sylv

My husband and I are planning a trip to Greece. I have tentatively set up an itinerary as listed below and would like input as to the reasonableness of the itinerary. For example, is two days in Athens unreasonable? Should I cut back somewhere else and add a day to Athens. If so, where would you cut back? Also, I 'd like input on the other parts of the itinerary. We are in the planning stages but need to make a decision since we are leaving on Sept. 16th.

Also, in Paros, I am trying to decide whether to stay in town (Parikia) or in Naoussa. I don't think we will have much time to spend on the beach but would like to stay in a nice but also central and convenient location since we won't be there that long. We are willing to rent a car if necessary. Thanks to all who answer.

Sept 16 fly to athens

sept 17 arrive athens and transfer to flight to Paros: arrive Paros at 1:00 p.m.
we wanted to fly into Naxus but the flight time was too late in the day.
Paros:
Sept 17
Sept 18
Sept 19
we plan to take a day trip to Delos and Mykonos from Paros

Naxus
Sept 20
Sept 21
Sept 22

Santorini
Sept 23
Sept 24
sept 25

Herakleion
Sept 26
Sept 27
Rethymnon and Chania
Sept 28
Sept 29
Sept 30
Oct. 1
evening of Oct 1 fly to Athens from Chania

Athens
Oct 2
Oct 3

Two day trip to Delphi and Meteora
Oct.4
Oct 5

Oct.6 leave to fly back to U.S

Mimar

How are you traveling between islands? Ferry? Have you checked the late September schedule?

stanbr

That looks like a pretty good trip that will work fine. You are on main ferry routes that will be running at this time of year. The thing I suggest you want to be aware of is the number of island hops. You easily lose a half day on each hop

If I were to tweak the plan you might want to consider just staying on Paros and dropping Naxos, not because Paros is better than Naxos but to cut one island hop out. The hop between Paros and Naxos will take you until about 2 o'clock in the afternoon by the time you check out, catch the ferry and check in again in Naxos. Personally I think Naxos requires a week to get to know Naxos town visit the great beaches and visit the mountain villages. You can also do that Delos Mykonos day trip from Naxos.

The next thing I would consider is just spend a day in Heraklion. That will give you time to visit Knossos and the main central area of town but other than that I think you can use that extra day day much more productively in Rethymnon and Chania.
I would do Rethymnon for two days and Chania for three or even 4.
Or you could use that extra day in Athens. Two days isn't really enough time to see everything that Athens has to offer.
Here are images of Chania
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/
Naxos
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
And Athens
Athens http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632121475515/

Heimdall

I like your itinerary as well. Since you plan 3 nights each on Paros and Naxos, I would leave it the way it is. Actually you made the right choice by going to Paros first, as Naxos is on the way from there to Santorini. Doing it the other way round would require some backtracking.

The excursions to Delos/Mykonos leave from Naoussa, so that may affect your choice of where to stay on Paros. Although bus services are very good on Paros, I do recommend hiring a car for such a short stay on the island. Most rental agencies allow you to take the car across to Antiparos (the trip takes only 7 minutes on the Pounta ferry), so if you have time, include that in your Paros itinerary.

sylv

we are using ferries....I did check the schedule and it is not a problem. I also checked the days and time that the excursion ferry goes from Paros to Delos and Mykonos. Thanks for thinking of it.

HappyTrvlr

I recommend that you stay in Naoussa with it's marina and waterfront restaurants.We loved it there, walked to dinner every night,.There are beaches but we also loved doing drives around the whole island , including going ip to the mountain villages.

sylv

Thanks so much to everyone who replied. Based on the responses, I think we are leaning towards cutting Naxus out and staying an extra day in Athens and an extra day in Paros.

I have several other questions:

1.the ferry from Santorini to Heraklion only leaves at 6:00 p.m in the evening. Would you advise to stay in Santorini two nights and 2 1/2 days and leave at 6;00 p.m for Crete therefore giving us 7 days in Crete or three nights and 3 1/2 days in Santorini which would leave us with 6 days in Crete?

2. Also, is it a good idea to rent a car in Santorini? and,

3. Where would the best location to stay be considering the amount of time we will be in Santorini?

Thanks again for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

HappyTrvlr

Add more rime to Crete than Santorini. We rented a car theough oir hotel on Santorini.
We stayed in Oia whichnis pretty but still gets the cruise ship tour groups.

mariha2912

So, what exactly you plan to see/do on each location?

sylv

The reason i am having a problem deciding how long to spend in each location is b/c there is so much to do and we want to do as much as possible.

Question: We plan to rent a car in Santorini. Is 2 1/2 days enough time for Santorini. Is the boat excursion to the Caldera worth the time?

mariha2912

My question had a reason.To get an idea of your interests/motives/traveling style. Hard to advice not having a clue on those.

"to do as much as possible." might mean rushing from site to sight and from activity to the beach or allow a whole day on a beach or museum if you feel this is the right amount of time for this beach/museum. It comes down to perspectives.

Questions such as "Is the boat excursion to the Caldera worth the time?" have no definite answer. For some people yes, for others not.

sylv

I see your point...thanks.