awestonm

Hi all - thank you for regularly contributing to this message board. I'm been trying to figure out the best travel path and your recommendations are so helpful!

Below I've listed our preliminary itinerary - would LOVE (and desperately need) any input. We'd like a mix of hanging out on the beach and relaxing and checking out historical sites. I'm looking for hotels up to $250/night (although would prefer to stay in the $175-$200 range).

We're (two mid-20s) leaving the US on April 30...

May 1st - arrive in Athens; staying two nights (I'm thinking at Hotel Central in Planka)

May 3rd - depart for Santorini; staying three nights (I'm trying to decide between VIP Suites, Delifni Suites, or Aris Caves). I orginally thought we'd take the ferry but since it may take more time to get from here to Turkey, perhaps we'll fly?

May 6th - depart for ??
- First option is Kos (however, it looks like the only ferry is from midnight arriving at 4:30am - could this be? Also I think this ferry only runs of May 5 and 7th); spend two nights
- Second option is Samos (however I havent been able to figure out the ferry connections, I have to go through Naxos of Paros, right? But how do I get from there to Samos?); spend two nights

Basically we're trying to get over to Turkey (and ultimately, Istanbul) via Bodrum from Kos or Kusadasi from Samos. One advantage of the Kusadasi route would be getting to see Ephesus.
However, it seems like we should take the route with the easiest travel plan. Both islands and coastal towns sound nice (although some on this board havent enjoyed Bodrum - any specifics?)
May 10 or 11th - fly to Istanbul from either Bodrum or Izmir
May 1th - Fly back to Athens and then home.

So sorry for the long post...appreciate any feedback!!

brotherleelove2004

At least you'd be saving daylight hours by taking the night ferry from Santorini to either Rhodes or Kos. From Naxos and Paros there's an Hellenic Seaways night ferry to Samos.

otherchelebi

Your questions are all in relation to the Greece part of your trip.

And incidentally, you left out the second digit of the date of your departure from Ist. to Ath. if you are staying two nights in Athens, you probably should stay 4-5 nights in Istanbul for the historic sites and the night life.

Just one note : Early May is not that good a beach time in the region. The weather may be chancy, the temperatures not that high and sea water will be rather cold (about 62-66F)
however, it is a very good time for hiking and visiting historic sites because there will be no crowds and the weather quite clement.

Jackie

I had plans to travel to Turkey and Rhodes Greece in Oct. I contacted travel agents in both countries for help with the transportation. The Greek agent could only deal with the Greek Islands and vice versa. In the end, it required alot of travel time and seemed too much of a hassle to get from one country to the other; we gave up rhodes for another time...my travel companions are very cranky about spending too much time traveling between locations. (I think I need new travel companions.)

That being said, I would work with a travel agent for the ferry piece in Greece and possibly for hotels. Doing so actually saved me money because they offered discounts on the hotels and tours; and, the ferry tickets were waiting for me at the hotel.

Did you already book roundtrip airfare to Athens? Did you know that you can fly into Athens and then back home via Istanbul using the multicity function?. It would save you some travel time. And, I think the cost was even slightly less when I looked into it.

awestonm

Thanks all - very much appreciate your input. Especially regarding the weather and the beach.

Since, I'm not sure when we'll be able to get back to this region of the world, I'd love to try to get to both Greece and Turkey (even if it means a bit of travel).

Any opinions about the Kos/Bodrum vs. Samos/Kusadasi route? It seems like some dont like on this forum dont like Bodrum. Also it seems like Kos is very resort-heavy.

Also, sorry for leaving out the last date - we would fly back on May 15th (definitely want to be able to spend 4 days in Istanbul)

awestonm

brotherleelove2004 - it looks like there are no departure times from Naxos/Paros to Samos on the week of May 5th (do you think they just havent scheduled yet?)

brotherleelove2004

Yes, that's what I think. I've noticed that HS has yet to release most schedules for dates after sometime in mid-April.

brotherleelove2004

To comment on your inquiry about Bodrum. I think it's an over-developed resort town, but it does have some points of interest, the Crusader castle and the Mausoleum being the most obvious. What I did like about the area was the charming small seaside village of Gumusluk, which is only about 30 minutes from Bodrum by local minibus (dolmus).

brotherleelove2004

I also enjoyed walking through the marinas to see all the lovely gulets. Some of them are really beautiful.

Vanessa_at_Fez

To be honest the time of year that you are travelling is a little difficult on greek ferries.

Would normally recommend Samos/Kusadasi but there are not really any viable connections till at least June. Usually need to go via Mykonos and Syros or Paros.
Cesme is another option but limited connections there as well.

As you have little time i would recommend maybe visiting the Greek islands and then flying or going overland to Istanbul from Athens. Buses and trains both take about 17hrs but significantly less expensive than flying.

As for Athens, being near the Plaka and Syntagma square is a good option. Try Hotel Zinon or Pythagoras Hotel, we use them for our Greece/Turkey tours. centrally located, Staff are great and prices reasonable.

Shame you cant wait till June then you could have just done one of our Greece&Turkey tours and had it all arranged for you.

Like you said as your in that part of the world try to visit both as Turkey is amazing and definately worth the extra effort.

Regards Vanessa

awestonm

Thanks Vanessa - that's exactly what I think we'll end up doing.

Flying into Athens (1 night), Mykonos (2 nights), Santorini (3 nights), Crete (3 nights), Istanbul (4 nights), Athens (1 night).

I'm so excited -- just wish we could have snuck in Ephesus!

Any thoughts on the above itnerary? Only connection I feel anxious about is the long travel time from Crete to Istanbul - there is a 3 hour flight (routed thru Athens of course) with Olympic but it leaves from Heraklion. We had planned on taking the ferry from Santorini into Heraklion, renting a car and flying out of Chania. Doesnt appear to be a Santorini to Chania ferry. Only Chania flight to Istanbul is 6 hours...but we may just do it.

Ramara

I would skip Mykonos. Then you could do Crete first, then Santorini and fly from Santorini to Istanbul via Athens.You could add the extra night to Athens.