Greece for 4 weeks?
Jun 8th, 2005, 12:33 PM
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Greece for 4 weeks?
We are planning a trip to Greece for the month of September '06. We like to plan ahead!!
We will spend a few days in Athens, but then want to spend time in the Islands. Would a week in three different locations be the best idea? Any ideas for a good combinations of islands? We love history, small towns, good food, walking, enjoying the countryside, etc.
Thanks!
Alison
We will spend a few days in Athens, but then want to spend time in the Islands. Would a week in three different locations be the best idea? Any ideas for a good combinations of islands? We love history, small towns, good food, walking, enjoying the countryside, etc.
Thanks!
Alison
Jun 8th, 2005, 01:48 PM
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WOW, a whole month! You can actually learn some Greek in that amount of time!
I'd spend about 3 days in Athens, another few days out on the peninsula seeing Sparta, etc...then head for the islands, and perhaps even go to Turkey since it's so close.
I'd probably go to Mykonos and Samos Island for starters, but I know there will be many other good recommendations.
I went to Samos for a couple of days in 2003 (it's a far flung larger island near the coast of Turkey), where we had a fabulous time. It has the town of Pythagorean (after the Philosopher/Geometry whiz Pythagoras who came up with the formula for finding the hypotenuse of a right triangle -- a2+b2=c2) and Samos Town.
We stayed with Stellios -- the owner of The Pythagorean Hotel in Samos Town, and just adored him and his family, and his place was right on the water. He only charged us $18 Euro for a nice double with a water view, and it was LOVELY.
You could even get over to Turkey from there -- it's only a 40 minute boat ride to Kusadasi, and Ephasus is not far from there to see one of the great Wonders of the ancient world.
Most of the islands are quite small -- and September weather as it gets later is prone to storms, so you may not have a lot of beach time near the end of your trip...even though it will be ok to travel.
You might want to assess what kind of touring you want to do. If you like hanging out in small places without much to do, you'd be fine doing one week per island, but personally I think after a few days I'd be bored and ready to move on. The good news is boats are frequent, and you don't need reservations that time of year -- especially as it gets later -- on some of the islands the owners come meet you at the dock.
Have a great time whatever you decide!
Jules
I'd spend about 3 days in Athens, another few days out on the peninsula seeing Sparta, etc...then head for the islands, and perhaps even go to Turkey since it's so close.
I'd probably go to Mykonos and Samos Island for starters, but I know there will be many other good recommendations.
I went to Samos for a couple of days in 2003 (it's a far flung larger island near the coast of Turkey), where we had a fabulous time. It has the town of Pythagorean (after the Philosopher/Geometry whiz Pythagoras who came up with the formula for finding the hypotenuse of a right triangle -- a2+b2=c2) and Samos Town.
We stayed with Stellios -- the owner of The Pythagorean Hotel in Samos Town, and just adored him and his family, and his place was right on the water. He only charged us $18 Euro for a nice double with a water view, and it was LOVELY.
You could even get over to Turkey from there -- it's only a 40 minute boat ride to Kusadasi, and Ephasus is not far from there to see one of the great Wonders of the ancient world.
Most of the islands are quite small -- and September weather as it gets later is prone to storms, so you may not have a lot of beach time near the end of your trip...even though it will be ok to travel.
You might want to assess what kind of touring you want to do. If you like hanging out in small places without much to do, you'd be fine doing one week per island, but personally I think after a few days I'd be bored and ready to move on. The good news is boats are frequent, and you don't need reservations that time of year -- especially as it gets later -- on some of the islands the owners come meet you at the dock.
Have a great time whatever you decide!
Jules
Jun 8th, 2005, 04:29 PM
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Hi,
There is so much to see and do in Greece. Crete is a good choice for a week of travel. Also do not forget the mainland. The Peloponesse (sp) has so much to offer and then there is Delfi and the Pelion. You must see Santorini, but you do not need a week there. Also look into Paros and Naxos. Have a fabulous time. How could you not?
There is so much to see and do in Greece. Crete is a good choice for a week of travel. Also do not forget the mainland. The Peloponesse (sp) has so much to offer and then there is Delfi and the Pelion. You must see Santorini, but you do not need a week there. Also look into Paros and Naxos. Have a fabulous time. How could you not?
Jun 8th, 2005, 07:03 PM
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We spent 3 weeks in Greece and are looking forward to our next trip. We combined 3 islands, Chios, Crete and Mykonos, and a 4-day sailing trip based in Chania. Chios has lovely beaches with very few tourists and a dramatic interior -- the perfect island for relaxation and pampering. One could easily spend a week exploring Crete; we felt we only scratched the surface in 2 days. Mykonos is breathtaking but quite busy with lots of tourists. If you want to "get away from it all" and not be overrun by tourists/daytrippers from cruise ships, Mykonos is not the island for you. What redeemed it for us was a fascinating day spent on Delos observing one of the sacred spots of the ancient world. The highlight of our trip by far was sailing on the Aegean. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The charter company arranged everything and the boat was stocked with our requested foods, wine and Champagne. Our captain was charming and a wonderful host. We snorkeled and swam right off the boat. We visited uninhabited islands with 1000 year-old ruins. We leaned overboard and touched the dolphins as they swam alongside the boat. In short, as close to perfect as any travel experience I've had!
Jun 8th, 2005, 07:33 PM
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We did a month about that time last year. Great time.
I'd spend three days in Athens, a week on the mainland, visiting the Peloponnese and perhaps Meteora, and the rest in the islands. If you haven't been to Santorini, I'd say take a couple of nights there and move on to Crete or Naxos.
I'm a big Naxos fan -- it's a bit of Greece in miniature and while it has all the tourist amenities, its economy is diversified enough that you can get away from ``the buzz.''
Great countryside, out-of-the-way towns in the hills and beaches. Day trips to smaller islands (including the Dilos trip) are possible.
I'd suggest straying at smaller islands (Milos, Folegandros, etc), but that's a lot of moves already.
I'd spend three days in Athens, a week on the mainland, visiting the Peloponnese and perhaps Meteora, and the rest in the islands. If you haven't been to Santorini, I'd say take a couple of nights there and move on to Crete or Naxos.
I'm a big Naxos fan -- it's a bit of Greece in miniature and while it has all the tourist amenities, its economy is diversified enough that you can get away from ``the buzz.''
Great countryside, out-of-the-way towns in the hills and beaches. Day trips to smaller islands (including the Dilos trip) are possible.
I'd suggest straying at smaller islands (Milos, Folegandros, etc), but that's a lot of moves already.
Jun 8th, 2005, 07:40 PM
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Smaller towns:
Nafplio is lovely, spent 3 (or 4?) nights there in 2000, plan to return in Sept 2005. Plus, proximity to Mycenae, Epidavros, etc.
Strongly recommend lodgings in the "old town". A classier, less touristy, and cleaner version of Athens' Plaka.
Do a search, but note "Nafplio" spelling has several variations.
Smaller Villages:
consider central Arcadia (Peloponnesus), the picturesque mountain villages of Dimitsana, Stemnitsa, and Langhadia (spelling varies).
I drove thru them in 2000, plan to spend 1-2 nights there in Sept.
NY Times did a review of these villages in 2001, "Down Lousios Gorge To Old Arcadia", URL is
http://travel2.nytimes.com/mem/trave...5BC0A9679C8B63
People's tolerance for Athens varies. For me, 4 nights in a row is about right.
Nafplio is lovely, spent 3 (or 4?) nights there in 2000, plan to return in Sept 2005. Plus, proximity to Mycenae, Epidavros, etc.
Strongly recommend lodgings in the "old town". A classier, less touristy, and cleaner version of Athens' Plaka.
Do a search, but note "Nafplio" spelling has several variations.
Smaller Villages:
consider central Arcadia (Peloponnesus), the picturesque mountain villages of Dimitsana, Stemnitsa, and Langhadia (spelling varies).
I drove thru them in 2000, plan to spend 1-2 nights there in Sept.
NY Times did a review of these villages in 2001, "Down Lousios Gorge To Old Arcadia", URL is
http://travel2.nytimes.com/mem/trave...5BC0A9679C8B63
People's tolerance for Athens varies. For me, 4 nights in a row is about right.
