Greece April 4-19 2016 island help pls
Feb 4th, 2016, 01:50 PM
#1
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Greece April 4-19 2016 island help pls
Hi,
14 day trip- arriving Athens 900pm April 4 from USA- departing April 19.
We plan to visit Athens- 4 days, bus to Nafplio- 4 days where we will rent
a car for several days. We have no hotel reservations so we can do trip in any order.
Please help with island choices-we want to go to a couple of islands for 6 days. Since this is the off season, maybe some of the desirable islands are shut down? Not interested in Crete this trip.
Is this a good time to visit Santorini?(the thoughts of crowds and mega cruise ships is not appealing)
what about some other islands that are more the traditional Greek ones that would be open to tourists during this time period?
Thanks in advance.
14 day trip- arriving Athens 900pm April 4 from USA- departing April 19.
We plan to visit Athens- 4 days, bus to Nafplio- 4 days where we will rent
a car for several days. We have no hotel reservations so we can do trip in any order.
Please help with island choices-we want to go to a couple of islands for 6 days. Since this is the off season, maybe some of the desirable islands are shut down? Not interested in Crete this trip.
Is this a good time to visit Santorini?(the thoughts of crowds and mega cruise ships is not appealing)
what about some other islands that are more the traditional Greek ones that would be open to tourists during this time period?
Thanks in advance.
Feb 17th, 2016, 11:03 PM
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Hello!
When in Pelloponisos, try to include Monemvasia in your trip. Magical place!
Well, every island is open for tourists in April. Santorini will not be crowded as musch as in summer and it is a wonderful place to visit.
Naxos is also a nice choice, since it is a big island with many traditional villages It is one fo the few Aegean islands with a mountain and you can discover hidden treasures on the mountain villages. Small traditional cafes where Greek pies are served and lots af nice food. The nature is incredible and you can do many activities. Town of Naxos is also beautiful with the Kastro(means fortress).
So, I'd recommend Santorini and Naxos for April
When in Pelloponisos, try to include Monemvasia in your trip. Magical place!
Well, every island is open for tourists in April. Santorini will not be crowded as musch as in summer and it is a wonderful place to visit.
Naxos is also a nice choice, since it is a big island with many traditional villages It is one fo the few Aegean islands with a mountain and you can discover hidden treasures on the mountain villages. Small traditional cafes where Greek pies are served and lots af nice food. The nature is incredible and you can do many activities. Town of Naxos is also beautiful with the Kastro(means fortress).
So, I'd recommend Santorini and Naxos for April
Feb 18th, 2016, 01:57 AM
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April is a good month for sightseeing on the mainland, so don't sell the Peloponnese short. I would also recommend fitting in Delphi, if you have time.
April would also be a good time to visit Santorini, as long as you understand weather is undependable that early in the year. Fly from Athens to Santorini to get the most of your time. Early April is just the start of the cruise ship season, so it will be nothing like summer when sometimes a half-dozen cruise ships are all calling on the same day. Most port calendars are incomplete, but this may give you an idea of what to expect:
http://crew-center.com/santorini-gre...-calendar-2016
If you want a second island, consider Naxos, which is on the same daily Blue Star route as Santorini, about 2 hours sailing time away. From Naxos you can either fly or ferry back to Athens.
If you are looking for "traditional Greek" scenes you are more likely to find them in the villages of the Peloponnese than on the islands. Naxos has some traditional inland villages, but the coastal areas are mostly taken over by tourism. Most hotels and restaurants in the beach areas will be closed in early April, but Naxos Town will have things open for the locals.
April would also be a good time to visit Santorini, as long as you understand weather is undependable that early in the year. Fly from Athens to Santorini to get the most of your time. Early April is just the start of the cruise ship season, so it will be nothing like summer when sometimes a half-dozen cruise ships are all calling on the same day. Most port calendars are incomplete, but this may give you an idea of what to expect:
http://crew-center.com/santorini-gre...-calendar-2016
If you want a second island, consider Naxos, which is on the same daily Blue Star route as Santorini, about 2 hours sailing time away. From Naxos you can either fly or ferry back to Athens.
If you are looking for "traditional Greek" scenes you are more likely to find them in the villages of the Peloponnese than on the islands. Naxos has some traditional inland villages, but the coastal areas are mostly taken over by tourism. Most hotels and restaurants in the beach areas will be closed in early April, but Naxos Town will have things open for the locals.
Feb 18th, 2016, 03:59 AM
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The Peloponnese in April will be beautiful, since it will be full of flowers... Don't underestimate it, there is a lot to do and see...
Since you will be in Nafplio, you can visit either Hydra or Spetses for a couple of days, both beautiful islands that do not "shut down " in the winter.
Another option would be to visit either Zakynthos or Kefalonia from Kyllini or Patras, two bigger islands that you can tour with a car while staying in the capital of each island.
Since you will be in Nafplio, you can visit either Hydra or Spetses for a couple of days, both beautiful islands that do not "shut down " in the winter.
Another option would be to visit either Zakynthos or Kefalonia from Kyllini or Patras, two bigger islands that you can tour with a car while staying in the capital of each island.
Feb 18th, 2016, 07:13 AM
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If you absolutely must do an island then Santorini is a good choice. It is early season and while there might be a cruise ship in the influx of tourists won't be overwhelming.
While I have not been to Santorini in April I did end up there in late October last year. The main town was very quiet and I had the impression that the shops and tavernas that were open seemed to be because of the cruise ship call.
All that to say it will probably be quiet even in Santorini.
Personally I would be very tempted to extend my car rental and visit more of the Peloponnese. You can easily spend two weeks there and not see it all.
Nafplion is a sea side town so it gives the impression of being on an island so you can probably get your island fix in the Peloponnese.
Heimdall has given you a great suggestion by adding Delphi to your trip. It is one of the best archaeological sites we have visited.
Here is what you can see in the Peloponnese
Olympia Delfi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645469717811/
Peloponnese Battle Castles https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645468134284/
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/
While I have not been to Santorini in April I did end up there in late October last year. The main town was very quiet and I had the impression that the shops and tavernas that were open seemed to be because of the cruise ship call.
All that to say it will probably be quiet even in Santorini.
Personally I would be very tempted to extend my car rental and visit more of the Peloponnese. You can easily spend two weeks there and not see it all.
Nafplion is a sea side town so it gives the impression of being on an island so you can probably get your island fix in the Peloponnese.
Heimdall has given you a great suggestion by adding Delphi to your trip. It is one of the best archaeological sites we have visited.
Here is what you can see in the Peloponnese
Olympia Delfi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645469717811/
Peloponnese Battle Castles https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645468134284/
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/
Feb 18th, 2016, 09:22 AM
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With more time in the Peloponnese you could also visit Ancient Messene, a huge archaeological site near Kalamata. This very impressive site gets few visitors. There is a small monastery nearby, where we were welcomed by friendly monks. You could be fooled into thinking the pretty seaside villages in the area were on islands, some with Venetian castles. A few of my photos of Ancient Messene and Messenia:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627739427148
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627739427148
