lancam

Heading to Europe for the first time in May. 9 full days on the ground. Original plan was Paris and Crete (5 and 4 days, respectively), but I would really like to see Barcelona as well. Will adding Barcelona in on a "preview" trip be too much (3 days each)? Planning to fly from Paris to Barcelona, fly from Barcelona to Athens and overnight ferry from Athens to Crete, then fly from Crete to Paris. Thank you in advance for your advice!

clausar

In my opinion, it doesn't make sense to go all the way from Barcelona to Athens and then to Crete for 3 days.....

Maybe you haven't realized the size of Crete.... The distance from east to west of the island is about 350 km...
In 3 days you won't be able to see anything, so why not save it for another trip?

mjs

Agree with Clausar

progol

Agreed! I would do Paris and Barcelona, but not include Crete. Waay too much traveling without enough time to really see anything.

mamcalice

I agree that your current plan is too much for 9 days. I would do either Crete alone or Paris and Barcelona.

ParisAmsterdam

And with only 9 days, try to fly into Paris and out of Barcelona or vice versa. Crete has no place in this vacation with only 9 days available.

lancam

Thank you all! Going with my sister and she doesn't want to go to Barcelona at all so trying to satisfy too many agendas. We do not plan to see the entire island of Crete, only our resort in Elounda and the town you can walk to. Lazy relaxation and to enjoy the views.

StCirq

Good, then forget Barcelona. But Paris and Crete isn't a "natural" combination; you have only 9 days - why not Athens and Crete or a more geographically logical combination?

lancam

@StCirq - Were Starwood loyal, both wanted to do the Greek Isles (essentially we wanted to do city for a half the trip and then relax by the water). The Blue Palace fit best with our schedules, hotel availability and passed our TripAdvisor review. She wanted to do Athens and I don't care to see it. Again, agendas...

lancam

@StCirq - We realize the Greek Isles arent the closest to Paris, but just doing what we want to do!

clausar

<< but just doing what we want to do!>>

in that case, what advice are you expecting?

Not sure you have been to Elounda before, but Elounda is not Crete...
It is just a spot with luxury hotels.. and the village of Elounda is not vert appealing ( at least to me).

There are many more interesting places to see

lancam

@clausar - That statement was in response to StCirqs specific followup question about a geographically logical combination. My original question and reason for my post (as you can see above) is regarding the addition of Barcelona which advice was received upon, taken, and followed. Thank you for your input on Elounda, though numerous sources note it as being on the island of Crete!

janisj

"<i>Thank you for your input on Elounda, though numerous sources note it as being on the island of Crete!</i>"

Clauser didn't say it isn't <B>ON</B> Crete. Clauser said IT isn't Crete. "<i>but Elounda is not Crete...</i>"

Meaning it isn't like going to a Greek Isle but just going to some resort anywhere.

And you say you have 9 days on the ground. That will not give you 3 days in 3 places. You must factor in travel times From either Barcelona or Paris it will take a full day to get to Crete. And it takes half a day to get from Paris to Barcelona.

parosblue

iancam,
Talk to your sister and narrow the scope. You are trying to move too far for the amount of time you have. Decide which two places you want to visit most and then go for it. Certainly you could get to three, but it will create an itinerary memorable only for the logistics of traveling not for the places visited.

StCirq

<<just doing what we want to do!>>

Well, it's a totally crazy plan, but do what you want to do! Why did you even come here and ask if you were going to "do what we want to do?"