Tabernash2

We are going to be there this September, so kind of a last-minute trip, compared to how I usually plan in advance. DH has a conference in Vienna for one week, then we fly to Athens. In Vienna, I will be on my own during the days, which I enjoy. I've been there once before, and feel comfortable finding my way around. I will definitely see the Lipizzaner's Morning Exercise with Music, and stables. And will window shop in the designer stores. Maybe visit Hofburg Palace.

Favorite restaurants in Vienna?

For the first time, I bought a vacation package from CostcoTravel.com, for the portion of our trip in Greece. As I was looking for hotels myself, I noticed lots of them were already filled for our dates.

Costco had choices for really nice hotels, including breakfast buffets and some extras, also all ground transport and ferries. Made it really easy. Maybe more high-end hotels than we usually choose, but my airfare is all covered, with just 60,000 United miles. And most of DH's airfare is paid, plus lodging in Vienna. So we can splurge on lodging in Greece.

Itinerary is:
Arrive Athens at night
Stay 2 nights in Athens @ Hotel Grande Bretagne
Stay 3 nights on Santorini @ Gold Suites
Stay 3 nights in Athens @ The Westin Athens, Astir Palace Beach Resort
Fly home the next afternoon
Total of 8 nights

We think that's a good combination of places, and a good pace for us.

Our full day in Athens, we will visit the Acropolis and other antiquities near the hotel.
Any recommendations for restaurants nearby? Favorite way to visit ancient Athens?

On Santorini, what should we do? Right now, I just want to gaze at the water from our balcony! I think there's a city bus that will take us to the black sand beach, and the Costco phone rep highly recommended Akrotiri-- an ancient town to see. We don't want a car.

Any restaurant recommendations are appreciated. We plan on eating fresh fish 24/7.

Finally, we wind down at the Westin beach resort. Any recommendations? We are wondering about scuba diving and snorkeling. Are there opportunities in mid-September? Also restaurants near the Westin?

Thank you so much. I have wanted to visit Greece for a long time. Can't wait.

Odin

In Santorini, we really enjoyed the tavernas at Ammoudi which is close to Oia. You can reach the tavernas via steps down from Oia and they are right on the seafront. We ate at Katina's quite alot of times. Although we ate in other places, this simple traditional taverna with fresh fish was our favourite. You can go swimming in Ammoudi too, during the day. If you turn left at the bottom of the steps and follow the path round to an access point into the water.

We did scuba diving in Santorini at Navys Waterworld (Kamari), very good. The bus service was very efficient.

brotherleelove2004

There is also a road down to Amoudi Bay below Oia so if you take a taxi from your hotel they'll drop you off, and the restaurant will call for one to pick you up when you're ready to return. There are now 4 fish tavernas down there. My fave is also Katina's.

The bus that passes through Imerovigli goes to Oia in one direction and Fira in the other. To reach one of the black sand beaches in Perissa or Kamari you have to change buses in Fira. Fira is the island's bus hub so if you want to go to Akrotiri you would catch that bus in Fira as well. Try to get there in the morning when they open to avoid the crowds.

In Athens you MUST go to the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. They house the most amazing collections from Ancient Greece. The Acropolis Museum also has an excellent restaurant on the premises.

By the way, the Gold Suites look absolutely amazing. Enjoy!

Tabernash2

Thank you! I'm having slight buyer's remorse: should we stay 4 nights in Santorini and finish with 2 at the Westin beach resort? I have us booked now, do 3 and 3. DD thinks that's a mistake.

I'm not sure if I can change the dates, but probably can. Costco call center is closed now. Not a biggee if we can't. It will be nice to stay right at the beach, before we leave.

travelerjan

Keep your reservations as is, a good balance, don't overthink.

brotherleelove2004

If possible, save ALL your time in Athens for the end so you aren't backtracking needlessly. Upon arrival in Greece fly right out to Santorini. Stay for 5 nights and then spend 3 nights in Athens before you return home. There's plenty to see and do on Santorini. 5 nights will literally fly by.

Tabernash2

brotherleelove, I just found your quote in my Fodor's Greece book. I think circa 2010.

I'm calling Costco Travel tomorrow, to see if I can date-shift.

brotherleelove2004

They used that quote for a couple of different years.

Good luck, I hope you succeed!

Heimdall

Do you mean the Westin resort in Vouliagmeni? I guess that would be good if you don't want to stay in central Athens, but you already plan to stay at GB at the beginning of the trip.

If it's beaches you want, consider stopping at Naxos on the way back to Athens. It's only two hours by ferry from Santorini. The beaches are much better, and you will see a different aspect of Greece from Santorini and Athens.

I agree with brotherleelove that it would be better to save Athens until the end of the trip. You could fly straight to Santorini on a flight connecting with the one from Vienna (or early next morning if too late). There could even be direct flights from Vienna to Santorini (check Air Berlin and Niki).

cathies

I know you said you don't want a car, but driving on Santorini is really easy and will let you explore in detail. Maybe reconsider that. We hired one just for one full day and had a great time. Akrotiri is definitely worthwhile. It was closed when we were there which was so disappointing, but other friends have been there and enjoyed it immensely.

At the National Archeological Museum in Athens, don't miss the sculpture wing which is fabulous. It's worth a visit just for that if the rest doesn't appeal.

HappyTrvlr

Akrotiri is the ruins of the ancient Bronze Age Minoans on Santorini, desteoyed by the volcano. It is a must see, beautiful frescoes. It recently reopened after it was closed in 2005 when the roof covering the excavations collapsed killing tourists; we arrived on Santorini a few days later. It is the reason we returned to Santorini two years ago. Some of the frescoes are also in the National Archeology Museum in Athens.

Tabernash2

Gotta LOVE Costco. No problem at all to change length of stays. Except the junior suite I'd reserved for 3 nights, was not available for 5 nights. Had to upgrade to a superior suite for the 5 nights, at a price increase. Oh, well. You only live once!

Now the plan is:
Arrive Athens at night
Stay 2 nights in Athens @ Hotel Grande Bretagne
Stay 5 nights on Santorini @ Gold Suites
Stay 1 nights in Athens @ The Westin Athens, Astir Palace Beach Resort
Fly home the next afternoon
Total of 8 nights

Tabernash2

PS So, I went on-line @ CostcoTravel to double-check.
Sure enough, I found the junior suite available for all 5 nites.

I guess my cancellation opened it up.
Reserved it. Saved the $700 upgrade. Yay!

Now, I can focus on daily adventures.

Thanks for your recommendations. Keep 'em coming, plz.

brotherleelove2004

Check here: http://tinyurl.com/zsom6hx

Tabernash2

Thanks, brother. Will do. So excited we are staying 5 nites.

JUESnyc

The wineries we plan to visit I know you were looking for some: (from my own research)
Hatzidakis Winery

canava Roussos on the road to Kamari in Mesa Gonia. They offer wine tastings with traditional Santorini food every day from 11am to 7pm.

Sigalas Estate is probably the most famous wine outside of Santorini and their winery is located near Oia in the area called Baxedes where they offer tastings and food samplings from April through September.

GAVALAS WINERY,

Tabernash2

Thank you, JUESync.

JUESnyc

Also, our friends just returned from Santorini and took an amazing sunset tour boat ride which starts in the afternoon to see and swim at some beaches, and then they had a sunset bbq

JUESnyc

Also Tabernash2 from other threads and blogs I read about these restaurants and things to doWhich I put on our Greece list!)

There are various boats that offer a cruise in the caldera out to the volcano, Nea Kameni, and swim in hot springs at Palea Kamen

Amoudi Bay for a seafood lunch
Metaxi Mas - best restaurant located behind a little church.

For wonderful meals, can highly recommend Salt & Pepper nearby. The food and the hosts make for very memorable experiences

halfapair

Tabermash2 - I look forward to reading your trip report, especially about Santorini. DH & I are planning a trip to Greece in 2017 and are thinking of spending 5 nights on Santorini, as well.