A week in Greece, single woman alone

Old Feb 4th, 2016, 04:40 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A week in Greece, single woman alone

I'm a single woman 65+ planning on spending about a week with a group on a nature trip in northern Greece in Oct. I would like to spend an additional week or so on my own, Athens and possibly the Peloponnese. It's been suggested that I rent a car for the latter. I'm concerned about doing this alone. Any suggestions? How is public transport around the Peloponnese? In the country in general? I'm open to other ideas.
cschell is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2016, 06:14 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The roads are excellent.

Hardly any traffic on the roads.

No big cities to negotiate.

The Greeks are relaxed drivers.

Good signage, always bilingual.

So, why not driving?
traveller1959 is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2016, 07:24 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I haven't been to Greece in about a bizillion years, but I'm an 80-year-old woman and I go everywhere alone. I often drive, but recently that's been mostly in Spain and Germany, though last year I drove from Gdansk, Poland, to Ketzyrn, Poland (Hitler's Wolf's Lair).

In the past 15 years, I've also driven in Italy, France, Ireland, England, etc.

I'd follow traveler's advice. He/she has obviously been to Greece more recently than I have.
Pegontheroad is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2016, 07:54 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Of my 12 trips to greece, 3 have been solo, I'm also retirement age (and THEN some), never have had a problem. Lived in NYC 35 years, now also in big city, I have felt safer in Athens than any big cty in US or Europe, even in the evenings. I think you can enjoy Athens in 3 days, then spend 3 days out of the city on an adventure. You may wish to reverse this, to be in Athens at the last. In any case, your hotel will cooperate & hold any extra bags in their storage- they are used to tourists coming in/out/in.

As for car traffic, traveller is right. If going to the Peloponnese & you rent a car at the Airport (many people do, to avoid the city traffic), Greece's most modern highway (2-3 lanes each way, divided intercity road) takes you all the way over the corinth canal with nary a traffic light (see this map). http://www.esperides.gr/images/pelop..._esperides.jpg ... if u turn off toward Nafplio, you drive a smaller road but NO traffic in October ... just lovely drive thru rolling hills, olive groves, fruit orchards, vineyards (just thinking about it makes me sigh). Nafplio is an IDEAL base to explore the area -- fascinating ancient sites like Mycenae, Tiryns, Epidaurus, plus lovely beaches; Oct great for swims -- the sea is warm.

If u are at all diffident about that drive, you can have your cake & eat it too! Just catch a KTEL (intercity) bus, comfy reserved seat, for Nafpllio. Taxi to Kissifou Station, go to Argolid window, €13 1-way. Busses go hourly on half-hour, take 2.5 hours max. Get seat on LH side for sea view much of the way. Then, when u reach Nafplio & get to your hotel, spend a day exploring the area, then have yr hotel book u a car for 2 days.

To consider this option, here's THE best (and noncommercial) website: http://www.visitnafplio.com (created by a super Norwegian lady who lives there). Read ALL its sections! SO much to enjoy! And u can stay in small friendly (moderate-rate) place where they'll connect you with other travelers if/when you want to socialize; look at Omorfo Poli, or the one she likes. Hotel Agamemmnon on an open square with balconies facing the sea. Check these pix of highlights of Nafplio & surrounding sites: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7632094108982/ -- some of it was photo'd during cloudy days so u can see its beautiful in all weather!.
travelerjan is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2016, 07:55 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PS: if u plan to rent a car, befor u go, stop in at any AAA office and get an "Inernational Driving Permit" for about $20, no test, just bring your license, takes 20 minutes. Required in order to rent ...
travelerjan is offline  
Old Feb 4th, 2016, 07:58 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do not worry, there is nothing to be afraid of, people are very friendly and nice, roads are free, views are beautiful, lots of architectural and historical stuff and amazing cuisine!
johnpeter160285 is offline  
Old Feb 7th, 2016, 07:28 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks to all for encouragement about the driving and also bus option. I have to rethink that option.

Any suggestions for moderately priced hotels in Athens and Thessaloniki? I have to meet the nature tour in the latter and will have to spend at least one night.
cschell is offline  
Old Feb 8th, 2016, 11:23 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is "moderate" in your lexicon? €125-150? €90-110? And how close do you want to be to the major sights (are u going to be doing them on your own?). I like to look at hotels that are within .5 mile to 1 mi of Acropolis, and have a "very good" rating from Booking.com reviews by guests. A great way to do this is to use this Booking.com link that shows u only hotels close to Acropolis, and you can FURTHER sort by price or recomends or stars. Here's the link (squunched from 521 characters to 26!) http://tinyurl.com/guws3dr

Put it on your bookmarks, then use it to search. Just for fun I put in a "dummy booking" of 2 days in early Oct & came up with a number of good ones that are between $60 -110 per night. And all well under a mile to Acropolis. Near Syntagma Square, which is certainly convenient! bu to my mind hasa lot of traffic, are Ceil, Cyprian, Athens Diamond, Art Hotel, Pan and Arethusa. Note that some offer u a double room, some a single. On the E. side of Acropolis in Plaka, mainly on no-cars lanes, there is Adam's Hotel & Phaedra, about 500 feet apart ... both are modest, plain, clean, supremely convenient both under $80 per night in Oct. I've stayed at Phaedra about 5 times... has balconies w. view of either Acropolis or sunken courtyard of church, much the same for Adam's. Check Trip Advisor reviews as well, of course. On S. Side of Plaka, right off the lovely promenade & by Acropol. museum, Hotel Airotel Parthen is about $130 a night, and Hotel Phillipos about $120 ... no views from singles however.
travelerjan is offline  
Old Feb 8th, 2016, 11:38 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Athens and Peloponnese are excellent chooses for a trip in October. Athens has many things to see and do by yourself. Greeks are very hospitable and friendly so you won't feel lonely. As for your thoughts about driving in Peloponnese, i have to tell you that the roads are fine maybe a little narrow, but safe enough. Although if you don't feel comfortable with driving you can also travel by bus.
Michael15 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alimarks
Europe
15
Oct 7th, 2011 02:41 AM
astolat11
Europe
8
Apr 28th, 2009 02:18 PM
daveesl
Europe
4
Nov 29th, 2008 03:51 PM
KBURNS
Europe
9
Jun 29th, 2005 01:31 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -