SHAREEN3

Hi everyone! I got such AMAZING info for my Sept 2013 Europe trip to Budapest, Prague & Berlin that I am back again to ask for some tips for my Honeymoon trip which will be the 1st week of September 2014.

We have agreed on Greece! Now the difficult part -- deciding which islands. Since I will be flying in from NJ/NYC we will stop in Athens. I am indifferent about staying a night or 2 there. There honeymoon we really want it to be more about relaxation than history. BUT we aren't totally against it... afterall, who knows when we will be back.

I'm pretty set on Santorini -- the views are incredible and it's something I don't think we can miss. I am just a little torn on 1 additional island. I have heard great things about Mykonos, Zakynthos & Hydra. Since we are not familiar with the islands here is what we are looking for. An island where we do not have to rent a car, one that we can get around pretty easy by foot and one with beautiful beaches (since we don't really get that in Santorini) and good restaurants. We have a total of 7 actual vacation days - travel days have already been counted out.

Any suggestions on what island we should include?

brotherleelove2004

Hydra is a no-car island and it's not known for its beaches anyway. Zakynthos is, but it's nowhere near Santorini. It's not even in the Aegean Sea. It's in the Ionian Sea and it will take up too much of your precious 7 days to get between there and Santorini and then back to Athens. I suggest focusing your time on Santorini and either Naxos or Paros, which can easily be reached in just a couple of hours by ferry from Santorini, as they're on the same ferry route to and from Athens. If it's in your budget you can fly from either Naxos or Paros back to Athens on Olympic Air. Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines both fly to Santorini from Athens.

worldinabag

Hi

I would spend 7 days in Santorini. It's your honeymoon! Accommodation with caldera views is a must. I suggest staying at Firostefani or Oia. I also suggest checking if you can fly on to Santorini from your US to Athens flight. Check Aegean or Olympic for schedules. Leave Athens for the end of your trip.

HappyTrvlr

Naxos, Paros or Mykonos will offer a nice contrast to Santorini and much better beaches. Don't spend the whole time on Santorini. In Athens, at least see the Acropolis, Parthenon and it's museum.

Heimdall

Even though you aren't interested in history on this trip I would recommend at least one night in Athens at the end of your trip. Athens has lots of places to relax if you stay away from the tourist rat-runs, and being there for at least one night will insure you are back on the mainland for the flight home. You could even stay in one of the beach suburbs, e.g. Vouliagmeni, which are near the airport.

Book a connecting flight to Santorini for your arrival in Greece. That's only an extra 30 minutes flying time, and you will be relaxing on Santorini the same day. I am at two minds about whether you should go to a second island. It will eat up a precious day of your travel time, and you can find better beaches much closer to home. If you want lively nightlife along with good beaches, choose Mykonos or Naoussa on Paros. Naxos has some of the best beaches in Greece, and is more of a family island.

dulciusexasperis

With only 7 days I would not want to be moving around. I would plan to fly directly to your destination, whichever island you end up deciding on. A connecting flight in Athens is probably going to be necessary but a stay in Athens can probably be avoided both coming and going.

While Santorini has this romantic image in many peoples minds and is indeed worth visiting, I don't think it is the best choice for an entire week. Since that is all the time you have, I would not choose it as it would mean having to waste a day moving to a second island.

I would choose another island with more of what you want to see/do on it. There are many islands that can offer you great beaches and relaxed laid back villages to stay in for a week. I would concentrate on finding the beach and accompanying village that looks best to you.

For example here is a website done by a fan of one village on Rhodes. http://www.haraki.eu/ If you had posted and asked, where to spend a week in Greece, you would probably get responses from people suggesting their favourite places like this one but you would not be likely to get responses suggesting you visit Athens and 2 islands in 7 days.

dulciusexasperis

With only 7 days I would not want to be moving around. I would plan to fly directly to your destination, whichever island you end up deciding on. A connecting flight in Athens is probably going to be necessary but a stay in Athens can probably be avoided both coming and going.

While Santorini has this romantic image in many peoples minds and is indeed worth visiting, I don't think it is the best choice for an entire week. Since that is all the time you have, I would not choose it as it would mean having to waste a day moving to a second island.

I would choose another island with more of what you want to see/do on it. There are many islands that can offer you great beaches and relaxed laid back villages to stay in for a week. I would concentrate on finding the beach and accompanying village that looks best to you.

For example here is a website done by a fan of one village on Rhodes. http://www.haraki.eu/ If you had posted and asked, where to spend a week in Greece, you would probably get responses from people suggesting their favourite places like this one but you would not be likely to get responses suggesting you visit Athens and 2 islands in 7 days.

Heimdall

If you want to go to Santorini, go to Santorini. We all have our personal preferences, but I try not to impose mine on others. ;-)

PetrosB3

Sifnos is an ideal island for honeymoon, a classic Cycladic island. First of all it does not have the tourists of Santorini and Mykonos, it is a more tranquil and sophisticated island. The village of

Kastro, on its seaside rock, is the most beautiful and scenic village on Sifnos. It is a magical village where you can easily spend many hours. Just the magnificent view makes the village worth a visit. Kastro was built around a cliff as a defence against pirates, it is also the ancient capital of Sifnos described by Herodotus itself, with its own Acropolis, Theatre, Temple and luxurious public buildings. The walls of the Acropolis still survive, along with some columns and a sarcophagus decorated on the houses.

Apollonia is the capital of Sifnos, it has nice tavernas, pottery and jewellery shops, great bars and nightlife. Visitors can stroll on Apollonia's stone-paved streets and lanes, and enjoy the picturesque to local architecture.

Artemonas is a quiet picturesque village of Sifnos. It owes its name to the worship of the goddess Artemis. The beautiful small settlement displays some of the most elegant traditional old mansions of Sifnos with verdant gardens. A stroll around the village is just fascinating for every visitor revealing the unique Venetian and neoclassical architecture. Apart from typical mansions visitors can also see the remarkable churches and monasteries. Artemonas offers various types of accommodation to choose from. Inside the village you will find the best pastry shops and the oldest bakeries.

The Monastery of Panagia Chrissopigi in Sifnos, this is one of the most famous spots of Sifnos and protector saint of the island. Established in the 16th century, this monastery was built on top of an older church. It hosts the icon of Panagia that was found by fishermen floating in the sea. This icon is thought to be miracle-working and the locals believe that it has saved the island from many dangers. According to the local tradition, in the Medieval ages, nuns would live in the monastery. After an invasion from pirates, the nuns ran to hide but one nun did not manage to leave on time. Chased by the pirates, the nun prayed on Virgin Mary to save her and this is when the rock of the monastery was cut in two and the pirates fell into the sea. This is the local explanation why the rock on which the monastery is built is separated from the rest of the island with a narrow stretch of sea.

Beaches in Sifnos. Start your refreshing dives at the famous beach of Kamares that has been repeatedly awarded with EU’s Blue flag for its organization, safety and water cleanness. For a lively beach life by the crystal blue waters visit the popular Platys Gyalos and enjoy your day and evening at its long bay. The small contiguous coves of Faros, Fasolou Glyfos and the scenic Chryssopigi bay, are waiting to host your relaxed, private moments in picturesque, cozy scenery. For a sumptuous cosmopolitan aura to your day at the beach choose Vathi beach, where the biggest luxury hotels of the island are situated.

Kastro:
http://www.notioaigaio.gr/kormos/ima...961;ο.jpg

Apollonia:
http://www.travelstyle.gr/portal/pho...12)_sifnos.jpg

Artemonas:
http://www.sifnos-artemonas.com/images/HouseMain2.jpg

Chrissopigi Monastery:
http://www.digital-camera.gr/photos/...igi_sifnos.jpg

Make sure to buy pottery, Sifniots are pottery experts since the Ancient times to our days. Also buy jewellery, Greece produces the best jewels in the world, its a national tradition and Sifnos has some great jewellery shops as it is rich in gold and silver, and even the beach sand glitters. Also eat Mastello and, eat loukoumades in Apollonia's "Treis Xanthoi Angeloi" buy local pastries from the old Pastry Shop of Artemonas. Have a Great Time!!

SHAREEN3

wow! thank you all so much -- I have so much information to go through and places to look up. I will take all of your suggestions in to consideration when making our final plans.

Odin

I felt that Santorini had alot to see and it does have quite nice beaches on one side of the island. Also you can swim below Oia, no beach but there is access to the water. I can't imagine a more beautiful place for a honeymoon. It has traditional villages as much as any other Greek island.

Surab

take a look at www.olympicair.com/ www.aegeanair.com/ A good plan would be to fly out directly to Santorini upon arrival after the long haul..The latter offers some fabulous deals throughout the year.. Read up/research on the Country.. Athens has enough time to fill your entire stay.. depending upon your interests;-)