Greece Itinerary Jun-Jul 2017

Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 02:32 AM
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Greece Itinerary Jun-Jul 2017

Hi I would like to seek opinions regarding my itinerary to Greece this coming July. I am a 22-year old travelling solo, and I really enjoy beaches, not much of a history person (but i do like to see ruins!) It is also my first time in Greece, and I have a driver's licence but no scooter one.

As you can see below, 2/3 of my itinerary is focused on islands as I really love them. I hope to visit both historical sites and enjoy the beaches on the islands. What do you guys think of the mix of islands that I have included? (I skipped Mykonos and picked Ios for the partying because its cheaper.). I heard that MIlos had fantastic beaches, Naxos had nice mountain villages and Santorini was included just because it was a staple for every new-comer.

Im welcome to suggestions to change islands, any suggestions on what to do at the islands that I've included!

24 June Flight to Athens (Reach in early morning)
25 June Travel to Meteora
26 June Sightseeing in Meteora
27 June Travel down to Delphi. Stay in Delphi
28 June Explore Delphi and return to Athens in the evening. Stay in Athens
29 June Catch a ferry to Naxos for 3 nights. Reach Naxos at noon.
2 July Catch ferry to Ios for 4 nights. Reach Ios at 3.30 in the afternoon
6 July Catch ferry to Santorini for 2 nights. Reach Santorini at noon.
8 July Catch ferry to Milos for 4 nights. Reach Milos at 10.30am.
12 July Catch ferry back to Athens and stay that for the night.
13 July Flight back in the afternoon.

Thank you guys!
jaredl is offline  
Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 04:36 AM
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There is nothing to add to your plan.
By rental car, you could do the Meteora - Delphi trip in 3 days instead of 4. But by bus (there aren't tons of Lamia - Delphi buses), it may take a bit longer.
As to the Islands, I would prefer slower (and cheaper) traditional ferries with open decks to catamarans.
There are not really famous archeological sites on the Islands you chose. You will see enough of them in and around Athens, however.
neckervd is offline  
Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 06:49 AM
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Looks like a well thought out itinerary to me, with a good blend of mainland and islands. I agree with neckervd about traditional ferries vs highspeeds, and would recommend Blue Star for Piraeus > Naxos. The other legs on your itinerary are served mostly by highspeeds.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 08:18 AM
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It's not too bad although I would say it has too much moving for my taste. Every day spent moving is a day NOT spent in a place seeing and doing things.

You mention a scooter. You do not need a motorcycle license to rent and use a scooter of 50cc. You can legally do so on your car driver's license. They are a good way to get around an island generally speaking. Just don't drink and drive.

I would perhaps suggest dropping Santorini and adding the days to Naxos, Ios or Milos. While Santorini is on many people's 'must see' list, it's only on their list because it's on everyone else's list. As a 22 year old single, I don't think you would consider you had missed much. To me it's more of a middle aged tourist's choice of 'must see'. It's a 'list ticker's' island.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 08:30 AM
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About renting a scooter or car, if you live outside the EU you will need to bring an International Driving Permit with you. Greek law requires it even if a rental agent does not ask for it. If you live in the UK you're covered. If you live in No. America you can get one at your local AAA/CAA office, no test or membership required.
brotherleelove2004 is offline  
Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 08:32 AM
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Santorini may be a "list ticker's island" but there is a good reason for that. It's one of the world's most unique and beautiful islands, and since you love islands you'd be doing yourself a big disfavor by not seeing it.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 02:50 PM
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Brotherleelove2004, I disagree personally regarding Santorini being all that impressive but it's not about what I like or you like. It is about what a 22 year old guy with limited time would like to do MOST with his time.

I know when I was 22, 3 more days on Ios vs. whatever it is you think a 22 year old would get out of visiting Santorini, would have been a no-brainer. Ios, parties, beaches, girls, every time.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 05:38 PM
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I agree with brotherleelove2004. If you're a connoisseur of islands, Santorini is one of the absolute all-stars. It's physically unforgettable. Even if you're not that into its extraordinary history, you can go swimming in the heated water of the caldera or from a black sand beach, catch the sunset from Oia, enjoy puttering around on a moped.

And, actually, since you said you did enjoy ruins, you have two to chose from. Akrotiri is an early Greek (Minoan) version of Pompeii -- except that it's 1500 years older! It's amazing to peek in the doorways or windows and see pots still in place, or to find yourself walking through a triangular square where you could imagine people sitting outside and socializing just the way they do around the Mediterranean today. There's also Thera, a Hellenistic city that sits atop a steep mountain looking out over the ocean and the black sand beach to its north.

Finally, because Santorini is so extraordinary, lots of young people stop off there. I was 22 the first time I went. And the last time I visited, there were plenty of Junior Year Abroaders doing the sites and clustering in the cafes.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 05:50 PM
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Santorini's youth-oriented nightlife is 2nd only to Mykonos. Ios has a more rowdy, party-time backpacker appeal during peak summer months. If that's what Jaredl is after then by all means, that's where he should go.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 06:50 AM
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As Jared asked for suggestions I will add mine. As a 22 year old I would go with Ios, Mykonos, and Milos. I should add that I haven't been to Mykonos since the 70's in my 20's, but it and Rhodes were my favorite Islands. Now I prefer Crete and Milos.

Jared has the rest of his life to get to Santorini. It is the least favorite island that I have been to and can't imagine ever going back for a second time.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 10:53 AM
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There's more to Greek Islands than Santorini or Mykonos. Check out Sifnos, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Astypalea, Ikaria, Fourni, Lemnos, Kythira, Chios, Samos and many other less tour-oriented islands.

If you like tradition, more locals than tourists and a more "Greek" experience check out alternatives.

However, if you like crowds, partying, shopping, nightlife then islands like Santorini & Mykonos may be for you.

Everyone has their own idea of a Greek Island Experience but do your research to make sure you are going where you want and not what the Travel Guides and Travel Agents want you to go.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 08:09 AM
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I'm sure we are all in agreement that the OP should go where he would prefer based on his interests. So there is no real disagreement there.

Jeffergrey, you wrote, "If you're a connoisseur of islands, Santorini is one of the absolute all-stars." I would say two things about that statement.

First, as obviously shown by Roger1x's comment, not everyone agrees with your opinion. It is a subjective opinion, not an objective fact.

Second, it is based on the limits of your knowledge of islands. How many must someone have visited in how many places for example to be a 'connisseur of islands?

I have been to Bora Bora which many people say is the most beautiful island in the world. But I would have to say that unless they have been to EVERY island in the world, saying it it THE most beautiful is still only an opinion. Given the number of islands in the world, I doubt anyone has been to enough of them to even get close to being a 'connisseur of islands' in the sense of having seen enough of them to start ranking them in terms of 'all-stars'.

All I can say based on comparison of the islands I have visited is that Bora Bora is the most beautiful island I have visited SO FAR. I would never be so arrogant as to say that it is THE most beautiful, as I haven't visited more than a few hundred of all the islands in the world and that simply isn't enough to start rating one in term of 'stars'.

Here are pictures of Santorini. Many of them remind me of a barren rock covered in bird guano (the white buildings).
https://www.google.ca/search?q=santo...d+aerial+photo

Here are pictures of Bora Bora.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=bora+...w=1366&bih=662

Now what do you think a poll of which was an 'all-star' would turn out like?

What we think is great is always limited by what we have to compare it to.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 09:13 AM
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Please Dog, let's stick to the wishes of Original Poster, not try to start arguments about relative beauty of islands OP has not expressed interest in.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 08:15 AM
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You are free to stick to whatever you want travelerjan. But if you wanted to stick to the OP's wishes, why did you post a comment that is not addressed to the OP? You posted just to tell me what I should do. You don't get to tell me what I should do travelerjan and particularly not when you are doing, what you are telling me not to do.

By the way, my handle is Dogeared, not Dog. Please address me correctly as I do you and anyone else whenever I address anyone on a forum.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 10:11 AM
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I will add my opinion of Santorini. I was 20 years old when I went the first time with my sister. We brieftly saw Fira, which we did not like as there were to many tourist shop ( but I did buy my favorite pair of blue sandals). And then we saw Oia. Wow! It was for me an amazing sight! We were staying in the pedestrian portion of the village on the caldera. We bought food for our breakfast and in the morning we would just marvel at this incredible view. We found the old donkey trail and hiked towards Fira. Every so often, we would pass an old Greek church. We did do a sunset cruise and swam in the sea.

I have since been there 3 times with different family members that want to see Santorini. We always stay in Oia (usually 1 or 2 nights). I am an early riser, and I usually go for a walk/jog in the streets of Oia when they are empty.

If you want to party all the time, Oia is obviously not your destination. But it can add diversity. The OP is going to Meteora to see something unique. I think that Santorini is along those lines.

One last thought about Santorini, it has an airport and direct fights from Vienna, London etc.. I always prefer to fly directly to the islands instead of going through Athens.
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Old Jun 13th, 2017, 06:31 AM
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Oh wow guys thanks so much for your comments fodors didnt send me reply emails so I wasn't informed when you guys commented unfortunately. I have stuck to it, althought I have decided to fly back from milos to athens because the cost would be the same via ferry (and it was faster). Yes, I would like to have a good mix of partying, islands and a little of ruins / monasteries. Thank you again.
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