comments wanted on Greece itinerary
Jul 29th, 2010, 06:51 AM
#1
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comments wanted on Greece itinerary
My husband and I are planning our first trip to Greece in early May, 2011. What we are thinking for an itinerary is four days in Athens with day trips to Delphi, a day cruise to the islands of Hydra, Poros and Egina and maybe head to Cape Sounion and the Poseidon Temple. We'll of course do some kind of a walking tour of Athens too. Allowing some time to just wander which is always nice, that pretty much takes up our time there. We were then planning to head to Santorini for three days. I still haven't decided which transportation to take. It seems a waste of time to spend 8 hours on a ferry but wonder if it would be more of a hassle to go back to the airport to take a flight. Any suggestions there would be helpful.
Any comments in general of these plans would be appreciated! - Sandy W
Any comments in general of these plans would be appreciated! - Sandy W
Jul 29th, 2010, 07:17 AM
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From Central Athens there is both an Express Bus (X95-Syntagma Square) and a Metro train ( Monastiraki Square/Syntagma Square) that will take you right to the airport. It's not a hassle, and it's inexpensive, €3.2 for the bus and €10 for the Metro (for two people).
I suggest you reverse the order of your itinerary. Find a flight taking you to Santorini immediately upon your arrival at the Athens airport so you don't have to go into town at all. Return to Athens to begin your exploration of the mainland. This is so you aren't trying to scramble back to the mainland at the last minute for your flight home.
Go to the Aegean Airlines website and sign up for their email newsletter and you'll be notified sometime after the first of the year when their discounted promo fares are released for your travel dates, usually about 2 months beforehand. These tickets are very cheap, almost as cheap as a ferry ticket. The flight takes 30 minutes.
I suggest you reverse the order of your itinerary. Find a flight taking you to Santorini immediately upon your arrival at the Athens airport so you don't have to go into town at all. Return to Athens to begin your exploration of the mainland. This is so you aren't trying to scramble back to the mainland at the last minute for your flight home.
Go to the Aegean Airlines website and sign up for their email newsletter and you'll be notified sometime after the first of the year when their discounted promo fares are released for your travel dates, usually about 2 months beforehand. These tickets are very cheap, almost as cheap as a ferry ticket. The flight takes 30 minutes.
Jul 29th, 2010, 08:09 AM
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Check Delphi is open, it was half closed last Sept due to rock falls. I was so disappointed.
Its worth going to the top of Lycabettus ( I think that is right) its the highest hill in Athens with a white church on top. The views are spectacular.
Also great for jewellery purchases. I also found a little backstreet shop selling strings if semi precious stones for 6 euros each string - the pink quartz was 2 euros per stone on the tourist areas.
Athens is not a pretty city, in fact its a bit of a mess, but I really loved it for all that. Want to go back!
Look forward to your trip report.
Its worth going to the top of Lycabettus ( I think that is right) its the highest hill in Athens with a white church on top. The views are spectacular.
Also great for jewellery purchases. I also found a little backstreet shop selling strings if semi precious stones for 6 euros each string - the pink quartz was 2 euros per stone on the tourist areas.
Athens is not a pretty city, in fact its a bit of a mess, but I really loved it for all that. Want to go back!
Look forward to your trip report.
Jul 29th, 2010, 09:26 AM
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NEARBY ISLAND TOUR -- I urge you to reconsider that 3-island cruise... the temptation is, wow we see 3 islands in one day great!! But the reality is, it's mainly about getting off the boat, having a cruelly short time in port of each island, then lining up & being herded back on the ferry boat .... it's mainly about being on the water, in a crowded boat.
Instead, if you are limited to 1 day, I suggest you just choose ONE island. HYDRA has a charming port, and no vehicles ... you will be limited to what you can see unless u hike, and swimming possibilities are limited. AEGINA -- you can rent scooter or car, or take a bus to Fab Temple of Aphaia on a high hill, then go to a beach... If you can stay overnight I suggest u go to Aegina, then a 10-minute water-taxi to tiny angistri, where you can swim on sandy beaches, bike thru pine groves, stay overnight at a small pension & experience a small island (NOTE: this should be on a weekday, on warm weekends these isles overrun by Athenians).
As for Santorini, I agree you should fly out on first day if possible.
FINALLY -- if you are at all interested in swimming, think about doing your trip in LATE may ... the water is too cold in early may, I have the blue skin to prove it.
Instead, if you are limited to 1 day, I suggest you just choose ONE island. HYDRA has a charming port, and no vehicles ... you will be limited to what you can see unless u hike, and swimming possibilities are limited. AEGINA -- you can rent scooter or car, or take a bus to Fab Temple of Aphaia on a high hill, then go to a beach... If you can stay overnight I suggest u go to Aegina, then a 10-minute water-taxi to tiny angistri, where you can swim on sandy beaches, bike thru pine groves, stay overnight at a small pension & experience a small island (NOTE: this should be on a weekday, on warm weekends these isles overrun by Athenians).
As for Santorini, I agree you should fly out on first day if possible.
FINALLY -- if you are at all interested in swimming, think about doing your trip in LATE may ... the water is too cold in early may, I have the blue skin to prove it.
Jul 29th, 2010, 10:34 AM
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Early May is the perfect time for a mainland + Santorini trip - mild weather, and no crowds. 
And, yes, fly directly to Santorini upon arrival in Greece if you can. The flight takes only 45 minutes, about the same time as it takes to get from the airport to central Athens. Imagine your first night in Greece, looking out over the Santorini caldera.
And, yes, fly directly to Santorini upon arrival in Greece if you can. The flight takes only 45 minutes, about the same time as it takes to get from the airport to central Athens. Imagine your first night in Greece, looking out over the Santorini caldera.
Jul 29th, 2010, 11:38 AM
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Thanks for everyone's replies. I have a couple of concerns about going to Santorini immediately upon arrival. First of all - our flight arrives at 10:30. From what I can see of flights from Athens the flight to Santorini would be at 11 or 12:30. I don't have alot of confidence that our flight from the US will be on time since the last couple of times we flew to Europe we were about 1 1/2-2hrs late! I would be kind of a wreck worrying about missing our connection. Also, I know that we'll have jetlag for a day or so and would rather "recover" in Athens rather than be half asleep in Santorini. What do you all think?
Jul 29th, 2010, 12:03 PM
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If you are worried about your flight from the U.S. being late, pay a little more and book fully flex from Athens to Santorini. That way you are covered if you have to rearrange the Santorini flight.
Where best to recover from jetlag? That has to be a personal decision, but I would prefer the islands. Athens is a great city, but 'restful' isn't the word that comes to mind. ;-)
Where best to recover from jetlag? That has to be a personal decision, but I would prefer the islands. Athens is a great city, but 'restful' isn't the word that comes to mind. ;-)
Jul 29th, 2010, 12:36 PM
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<<Athens is a great city, but 'restful' isn't the word that comes to mind. >>
Id second that.
I was told that over half the population of Greece lives in Athens and it does feel like that. Every inch is taken up by something - you walk along the pavement and have to avoid the antique sellers, the pot plants, the parked vehicles, the pot holes, the cafes - in fact despite the maniacical nature of the traffic it can feel safer to walk in the road! Brilliant city though. its so alive.
Id second that.
I was told that over half the population of Greece lives in Athens and it does feel like that. Every inch is taken up by something - you walk along the pavement and have to avoid the antique sellers, the pot plants, the parked vehicles, the pot holes, the cafes - in fact despite the maniacical nature of the traffic it can feel safer to walk in the road! Brilliant city though. its so alive.
Aug 5th, 2010, 04:36 PM
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I agree - go to Santorini first and be spellbound by the beauty. It will give you time to get into the groove and you will be more prepared to tackle the amazing sites in Athens. Of course, you will visit the Acropolis, but do not miss the new museum at the base - it is spectacular. I love taking the slow ferry to the islands as we enjoy watching the sea and islands from the outer deck, but your idea to fly and save the time makes sense. Enjoy your trip!
Aug 5th, 2010, 11:50 PM
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Sanda, if you are still reading this thread, keep an eye on the Greek domestic flight situation later in the year. Olympic Air and Aegean Airways have applied for a merger, and the European Commission is due to make a decision by early December. If it goes through, the two airlines will merge under the Olympic Air name and logo. Many people are sceptical that the merger will be approved because it will create a near monopoly in the domestic market.
Otherwise, there should be a flight between 2 pm and 3 pm by at least one of the two airlines, and booking that later flight may relieve your anxiety about the 10:30 incoming flight being late. Of course, if it is on time or early, you will have a long layover in Athens. ;-)
Otherwise, there should be a flight between 2 pm and 3 pm by at least one of the two airlines, and booking that later flight may relieve your anxiety about the 10:30 incoming flight being late. Of course, if it is on time or early, you will have a long layover in Athens. ;-)
