemvasia or Navplion.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
"Desperate grandma"

 

[1bobt]

2 weeks cruise lined up. Have searched these fora and other web info, and it seems we will not be going to Hydra. However, there seem to be some absolute "musts", BUT, will have 20 month granddaughter on board, so want to avoid long passages, and give her enough shore based activity. Have looked at the charts and pilot books, and it seems we will have to choose between Monemvasia or Navplion.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
"Desperate grandma"

Where are you starting from ?

 

[Oliveoyl]

Alimos

 

[1bobt]

Alimos

Usual way is Aigina, Poros, Spetsai/Idhra. Idhra should not be busy this time of year. Porto kheli to stock up. Astros, Navplion, to Leonidhion .Good sail to Ermioni. then Poros again .Then Epidhavros , or little vathi, or both. then Aigina again, then back to Kalimaki Two weeks done

cheers bobt

 

[tennisgirl1]

We visited both Navplion and Monemvasia last spring.
Navplion is an interesting town to visit but the main quay is noisy and backed by what is the main car park for the touristy part of the town. There are constant comings and goings of coaches and cars right alongside where yachts are moored. On the other hand the promenade is long and further down beyond the yacht area there is plenty of room for a toddler to run around and lots of activity - street vendors and entertainers etc.- at night.

The harbour in Monemvasia is quieter and the old town well worth a visit.

Ermioni (in 1bobt's suggested route) has a good walk round the wooded promontory just outside the harbour - unusual for a Greek town.

 

[BobnLesley]

Monomvassia or Navplion?

For me it would be Monomvassia, but with a small kiddie İ`d advise going North to Navplion; if the weather gets up it`ll be worse down Monomvassia direction, we`ve had one beat back north from there and it wasn`t much fun - actually it was OK because we had time to bale out and hide in Yerika (now that`s a pleasnat backwater) for three days!

The trip out to Epidhavros is definitely worth doing, the distance is similar from Mon or Nav, or if the weather`s settled, you can anchor in a bay only about 5M east of it. Hydra won`t be too bad/manic in May and try to spend a night anchored off Dhokos İsland just WSW of there too - watch out for the ostrich!

 

[jimbaerselman]

Longer hops to get to Monemvassia. The old town on the peninsula is a remarkable place, but really only good for a one day visit. Nice quiet places en route though - Astros, Leonidhion, Yieraka.

Navplion has good shopping, a central square surrounded by lovely buildings and some characterful spots. It'll keep you occupied for two full days ashore with things to do and places to see. The quayside is sometimes a bit pongy in a gentle onshore breeze . . . and Friday/Saturday nights are loud, since Bouboulinas (the street running along the harbour front) is the city night spot. Great for people watching, but that may not be your thing at 4 am.

Just off the central square to the NE is a bar called Lathos ('mistake') run by a pair of brothers. It doesn't open til about 20:00. It looks like a junk shop. The place is decorated with every piece of kitsch you may have seen in any bar in Greece. With a difference though. Most pieces move, waggle or wander around the roof - under the occasional control of the barman. Even your table my wander sideways as you lower your coffee onto it. An exception is the television (every bar has to have one). The screen has been removed, to be replaced by a bottle of Coke and a model car - "that's all you ever see on television here, so its saves electricity to have a permanent advert" explains one brother, as he places another disk from his fine vinyl jazz collection on the turntable. Drinks are above average prices - "For a museum of bar kitsch, you have to pay a small premium".

You can recover next day by visiting any of the three castles above town.

Other 'must visits'? Poros, in spite of the visitor crowds. Use the west pontoons to keep away from the late night noise and crossed anchor lines, but stand well off from the quay to avoid surge from the frequent ferries. And eat out at the top of the town, near the clock tower. Better value for money. Lovely day anchorages for a swim in the many coves outside Porto Heli and opposite Spetsai.

May? Quite a bit of motoring.