slpearson

We're planning to fly from Los Angeles to Athens around September 26th for 2 weeks. I was thinking about the following itinerary but was wondering if I should allocate less time to Santorini and try and squeeze in Naxos as well (or perhaps do Naxos instead of Paros?). We want it to be relaxing, especially at the beginning when we first get there what with the jetlag, but we're not very good at lying on the beach the whole time and like to explore. Would really appreciate your input!

Day 1. Arrive in Athens and get connecting flight to Santorini.
Day 2: Santorini
Day 3: Santorini
Day 4: Santorini
Day 5: Santorini
Day 6: Ferry to Paros
Day 7: Paros
Day 8: Paros
Day 9: Fly to Athens. Drive to Nafplion.
Day 10: Nafplion (visit surrounding areas Mycenae, Corinth, Tyrins and Epidaurus)
Day 11: Nafplion (visit surrounding areas Mycenae, Corinth, Tyrins and Epidaurus).
Day 12: Drive to Athens. Visit the Acropolis and Parthenon in the late afternoon.
Day 13: Day trip to Delphi. Stay overnight in Athens.
Day 14. Fly home.

Mimar

Lots of days in Santorini, hardly anything in Athens, which has a lot to see.

Are you keeping the car for Delphi?

slpearson

I was thinking about doing an organized tour of Delphi from Athens and not taking the car. What do you recommend?

We love exploring sites but don't really enjoy days of museums, hence the shorter time in Athens.

HappyTrvlr

When you visit the ancient sites, there will be a museum where the valubable pieces have moved for safe keeping. The Archeological Museum in Athens is a real treasure.
I would take a day away from Santorini and add it to Athens or Napflion.
We stayed in Naoussa on Paros and enjoyed it much more than Santorini.

julia1

Cape Sounion with its Temple of Poseidon is an easy half-day visit from Athens. It's simply stunning at sunset when the setting sun makes the marble glow pink. The poet Byron mentions Sounion in his writings on Greece and you can search out his name inscribed on the Temple if you're interested in such things.

I love the area in and around the sites at Delphi. Wonderful place to wake up and explore in early morning. From the town there are magnificent views of the Corinthian Gulf and the olive groves of Pleistos Valley. If I were you I'd steal a night from Santorini and spend it at Delphi.

clausar

You can drive from Nafplio up North to Aegio , take the ferry boat to the mainland Agios Nikolaos village ( 30 minutes on sea, a wonderful short trip) and from there it is not far to Delphi.

You can stop on your way at the wonderful Galaxidi, eventually Itea and Amfissa and finally arrive and overnight in Delphi.

The whole drive would be 3 hours plus the ferry boat trip.
( this is a nice scenic drive on the coastal part of the Fokis prefecture).

Athens is much more than just the Acropolis...
Have a look at the official website of the city of Athens :
http://www.breathtakingathens.com

Heimdall

I see nothing wrong with the number of days you have allocated for Santorini if all you want to do is relax in a beautiful atmosphere, paying visits to Akrotiri and Ancient Thera, do a wine tour, and spend most of the rest of your time gazing at the caldera from the hotel terrace.

Bear in mind that after the end of September it will be very quiet on Paros (and Naxos). If you want to see what those islands are like off-season, that's the time to go. Many of the hotels, shops, and restaurants will have closed, but there will be some still open.

On the other hand, I see no sense in devoting only half a day to Athens just to see the Parthenon (which is located on the Acropolis, so more or less the same thing). That would be like going to New York only to see the Statue of Liberty and nothing else. Athens has much to see, and you could easily spend a week there and still miss out on many things. I've been to Athens many times myself, and still have a list of places in the city I haven't seen.

slpearson

Thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. I only wish we had more time. I really think we will need the first week to relax and unwind a bit. I'm wondering now if we should cut down on one night in Nafplion or not do Delphi in order to allow for an extra day in Athens?

Tommmo

We are flying in a week before you and have decided to go straight to the islands to chill out too.
Our way is to overnight in Athens then ferry to Sifnos 4 days then Paros (and Antiparos) 4 days and to Santorini also 4 days. This fits well with ferries.For the certainty of arriving Athens on schedule, we fly back from Santorini for our Athens visit 4 days.(Enough of a big city in one go) we then fly on to Rhodes and do Turkey ending at Istanbul.

mariha2912

Personally I would cut out Paros and use additional days on the mainland. More things to see and do in mainland, while Paros has not so much in terms of sight-seen in comparison, plus its charm is mostly outdoors/beach/summer oriented. Of course no way I would try to add Naxos or replace Paros with Naxos, no time for that.
Clausar unfortunately on my knowledge the ferry Aigio-Agios Nikolaos is not running!

If you keep Delphi on the itinerary and you do not want to drive there, I strongly suggest a DIY trip on public bus rather than an organized tour.

Heimdall

I would not cut one night from Nafplion. In fact, I agree with mariha that you should drop Paros and Naxos, and add the time to the mainland. If you do, you could even add a day to Nafplion to relax and enjoy the sights in that area. You don't have to go to the islands to find beautiful beaches, either. The Peloponnese, on the mainland, has some of the best beaches in Greece.

littlejane

I think your itinerary is just perfect...

slpearson

Thanks so much for you input. I really appreciate it!

Mimar

IMO the best way to visit Delphi is the way mariha suggested. Take the bus there in the late afternoon, stay the night, see Delphi the first thing in the morning, and return to Athens. That way you avoid the bus tour crowds, and it's a quieter, more affecting experience. But I don't know if you have time for this.

The problem is you want 2 trips in one, a relaxation trip and a sight-seeing trip. And, if you're interested in history and architecture, there is so much to see. Do you expect to return to Greece?

I'm just back from Greece. We spent a week in the Peloponnese (rented a villa) and visited Nafplio. I was a bit disappointed in the town; it's much bigger than I imagined and we got caught in traffic. Consider dropping Nafplio this trip and adding time for Athens and Delphi. There's a lot to see on the Peloponnese farther south, not to speak of Olympia. Maybe save all that for another trip.

We spent 4 nights on Santorini in Oia, which was exactly enough for us. We did some relaxing and some slow-paced sight-seeing. Santorini is truly mind-blowingly beautiful, one of my most memorable visits. (And great photos.)

Oh, and I liked Sounion too, though it's been many years now since our visit.

HappyTrvlr

Napflion has around 10,000 residents so isn't a village. Lots of history, dining choices, and from a personal experience, a competent ER in their Narional Hospital.It was one of our favorite places in all of Greece.
Can't say the same for Oia, packed with cruise ship tours, very touristy. Four days there was way too long.

clausar

Nafplio is a wonderful romantic city with lots to see in the city itself, but also nearby, such as Mycenae, Tiryns, Epidavros etc..
It's a must see city in my opinion

stanbr

The key to Nauplion is getting through the new city to the old town area. There you can slip back into time as you explore neo classic buildings, back alleys, waterfront promenade, a central square paved with marble and three Venetian era fortresses.
This area of Nauplion makes it one of the prettiest cities in Greece and is certainly a must see destination if you are in the Peloponnese
Here are some images.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/551991579dJbWvh