Ferry Routes

[Anonymous]

Hello Aris and anyone else in the know.

Aris, you have been so very helpful with answers to questions from visiting climbers I hope you have an answer for me. I have been to Kalymnos on four separate trips. The last two visits were for a month each time. We love Kalymnos and Telendos and have made many friends there. On my last visit I purchased your Athens climbing guide and have been aching to visit Nafplio, Leonidio and perhaps Zobolo. These three sectors lie along the east coast of the Peloponnese. My hope is to be able to visit these three areas via public bus transport. Your guide advises that the KTEL public bus connects most major cities. Do you know if it connects these three sectors? We will be flying into Athens in April 2016. (Definite plans have not been made yet.) Where do we pick up this bus?

Do you think Zobolo is too rural and too far from Neapoli and any public bus route to be practical? Could we rent a scooter there?

The other half of the trip itinerary is to find a ferry from Neapoli or somewhere along the eastern coast of Peloponnese to Crete. Does such a ferry service exist? We’ve searched the web extensively and the libraries too for information.

From Crete we would like to continue to Santorini/Thira and eventually to the good old and familiar Kalymnos. In all, we are planning on a two month voyage of climbing, sight seeing and island hopping. A dream trip. But the logistics are dizzying. Our four previous trips to Kalymnos from Boston USA have taught us a few things about multiple connections and long layovers so we are prepared for trying travel challenges. We would be happy for whatever suggestions you might have.

Your guidebooks make each destination so tempting. I look forward to your latest Kaly guide.

Thank you so much.

Steve and Sonya

[Anonymous]

Hi again Steve and Sonya, and thank you so much for supporting our guidebooks!

Several questions so I will try to be concise.

Re Nafplio, Leonidio and Zobolo. Yes, all three can be reached by KTEL bus from Athens. Whether or not your destinations will be connected to each other, though, is hard to say. Routes and timetables change, so it is best to check closer to your visit. Also, there may not be direct connections between each place, which can mean long layovers at some regional bus station. If you are considering renting a car at some point during your stay, this would be the time to do it.

The KTEL bus station for buses to Peloponnese is here: 37.998627, 23.698942 (map coordinates). From the Athens airport, you can take the X93 bus to get to the KTEL station.

Re Zobolo / Neapoli: The cliff stands alone in an area near Neapoli. Too far to walk from Neapoli, but a short drive (less than 25 min). Yes, you can rent a scooter in Neapoli.

Re Neapoli to Crete: Not possible, to my knowledge. The best way to get to Crete is from Athens.

Re Santorini to Kalymnos: There is no direct connection, but I am sure there is a connection to Kos. From Kos Town, take the catamaran to Kalymnos or go to Mastichari port and take the local ferry.

So to recap, the most sensible itinerary (in my opinion) is this: Don’t try to connect the Peloponnese and the Crete legs of your trip. Treat them as two separate trips originating in Athens. If your budget allows, do this: rent a car in Athens and drive to Nafplio, Leonidio, Kyparissi (see below), Zobolo, and back to Athens. Then, take a ferry or plane to Crete and from there to Santorini–Kos–Kalymnos. If you do this, it’s actually quite simple )

*Note: Make sure to visit Kyparissi while you’re at it. It’s one hour south of Leonidio. A beautiful new climbing destination; we just had a small festival there this weekend, and I can guarantee you it is one of the prettiest places in Greece, with amazing rock. See here: http://climbgreece.com/kyparissi-bolting-project-new-crags-many-easier-routes-and-a-climbing-festival-in-october/

I hope this helps.

Katie (on behalf of Aris )

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much Katie and Aris.

The information and contact sites that you researched for us as well as the advice you have given are so very much appreciated and have defined a travel course for us to follow. Thank you for your time and attention to our needs.

The organized support on all levels for climbing development in your country is so unlike anything I have seen here in the states. Your websites for both Kalymnos and for mainland Greece are treasure chests of valuable information and so easy to navigate and cross reference. This is fantastic, much like your guidebooks.

Sonya and I love your country as if it were our own. In fact, Sonya has been studying Greek daily since her first trip to Kalymnos. You have heard of the song -“I Left My Heart In San Francisco”? Our hearts are in Kalymnos. We hope to meet you both some day soon.

Euxaristw (Efharisto) para poli,

Steve and Sonya

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