We use Tolo as a base for travelling around the Peloponnese. Our favourite places (in no particular order) are
Napflion
Kalavrita (and surrounding countryside) also Cave of Lakes on the way.
Ancient Corinth (included with a trip through the canal)
Monemvasia (the coastal drive from Tolo has some wonderful scenery)
Mystras
Mycenae
Olympia
Epidavros
Dimitsana
The shrine of Ag Theodora at Vastas (just south east of Megalopoli) on the E65 going towards Kalamata, then a turn to the right off this road.
When we hire a car we also include a trip from Galatas across to the island of Poros (which I know isn't on the Pelopennese but it is a nice drive through countryside.
And many more. I'm sure you will have a great time.
The shrine of Ag Theodora is amazing. It is a small building with several large trees (rumour has it that there are 30 trees) which grow on the roof and a river starts immediately under the building. The story is. Theodora dressed in mens clothes and went to fight in battle. She was fatally wounded and as she lay dying she said "Let my body become stone, my hair become trees and my blood become water" Hence the shrine. We have been twice and have been unable to find the roots of the trees.

We did a fly/drive from Athens to the Peloponnese in early May this year, staying 3 nights each in Tolon, Monemvassia and Paralio Astros. If you're interested, my (rather long) trip report is on here

http://www.zorbas.de/scripts/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2392

and some pictures on here

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/296138/index.html

There are loads of places of interest to visit in the area, it's the ideal place to hire a car and tour round. If you have any questions, please ask.

Thanks for both your thoughts we were thinking of visiting corinth canal and ancient corinth then on to kalavrita onto west coast somewere for beaches south a little and back through the mountains the shrine sounds rather intresting i will do my best to find the roots etc somewere in there we would like to fit in mycenae,olympia and dimitsana.
We will probably visit epidavros seperately with it been local to were we are staying
Which island would you visit out of spetses, hydra or poros
I do like the sound of paralia astros for a day/night
thanksfor your advice...dave

Hi

A number of years ago we did a trip which combined Hydra and Spetses. Out of the two I prefered Hydra. It is such a quiet place with no traffic. We climbed up out of the harbour area and wandered around the narrow streets which would then open up into small squares with tavernas. You get a good view when you are high up so it makes the climb worthwhile. We also found a great little taverna but doubt if we could ever find it again.

On the day we went, there was a 'boat burning' festival in Spetses so we didn't really explore that much. We are planning a trip to Spetses this year (at the time of the festival) so we may do a bit more exploring around the island this time.

When we go to Poros we drive down to Galatas and take the ferry across. When we go we only stay around the harbour area so can't really comment.
If you do drive down do the circular journey and look out for a place called Didima. There are two massive craters, one you can see from the road in the side of the hill. The other you drive down the road towards the crater and you will see an area where you can park and the tree trunks are painted white. There are some steps going down into the ground which brings you into the second crater. There are a couple of very small churches which you can go into to have a look around.

Good advice above on the Peloponese.

Of Poros, Spetsai and Hydra, they're all good. I have a slight preference for Poros, mainly because I like the upper town. Some good restaurants up there, little used by tourists.

JimB
http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/ for info on various places in Greece

Well I can't provide any more information to what has been given already. However, out of Poros, hydra and Spetses- Spetses would be my least favourite. Then it is a hard choice. Hydra has to be one of the most beautiful Greek Islands but Poros has a great choice of little restaurants in the upper town. The marina is also interesting to have a wander along as well- dreaming about when you win the lottery!
You can't go wrong with either really.

Whenever we have been to Poros we have stayed down in the Marina area. Is is far to get to the upper town?
Maybe next time we go we will have to explore a litte further.