Greece May 2014
Jan 6th, 2014, 07:38 AM
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Greece May 2014
Female Adults (Ages 21-25) traveling to Greece visiting Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Rhodes. Accomodations are NVJ Athens, Myconian Ambassador, Astro Palace, Creta Maris, and Rhodes Palace. Can anybody please give me feedback (bad or good experiences, or anything you may know) about these accomodations? In addition, to any tips pertaining to safety, must-do excursions, restaraunts, nightlife? Thank you and appreciate all responses!
Jan 6th, 2014, 08:24 AM
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Can you tell us when you will be in Greece and how long you have for each stop. Do you have a plan for each island hop. I only ask because each hop can eat up a large portion of a day and you will end up spending a big piece of your vacation just doing transfers. Also for the most part one has to rely on ferrys to do hops and that can be very time consuming. The ferry from Crete to Rhodes takes 12 hours and from Mykonos to Santorini about 5 hours on the fast ferry.
lastly most people recommend you do Athens at the end of your trip because stuff happens on vacations and travel plans can be disrupted. Best to be in Athens for a couple of days before your return flight.
lastly most people recommend you do Athens at the end of your trip because stuff happens on vacations and travel plans can be disrupted. Best to be in Athens for a couple of days before your return flight.
Jan 6th, 2014, 09:01 AM
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The Myknos>Santorini fast ferry takes 2.5 hours, not 5. http://www.ferries.gr/hfd
Jan 6th, 2014, 11:17 AM
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Wow, some trip!!!
Well, Athens is 4 nights at least to take in the historical and archeological highlights. Can't go home and not be able to say you did something worthwhile at least part of the time can you.
Then Mykonos of course is party central so that's a week. More than that would be too exhausting for most people even in their 20s.
Santorini of course is a 'must' simply because most people feel the need to tick it off the list like everyone else. So another 4 nights I suppose.
Rhodes is another great party island but also has some more 'cultural' sites worth being able to say you have seen, the Acropolis of Lindos etc. So that's a week although 2 would be better.
Crete, well to see much of Crete you really can't do less than 2 weeks with 3 or 4 weeks being better if possible.
So I make it a 5 week minimum trip and up to 8 weeks to do it justice really. A lot of people would be very envious I'm sure.
As for safety, in what way? Don't go down any dark alleys with strangers like anywhere else, that's about it. Common sense really.
Must do? Define what you think a 'must do' is? I have no idea what you consider a 'must do'.
Restaurants? None with a menu in English would be my best advice.
Nightlife? All kinds available in all those places so no problem with that at all.
I guess that's it. Your all set.
Well, Athens is 4 nights at least to take in the historical and archeological highlights. Can't go home and not be able to say you did something worthwhile at least part of the time can you.
Then Mykonos of course is party central so that's a week. More than that would be too exhausting for most people even in their 20s.
Santorini of course is a 'must' simply because most people feel the need to tick it off the list like everyone else. So another 4 nights I suppose.
Rhodes is another great party island but also has some more 'cultural' sites worth being able to say you have seen, the Acropolis of Lindos etc. So that's a week although 2 would be better.
Crete, well to see much of Crete you really can't do less than 2 weeks with 3 or 4 weeks being better if possible.
So I make it a 5 week minimum trip and up to 8 weeks to do it justice really. A lot of people would be very envious I'm sure.
As for safety, in what way? Don't go down any dark alleys with strangers like anywhere else, that's about it. Common sense really.
Must do? Define what you think a 'must do' is? I have no idea what you consider a 'must do'.
Restaurants? None with a menu in English would be my best advice.
Nightlife? All kinds available in all those places so no problem with that at all.
I guess that's it. Your all set.
Jan 19th, 2014, 12:00 PM
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Thank you all for your responses! I will be in Greece for two weeks total. I am staying in athens for 4 days than taking a regular ferry to mykonos. Staying in mykonos for 3 nights and than taking a high speed ferry to santorini for another 2 nights and a high speed to crete and finally then rhodes to athens. Has anyone stayed at any of these accommodations? I searched trip advisor but there are some minor complaints that I don't even consider negative! Thank you again.
Jan 19th, 2014, 01:04 PM
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dulciusexasperis writes:
'Then Mykonos of course is party central so that's a week. More than that would be too exhausting for most people even in their 20s.'
In mid-May? It most certainly is not party central. One of the best times to visit the island, it is quiet, warm and the town, with the late spring flowers is very beautiful. Shops, bars and restaurants are open but uncrowded.
Although I've not lodged there I've been travelling to the island for a good few years and not yet heard anything bad about the Ambassador. You will always find some negative reviews no matter how grand and expensive a hotel is but balance those with the positives.
Enjoy your trip.
Jon
'Then Mykonos of course is party central so that's a week. More than that would be too exhausting for most people even in their 20s.'
In mid-May? It most certainly is not party central. One of the best times to visit the island, it is quiet, warm and the town, with the late spring flowers is very beautiful. Shops, bars and restaurants are open but uncrowded.
Although I've not lodged there I've been travelling to the island for a good few years and not yet heard anything bad about the Ambassador. You will always find some negative reviews no matter how grand and expensive a hotel is but balance those with the positives.
Enjoy your trip.
Jon
Jan 19th, 2014, 01:39 PM
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Jon is right !!
Mykonos in May is beautiful and quiet...
I was there 2 years ago and absolutely enjoyed it.
Nice sunny weather, warm days, and totally empty beaches.
The water was too cold for swimming, but it was nice to spend a couple of hours at the beach.
i am visiting Mykonos every year since 1983.
While i was clubbing all night long when i was a student and enjoyed the night life of the island and all the crazy beach parties, i have also enjoyed very calm holidays with friends having drinks in Mykonos Town and wonderful meals in many of the excellent restaurants.
It is a party island ONLY if you want to party !!!.
The Myconian Ambassador is an excellent hotel, i stayed at a deluxe room with outdoor jacuzzi and i love it.
The NJV in Athens would not be my first choice.....neither would be Rodos Palace not only as hotel but also as location.. I don't like Ixia and especially the location of the hotel very much.
Creta Maris is an excellent choice
Mykonos in May is beautiful and quiet...
I was there 2 years ago and absolutely enjoyed it.
Nice sunny weather, warm days, and totally empty beaches.
The water was too cold for swimming, but it was nice to spend a couple of hours at the beach.
i am visiting Mykonos every year since 1983.
While i was clubbing all night long when i was a student and enjoyed the night life of the island and all the crazy beach parties, i have also enjoyed very calm holidays with friends having drinks in Mykonos Town and wonderful meals in many of the excellent restaurants.
It is a party island ONLY if you want to party !!!.
The Myconian Ambassador is an excellent hotel, i stayed at a deluxe room with outdoor jacuzzi and i love it.
The NJV in Athens would not be my first choice.....neither would be Rodos Palace not only as hotel but also as location.. I don't like Ixia and especially the location of the hotel very much.
Creta Maris is an excellent choice
Jan 19th, 2014, 01:52 PM
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I agree with the other posters who suggest going to Athens at the END of your trip, to avoid backtracking. So try to connect through Athens when you arrive to your first island stop.
About some of your hotel choices: I don't personally know NVJ Athens, but we did visit friends there who thought the guest rooms were dingy and the WIFI unreliable for a lot of $$$$.
I would ordinarily recommend The Grande Bretagne, if you want a five-star hotel in central Athens, and it does have gorgeous public spaces, but our last few visits to the hotel were marred by tiny rooms for too much money, despite being upgraded!
So in the last two years we started going to Ava Hotel and Suites, a boutique hotel in the heart of the Plaka. We love it there because some of the rooms/suites have enormous balconies looking straight into the Acropolis. Also it has excellent WIFI, great breakfast, and a fantastic staff who can't do enough for you with recommendations, etc.
If Ava is too much money, take a look at ATHENS GATE, a well-reviewed hotel very close to the Acropolis.
Now about Rhodes: Again, haven't stayed at Rodos Palace, but do know that the beach in Rhodes is full of stones and nothing to get excited about. We stayed at Rhodos Park and Suites, right in town, only a few steps away from the main gate to the Old Town. It's a really nice hotel, and much more centrally located for exploring.
Lastly, do you really want to take a ferry to Mykonos instead of flying? It might not be as romantic as you think, although the bigger boats do minimize the sea sickness!
Good luck, and have a fantastic time!
About some of your hotel choices: I don't personally know NVJ Athens, but we did visit friends there who thought the guest rooms were dingy and the WIFI unreliable for a lot of $$$$.
I would ordinarily recommend The Grande Bretagne, if you want a five-star hotel in central Athens, and it does have gorgeous public spaces, but our last few visits to the hotel were marred by tiny rooms for too much money, despite being upgraded!
So in the last two years we started going to Ava Hotel and Suites, a boutique hotel in the heart of the Plaka. We love it there because some of the rooms/suites have enormous balconies looking straight into the Acropolis. Also it has excellent WIFI, great breakfast, and a fantastic staff who can't do enough for you with recommendations, etc.
If Ava is too much money, take a look at ATHENS GATE, a well-reviewed hotel very close to the Acropolis.
Now about Rhodes: Again, haven't stayed at Rodos Palace, but do know that the beach in Rhodes is full of stones and nothing to get excited about. We stayed at Rhodos Park and Suites, right in town, only a few steps away from the main gate to the Old Town. It's a really nice hotel, and much more centrally located for exploring.
Lastly, do you really want to take a ferry to Mykonos instead of flying? It might not be as romantic as you think, although the bigger boats do minimize the sea sickness!
Good luck, and have a fantastic time!
Jan 19th, 2014, 02:18 PM
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In Athens the King George right next to the Grande Bretagne is an equally good choice.( with same management)
I have stayed at the Rhodos Park as well and absolutely loved it, even though it is next to the old city and not near a beach.
I have stayed at the Rhodos Park as well and absolutely loved it, even though it is next to the old city and not near a beach.
Jan 22nd, 2014, 07:14 PM
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Thank you all for the comments and advice! I am going to make adjustments with the NVJ Athens Hotel for sure. I am very excited and glad to know all this information before leaving. I really appreciate it! Has anyone ever used AIR FRANCE Airlines? My first time using them. Any advice you can give?
Jan 22nd, 2014, 07:50 PM
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I've used Air France and I think it was the most stressful connection I've ever made flying from the U.S. to Greece via CDG. There was less than 1.5 hours to make the connection. Passport Control was way understaffed and several flights were arriving at the same time so the place was actually overcrowded and backed up with people trying to get their passports stamped so they could make their next flight. My next flight was in another terminal that was so far away I had to take a shuttle bus to get there. I just barely made it by the skin of my teeth. If you are passing through CDG on your way to Athens I strongly urge you to arrange your booking so that you have at least 2-2.5 hours between flights.
Jan 22nd, 2014, 07:55 PM
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Air France? Where are you from? Is this trip entirely on Air France planes or part on Air France flight numbered codeshare operated by Delta, KLM, etc?
I presume you have already bought tickets, and you have a layover in Paris? The layover in Paris is one thing I usually have a concern. The airport is spread out, and I would like to have 2 hours layover.
I presume you have already bought tickets, and you have a layover in Paris? The layover in Paris is one thing I usually have a concern. The airport is spread out, and I would like to have 2 hours layover.
Jan 22nd, 2014, 09:51 PM
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Back in 2006 we had a suite at the NJV Athens Plaza and it was fantastic. However, the ranking does seem to have dropped somewhat since then. Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands was staying at The Grand Bretagne at the time which is of no consequence but it was interesting to watch her security detail.
As well as the other things to do in Athens, don't miss the Changing of the Guard, which is only about 100 feet from the Grand Bretagne. I liked the pagentry of it and you can have a photograph taken with the guards but don't try to stand in between the guard and his hut! Stand on the other side of the guard or their supervisor, also a soldier, will lose his mind quite spectacularly!
I particularly liked the sculpture wing at The National Geographic Museum.
As well as the other things to do in Athens, don't miss the Changing of the Guard, which is only about 100 feet from the Grand Bretagne. I liked the pagentry of it and you can have a photograph taken with the guards but don't try to stand in between the guard and his hut! Stand on the other side of the guard or their supervisor, also a soldier, will lose his mind quite spectacularly!
I particularly liked the sculpture wing at The National Geographic Museum.
Jan 23rd, 2014, 07:32 AM
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We've flown Delta/Air France many times, always connecting through Paris. I totally agree that you need to leave at least 2 or more hours to make the connection. CDG is a crazy airport! Looks like you should be fine since you have a lot of time. Good luck!
Jan 24th, 2014, 09:09 AM
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Could we go back a bit to your plan. The back end Crete and Rhodes remains unarticulated. As Heimdall asked, have you considered the logistics of getting from one island to the next. Santorini to Heraklion Crete is pretty routine that will be around 2.5 hours or so. How long are you planning on staying on Crete. It is huge and you have very little time. Are you planning on anything more than a beach holiday.
Have you considered how you are going to get from Crete to Rhodes. There is a 12 hour ferry ride or the small aircraft of Sky Express with very limited luggage weights or you could fly back to Athens and then fly to Rhodes.
I say all that to suggest that you may not want to spend that time and effort to get to Rhodes and perhaps you could spend a little more time on the other islands.
Have you considered how you are going to get from Crete to Rhodes. There is a 12 hour ferry ride or the small aircraft of Sky Express with very limited luggage weights or you could fly back to Athens and then fly to Rhodes.
I say all that to suggest that you may not want to spend that time and effort to get to Rhodes and perhaps you could spend a little more time on the other islands.
