Photograph by Kaymaria Daskarolis

When in Nafplio—about two and a half hours from Athens by bus—do as the Italians do. Yes, Nafplio is in Greece, but given the heavy Venetian influence, consider functioning like an Italian and getting yourself some gelato.

Antica Gelateria di Roma (Farmakopoulon 3 and Komninou, tel: +30-27520-23520), a traditional Italian ice cream shop, is open every day of the week from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. or 2 a.m., keeping with Greek tradition of closing whenever the shop’s proprietors decide to shut the doors. On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open until around 3 a.m. The owners, Italian transplants to Greece, speak Greek, Italian, and English, and offer yummy ice cream and a welcoming atmosphere.

Our favorite flavors here are coconut, caramel, hazelnut, and chocolate. The coconut ice cream is refreshing and palate-cleansing. Caramel is mouth-watering, smooth, and creamy. Hazelnut is like cold Nutella, but with a slightly less intense flavor. Bitter chocolate is not quite as bitter as we would have liked, but it’s still a delight for chocoholics. The chocolate with grappa is rich and flavorful. A small cup of this culinary bliss costs only €1.50. We recommend the slightly larger cup, which will set you back €3.50.

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