IJM

Hi all, we are trying to plan a short trip to Greece at the end of May and want some advice on the best islands too visit. We will arrive in Athens on a Tuesday night (around 11 pm) and will leave from Athens on the following Monday morning (7:50 in the morning). I will be 6 months pregnant so we don't want the trip to be too walking extensive. We'd like to go to the beach but don't want to spend the whole time on the beach and not sure what the weather at the end of May will be like. we usually pack a lot into our trips and with the little one on the way, not sure when we will be able t come to Greece again but don't want to be so exhausted traveling from island to island that we don't enjoy ourselves. ANy thoughts on the best island (or islands) to visit? We usually love good food, culture and walking around on vacation but again not sure how much walking I'll be up for. Thanks so much!

brotherleelove2004

You have 4 full days before you have to return to Athens on Sunday for the flight home. You barely have time for one island and Athens. If your budget allows for domestic flights you can choose any island you like for a couple of days. If you're limited to using the ferry system go to an island close to Athens to save as much time as possible. Check the Saronic Island group, including Aegina, Spetses, Hydra and Poros. They're just a couple of hours by Flying Dolphin from the port of Piraeus. Hydra is particularly charming because there are no cars allowed.

travelerjan

I would choose islands with good hospitals, just in case, also ones where you can walk more on the level. IMHO (and I know that here I sound like a broken record) I think you should look at Naxos, staying at a Hotel on St. George (Ag. Giorgios) beach. In late May (I'll be there -- I practice what I preach), it will be pleasantly populated but not crowded ... everything will be open.

This beach is right Next to Fascinating Naxos town 5 -10 minute walk to harborside cafe & restaurants from a well-situated hotel, where you can be right on the sands with a nice view from your balcony. Very convenient, yet quiet at night (and for that mid-afternoon snooze beloved of pregnant ladies and retirees like Me!) Here's a Map with locations of many hotels: http://www.naxos-greece.net/site/gfx...hotels_map.jpg (click to enlarge). There are also 3-4 enjoyable tavernas right on this beach, if u don't wish to walk at all!

If you want a budget hotel "near-ish" to town, with sea-view balcony & breakfast served, look at Hotel Asteria. If you want same thing but make your own breakfast in a "studio unit" (kitchenette included), check out Sun Beach, Studios Thomais, Studios Kalergis. In May

Nice thing about Naxos is that there's a good bus system... you can visit other beaches easily, or go to the Far tip of the island on a public bus (but you'll have to wait 90 minutes for a return, so wear swim gear under your duds and use the beach up there). There's a bus tour of the whole island for about 18€. Loads of good authentic Greek tavernas to enjoy.

Here's a Fodorite's slideshow of some Naxian highlights: http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/552001505EYxVYT

A final bonus ... St. George Beach in May is sprinkled with beautiful Scandinavian toddlers scampering around in their birthday suits, so you can enjoy them with the appreciative eye of an expectant mom, and you'll be welcomed by their parents. This can be a "scouting" expedition of an easy place to visit with pre-schoolers.

travelerjan

TRansport Options to/from Naxos:

YOu do not say what country you're coming from, I'm guessing USA (always a good idea to share this info)... Naxos is 5 hours by ferry, 50 minutes by Plane -- but just 1 flight daily.

FERRY OPTION -- Taxi into a central Athens hotel, arrive 12:30- 1 am??. The morning ferry to Naxos (cost per ticket = €34 reserved economy) leaves 7:30 arrives 12:45. Athens hotel @80€ or so. Costs: tickets + taxi to hotel + taxi to ferry + hotel... and very little sleep.

OR...

FLIGHT OPTION -- Wed Olympic Air fight 16:50 (3:50) arr 17:35 cost per ticket: €88. When u arrive in ATH airport, you can taxi 10-15 minutes to ST. Thomas B & B (3 rooms) in an olive grove, with a pool, run by a nice British woman. http://www.stay-in-athens.com/ Cost: €100 including lavish buffet breakfast. Collapse in bed wake up late, have breakfast & swim & sunbathe, back to airport at 3 pm for your flight. Olympic FLIGHT back to ATHENS Sunday: 5:15 arr 6 p.m. Ticket cost: $70. For that night, you could do St. T again, or save a few euros going to Peris Hotel: http://www.perishotelapt.gr/ -- no pool but lower rates & they provide pick-up at hotel.

These are just my thoughts, to enable you to go to a beautiful island, yet minimize travel time, remembering how I felt at 6 mos along. Perhaps you feel you cannot spend the airfare -- then it may be the Saronic Isles... but the beaches & scenery do not compare.

Heimdall

Just curious, Jan. Have you stayed at St Thomas B & B?

travelerjan

No but I've had considerable contact with its owner. She seems very nice, and has shared various items of information that make me have some confidence in her (Plus I've had some good independent feedback).

And it's not as if there is a huuge array of lodgings within a few minutes of the airport ... I think Attika has really fallen down in that regard. I think it's ridiculous that the airport has only one luxury hotel, costing 200+ per night (IF you get a price break online).

And to avoid this unaffordable lodging, a budget traveler must find a hotel near Syntagma Square and take a bus, Metro or Taxi for 35 miles/55Km. The only 2 alternatives I've found are St. Thomas & Peris... so I've privately recommended them to a number of people, not just on the forums, and have had OK feedback about both.

Since I'm retired and can adjust my flights to be more convenient I have not had to stay near the airport, but I've been contacted by many people whose flights are inconvenient (coming in quite late or leaving quite early) and who ask my advice.

I would surely like to find several other alternatives ... but those I've researched are all over in Marcopolo (??) closer to Rafina, and not that appealing.

brotherleelove2004

I've discovered another one out there, the Pantheon Hotel. Don't know anything about it.

Heimdall

Actually I'm surprised more people don't consider Rafina, which is only 20 - 30 minutes from the airport, and has lots more to do than in the Athens suburbs. There are at least two nice hotels, Avra, and Corali, both which are less expensive than St Thomas B&B. I have stayed at Avra, and had a nice view of the harbor from my room. Both hotels are only a short walk from the bus stop for the airport, and there are several good tavernas nearby.

travelerjan

That is true, Heimdall ... I mainly recommend a hotel near the airport for people who are arriving LATE at Athens airport (5 pm on this person will arrive at 11 pm) and /or leaving quite early in the morning. ALso, people who are quite exhausted from a flight from the USA, perhaps with 2+ connections. Some people must start at 8 or 9 am on USA west coast, change on east coast at 4 pm, fly all night, layover in London or Frankfurt an arrive at 5 pm or later the next day... a total of 20-24 hours in transit not counting the 10 hours clock-change! Lucky you Heimdall, living in UK, you have i believe 2 hours time change & 3+ hours flight time total.

For these people "Lots more to do" is not an imperative.

Also, if they arrive late & leave early, the bus times may not be terrific. I remember waiting nearly an hour at the airport for a bus heading towards Rafina ... it may have been a mix-up or road problem, but going in the other direction, to make a plane, would have been bad news.

BTW, THanks for recommending those 2 hotels on a previous posting. I like the look of that hotel Coralli, and If I were leaving the airport mid-afternoon, for an a.m. Rafina ferry, I certainly would head there. I have suggested that to several people. It has some oK reviews on TA, and looks to be more within my budget than Avra.

Heimdall

You can find the KTEL Attica bus timetables here: http://www.ktelattikis.gr/routes.php. Although in Greek, it's fairly simple to understand. For those arriving after the last bus, taxi to Rafina won't cost a lot. When I stayed at Avra I didn't arrive until after 10 pm, but found a taverna next door still open for a drink and a meal. Tavernas stay open late, and it's a perfect way to unwind before going to bed. Corali is even closer to the bus stop and ferries, so also a good choice.

Heimdall

BTW, Rafina <i>is near the airport</i>, in fact not much further than Peania, where St Thomas B&B is located.

Heimdall

In the KTEL timetable I gave you, the default 'From' location is Αθήνα, or Athens in English. To see the timetable from the airport to Rafina, go to Αεροδρόμιο Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος, which is just above Αθήνα in the drop-down menu. The default 'To' location should be Ραφήνα, or Rafina in English. Maybe not so simple to understand after all. ;-)

Heimdall

One more thing: Δευτέρα - Παρασκευή means Monday - Friday, and Κυριακή & Σάββατο means Sunday & Saturday.

travelerjan

Oh, that makes it simple! not.

Actually I mainly recommend St. Thomas when it's warmish & tired, sticky people would welcome a dip in a pool.

IJM

Thanks all for the information - very helpful. I think we decided to spend 1 or 2 days in Athens and then fly to Santorni. We will be comng from Cairo (my sister-in-law will be getting married there) so the flight to Athens will be relatively easy and fortunately I found an earler flight so will arrive in Athens at 5 in the evening. We will leave for Santorini on Thursday morning. We will be flying back to the US on May 30 when our trip is over. Any advice on affordable places to stay in Athens with easy access to the airport and also easy access to the historic sites of Athens. We will have Tuesday evening and Wednesday all day in Athens but need to be able to get to the airport early on Thursday. Also, any recommendations on affordable places near the arport when we return from Santorini? Is Rafina the best option? Thanks

travelerjan

"easy access to the airport?" ... what do you mean by that?
If you look at a map, the airport is 35 miles from Central Athens. The transport options are (1) x95 bus from Syntagma Squqre, runs 24/7 takes about an hour, costs €4. (2) Metro from Syntagma, takes 45 minutes, starts around 5:30 am, so if u need to be there before 7, bus is needed. (3) Taxi (street-hailed) takes 45-60 ;minutes, €35 flat fee after 5 am (€55 before 5 am). If pre-booked, add 5-10€ --- thus any hotel within walking distance of Syntagma Square is "easy access." Look on your map to find Syntagma Square. Any place t hat is in this area will ALSO be walkable to all major landmarks. Again, before asking, it's always good to look at a map of Athens. DO you have one? Here is a printable one: http://www.athensguide.com/map/athens.htm

"affordable places to stay?" how long is a piece of string?
We have no way of knowing what is affordable for you. And don't say "nice" or "moderate" please. GIve us a maximum per night, in Euros, and we can give you a list of hotels.

Heimdall

There are a number of hotels near Monastiraki and Syntagma metro stations that would fit the bill. I prefer recommending only hotels I've actually stayed in, not what I have read from reviews and trip reports. I have stayed at Cecil, near Monastiraki, and Cypria, near Syntagma, both with rooms in the €75-100 price range. Another is Hotel Attalos, slightly nearer Monastiraki on the same street as Cecil, but I've never stayed there. There are many more, and you can get some ideas by doing a search here on Fodor's or on Trip Advisor.

For hotels near the airport the choices are narrower. I enjoy staying at the airport Sofitel, but it can hardly be called "affordable" if you are on a budget. In the Athens suburbs near the airport is St Thomas B&B and Peri's Hotel, both cheaper, but I've never stayed at either, so will withhold a recommendation. Either may be a good choice if all you want to do is go to bed straight away. From what I gather, St Thomas B&B has only three rooms.

Rafina is only slightly further from the airport, about 30 minutes by bus or taxi. Buses run hour between the airport and Rafina from about 5 am until about 9-10 pm. I've stayed at Avra, had a room overlooking the port, with a nice view of the ships docked in the harbor, some all lit up overnight. I arrived there after 10 pm, but still had time to go to a nearby taverna for a drink and meal before going to bed. Hotel Corali is cheaper than Avra, but I've never stayed there.