“What is the Greece of your dreams? Great beaches and lively bars? Beautiful scenery and picturesque towns? Archaeological treasures and a tasty meal in a local tavern?In Argolis you can have all this and more. Forget the overcrowded and touristy islands, less than a couple of hours drive from Athens, adventure awaits you. Argolis, a prefecture on the Peloponnese peninsula, is the real Greece, and Nafplio is one of the most elegant and romantic cities in the country – a perfect base for a holiday in a Greece that is even better than what you may imagine. Nafplio was the first capital of Greece, and beauty, culture, history and tradition characterize this wonderful city. By the way, this is not just a summer vacation destination. Unless you want a pure sun & beach holiday, your visit to Nafplio and Argolis could be just perfect all year round.”
The above statement is from the official website – but I did not feel that way about the city, myself.
True, there are three castles, one looming over the city, it is a picturesque bay and nigh perfect setting, but…..apart from the extensive Farmers’ Market,( held twice a week ) I could have been anywhere on the Med. or the Adriatic. Lots of restaurants and bars, a few designer shops, in the old streets, however, I am always turned off by waiters touting for business and so I passed them by. It’s no accident that Athens is referred to , as the prices here are Athenian! E.G. Three coffees and some cold water €11.50, whereas in the little village nearby ,where we are staying , it would be € 6.00. Not just about the prices , though. The place did not seem to have any purpose, other that to try to be the quintessential Greek town…..well, it was lost on me. Pearls before swine, possibly!
I was glad to board the bus back to Drepano, crowded as it was with other trippers, all going to Tolo, round the bay and another place to avoid
Drepano is a Small town in Assini in Argolida in the Peloponnese Region of Greece.
In a supermarket, the shopkeeper introduced herself, to me and shook hands, after she scolded me for selecting a bar of Feta, from the fridge ” is plastic!”, she cried and led me to the rear of the shop, where she opened a tin like chiller and cut me a wedge of Feta, from a block, even giving me a sliver to taste. Delicious. Then she pointed out the wine, from the Nemea region, Höme produced by her ” mother-father”…..€2.00 a litre…I bought a litre each of the red and the white; very drinkable. The wine in Greece has definitely improved in range and quality since my last stay .
When Hannah went to the same shop this morning, she was given the same welcome and came back with more wine and a bottle of their own Olive Oil.
Ther are no grand sights in Drepano, most of the accommodation is in the outskirts. But I enjoy sitting with my coffee, watching the bustle of farmers on tractors and the comings and goings of folk on a variety of ancient mopeds and scooters. Enough to make me want to get my crash helmet out.
I’m writing this as a thunderstorm is passing over the beach; 30 minutes rain and in no time at all, I expect it will be back to 90*. Two more days here and then the return journey begins, northwards via Corinth and Patras, back up to Igoumenitsa, for the SuperFast Ferry,on Monday. Driving here was a learning experience, except for motorways, the signage is as poor, as it is infrequent and Satnavs seem to struggle. I found that by using Viamichelin, before each stage of the journey,I could note main junctions and route numbers and place them on both the atlas and the so called ” upto date” map, I bought, not long before we set off; even that did not have entire sections of newly built motorway, though. On the plus side, potholes apart, the driving has been exhilarating at times, especially over the mountains and compared to the rest of Europe, uncrowded.
Hopefully, the return trip will be as enjoyable and picturesque.
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