Greece Itinerary

Old Jul 11th, 2016, 07:30 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Greece Itinerary

We are planning a 2 week trip 12-14 days to Greece in early September. Flying in and out of Athens. Interests are history and beach time. I definitely would like to see Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora; thinking that may be easier logistically to get a 4 day tour of the Peloponnese (any recommendations for a tour co.?). I would like to see islands - preferences are; Grete, Pathos, Naxos, Santorin. Would like to combine some down time and sightseeing on islands. May be day trips from one of the islands (what is most convenient?). Like off the beaten path places that are less touristy and more authentic May fly from Crete if end up going there. Please advise what would be worth to visit and best accommodate my plans and most efficient.
Thanks in advance, PK
pknaster is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 09:12 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With your mainland wishes in mind, you really only have time to visit one island. Keep in mind that because of its size Crete requires a minimum of a week with a rental car just to barely scratch the surface. Islands close enough to the mainland for a daytrip are Aegina and Hydra. The others on your list are just too far away for that and deserve several days.
brotherleelove2004 is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 09:24 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I guess by "Grete" and "Pathos" you mean Crete and Patmos? Crete has good ferry connections with Santorini and Naxos, but Patmos is in the Dodecanese island group in the eastern Aegean. Patmos has no airport, and would take more than one ferry to reach from the others.

Assuming you spend a week on the islands, that would be enough time either for Santorini and Naxos or just Crete, but not all three. Patmos would be more compatible with visits to other Dodecanese islands, e.g. Rhodes.

I like your idea of the Peloponnese sites + Delphi and Meteora, and that would be a good trip in itself. Athens-based tour companies that offer such trips are:
http://www.chatours.gr
http://www.keytours.gr
http://www.gotours.com.gr/en/
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 09:49 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Athens- Santorini- Mykonos? History & culture in Athens. Classic white buildings and blue water in Santorini. Beaches in Mykonos?

We are planning a trip to Greece, also in September. We only have 8 nights, and are doing Athens & Santorini. I have a thread on it.

Found a good deal on hotels, ground transport, and ferries through CostcoTravel. I had found that lots of hotels were already booked for mid-September, and going through Costco got us higher-end hotels, with breakfasts and other goodies.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 10:20 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Chances are if CostcoTravel offers a tour of Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, etc it would be through one of the three companies in the above links.

For my trips to the islands I've always done my own bookings, and probably saved a lot of money that way. With all the resources available online these days it's very easy to do. I always deal directly with the hotel, and book my flights on the airline's own website. I wait until I get to Greece to buy ferry tickets.
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 11:11 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
CostcoTravel has Athens-Santorini-Mykonos.

Ordinarily I arrange all our details myself, too. But this trip didn't give me much less time. I'm really happy with the deals I got via Costco.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old Jul 11th, 2016, 12:27 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Forgot to say: you can plan your itinerary however you'd like on CostcoTravel. You choose the order you visit them and for how long.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old Jul 12th, 2016, 07:12 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would tend to agree with Lee and Heimdall you simply do not have enough time to do everythign you proposed.
Personally while we love Crete it is too big to be done in less than two weeks. If you concentrate on just one area however that can work. Say choose the west side and visit Chania with day tours to Samaria if you want hiking or the boat Excursion to Balos and Gramovossa the archeological site at Ancient Aptera and perhaps a visit to Rethymnon.
That will easily take 5 days.
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/

Personally though I believe Santorini is a must see so if it were me I would do Santorini and a combination of Naxos or Paros or Santorini with just Mykonos although that will be a rather expensive option to do these two islands together.
That will leave you sufficient time to do the 4 day bus tour and some time in Athens.

We did Olympia, Delphi and Meteora by car with stops in Nafplio and Pylos. While that gave us maximum flexibility and efficiency on our arrival times at teh sites I do have to say as the driver I was pretty tired after the drive. The bus tour allows everyone to relax during the commute and have all your energy for the sites. The drawback is you will arrive at each site with bus loads of people.

Here is what you can expect
Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645469717811/
stanbr is offline  
Old Jul 17th, 2016, 12:53 PM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you all for your feedback and info. I read more posts and decided to leave Santorini and Crete for the next trip. I think I have a better idea how to schedule my time
Day 1 Arrive Athens
Day 2 Athens
Day 3, 4, 5-dy Peloponnese tour (organized or private)
Day 6 Athens to Naxos ferry
Day 7 Naxos
Day 8 Naxos
Day 9 Naxos to Paros
Day 10 Paros
Day 11 Paros
Day 12 Paros
Day 13 Paros-Athens
Day 14 Athens - home
Please let me know if this seems logical for the first trip to Greece. Does Athens need another day?
Thank you, PK
pknaster is offline  
Old Jul 17th, 2016, 01:55 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PK, that looks more manageable to me. You could take a day off Paros to add to Athens, but that's a matter of personal preference.

Since you are interested in history, consider a day trip from either Paros or Naxos to Delos and Mykonos. The archaeological site on Delos is a near equal to Delphi, in my opinion. See my photos of Delos (with an emphasis on the mosaics) here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627791957268

While on Paros, try to get over to Antiparos as well. There is an archeological site on the island of Despotiko which can be reached by boat from Agios Georgios at the southern end of Antiparos. This site is in the early stages of excavation, and there is still much to be discovered.
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jul 17th, 2016, 02:01 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Delos/Mykonos day trips are offered by the same two companies from both Naxos and Paros, so you can choose which is more convenient for you. The two boats are Naxos Star and Alexander, both about the same size. The trips from Naxos leave from the harbour at Naxos Town, while the trips from Paros leave from Naoussa.
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jul 18th, 2016, 07:31 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nice photos Heimdall.
PK you now have a workable plan. Enjoy
stanbr is offline  
Old Jul 19th, 2016, 06:42 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok, Great! Thank you.
I just realized that it is 5.5 hrs ferry ride from Athens to Naxos. I understand that ferry is part of the experience, but it is so long and we will be taking the ferry back from Paros. Will it be better to fly to Naxos? Or will it be the same 5,5 hrs with time to airport waiting and flying? Also, I am starting to second guess; is Naxos and Paros similar islands and I should be considering another one. Thank you!
pknaster is offline  
Old Jul 19th, 2016, 07:24 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Over the years I have realized that on vacation time is more valuable than money. By flying you are on the island in an hour rather than the afternoon.

Check with Aegean airlines to see if they have any flights to Naxos still available. You may want to consider flying to Paros instead. The new airport has increased capacity and I understand Aegean is having a seat sale on flight to Paros. Fly to Paros first then ferry to Naxos. The hour ferry trip will give you the ferry experience without taking up 6 hours of your day like the Piraeus to Naxos trip.

For that matter I wold be tempted to book the return flight from Paros as well if you can get one of those seat sale prices.


Yes Naxos and Paros are somewhat similar but they both have lots to offer. Naxos has some antiquities and lovely mountain villages and a larger main town plus that long string of great beaches in the west coast.

Paros has Antiparos and beaches dotted around the island. The fishing villages of Naoussa and Piso Lavidi are quite unique.
You will not regret doing both.
Paros Piso Lavidi https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57656008345581
Antiparos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632126687570/
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
stanbr is offline  
Old Jul 25th, 2016, 08:17 AM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you all - great advise, will fly definitely Naxos. Love the idea of day trips from Paros.
I would prefer not renting a car on Paros; how doable is the island without a car?
Thanks again,
PK
pknaster is offline  
Old Jul 25th, 2016, 09:58 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The new Paros Airport opened today, with 78 passenger Q400 aircraft flying there. Now it should be easier to get flights to/from Paros than to Naxos with its 37 passenger Dash 8-100. I've just seen a film clip of the first flight to the new Paros airport.

It's easy to get around Paros without a car, especially if you stay in Parikia, the hub for island bus services. Naoussa is a secondary hub, so it's relatively easy from there as well. In all the years I've been going to Paros and Antiparos I've never rented a car or scooter.

Here is a map of the Paros bus routes: http://ktelparou.gr/?q=en/content
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jul 25th, 2016, 03:07 PM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Heimdall, where is best to stay? I prefer beachfront and walking distance to restaurants. If we fly to Paros, we still need to take the ferry to Naxos, this will be somewhat cumbersome. Is not it?
pknaster is offline  
Old Jul 25th, 2016, 08:09 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
pk, the easiest of all would be a flight directly to Naxos. have you looked yet to see whether there's availability on a flight on the day you want?? (You tell us only "day 1, Day 2"etc, but not what actual DATES these represent, so we cannot check on your behalf). IF there's a flight to Naxos that would of course be best.

IF you must settle for a flight into Paros airport and want to stay first on Naxos, it will be a taxi ride (€12??) from airport to ferry pier. Ferries go frequently from about 9:30 to bout 2:30 pm then there's a gap til 6:30pm then a couple in the evening.

So then your options are:
#1 - Fly to Naxos, spend time, then ferry to Paros, then return to mainland.
#2 - If no Naxos flights are left, then I'd say fly to Paros, spend time there, then ferry (40 mins or 1 hr) to Naxos, spend time, then ferry to Mainland.

At that time of year - to be walking distance to the attractions of the port town, I would advise on Paros sto stay in Parikia on the beachfront directly north of the port, in the town's edge, and on Naxos to Stay in the St. George (Ag. Giorgios) beach area directly adjacent to Naxos town.

You really need to look at a guide book or .. less satisfactory -- some non-promotional websites that show a MAP of the Town & Island and give some real facts and observation not just promo prose.

To start you off, here are "Skymaps" of both Port towns (incl. beaches):

http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/viewmap/?mapid=27&cid=0
http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/viewm...pid=29&cid=305

Remember, these are really incomplete, because hotels, cafes, etc are only shown if they pay for inclusion, but it DOES show the layout & distances
travelerjan is offline  
Old Jul 25th, 2016, 10:50 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Personally I would fly to Paros and stay on Paros, but if you want to go to Naxos then fly there. You could just as easily take a day trip from Paros to Naxos as vice-versa.

I mentioned the larger planes at the new Paros Airport because now it will be much easier to get seats to that airport. If your search for flights turns up no seats available to Naxos, then consider Paros instead, or just take the ferry.
Heimdall is online now  
Old Jul 28th, 2016, 06:08 AM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Got it - thanks. Regarding staying on Paros; as I understand Naoussa and Piso Lavidi are further away from the Parikia where most bus and boat depart. How do you reach these places without a rental? Any recommendations for apt/hotels/B&B on Parikia "on the beachfront directly north of the port, in the town's edge" as travelerjan suggested.
Thank you, PK
pknaster is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -