laosa13

Hi,
I'm planning my honeymoon for the first week in September and would like to spend 5/6 days in Greece. My fiance and I have never been and we are really looking for scenic beach time. A historical site or two would also be nice. Could we hit more than one island on this time frame? If so, which? We are looking to spend no more than $300 a night on accomodations.

Any recommendations would be appreciate. If anyone knows a reputable travel agent that can help us, that would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Christina

sure you can, if you want. I hit 3-4 in that time frame, but didn't stay long in each. It was on an Aegean cruise.

Try the website www.greektravel.com, I think it lists some travel agent recommendations.

brotherleelove2004

With only 5 days pick Athens and one island. You'll get all the history in Athens plus the island experience. Santorini is the most popular honeymoon island, it's unique, timeless and spectacular. Oia is the most beautiful and romantic village. But if you want something less touristy there are lots of other islands to choose from. I recommend you pick one you can fly to so you save valuable time. Aegean Airlines has a website and is the more reliable airline.

Pick an island and you'll get your hotel recommendations.

travelerjan

Hey, New Yorker! Congrats, have a great trip.

I'd listen to BrotherLee rather than the Cruise thing -- a cruise is all about the ship, not the island. And with your SHORT stay, only 1 island.

If you want that isle to be Santorini You'd best ask TODAY for his list of do-able "rooms with a view" because Santorini books FAR ahead (so many honeymooners) and September 1 looms! And remember, most websites quote in Euros & $300 is only 191€ currently (alas).

Travel agents? in Athens the ones most Americans on these forums hve recommended are IN Athens -- either Dolphin-Hellas or Fantasy travel. They may be most helpful in locating an Athens Hotel for you (you might lower your per-night fee a bit for Athens, in order to afford a bit more for Santorini).

DO you already have exact dates and your RT tickets? WIth your cruelly short tip, Unless you arrive after 6 pm, it's a REALLY good idea NOT to start with Athens. Instead, if you can, on arrival fly out Immediately to your island. Then fly BACK after 4 days & spend your last 2 days in Athens. SET THIS UP NOW! Try Aegean Air -- more dependable these days than the alternative, Olympic.

Good luck and get goin'!

GBC

Hi...Although your time is limited, Greece is an excellent choice. So is the advice above offered for you. If possible, fly directly to Santorini after arrival in Greece at the Athens airport (which is actually quite a few miles out of town.) Santorini is remarkably beautiful and it is romantic. Note that it has beaches but is not most known for its beaches but rather the stunning beauty of the caldra and the very picturesque villages. Enjoy OIA for 3/4 nights, then return to Athens for the last two days or even just 1.5 days. Stay in the Plaka part of the city. Plan to spend a little more per night in Santorini and a little less in Athens.

Return to this forum for more ideas re lodging or other details when you have your dates set. Also, where are you arriving from?

Very best wishes to you both.

travelerjan

Ooops! I just re-read your 2nd sentence and noticed "looking for scenic beach time." Santorini's scenery is the caldera -- its beaches are IMHO yucky... black grit. SO if it's your only island, u must try to get a hotel with a pool ... also, on the beach side of the island, at a beach called Perivogli, there's a nice club called Salty Beach Club right by the beach. Has a pool & a whirlpool. So u can swim in the sea & wash off the grit in the pool. Free admission in Sept if u buy a beverage at the bar. NOTE: if u want a caldera view yet also want to swim in Ocean, in Santorini u must rent a car.

Do you know anything about another island? Example you could instead fly to Naxos, stay right on a golden sand beach for 4 days, 1/2 the price of Santorini & fly back to Athens. The Santorini-buffs mostly have never even SEEN Naxos. Here is a slide show of some of its delights -- and it also has ancient & historical sites (which these days Santorini does not)
http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/552001505EYxVYT

I hate to always seem to be dissing Santorini, but when a "newbie" speaks of wanting a scenic beach, I feel I MUST speak truth. Santorini has a glorious caldera view. It has a ton of travel agents promoting it to honeymooners. Period. NOT sandy beaches. Here's a dreamy honeymoon place right on a golden beach on Naxos -- compare:
http://www.studiosathina.gr/indexeng.html

-- I could show you 10 more like this and I guarantee they would be under your $300 (191&euro... maybe 150€ in Sept. Of course Naxos is not overly hyped like Santorini. It has only 1 flight a day. It is not crowded. Just saying.

Gaspard

For scenic beach time and fun go to Mykonos. Volcanic Santorini is more for a divorce.
G.

brotherleelove2004

That's helpful.......