Greece-Best tour book?
Jan 5th, 2014, 03:31 PM
#2
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Hi
My favourite is "Greek Island Hopping": http://www.bookdepository.com/Greek-.../9781848485693. The latest edition is currently unavailable but a previous edition will still point you in the right direction.
My favourite is "Greek Island Hopping": http://www.bookdepository.com/Greek-.../9781848485693. The latest edition is currently unavailable but a previous edition will still point you in the right direction.
Jan 5th, 2014, 03:34 PM
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Hi
My favourite is "Greek Island Hopping": http://www.bookdepository.com/Greek-.../9781848485693. The latest edition is currently unavailable but a previous edition will still point you in the right direction.
My favourite is "Greek Island Hopping": http://www.bookdepository.com/Greek-.../9781848485693. The latest edition is currently unavailable but a previous edition will still point you in the right direction.
Jan 5th, 2014, 11:43 PM
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<i>Greek Island Hopping</i> is a great guide, but has very little coverage of the mainland apart from Athens. <i>Blue Guide</i> and <i>Oxford Archaeological Guides</i> both have excellent coverage of ancient sites and museums on the mainland. <i>Blue Guide</i> also has editions for Crete and for the Aegean Islands.
The best all-round guides are probably <i>Lonely Planet</i> and <i>Rough Guides</i>, and of the two I prefer <i>Lonely Planet</i>. Both have Greek Island editions which include sections on Athens and Piraeus.
The best all-round guides are probably <i>Lonely Planet</i> and <i>Rough Guides</i>, and of the two I prefer <i>Lonely Planet</i>. Both have Greek Island editions which include sections on Athens and Piraeus.
Jan 5th, 2014, 11:44 PM
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You mention accommodation etc... I think consulting a guidebook for generic info and background on sites and museums is a good idea, but go by guidebook suggestions for eateries and accommodation is simply wrong! Not long ago, someone arrived in my popular little town, guidebook on hand seeking for a specific Youth Hostel. Guidebook seemed to be recent edition but said Youth Hostel closed back on...1996!
Then many people visiting last summer planed around opening times mentioned on guidebooks but those did not apply and a quick look on official museum's website would have save them lots of hassle...
Rough Guides is a good option with good background info,especially on ancient sites, although recently many interesting spots seem to be missing. This is true for most guidebooks nowadays though... they seem to focus on the most popular places and skip off the beaten track locations.
Lonely Planet is handy too for basics and I like their basic but easy to understand maps.
"Greece" Blue Guide has maybe the most indepth historical/archeological info while DK Eyewitness guides provide many picture and can help narrowing down your choices while on researching stage.
T. Cook mentioned by Worldinabag is great to get you started with how ferry system works. Always double check with more valuable up to date sources such as gtp.gr of course...
Then many people visiting last summer planed around opening times mentioned on guidebooks but those did not apply and a quick look on official museum's website would have save them lots of hassle...
Rough Guides is a good option with good background info,especially on ancient sites, although recently many interesting spots seem to be missing. This is true for most guidebooks nowadays though... they seem to focus on the most popular places and skip off the beaten track locations.
Lonely Planet is handy too for basics and I like their basic but easy to understand maps.
"Greece" Blue Guide has maybe the most indepth historical/archeological info while DK Eyewitness guides provide many picture and can help narrowing down your choices while on researching stage.
T. Cook mentioned by Worldinabag is great to get you started with how ferry system works. Always double check with more valuable up to date sources such as gtp.gr of course...
Jan 6th, 2014, 12:00 AM
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Good point from Mariha! Although the guides are updated every few years (<i>Greek Island Hopping</i> annually), much of the information is carried over from edition to edition, so sometimes is years out of date. The ferry timetables in <i>Greek Island Hopping</i> are published before the new schedules are out, so are always at least a year behind.
I would never go by any guide's recommendations for hotels and restaurants — you get better advice here on Fodor's and on Trip Advisor.
I would never go by any guide's recommendations for hotels and restaurants — you get better advice here on Fodor's and on Trip Advisor.
Jan 6th, 2014, 06:36 AM
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Seconding (thirding?) Mariha's advice; A (saddening) note re guidebooks -- when they decide to go "upmarket" with more color photos & popular-place emphasis, there are bad trade-offs. It happened with LP 10 years ago; now the newest Rough Guide has dropped some good info. The more-detailed 2008 edition available used online -- sites info/history still valid. Use guides for background, general planning, then get latest lodging and restaurant tips on forums.
Jan 6th, 2014, 02:35 PM
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I totally agree, Aggie ... Cadogans are a delight to read, just for the superb prose. AND, a few years back, Cadogan Pelop. guide was the ONLY one listing my dream refuge, Hotel Zoe on the West coast, in Gialova. a non-luxury Eden.
Jan 14th, 2014, 03:29 PM
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I wish I had known that texasaggie.
We did use Rick Steves' book and found it helpful.
heimdall: "I would never go by any guide's recommendations for hotels and restaurants — you get better advice here on Fodor's and on Trip Advisor."
This is the best advice you can get virginiafish! And so true.
We did use Rick Steves' book and found it helpful.
heimdall: "I would never go by any guide's recommendations for hotels and restaurants — you get better advice here on Fodor's and on Trip Advisor."
This is the best advice you can get virginiafish! And so true.
