kc1

I've got our airline tickets booked to Greece for 3 weeks in June (used points, yeah!). So now I'm planning our intinerary. So far I am leaning towards starting with a short (4-5 day) "classical" tour featuring Mycenae, Nauplion, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora. Then we would like to head to the Greek Islands of Santorini, Rhodes and Crete. Of course, we will also spend some time in Athens.
My question is, to all you travellers who have visited Greece...was there any one place that was "magical/special/unique" that you would recommend to a first time visitor?
I look forward to your comments.
Thanks,
K.C.

carolyn

It was Delphi for me. The feel of antiquity walking up the Sacred Way to the Oracle, the charm of the little town, the Charioteer in the Museum--I just really loved it all.

There is a thread on here somewhere about books to read before you go to Greece to get you in the mood.

brotherleelove2004

For me it's always been Oia, the northernmost village on Santorini. there's something so timeless and spiritual about that whole island, and Oia in particular. I went there to look around and stayed 6 months. Two years later I went back for another 6 months. I've been back two more times since and hope to return next June. Maybe I'll see you there!

bobthenavigator

Yes, it has to be Oia. And specifically Katrina's Taverna at Ammoudi 600 feet down the caldera from Oia.

indytravel

Santorini and Delphi did it for me in October.

You're right. Athens is a given. The Acropolis is stunning.

Just a few meters north of the Acropolis ticket office is a set of steel stairs off to the west. Climb these, then the rocks, to sit and watch the sunset. It's beautiful.

TopMan

I'd have to agree with Santorini. You can actually get an organized tour of the so-called "classical sites" if that suits you (usually Delphi, Corinth, Naphlion, and Olympia are included).

June is a great time to go, too, since it isn't as hot as it will get later in the Summer and not as crowded; the sun not so intensely blinding but still fabulous weather.

brotherleelove2005

The tourist trashy pseudo 'magical/special/unique' can certainly be found on Santorini with ease. Rodos even more trashy. Crete is probably your best bet from the ones you mention, something like one of the lesser visited gorges for example. Alternatively you could try some of less visited islands where of course such things are in abundance.

DougP

Magical: the beach at Preveli on the south side of Crete, the frescoes from Knossos at the museum in Heraklion, the monastery at Arkadi, the small town of Agia Galini on the south coast of Crete, the Harbour in Chania, the beach at Elafonissi and the Samarian gorge and finally the drive along the west coast of Crete from Falasarna to Elafonissi.

kc1

This is a message from K.C., the original poster...thank you for all those who have replied so far!
I thought I should clarify my question a little bit, i.e., is there any special place we should go in Greece that is not in our tentative plans? I would hate come home from Greece and hear someone say, "Oh, you should have gone to ??????????????????, it was the favourite part of our vacation".
I'm afraid we won't get a second chance to go back to Greece, and I want to get it right the first time!
Thanks again for any and all comments.
K.C.

toni

I'm with the boys on this one. Oia all the way. A tasteful, very peaceful place. Oh, Brotherlove, six months in that gorgeous spot, I envy you. As well, I feel the islands all have a certain magic. As long as you look for the crowds and then walk or drive in the opposite direction, there a million beautiful spots to be found. A day sailing on a yacht around the small islands off Paros with sea spray in your face, Greek classical music playing and snorkelling in clear waters off the boat would also count as "died and gone to heaven".

PurpleNeon

For me, my magical place was Paros. I often wonder if it is because we didn't know very much about the island before getting there. We rented a little car and I loved, loved our full day tour! Highlights were: stopping by the side of the road to buy homemade certamics; taking the ferry to Antiparos (touring the cave and eating lunch at a taverna with octopus's drying in the sun!); stopping at Petaloudes (the butterfly valley); cafe time in Parikia at a beautiful outdoor cafe under a tree; Lefkes was practically my favorite stop of the whole trip (a beautiful, unspoiled mountain town with the most fabulous marble church--we stopped there in late afternoon and there wasn't a soul around, just us wandering through this amazing town) and of course ending the day off in Naoussa where we came upon some sort of dancing party on the pier where of course we had to join in!

oops! I went on for awhile didn't I?

Santorini is a must--surely it must be one of the most visually stunning places in the world.

My other favorite was Chania on Crete--just a wonderful place to spend a day or two wandering around.

Boy, this thread has suddenly made me very nostalgic for our trip! I think I will wander away from the computer to moon over my scrapbook!!

oddy

There are so many "magical" places in Greece, and it is very difficult to visit them all. It will be quite common to hear Ohh, you havent gone to ... place?
Anyway, I would suggest you should go to Karpenisi and visit the old villages 'Old Village - Palio Xorio' and 'Tiny Old Village - Mikro Palio Xorio'. They are fantastic. These villages give you the sense like being in the middle ages. Full of firs and other trees, and houses build only from stone and wood. The view is absolutely great.

Charley1965

The village of Molyvos on Lesvos is absolutely stunning. The old cobbled streets leading to the hilltop castle are beautiful. The harbour is simply the most picturesque I have ever seen in Greece. I have been to Greece may times and this remains my favourite. The quality of the restaurants is also a high standard. Absolutely magical!

http://www.molivos.net/index.htm