Kavisha

This is our itinerary.. It would be great if you could suggest things to do and places to visit in these places. Also is the bus service in all these places good and reliable. Should we do any day trips from Athens like delphi?
Day 1 Arrive Athens
Day 2 Ferry to Naxos
Day 3 Naxos
Day 4 naxos
Day 5 Santorini from Naxos
Day 6 Santorini
Day 7 Santorini
Day 8 Ferry to athens
Day 9 Athens to Nafplio Bus /Taxi
Day 10 Nafplio
Day 11 Nafplio to Athens
Day 12 One day sight seeing
Day 13 Athens to Mumbai

Thanks
KAvisha

Kavisha

We are going in November. Forgot to post that!!

stevelyon

I haven't been to many of the places you are visiting but I have been to Santorini - just soaking up the atmosphere of the northern towns is an experience in itself. I sat at a restaurant in Fira with the thick mist rolling in from the sea, and I will never forget it.

greg

I have just stayed in Naxos and currently in Santorini. After spending time in Naxos, the crushingly touristy Santorini is contrasting. In fact, it even feels Santorini visitors are either honeymooners or people on cruise ships. Today there were five cruise ships in Santorini. However, November is off season even in Santorini. Naxos restaurants and beaches were either deserted already or only about 20% full at most crowded beaches. I was told in Naxos that many of what were left would close in November for the season.

stanbr

While I have never been to Naxos or Santorini in the off season a friend of mine does visit Naxos in the winter and has lovely pictures of deserted beaches. If you are looking for solitude you probably are going to the right place. Hotel Coronos on the Naxos waterfront is open all year round so there is accommodation. Naxos has a permanent populations so there will be some tavernas still open as well but for the most part greg is correct you are travelling way off season so not much will be open.
Nafplion is a good choice because it is so close to Athens and even in the off season is a destination for Athenians on the weekend. You may want to spend a bit more time there.
Another alternative would be to go to Chania Crete or even Rhodes Town. You could fly to either of these places when you arrive. Both are further south so you might increase you chance of a bit more sun. Both have permanent populations so there will be more places open than on the islands.

Heimdall

You didn't ask for itinerary suggestions, so I won't make any. The itinerary you have already outlined looks fine to me. What you did ask for was "things to do and places to visit" in the locations you have chosen.

First of all, the bus services on Naxos and Santorini are very good, but you will find a reduced service in November. What that means is there will be fewer buses mid-day, and the service will end earlier in the evenings than during summer.

Naxos has some interesting inland villages, a beautiful main town (chora) and long sandy beaches. With any luck the weather will be nice enough for a swim. You won't have a problem getting to a village by bus in the morning, then returning to town in the afternoon. What would be difficult is doing a tour of several different villages in one day.

Santorini has many things to do. Apart from caldera views there are the archaeological sites of Akrotiri and Ancient Thera, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, wineries, black sand beaches, etc. The hub for bus service on the island is at Fira. In fact, since you will be there off season, Fira is probably the best place to stay.

I'm not very familiar with Nafplio, but know there are many archaeological sites in the vicinity. If you are interested in those things you may want to find an extra day to spend there. There is an excellent KTEL Argolidas bus service from Athens to Nafplio, with departures throughout the day: http://www.ktel-argolidas.gr/?module...s_id=5&lang=en. Buses leave from the Kifissos Station in Athens.

With the hot weather you have in India, somehow I think you are looking for a change of pace in Greece. It will certainly be jacket weather most of the time you are there, with rain on some days.

shekat

I know this wasn't my post, but I really enjoyed reading the tips from everyone, so a big thanks.

I am travelling to Greece in October (flying to Athens on 30 September) and have been researching possible itineraries.

Cheers,

Kat

stanbr

Well I am glad Heimdall was paying attention and actually answered your question.
I will take a second try.
Naxos is a large Island with excellent beaches. You will probably want to visit a few of them just to see the water and cloud formations. Naxos town is a warren of tiny back alleys. In season it is full of little shops. Not sure about November but it will still be worthwhile wandering around and going up into the kastro area.
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
Naxos has lovely mountain villages to explore. the bus system is very good but might be set up for locals with early morning runs and late afternoon runs returning. Check at the bus office right by the ferry dock for schedules. of particular interest would be Foloti where you can sit in the central square whth all the old men drinking coffee. Chalki is a charming village and has a great walk around the outskirts of town. You can easily spend 3 hours on that walk.
Aparanthos is another great village. All its streets are paved with marble.
Naxos Mountains and Villages http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632110674306/
Santorini has spectacular views but it also has some interesting villages that the average tourist misses. Look for Finikia near Oia and see how Greece used to be. Also the town of Pyrgos is high up with a walled area around the acropolis. From there you can see the whole island.
Santorini http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632154800782/

Lastly Nafplion. It is a perfect center for exploring the surrounding area. It has a charming old town area and three Venetian era fortresses. You can spend a couple of days there easily. Also in the area is ancient Corinth (the Roman city) Ancient Nemia a sister city to Olympia, Ancient Tyirns the home of Heracles Ancient Mycenae and Epadaurus with its wonderful acoustics. You might have to spring for a taxi to get you to some of these a car rental would be best. You could check at the bus station to see where the local buses go.
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/
Hopefully this gives you some idea of what you can see and do.

nanabee

Your itinerary looks fine to me as well. Nafploi is really nice. I don't understand what you mean by Bus/Taxi (from Athens)? I certainly wouldn't take a taxi from Athens to Nafploi if that is what you meant! If you mean a taxi to get to Mycenae (which I recommend you see) it'd be far better and cheaper to rent a car for a few days.

We stayed at the Pension Marianna and loved it. I know another Fodorite recommends this place as well. Ask for a view room (they are spectacular).

http://hotelmarianna.gr/

Kavisha

Hey..
Thanks a lott everyone... Yeaah being in india with the hot weather.. we were looking for a change... I had tried to search for what all we could see in these places.. but wanted your advise.. thanks for it everyone.. hopefully the itinerary that we have made works out good.. waiting to come to greece and explore it.. Anymore suggestions for the trip are most welcome...

Kavisha

hi,

Also we are not looking for car rentals..since my husband n i are physically challenged so were avoiding car rentals..hence were looking for a taxi or bus options..
thanks
Kavisha

Heimdall

You won't need a rental car. I've been to Greece many, many times, and have always relied on public transport. The bus system is very good everywhere I've been, and when that doesn't work a taxi will. I hope your physical limitations don't prevent walking, climbing stairs, etc.

Kavisha

Hi,
Thanks for your response heimadall.. ya we can manage walking and climbing.. its just driving is difficult.. thanks for your information about the buses and your experience..
thanks
Kavisha

Kavisha

Hiiiiii Everyone..
Sorry for the really really late response but had an awesome trip to Greece.. Would want to go back again someday.. Thank u all for the tips and suggestions.. really helped us all to enjoy the place to the fullest... Thank u once again..

stanbr

Thank you for getting back to us and letting us know how it went. Do you have any thoughts or tips about your visit in the November off season that you might be willing to share with the forum.

takemewithu

Kavisha, I second stanbr. we will be going to many of the places you went to. I am eager to hear more about how your trip went. Glad to hear you had a great time.