KaylaS

The trip i'm planning will start in Germany, then to switzerland, France and Italy, but i am wondering if it is worth the travel to see Greece as well.

Our total time in Europe will be 30 days (including travel) and were wondering if taking the time to go to Greece is worth it since significant time and money will be spent travelling from Italy to Greece. Is Greece a better trip to do soley on its own, or should we spend a couple days there? We would probably only focus on Athens.


Thoughts?

Thanks

ekc

You don't have enough time for Greece. IMO you really don't have time to see 4 countries in 28 days, let alone 5.

Sassafrass

You could easily, easily spend the whole 30 days in Italy or France, so no, do not add Greece. Save it for a trip by itself. When you really start looking at all the places to go in either Italy or France, you will wish you had more time in those countries. IMHO, 10 days to 2 weeks is a minimum for each to get even a taste of either country

clausar

<< were wondering if taking the time to go to Greece is worth it since significant time and money will be spent travelling from Italy to Greece>>

You can fly to Athens from Rome or Milan with airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Easyjet, Iberia, Vueling or Ryanair for a low price. The flight takes only 2 hours from Rome and 2,5 from Milan

sandralist

I think a trip should be built around content and what you want, personally, from the experience -- not based on pre-packaged travel formulas about what other people would find too difficult for them because of fixed ideas of travel they have in their heads.

If you are interested in the history of Europe, Athens is indispensable to understanding European history and present day Europe as well.

If you want a vacation immersed in self-indulgent pleasures (nothing wrong with that!), then Greece is just one European option among many and you should weigh for yourself whether its charms are worth the extra effort and expense of getting there.

But I would sooner go to Athens than Switzerland and many popular tourist destinations in France.

sandralist

Also, as clausar points out, it is not at all difficult to get to Athens from many points in Europe. It can be easier to fly to Athens than it can be to get to places like the Dordogne or the Amalfi coast in terms of ease of travel, expense and time consumed. Just because two destinations are in the same country doesn't mean they are easier to get to than two cities in different countries. This is especially true of Italy.

annhig

I agree with Sandralist that this should be your trip built around your interests. If you are interested in exploring places which can teach you about the history of european civilisation, then Athens and Rome are indispensable. But just going to Greece, even limiting yourselves to Athens, for just a couple of days/nights will not give you time to learn anything worthwhile and won't show you anything of Greece either.

Athens can be very hot in the summer - when are you thinking of taking this trip?

sandralist

I totally disagree that a couple of days in Athens " will not give you time to learn anything worthwhile". You can learn a stupendous amount simply spending a day in Athens and visiting the Acropolis area and the Acropolis museum.

In two days or 3 days you can observe a great many important things about Greece by visiting Athens. The notion you are going to become an expert on Italy or Switzerland by spending a day or 2 extra there is pretty questionable.

If you personally don't wish to make a brief visit to Athens as part of this trip that is highly understandable. But the notion that nobody learns anything in a short visit to Athens is not true. Many people learn things they never forget. Athens has tremendous, life-changing impact instantly on many, many, many travelers. It depends on who you are.

scissorwizard

Yes I agree. Last year we spent 2 days in Athens and visited quite a bit before going to the Island of Rhodes. We learned lots and so enjoyed the people and food. We were careful yet felt quite safe. Really enjoyed Athens.

greg

If your visit is during the high season in Greece, there are also direct flights to major islands like Santorini directly from several German cities.

annhig

But the notion that nobody learns anything in a short visit to Athens is not true. Many people learn things they never forget. Athens has tremendous, life-changing impact instantly on many, many, many travelers. It depends on who you are.>>

The one thing that I've learnt over 57 years of travel, is that to understand a country and a culture takes me longer than 2 days.

clearly, sandralist, I am much slower on the uptake than you.