cambe

I will be in Greece and Turkey the last week of September and 1st week of October.
3 nights in Athens at the beginning of my trip
2 nights at Ephesus followed by 3 nights in Istanbul at the end.

That leaves me 6 nights to get from Athens to the island of Samos where I will catch the ferry to Turkey.

The last time I was in Greece was 1970,71 and 72 as a young backpacker and I have brilliant memories, often sleeping on the beach as I couldn't afford accommodation. I am not trying to relive my youth, my tastes are a little more sophisticated these days but I have this romantic notion of boarding a rickety old ferry, stuffed with passengers and sailing across the Aegean in brilliant sunshine!!!

I have checked ferry schedules and the only ferry that I can find that sails to Samos is Hellenic Seaways which arrives in Samos at 04.00am and stops at Paros and Naxos on the way. However this ferry does not fulfil my romantic image as it appears to be a fast Catamaran.

I am not interested in Paros as I have already been there but never Naxos so was thinking of stopping off there for a couple of days and there is a ferry by Bluestar that looks more like a traditional ferry.

On the other hand Aegean Airways flies from Athens to Samos and the flight cost is 20 euro and takes 1 hour.

My questions.

1. If I arrive at Samos Vathi at 04.00am will I be able to get accommodation? I am assuming as the ferry docks at this time hotels etc. will be open. Please correct me if I am wrong. My needs are simple, a clean bed with en suite facilities.

2. If I take the traditional ferry to Naxos does this ferry have open deck space to sit and read (it leaves Piraeus at 07.30am)?

3. With only 6 days is it worth the hassle and would I be better to just fly to Samos (it would be a lot cheaper) and spend the 6 days there?

I know nothing about Samos other than what I have read in my guidebook which is not a lot. My previous visits were to Santorini, Ios, Paros and Mykanos. Is there enough to keep me occupied for 6 days on this island? Athens, Ephenus and Istanbul will all be very busy so relaxation will be my prime consideration, I enjoy reading, peace and quiet, nice food, a glass of wine and have no interest in night life.

To Fly or not to Fly - that is the question

Thanks

travelerjan

I would definitely go with the Blue Star to Naxos for a few days, and then take that O'nite ferry to Samos, the Nissos Mykonos, leaving at 11:30pm, arriving Vathi 4:30 a.m. FOr the latter, If you wanted to, you could see if you could book a bunk in an a single-sex cabin for that 5 hour stretch ... or do your old "backpacker" thing by finding a couch to stretch out on!! Your call.

BLUE STAR -- the BEST ferry fleet, modern large ferries plenty of back-deck seats to sit & read & watch the wake ... AND you arrive noonish in bright sunshine, see the Naxos Arch greeting you. If it gets windy, you can go indoors to a comfy upholstered seat to read & snooze. These are numbered-seats and in High Season you'd need to pay an extra €3-4 for "reserved economy" to be sure of one... but at your dates, the boat will be half full, and you can just plop down in any unoccupied seat.

NAXOS -- my FAVORITE island... and a good choice for end-of-season bcause it has such a large permanent population, so it never seems "closed down". What to see/do? the best thing to do is to give you 2 links to stunning slide-shows by Fodorite Stanbr, and you will see why so many of us are Naxos addicts (the only destination that's been on my list for all of my 9 itineraries)-- http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/552001505EYxVYT http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/570796960FtMsPF
.. you can enjoy a couple of days there just exploring Naxos town! It has the BEST museum in the Cyclades! full of prehistory marble "idol" statuettes. There are ancient ruins all over, including right in the cathedral courtyard. Or check out the little mountain villages; much more dramatic landscape than Paros. Oh, and the best beaches of golden sand.

I would recommend 3-4 Days on Naxos, 2-3 days on Samos, depending on when that ferry goes ... When u decide, I and others can give you some restaurant recommends in both places. IMHO Naxos/Samos is a win-win combination!
NAXOS LODGING -- Since it would be late in season, I would say, stay in St. George (Ag. Giorgios) beach directly adjacent to Naxos town, a 15-minute stroll from the ferry dock ... Great little family-run places, 10-20 rooms you should be able to get something with a balcony with a water view for 30€ or so, just as a "walk-up" in late Sept. OR: make a list and just phone ahead from Athens and say I'm looking for a single for 3 days @ (name your price) what do you have? Try Hotel Glaros, Hotel Galini, Hotel St. George, Hotel Asteria, all right on the beach (google for websites and google TA reviews for traveler feedback). Here's a handy map that shows Naxos Town & Ag. Giorgios & many hotel/b & B locations. http://www.naxos-greece.net/site/gfx...hotels_map.jpg

SAMOS -- I want to recommend a cute little hotel about 300 meters from the ferry dock (as you exit, walk left on the road along the water) Hotel Pythagoras, about 20 rooms, family-run, for about €25-30 you can get balcony on the water, a tiny beach below for a swim. You can google to see it. I would call ahead from Naxos. For that early ferry to Ephesus, Stelios would drive u back to the dock, or you could just roll your bag, it's slightly downhill. Samos Town is fun to explore for a day or so (their tiny museum has the LARGEST kouros in the WORLD) --great to walk above the town (it's called Ano Vathy) & look down on the water, gorgeous vistas of teal blue bay, terra cotta roofs, looks like Lac Como in Italy! .. and with a car or ATM rental you could check out the VERY untouristed western areas... villages that time forgot. Here's a Map: http://www.pimsamos.com/map.htm Even without a car -- the local bus co. apparently runs 1/2 day sightseeing tours for about €7 (maybe not in Oct but you could always check) http://www.islandwalking.com/samosholiday.html

I would say, Naxos 3-4 days, Samos 2-3 days, depending on the ferry availabilities: to my mind Naxos-Samos is a win-win combination!

cambe

Wow!! thank you Travelerjan, Ferry and Naxos it is.

One more question, I will arrive in Samos at 04.30am do you know if hotels will be open? I think I would prefer to book a room for that night and go straight to bed when I arrive (too old to sleep on a beach nowadays)

Hotel Pythagoras gets bad reviews on Tripadvisor however, I am always a bit sceptical about some of the reviews particularly people who don't like a place because the waiter doesn't smile!! Have you stayed there? My needs are simple a clean bed and shower and loo en suite but I also like to be cool at night. The hotel does not have AC is it necessary 1st and 2nd October?

I like all the hotels you recommend on Naxos and as I am not really fussy about hotels I will just wing it when I arrive but can you please confirm that I understand you correctly and it won't be a problem getting accommodation late September.

Thanks again

Retsina

1. Hope the ferry is late, and hang around for a long breakfast and then look for a room, it'll save you paying for a nights accommodation.
2. The 'Nissos Mykonos' ferry Paros/Naxos to Samos is not a fast ferry it is much the same as the Bluestar ferries, the later have open decks with seating, tends to be loads of smokers now as inside is now non-smoking.
3. I would be happy with 6 days on Naxos or Samos, no problem, choose whatever suits.

Accommodation is emptying out by late Sept/Oct so finding something on arrival is no problem, no you won't need aircon.

Nadia

Both Naxos and Samos are wonderful and great options, but just to complicate your decisions and give you other options, because you were most likely searching for Pireaus to Samos which is why you get that Naxos Paros Samos route. You can also get to Samos indirectly from Chios (5hour ferry)in addition to other islands (via Pireus-Chios route)if you are considering breaking up the 6 days.

cambe

Thank you Retsina and Nadia, I have decided to stop off on Naxos and then continue to Samos. I will decide when I get there if I need a room for that night or I might do as you suggest Retsina and have a long lazy breakfast and watch the sunrise.