Honeymoon in Greece
Jan 15th, 2017, 06:55 AM
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Honeymoon in Greece
My fiance and i are planning to leave for our honeymoon either to day after the wedding sept 25th or sept 29th. I have a long list of things i want so this may be a challenge. I would really love to see ancient ruins (some associated with greek mythology if possible) I'm also very interested in this being a relaxing trip which mean beautiful beaches, memorable sunsets, swim up bars, great food and great shopping. Since i have such a laundry list i've been having a hard time figuring out what our itinerary should be. I think i definitely want to visit crete and maybe make a day trip to a couple of the smaller islands but im not sure Any suggestions? we'll have 9 days. Also i would appreciate suggestions on resorts/hotels we should stay in. I've read that the pictures online don't always look like the actual hotel.
Jan 15th, 2017, 08:36 AM
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Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding!
IMO the best places to visit in Greece are the ones that <i>don't</i> have hotels with swim-up bars, but that's just me. You will probably find those at places like the Sensatori Resort near Heraklion in Crete, or Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese, which isn't an island at all, but on the beautiful southern coast of the peninsula. Both have beautiful beaches and ancient ruins nearby.
The classic Greek honeymoon destination is the island of Santorini, particularly the village of Oia. Stay in a cave house if you can afford the price of a room. Santorini has Minoan ruins at Akrotiri, and black sand beaches. Two hours by ferry from Santorini is the island of Naxos, which has beautiful golden sand beaches and traditional inland villages.
Many people combine a visit to Santorini with Mykonos, another expensive, touristy island about two hours away by ferry. In addition to its nightlife and high-end shops, Mykonos has Delos, one of the best archaeological sites in Greece. Mykonos has many beautiful golden sand beaches.
IMO the best places to visit in Greece are the ones that <i>don't</i> have hotels with swim-up bars, but that's just me. You will probably find those at places like the Sensatori Resort near Heraklion in Crete, or Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese, which isn't an island at all, but on the beautiful southern coast of the peninsula. Both have beautiful beaches and ancient ruins nearby.
The classic Greek honeymoon destination is the island of Santorini, particularly the village of Oia. Stay in a cave house if you can afford the price of a room. Santorini has Minoan ruins at Akrotiri, and black sand beaches. Two hours by ferry from Santorini is the island of Naxos, which has beautiful golden sand beaches and traditional inland villages.
Many people combine a visit to Santorini with Mykonos, another expensive, touristy island about two hours away by ferry. In addition to its nightlife and high-end shops, Mykonos has Delos, one of the best archaeological sites in Greece. Mykonos has many beautiful golden sand beaches.
Jan 15th, 2017, 07:34 PM
#3
Congratulations, and agree with (above) advice.
- Fly into Athens and find a connecting flight <i>(book directly on Aegean/Olympic, well in advance for cheap fares)</i> to Santorini (spend 3-4 nights)
- ferry <i>(no need to buy in advance)</i> to Mykonos (3-4 nights incl day trip to Delos-perhaps the most important mythological and archaeological sites in Greece
- fly back to Athens (same airlines, book early) - spend last 2-3 days there visiting the Acropolis etc. and fly back home
I hope to visit Crete soon, but I suspect you will need to spend at least a week there with the rest in Athens, with no time for anything else.
- Fly into Athens and find a connecting flight <i>(book directly on Aegean/Olympic, well in advance for cheap fares)</i> to Santorini (spend 3-4 nights)
- ferry <i>(no need to buy in advance)</i> to Mykonos (3-4 nights incl day trip to Delos-perhaps the most important mythological and archaeological sites in Greece
- fly back to Athens (same airlines, book early) - spend last 2-3 days there visiting the Acropolis etc. and fly back home
I hope to visit Crete soon, but I suspect you will need to spend at least a week there with the rest in Athens, with no time for anything else.
Jan 16th, 2017, 12:40 AM
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Hi tbroadn1, congratulation for your forthcoming wedding.
I hear you about ancient ruins which are associated with greek mythology. I read greek mythology since childhood, and that's the main reason I went to Athens. In my opinion, you must take a visit to Athens, it will probably be your landing point anyway. Athens is THE greek mythology itself. It is one of the world's oldest cities, and has always been there since the time of legend and myth. The Temple of Zeus and Temple of Hephaestus are still there, the latter is very well preserved. Acropolis is well-connected to the novelty origin of Athens where the goddess Athena won over Poseidon for the patronage of the city. No need to mention other legends which involve Athens.
After that, you may go to the islands and have your beach vacations.
I hear you about ancient ruins which are associated with greek mythology. I read greek mythology since childhood, and that's the main reason I went to Athens. In my opinion, you must take a visit to Athens, it will probably be your landing point anyway. Athens is THE greek mythology itself. It is one of the world's oldest cities, and has always been there since the time of legend and myth. The Temple of Zeus and Temple of Hephaestus are still there, the latter is very well preserved. Acropolis is well-connected to the novelty origin of Athens where the goddess Athena won over Poseidon for the patronage of the city. No need to mention other legends which involve Athens.
After that, you may go to the islands and have your beach vacations.
Jan 16th, 2017, 06:30 AM
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I agree with FuryFluffy -- tbroad, if you are truly serious about your interest in Ancient Greece civilization, you need to spend at least one Day in Athens -- the absolute center of ancient landmarks. And because you have only 9 days (so short! it's cruel!) you will have to be very time-efficient about your logistics.
What I mean is this -- you have to be in Athens or the Athens area, the night before your departure. It's too risky to fly back on same day of homebound flight; if winds, or equipment delays slow you up, you miss your flight with no refund! And you do NOT want to be in central Athens 2x -- to travel 1+ hours to reach hotel check in/check out twice wastes precious hours. So... what to do? Almost daily on this forum we give same advice to Newbies:
• On arrival fly IMMEDIATELY to farthest destination - that would be Santorini. Right now, today, check Aegean/Olympic website: they are offering "sale" prices right now for flights between now and Oct 1; sale ends Jan. 18. You might score tickets at $30-40 vs $100-150! Click "Special offers" to see what flights still have seats on Sept 25 or 29 (whichever arrival date you've chosen). NOTE: be sure to allow 2 - 3 hours between inbound arrival and A/O departure, to allow for getting thru passport control, buying some €€ at an ATM, then check-in. A/O requires check-in an hour before departure.
• Choose a 2nd ISLE. I agree w. Heimdall, NAXOS is a good 2nd stop. You may not know but Santorini is N.g. for beaches (black & gritty). Naxos has 15 miles of golden beaches... + dramatic landscapes + ruins +castles. . Also, in Sept, Wine Festivals in the mountain villages. Santorini is 12 mi long; Naxos is largest island in the Cyclades group. You'll love it.
• Realistic Itinerary. Realize it takes a half day at least to change islands. Realize u may have to FLY back to Athens area, 45 mins vs 5+ hrs by ferry. And you may not even have 9 days; do you realize that if you leave USA in Afternoon nonstop, you dont arrive ATH until next morning 9-10 AM? If yu have Europe connection u won't arrive until 2, 3 or 5 pm? So you may only have EIGHT days. Here's a usual sequence
• Day #1 (afternoon) fly to Santorini
• Day #4 (3-5 pm) ferry to Naxos
• Day #8 AM noon? Fly to Athen
• Day #9 Full day Sightseeing (get to Acropolis 8 am!)
Finally, a suggestion that many young couples consider quaint -- read a guidebook. Internet websites endlessly promote promote promote .. a good guidebook FILTERS for you, gives downsides as well as highlights, helps you choose what's worthwhile for YOU. Stop at your local library and borrow an armful and browse. It can greatly enhance yr choices AND your experience.... Congratulations and enjoy your planning!
What I mean is this -- you have to be in Athens or the Athens area, the night before your departure. It's too risky to fly back on same day of homebound flight; if winds, or equipment delays slow you up, you miss your flight with no refund! And you do NOT want to be in central Athens 2x -- to travel 1+ hours to reach hotel check in/check out twice wastes precious hours. So... what to do? Almost daily on this forum we give same advice to Newbies:
• On arrival fly IMMEDIATELY to farthest destination - that would be Santorini. Right now, today, check Aegean/Olympic website: they are offering "sale" prices right now for flights between now and Oct 1; sale ends Jan. 18. You might score tickets at $30-40 vs $100-150! Click "Special offers" to see what flights still have seats on Sept 25 or 29 (whichever arrival date you've chosen). NOTE: be sure to allow 2 - 3 hours between inbound arrival and A/O departure, to allow for getting thru passport control, buying some €€ at an ATM, then check-in. A/O requires check-in an hour before departure.
• Choose a 2nd ISLE. I agree w. Heimdall, NAXOS is a good 2nd stop. You may not know but Santorini is N.g. for beaches (black & gritty). Naxos has 15 miles of golden beaches... + dramatic landscapes + ruins +castles. . Also, in Sept, Wine Festivals in the mountain villages. Santorini is 12 mi long; Naxos is largest island in the Cyclades group. You'll love it.
• Realistic Itinerary. Realize it takes a half day at least to change islands. Realize u may have to FLY back to Athens area, 45 mins vs 5+ hrs by ferry. And you may not even have 9 days; do you realize that if you leave USA in Afternoon nonstop, you dont arrive ATH until next morning 9-10 AM? If yu have Europe connection u won't arrive until 2, 3 or 5 pm? So you may only have EIGHT days. Here's a usual sequence
• Day #1 (afternoon) fly to Santorini
• Day #4 (3-5 pm) ferry to Naxos
• Day #8 AM noon? Fly to Athen
• Day #9 Full day Sightseeing (get to Acropolis 8 am!)
Finally, a suggestion that many young couples consider quaint -- read a guidebook. Internet websites endlessly promote promote promote .. a good guidebook FILTERS for you, gives downsides as well as highlights, helps you choose what's worthwhile for YOU. Stop at your local library and borrow an armful and browse. It can greatly enhance yr choices AND your experience.... Congratulations and enjoy your planning!
