I now have some suggestions about Peloponissos. You write take the train to some town in the Pelopponese, like Patras, and pick up a rental car. I disagree. It's better to rent a car in Athens and drive to Peloponissos. It's only 1 hour of driving until Corinth and you are really independent of the schedule of trains. My proposal includes a stay in Nafplio, a wonderful town in front of the sea. For some informations, look at the site http://www.greek-tourism.gr/nafplio/

I suggest the hotels Byron (http://www.byronhotel.gr/) and Kapodistrias (http://www.greek-tourism.gr/nafplio/kapodistrias/). I stayed to both of them, are very atmospheric but they don't have any special view (maybe Byron has better than Kapodistrias). The best hotel of Nafplio is Nafplia Palace (http://www.ellada.net/nafplia/), which has the best view of all.

After Nafplio, go via Astros, Kyparissi and Leonidion, to Sparta and Monemvassia. Stay 2-3 days in Monemvassia, in an hotel inside the castle, and explore the area around Mani. Don't miss Mystras, mount Taygetos and Geraki. Some relative sites: http://www.dimitri.8m.com/monemvassia.html http://www.ics.forth.gr/~colios/monemv.htm http://makeashorterlink.com/?X5D523743 http://www.mani.org.gr/en/ http://www.mani.org.gr/wallpaper/w1/wall.htm (photos) http://2sea.com/lakonia.htm http://www.dimitri.8m.com/mistras.html

Then continue to Kalamata and visit Methoni, Koroni, Pylos, Kyparissia. I don't know any hotel to suggest there, because I never stayed in an hotel there.

Your itinerary ends to Olympia, where the ruins of the famous ancient town. If you are interested in the ancient temples, the temples of Apollo in Vasses is not very far.

Drive to Stemnitsa, Dimitsana, Lagadia, Vytina and Arcadia area on the mountains. They are very beautiful small villages and towns. The route ends to the sea, to the National road Athens-Patras. Avoid Patras. It's a big town, with nothing special to see.

You need about a week to visit in a hurry that areas. Please let me know if you need more informations.

And while you will be in Athens, would you like to organize a GTG?

Best Regards Joanna in Athens