20 Days in Greece Itinerary Vetting

Old Feb 16th, 2017, 10:10 PM
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20 Days in Greece Itinerary Vetting

Hi everyone, its my first trip to Greece and I would like to know whether my trip is feasible. I'm a 21 year old male solo traveller and I like beaches, exploring islands and a little bit of ruins here and there, but not so keen on putting many museums into my itinerary, (more a scenery guy than a history one). Im travelling from 24 June to 13 July.

24 June Saturday: Arrive at Athens at 9am. Explore Athens.
25 June Sunday: Take a morning train to Meteora (If theres time, do the Eastern route (St stephens etc.)
26 June Monday: Meteora (probably do the Western route)
27 June Tuesday: Take buses to Delphi (around 7-8 hours so reaching around 2pm). Sleep in Delphi.
28 June Wed: Explore Delphi ruins in the morning and take early evening train back to Athens. (Reach around 8pm if I take the 5.30 train). Sleep in Athens.
29 June Thurs: Flight to Mykonos (reach at 3pm)
30 June Friday: Mykonos
1 July Saturday: Day Trip to Delos. Spend night at Mykonos.
2 July Sunday: Take a morning ferry to Naxos (reach at 1pm)
3 July Monday: Naxos
4 July Tuesday: Naxos
5 July Wed: Take a ferry and reach Santorini in early afternoon (reach at 3pm)
6 July Thurs: Santorini
7 July Friday: Take a morning ferry and reach Milos. (Reach at 10.30am)
8 July Saturday: Milos
9 July Sunday: Milos
10 July Monday: Take a morning ferry and reach Pireaus (Athens) at 3.30pm. Go to Kissosus Bus Station to take a bus to Nafplio. Spend night in Nafplio.
11 July Tuesday: Nafplio (if possible, i'd like to cover the Theatre @ Epidarus & Mycenae on this day. Is it possible? )
12 July Wed: If I cannot cover Mycenae on 11 July, go to Mycenae today. If I have covered it, go to Tiryns Ruins. Take an evening train back to Athens (possibly reach at 9pm if I take the 6.30 one). Spend night in Athens.
13 July Thurs: Flight at 11.30am back home.

1) Is this feasible?
2) Any tips (what to do etc.) on each island? I was considering between Naxos/Ios but chose Naxos because the partying would already be on Mykonos, although Ios is, I heard, a place for young backpackers to party as well. But im open to suggestions. One thing is that the flight to Mykonos is very affordable as of now, so I would want to start from Mykonos.
3) Any suggestions on accomodation? Preferably affordable places (£20/night?)

Essentially, 1 night in Athens, 2 in Meteroa, 1 in Delphi, 1 in Athens, 3 in Mykonos, 3 in Naxos, 2 in Santorini, 3 in Milos, 2 in Nafplio, 1 in Athens.

Thanks
Jared
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 12:05 AM
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Everything you mention is feasible.
I suppose you know that you will not arrive at Meteora before 2pm (13.18 at Kalambaka).
The bus ride from Kalambaka to Delphi may be a bit tricky, but feasible if you have enough time. Have a look at the timetables.
No trains, but buses between Delphi and Athens.
June 29th: you waste almost the whole day with your flight to Mykonos.
July 2nd: I would rather take the 9.45 catamaran.
No trains, but buses from Argos and Nafplio to Athens.
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Old Feb 17th, 2017, 05:11 AM
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I replied on TA. Essentially the same advice as neckervd
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Old Feb 18th, 2017, 05:00 AM
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Feasible as noted, whether it is a good plan or not is another question. There is too much time spent moving between places for my taste.

It reads to me as if you have done your research on places of interest and then simply strung them together using timetables, without any real thought as to whether you really want to do all this moving from place to place. In other words, you focused on the list and timetables rather than on having fun.


You wrote, "I like beaches, exploring islands and a little bit of ruins here and there, but not so keen on putting many museums into my itinerary, (more a scenery guy than a history one)."

What I read is pretty much the exact opposite of that.

You also seem to want to work with a pretty low budget given your question on accommodation. You're going to spend a lot on transportation which doesn't fit with a low budget.

If I wanted beaches, exploring islands and a little bit of ruins, I would fly from the UK to one of the larger islands like Crete or Rhodes and spent the entire time on that one island. That will get you the most bang for your buck and meet all those criteria.
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Old Feb 18th, 2017, 06:20 AM
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"If I wanted beaches, exploring islands and a little bit of ruins, I would fly from the UK to one of the larger islands like Crete or Rhodes and spent the entire time on that one island."

Yes, that's the typical British holiday. Then next year and the year after you can go to different islands if you wish, as it's easy to get to Greece from the UK. No idea where the OP is from, but most overseas travellers try to fit as much as they can into one trip, as it may be years before they can get back again.

Good point about spending a lot on transportation with that itinerary, though.
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Old Feb 18th, 2017, 10:40 AM
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The OP mentions GB Pounds and so I am guessing he is a Brit. That's what makes the answer to what he says he wants, 'beach, explore islands, a little ruins', so easy to answer with a one island trip.

In fact, given that availability of cheap package holidays from the UK, it's next to impossible to do it on a lower budget by travelling independently. His best bet in my opinion is a 2 week package for air and hotel. Then rent a car or scooter to get around the island for 3 days in each week.

Sometimes the obvious and simple answer is the best answer. I look at the itinerary and all I see is complicating something that should be very simple to do. Go to an island with beaches and ruins, done.
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Old Feb 18th, 2017, 11:15 PM
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I appreciate this itinerary might be a taster to check destinations and possibly be back sometime in the future to explore more indepth, especially the islands. Still I think cutting out a couple of destinations, maybe one mainland and one island location would ease things a bit. There are many suggestions that could work and ways to see things. For me one idea is to cut out Delphi. Why? Because a)I think the area has a lot to offer for several days, but whatever I think, most people are happy to spend only the one day there and it's an easy side trip to Athens. So it's easy to add it on a future trip someday and b) The way ypur itinerary works, there is a lot of unnecessary ttaveling time to reach it, especially coming from Meteora. You could use this time elsewhere. Oh, and a c) Delphi is a unique place, even if you re not into history, most people love the landscape and views etc but I think lots of the excitement will be lost if you squizz it between hectic traveling days. The archeological site itsself is built on a hill side and requires lots of hiking up and down itsself. No use to visit feeling rushed and tired.
Which island? Many ways to see this. For me maybe Naxos. Why? a)Because you may want to see on this first trip the two very busy and controversial islands of Santorini and Mykonos that tons of people love and tons of people love to hate and decide for your self. And to check Milos which is unique and maybe not so easy to combine with other destinations as Naxos is. b) Because it's easy to fit Naxos on a future trip on the Cyclades due to many ferry connections to Santorini and Mykonos, tweo islands with international airports and with Athens and with a few ferry routes connecting different island lines. c) Keeping the other three on, you have neaches and a few ruins and landscapes and what you like and while you have those on Naxos, you have much more there and I feel you will need more time to appreciate the island than only two days. Better to save it for a future trip.

Then, other and me myself I could offer other points of view completely contrary to what I just said...

A difficult call. lol
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Old Feb 18th, 2017, 11:46 PM
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Yes, a difficult call, mariha!

Jaredl's proposed itinerary is heavy on historic sites, which makes me think it might be wise to eliminate the islands entirely and concentrate on the mainland. Travel by KTEL bus on the mainland is cheap, if not always convenient. It would be a shame to miss such sites as Delos near Mykonos, and Akrotiri on Santorini, though.
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Old Feb 19th, 2017, 04:23 AM
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I agree the itinerary is heavy on historic sites. That is what makes no sense to me as it is contrary to the stated, "I like beaches, exploring islands and a little bit of ruins here and there, but not so keen on putting many museums into my itinerary, (more a scenery guy than a history one)."

Historic sites like Delphi etc. are simply outdoor museums. So the itinerary doesn't match the stated preferences. LOL

To me the question is which is right? Eliminating the islands in favour of the mainland only makes sense if the historic sites are the primary criteria and the stated criteria of 'beach', 'explore island' and 'little ruins' are not the criteria at all.

Only jaredl can tell us which it is.
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Old Feb 19th, 2017, 06:33 AM
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But historic sites are often located on scenic locations which a "scenery guy" can appreciate. Just saying lol
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 06:39 AM
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Haha this is amusing. So sorry for the late reply dont know why fodors doesnt give a reply email. Yes so I will be visiting more islands than the mainland, not so much into history after all. I'm dropping the Mycenae and just going to Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Milos and then back home. Thanks!
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Old Jun 17th, 2017, 12:31 AM
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Let us know how it went after you are back, it would be interesting to read how it worked out at the end.

Have a great trip : )
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Old Jun 18th, 2017, 11:56 AM
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Great trip. Can't wait to hear about it. Personally I would keep Mykonos along with santarini. There is a reason they are more popular and touristy. IMO they are amazing and two of the most beautiful places we have been to. I loved the mainland of Greece. Glad to see you spending some time there.
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