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Planning 10 day trip from Athens around Greece

Planning 10 day trip from Athens around Greece

Old Jan 13th, 2015, 05:23 AM
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Planning 10 day trip from Athens around Greece

Hi - our two teenage children and ourselves plan on visiting Greece on the way to UK in early April and would like some help planning our trip so that we can get a taste of the country and an island, and obviously including Athens.We love hiking/biking/swimming and History! Had thought of staying no less than two nights in each place we stay in and possibly 3 nights on an island, to prevent a mad rush and get a feel of each place. Your suggestion would be most welcome. Thanks
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Old Jan 13th, 2015, 07:08 AM
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In APril, you'll have plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking but alas not for swims! a major mistake is to equate the Aegean/Mediterranean with the Caribbean -- look at a map & you'll see the error. Aegean is about parallel to N. Carolina, VA, and you know you don't swim then.

Where are you coming from? US? Usually UK is on the way to Greece, not vice-versa. If you have a choice, I would suggest Britain earlier, because you'll be doing sightseeing that's not as weather dependent in UK, and you can reach Greece later. Also, Easter is APril 12 -- its the biggest Holiday of year for Greece & can affect transport, hotel space, AND closures of sites, museums, restaurants, etc. I'd advise arriving AFTER that big blow-out, so Greeks can concentrate on welcoming you.

FOr us to give the best advice, if you have exact dates, please share. When you say "10 days", does that mean 10 days "on the ground" or does that include travel to/from? If the latter, you may have only a bit more than 8 days. Are you coming from US or from UK? or where? That also will affect time of day arrival AND jet-lag (altho I usually recommend "powring thru" the lag, and then having an early night).

With 9 days in Greece, to get to an interesting Island & back to mainland may require your 4some doing a domestic flight at least one way @ about $75 ... are you up for that? Another thing to consider when doing some planning -- you can waste precious hours going from AIrport into Central Athens, checking into/out of hotel, etc. Since you'd have to do it at the END of your visit anyway, think about avoiding a double-trip. From arrival at ATH airport either
(1) rent a car and swoop off on modern highway, across Corinth Canal a 2.5 hr drive for 3+ days in magical Nafplio, on a peninsula (feels like an island), Greeks consider it their most beautiful Old Town. In Argolid area, most history-packed region of all outside of athens. This website shows hightlights of this beautiful area (forts, castles,digs, ruins, beaches!) http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnafplio.com/Home.html Then zoom back to airport, take domestic flight to NAXOS or PAROS for 3 days. Then take evening ferry back to Mainland for final 3+ days in ATHENS sightseeing.

(2) A switcheroo: take soonest-available flight to an Island (Naxos, Paros, Santorini), take ferry? Flight? back to Mainland, pick up hire car, zoom to Nafplio, the back to ATH for final 2-3 days of sights.

Please return to this thread and give vital details, so people can offer feasible scenarios. I also urge you to look at some guidebooks (the library has plenty, no need to buy), because it's hard to see the big picture just with Internet -- Guidebooks serve as a Filter, help u to focus.
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Old Jan 13th, 2015, 10:43 AM
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travelerjan Thanks so much for your reply. We're on our way to the UK to visit family, coming from South Africa, so jet lag not expected. We arrive on the 2nd of April at lunchtime and fly to UK on the 12th at lunchtime (Easter Sunday). We're actually meeting my brother in Athens to do the trip with us. Our children are (boy 18 and girl 15). They're fit and active youngsters. We had thought of 3 days on Hydra? Also, hiring a car a round trip up to Delfi, Gulf Corinth, Olympia, Andritsaina, Nafplion, Epidavros, Mycenae. Is this trying to pack too much in? What would you suggest we leave out if yes - too much? Could one base oneself in Nafplion and do trips to some of the above? We're on a VERY tight budget due to poor exchange rate so flights to Santorini, for example make it difficult. We really want our children to appreciate and experience the Greek lifestyle as much as possible and are looking for very affordable, yet safe accommodation.
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Old Jan 13th, 2015, 12:34 PM
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GOOD. Details make it much clearer. Some misc. reactions:

First off, Do you know anything about Hydra except it's handier, only a 2 hour ferry? Me, I'm not that big a fan of Hydra... lovely harbor, and then what ??? Nothing historical/hiking etc of interest. 3 days, no beach activity. major teen boredom. There are better choices (see below). And getting your times suggests a way to do a farther isle without flights.

Yes, too much -- better to drop some things. there will be 5 adult-size bodies of you in the car, so let's cut back on long drives AND I suggest u rent a large-size car ... my fave agency for good prices, good service is http://www.budget-athens.gr/default.aspx (note the hyphen; this is an ATH-owned agency... v.good service). YOu will be having 5 adults with FIVE good-size roll-on bags plus day bags. That will be a squeeze in full size car like Accent, maybe even in Mercedes. If any of your menfolk are tall, maybe even think about 7 psgr car. Budget-Athens has a VW "Caddy Max", holds a lot but doesn't look like/handle like a truck.

Arriving week before Easter presents challenges; Greeks are busy celebrating;moving around, so u must plan carefully. AND lodging costs can go up too. My thoughts:

Skip Ollympia, Andritsiana ... and think about Delphi carefully. Possible Scenario:

APRIL 2 -- Arrive 12? out of Airport 1:30: bus x94 to Piraeus. Catch daily 1730 Blue Star Ferry (large, modern, 1600 passengers) to either PAROS (Arrive 9:45) or NAXOS (10:45). Economy seats about 32-34E. I like Naxos better, Paros is 1 hour closer. Plenty of "Family units" in Naxos right on St. George beach adjoining town for about 50-60E per night; w. a kitchenette u can do own breakfasts, picnic lunches, snacks, just eat out at night.

APRIL 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 -- NAXOS. Hiking, sunbathing, exploring fascinating town & ancient sites. Bikes for rental. LOts to see/do. Here's a friends great photo album "A week in JUne'14" https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645113682278/ and "A Trip Around Naxos" https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7634605629689/ -- no need to rent car except maybe 1 day to drive inland for amazing landscapes... and to see farmers shearing sheep, catching lambs for Easter. @ 6 PM, catch ferry back to PIREAUS/ATH.

APRIL 6-7-8 (M-T-W) Athens sightseeing
APRIL 9-10-11 ... Rent Car, off early to Peloponnese. Get off modern highway @ Isthmia to see Corinth Canal, back on Highway for 10 miles, jump off at Nemea*** to see a terrific Sacred Games Site without having to drive all the eway to Olympia. Then Base yourself in Nafplio to enjoy fab city (castles, Fortresses! scenery!), visit ancient sites like Tiryns, Mycenae EPidaurus.

APRIL 12 -- Early start, drive modern all the way to ATH airport (2 hrs), drop car, Fly to UK.

If this approach appeals, I can suggest some lodgings. BUT you need to give your budget parameter (in EUROS please) per night, and for how many BR. (SOme island "family units" have sep BR twin beds and Main room w. 2 daybeds, table & chairs kitchentte balcony).
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Old Jan 13th, 2015, 02:01 PM
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Hi gtproteam,

Paros and Naxos are two of my favourite places in Greece, but for you I would recommend skipping them and spending more time on the mainland. Early April is not exactly beach weather, although you may be lucky and get some days warm enough for sunbathing. More likely it will be jacket weather with a chance of cloud and rain.

I returned just a week ago from South Africa, having spent Christmas and New Year in Cape Town. Sea water temperatures in Greece during April will be about the same as Camps Bay and Clifton Beaches in CT (in other words cold), but the weather not nearly as warm.

Base yourself at Nafplio, and it will be easy to visit Epidavros, Mycenae, etc, and you could even go via a nearby port (without returning to Piraeus) for a visit to Spetses or one of the other Saronic Gulf islands. With a car you could go to Olympia, then cross the Rio- Antirrio bridge near Patras and go on to Delphi before returning to Athens. You could do a trip like that in 10 days, but not if you include a few days on the islands.

Heed travelerjan's warning about Greek Orthodox Easter. The week leading up to the holiday is when many Greeks return to their home villages and islands, so roads and ferries are busy.
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Old Jan 13th, 2015, 03:55 PM
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Just going to chime in to say that if you decide not to visit an island, you could do a version of an itinerary we did a few years ago - we stayed in Athens for a few days, then rented a car and drove to Delphi. Stayed there for a night and drove to Nafplion (actually stayed at Hotel Perivoli just outside the town) for four days. As travelerjan says, this is a wonderful location, a beautiful town, convenient to Mycenae, Epidaurus, Corinth, etc. Then we drove further south to Monemvasia, which is a ridiculously charming medieval town on a tiny island just off the shore. The drive back to Athens from Monemvasia is probably 4 hours (though not sure if there's lots of holiday traffic).
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Old Jan 13th, 2015, 11:16 PM
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Heimdall thank you! next time you're in Safrica - Port Elizabeth! (just saying ;-) We're not really bothered about the weather and non swimming, I'm taking positives out of the fact that Greeks go back to their home towns at this time, I'm sure they will create a vibe we're looking for. Nafplio looks like it gets the nod but I really would like to get to Delphi too. Could anyone suggest a place between Delfi and the airport for our last night on Easter Saturday?
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Old Jan 13th, 2015, 11:24 PM
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travelerjan we really do like your suggested itnr. Considering what heimdall says about time of year for beaches and weather, would you consider changing any of your suggestions about Naxos, perhaps? Or would you still recommend 4 nights in Naxos?
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 12:26 AM
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Wow traveljan - thanks so much for those links to the photo album. Naxos looks stunning! My only concern really is how it looks and feels in April (early) and with active 18yr old son who loves the outdoors and equally active 15 yr old daughter, will 4 days in Naxos (a fair trip on the ferry) be too long? By the way, could you tell me how long the ferry trip is and would it be possible to use the Ferry as an overnight trip thus saving on accommodation?
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 12:30 AM
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Heimdall thanks - what attraction does Spetses hold for you. Worth a night? We've found we could take a ferry from Naxos to Porto Heli.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 01:15 AM
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traveljan you mention knowing what our budget in Euros is. Well, we are REALLY on a tight budget but looking for family unit, no food, safe, no pool, no glitz. Even prepared to stay with a family??!! We are used to roughing it, camping, trekking and so on but on a teacher's budget ;-) Help with accommodation in Naxos (2nd -3 -4 -5) Athens (6th - 7) Nafplion (8th - 9 - 10 - 11) would by HUGELY appreciated! It looks like Athens midweek would be better than Easter weekend.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 02:13 AM
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Hi gtproteam,

My suggestion for Spetses was because you can take a ferry there from either of two local ports near Nafplion. The trip takes only 10 minutes from Porto Heli to Spetses. Ferries also go from another nearby port, Ermioni, taking 20 minutes to Hydra. You could do either island as an overnight trip, or even a quick day trip. That would give you an island experience without devoting half of your trip to an off-season island.

Much as I love the islands, I have no attraction to them in off-season. Unless you saved Naxos for the end of your trip (which I don't recommend) you would miss the Easter festivities and get there when most tourist facilities are still closed. Had you been travelling in late May or June when travelerjan always goes I would have a different recommendation.

You have a wonderful opportunity to see the best of Greece on the mainland, where most ancient sites are found. With a rental car you could see the places in your 7:43 pm post, including Olympia and Delphi, although it may be a bit rushed. The route through the Peloponnese to the Rio-Antirrio bridge takes you across the Gulf of Corinth to near Delphi, so you could do a circular route starting and ending in Athens.

Since you are on a budget, consider http://www.perishotelapt.gr for your last night in Greece. That is a budget hotel near the airport.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 03:04 AM
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Heimdall, you really are helping to piece things together. Now we're thinking - spring - islands - no atmosphere? not good? We're now thinking of Athens for 2 nights then up to Delphi and round via Corinth to Nafplion, BUT all of a sudden we have 4 days to fill. Should we look at 3/4 days in the Delphi area, or more days in Nafplion area. Not sure about staying more than 3/4 nights in Nafplion itself. Thanks for the link for Peris hotel but we think that our last night should be in the heart of Athens before flying back to Africa. Still looking for cheap,clean, safe, central accommodation in Athens. Hostel? Hotel?
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 04:06 AM
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Hi again,

I think your instincts are correct, and am glad to help you piece things together.

Some of my friends, repeat visitors who go there to see their island friends when there are few other tourists, enjoy the islands off-season. The atmosphere is very different from summer when all the shops and outdoor cafes are open and lots of young people around. If your family enjoys mountain hikes and walks on deserted beaches there is nothing wrong with the islands in early April. Check some of the off-season albums from Perigahre, a Norwegian who visits Naxos several times a year: https://www.flickr.com/photos/perigahre/sets/

Now that you have four days to fill it takes the pressure off, and you could extend the itinerary a little bit. If you are going in an anti-clockwise direction, after Delphi you could go on to Olympia, then travel along the southern coast of the Peloponnese through Messenia and Laconia, possibly taking in Monemvasia. I love the southern Peloponnese coast — weather is usually very good that time of year, and there are many beautiful beaches, even better ones than on the islands.

I agree it would be nice to spend your last night in central Athens. Some popular budget hotels are Attalos and Cecil near Plaka. I usually stay at Hotel Cypria near Syntagma Square. It's a little more expensive than the other two, but has bigger bathrooms. Others will have more suggestions on central Athens budget hotels.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 04:14 AM
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BTW, I hope mariha2912 sees this post and adds her comments. She is a Greek who has worked in the travel industry, so her opinion is invaluable. She may not agree with all I wrote, but I would go with her recommendations.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 04:42 AM
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Thanks Heimdall - the web looks full of ideas for Mania! The Attalos still looks too expensive for us I'm afraid. It looks like self catering apartment for 2 nights? A hostel instead of hotel?
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 05:33 AM
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Don't know what to say, gtproteam. The family I stayed with in CT had the same concerns about the Rand exchange rate, so I know what you mean. Central Athens is expensive, but maybe someone else can suggest something cheaper.

While we are talking about expenses, it will cost your family of four €268 just for ferry tickets to and from Naxos, another reason I was hesitant about recommending it.

I guess your autocorrect is playing tricks with you, as I'm sure you meant Mani rather than Mania! ;-)
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 06:02 AM
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Ooops! Nania - Mania - MANI!Ok,Naxos is out then. We started thinking about Hydra or Poros. Maybe those should be worth considering again. I'm just so nervous about getting there and everything is shut or at least lacking in atmosphere.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 06:33 AM
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There will be things open on every island, especially those in the Saronic Gulf (Hydra, etc) which are easy commutes from the mainland. They will all have atmosphere, but not necessarily the same in early April as in summer. You should go to an island, though, even if only for a day trip.

When I read the wish list in your Jan 13, 7:43pm post it seemed to me a very sensible itinerary for an early April trip. Don't be sidetracked by me or anyone else from what you really want to do.
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Old Jan 14th, 2015, 07:31 AM
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Just got back on from US here ... readily accede to Heimdall's assessment of Cycladic isles off- season... I was just trying to figure out something to satisfy your island yen. The Nafplio area does provide a wealth of activities for your leenagers ... have them climb the 999 steps up to Palamidi fortress (while you admire the view from a cafe at the foot). Bicycles are also now rentable in Old Town there, I believe. The tour of the Pelopponese also offers much.

As for your Athens stay, I still wish you'd give your budget in Euros, not just, we're on a really tight budget. Is this 60E? 75E? Specifics really help. Here's a strategy to see what's both affordable and convenient. Booking.com Athens can be sorted by price, stars OR (importantly, By LANDMARKS. Choose currency (€) put in dates, select double room, Choose LANDMARKS -- and then type in ACROPOLIS. Up pops a list showing distance from Acropolis. Look at those marked Plaka, Koukaki, Psiri, no more than .6 mile from Acropolis. You said Attalos was too much; it's listed @€204 for 3 nites Ap 2-3-4. However there are a few hotels with 2+ rooms left for those dates, at under 200 for 3 nights; Acropolis View ( E180) Nefeli (E180, Cecil (175), Myrtos (176). Art Gallery (180). I know the locations and all are very convenient. If u want to go lower, you're looking at grungier locales. But don't dither; budget places are going FAST.
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