wilees

Asking for suggestions for 1 - 2 islands to visit.

As part of a long Europe trip I am visiting Greece for the first time in late April. We are participating in a land tour for 8 days then I wanted to see 1 - 2 islands for a few days (max 8).

But as every good marriage requires compromise. Rules are
A) no more flights for L (terrified flier)
B) avoid long ferry rides for P (seasick)

Husband really wanted to see Crete but I think A and B rule this out. I wanted to see Santorini (which is still a possibility).

Do you have any suggestions for 1 or 2 islands that meet A & B that would give us a taster of Greece?? We are fairly active travellers - husband loves Greek Mythology, natural beauty. Would like a beach but we don't sit on beaches (scares other tourists away) so not essential - and it will be only April.

brotherleelove2004

Aegina and Hydra are short ferry rides from Athens/Piraeus, no more than 2 hours. Santorini is 7 hours by ferry. Aegean Airlines has the best fares if you're going to fly.

http://www.aegean-air.gr/aegeanen/hom

cooncat

Those ferries are huge and they go pretty slowly. Are you sure seasickness would be an issue? I don't remember it being very wooze-inducing. The "speedy" ferries would be out, however. Good luck!

wilees

The only ferry we did was from Caen to Portsmouth (English channel) - is it calmer water around the Greek Islands?

texstout

I would second Hydra. I loved every minute of it!

Vera

The waters of the Aegean are pretty calm in April, generally. I'm curious about how you are getting to Greece without flying or boat trips. Coming from North America? Perhaps L could have a stiff drink and get on board the very short flight from Athens to Crete and then stay there for several days. Both could probably take the short ferry ride to Santorini from Crete. I wouldn't want to miss Crete for a case of white knuckles. It is a fabulous place.
Vera

wilees

We are flying into Greece. Boat trip to Italy and training all the way back to London.

And we have already flown 22 hours to get to London. (certainly not the favourite 22 hours of my life!!)

I know it sounds all a bit silly.

Has anybody done the ferry ride to Crete - it is very bumpy??

DenverDice

HYDRA, HYDRA, HYDRA!!

It's close to Athens - a short ferry ride. It's beautiful, calm, and while there are certainly touristy aspects, you can get a taste of island life depending on where you stay and how much exploring you do on foot. I can't say enough about this island - it's my happy place.

I would recommend the Hotel Angelica. Bratsera is overpriced.

Dine at the Sunset Restaurant over the cliffs for a wonderful experience. Take a water taxi to one of the rocky beaches on the other side of the island. (No sandy beaches on Hydra) You get dropped off and it's a bit like Giligan's Island at first, but there are regular boats that come back to pick you up. Very fun.

Jojonana

I also recommend POROS (one hour boar ride from Pireus). We loooooooooved our stay there this year. Out of the beaten path, great tavernas, a real Greek experience. Also, only 5 minutes from the mainland, and perfect driving distance to see Epidaurus, Nafplion, etc. in a day. Check out this great place, the owner is VERY helpful and we were more than satisfied with everything. http://www.storoloi-poros.gr

wilees

So that makes three votes for Hydra. And likely we will go to Hydra. I just have to find accommodation for the days we will be there.

Heimdall

You said "...then I wanted to see 1 - 2 islands for a few days (max 8)." A few days on Hydra sounds good, but if you plan to spend as many as eight, perhaps you should think of one or two other islands as well.

Hydra, Poros, and Aegina are all in the Saronic Gulf, and Hydra is the farthest away from Pireaus of the three. These islands seem a good choice for you and husband, as they are

Heimdall

...not far from Pireaus and in a relatively sheltered area. Once out of the Saronic Gulf the seas are rougher, but usually the Aegean is fairly placid anyway.

Regarding getting to these islands, there are hydrofoils, which are fast, but noisy and smelly. They rise up onto wings under the hull (hydrofoils), and if the weather is calm the ride is smooth. If you want a larger vessel, conventional ferries take a lot longer to get there.

spartakos

Aegina is an option you should consider.

There are many ferries going back and forth from Piraeus per day and by flying dolphin it's only 35 minutes.

Remember to check out the Temple of Aphaia if you do decide to go.

One of these days I'd love to check out Hydra for a day ...

wilees

OK. I have hit a snag. I had decided to go to both Hydra and Poros - with 3 nights between the two.

However, husband booked the flights and so we will not get in until 5pm. Too late for a ferry I imagine. Should we stay in Athens and then travel out again in the morning and just spend 2 nights on one of the islands. Possible Poros?

We will be back in Athens for 3 nights as part of a land tour later.

It just feels like a total waste of a night. Any suggestions of where to spend it?

(I really should know not to trust him since the time he booked 8pm flights instead of 8am flights to a 2pm wedding - not ours thankfully).

Heimdall

Don't look at it as a waste of a night. Enjoy your evening in Athens, but get up early the next day for a morning ferry to Hydra or Poros. It's too early for an accurate timeable, but my guess is there will be a departure around 0730-0800. There are some phone numbers to call on http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w..._00/00/0000_43 if you want to find out in advance.

Go easy on your husband - we all make mistakes. Last year I booked a London-Athens flight with HellasJet, and three weeks before departure the airline went belly-up. My rescheduled flight meant one night at the Heathrow Holiday Inn, and another at Athens Airport Sofitel instead of a half-day journey to the islands.

polly229

I am no stranger to mal-de-mer myself and was concerned about the trip from Santorini to Crete last May. Took the high-speed cat, 2 hr. trip and I could have been sitting on a park bench for all I knew. (Well, the seat is harder and the view is more inviting in the park.) So if you can get to Santorini, you can get from there to Crete, which was great. (How you'll get back, I can't say. We flew - flights are 45 min. or less to just about any island.)

What I would avoid is the hydrofoils. I remember reading one time "twice as fast, twice as expensive, twice as sick." But I also read on this forum sometime recently that they are replacing a lot of the traditional ferries and hydrofoils with high-speed cats. So maybe you can find plenty of them. Not impossibly expensive - I think about the same as the hydrofoils.

alltimetraveler

You should go to Ydra, Poros or Aigina (very close to Athens).
I would also suggest Amorgos, which is one of the most picturesque islands in the aegean (I would say a "virgin island&quot. However you will need a ship from Athens (at least 4 hours if I remember well)

DenverDice

If you still need a hotel in Hydra, consider Hotel Angelica - they have a big web presence so will be easy to find. I found it reasonably priced, well located, clean, nice.

Also - for your extra night in Athens area, it might be tempting to stay in Pireaus (the port you leave from for the islands), but don't bother. Athens is so close by and much more fun. Perhaps you can stay in a different area than you are staying for your later land tour?

However, I remember taking a late ferry one day, so your 5 p.m. flight may not be a big deal. 5:00 in Greece is relatively early still, since they are night owls.

JBX

http://www.magicaljourneys.com/Greec...ney/index.html

MacPrague

ttt