Short trip to Athens and Santorini. Ideas welcomed
Apr 16th, 2016, 03:30 PM
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Short trip to Athens and Santorini. Ideas welcomed
We are meeting our adult son In Athens in mid May. Flying in from the states and getting in around 7pm in the evening. So we have 3 nights but only have 2 full days + one morning in Athens. Then we fly to Santorini in the afternoon for 3 more nights and then fly back around 330pm for our last night in Athens before we fly out in different directions.
We are staying at the Amelia Hotel in Athens and the Lilium Santorini Villa on Santorini. We will also have a car on Santorini. We would welcome ideas how to best use our time for this short trip and where to eat. My apologies but I have done no research for this trip as it was a last minute mileage deal.
We are staying at the Amelia Hotel in Athens and the Lilium Santorini Villa on Santorini. We will also have a car on Santorini. We would welcome ideas how to best use our time for this short trip and where to eat. My apologies but I have done no research for this trip as it was a last minute mileage deal.
Apr 16th, 2016, 04:05 PM
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The highlight of our stay in Santorini was Akrotiri. I would make this a top priority. We went to Archaeological Museum after Akrotiri and doing it in that order worked for us.
In Athens, Benaki Museum was very good. Acropolis of course. We had dinner nearby at The Acropolis Museum. Good food and prices and a view that can't be beat - Acropolis lit up
http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en/...afe-restaurant
In Athens, Benaki Museum was very good. Acropolis of course. We had dinner nearby at The Acropolis Museum. Good food and prices and a view that can't be beat - Acropolis lit up
http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en/...afe-restaurant
Apr 17th, 2016, 11:49 AM
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As an Athenian I can help you, but first tell me your interests because there are so many things you can do. You are more into museums or walking around? You prefer Greek or ethnic cuisine? Give us a but more info.
Apr 19th, 2016, 02:07 PM
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We did a similar trip (along with Istanbul) a couple of years ago. I LOVE that part of the world.
Some random thoughts (some are pretty obvious)...
The VAST majority of what you will want to see in Athens is immediately on and around the Acropolis. Specifically, you'll want to spend a bulk of your time in the Plaka section. Yes, it is going to feel overrun with tourists and the prices will reflect it. But the Plaka is a beautiful/fun area. The Acropolis Museum is a must. We also enjoyed the National Archaeological Museum. The majority of the rest of Athens is hectic, dirty and surprisingly uninteresting from a tourist's perspective. I just love the culture, the food and the people. Put aside the hustle and bustle and just soak in life in Athens. It can be difficult asking for directions (English not as prevalent as I expected) and signs can be hard to read (cyrillic alphabet)...so always carry a guidebook so you can point at pictures and/or have the folks at your front desk write stuff down for you to show taxi drivers. We stayed at the AVA Hotel and Suites and thoroughly enjoyed it, fyi. You also mentioned that you have an adult son (ie. you are older?). Be aware that you will have to walk a lot in Athens (esp. on the acropolis).
I LOVE Santorini...have been twice. Stayed the first time in Oia as a poor college student years ago...and most recently, we split time between Oia and Imerovigli. I MUCH prefer Oia to Imerovigli. We stayed at Atrina Traditional Houses (Mina's House) in Oia....honestly, my favorite hotel/room EVER (and I've traveled a good bit). We stayed at Astra Suites in Imerovigli (nice, but didn't compare to Atrina). Oia Village is amazing. I will say that Imerovigli did have our favorite restaurant on the trip (Anogi...the grilled octopus was unreal). You can stay in Oia and never feel the need to leave....plenty to do there. Imerovigli was nice in that you could walk to Thira along the cliffs (the walk from Oia to Thira is too long).
You won't need a car in Santorini....and I would actually recommend not renting one. The drivers are crazy. The roads are winding/dangerous. And there are plenty of cheap taxis and buses everywhere.
Santorini has very good wines. Look for a very good cheap white wine there called Atlantis.
The beaches on the southern end of the island are "ok" and we never felt any urge to return to the airport side of the island. Why leave Oia?
I haven't researched your accomodations, but I strongly recommend that you splurge in Santorini. The Lilium Santorini looks beautiful (and I did like Thira)...but I would really prefer to stay on the north end of the Island (Oia). Being able to wake up to breakfast/french pressed coffee on a balcony overlooking the Caldera is a once in a lifetime experience. Absolutely no need to splurge in Athens...but do stay in/near the Plaka.
Have fun!
Some random thoughts (some are pretty obvious)...
The VAST majority of what you will want to see in Athens is immediately on and around the Acropolis. Specifically, you'll want to spend a bulk of your time in the Plaka section. Yes, it is going to feel overrun with tourists and the prices will reflect it. But the Plaka is a beautiful/fun area. The Acropolis Museum is a must. We also enjoyed the National Archaeological Museum. The majority of the rest of Athens is hectic, dirty and surprisingly uninteresting from a tourist's perspective. I just love the culture, the food and the people. Put aside the hustle and bustle and just soak in life in Athens. It can be difficult asking for directions (English not as prevalent as I expected) and signs can be hard to read (cyrillic alphabet)...so always carry a guidebook so you can point at pictures and/or have the folks at your front desk write stuff down for you to show taxi drivers. We stayed at the AVA Hotel and Suites and thoroughly enjoyed it, fyi. You also mentioned that you have an adult son (ie. you are older?). Be aware that you will have to walk a lot in Athens (esp. on the acropolis).
I LOVE Santorini...have been twice. Stayed the first time in Oia as a poor college student years ago...and most recently, we split time between Oia and Imerovigli. I MUCH prefer Oia to Imerovigli. We stayed at Atrina Traditional Houses (Mina's House) in Oia....honestly, my favorite hotel/room EVER (and I've traveled a good bit). We stayed at Astra Suites in Imerovigli (nice, but didn't compare to Atrina). Oia Village is amazing. I will say that Imerovigli did have our favorite restaurant on the trip (Anogi...the grilled octopus was unreal). You can stay in Oia and never feel the need to leave....plenty to do there. Imerovigli was nice in that you could walk to Thira along the cliffs (the walk from Oia to Thira is too long).
You won't need a car in Santorini....and I would actually recommend not renting one. The drivers are crazy. The roads are winding/dangerous. And there are plenty of cheap taxis and buses everywhere.
Santorini has very good wines. Look for a very good cheap white wine there called Atlantis.
The beaches on the southern end of the island are "ok" and we never felt any urge to return to the airport side of the island. Why leave Oia?
I haven't researched your accomodations, but I strongly recommend that you splurge in Santorini. The Lilium Santorini looks beautiful (and I did like Thira)...but I would really prefer to stay on the north end of the Island (Oia). Being able to wake up to breakfast/french pressed coffee on a balcony overlooking the Caldera is a once in a lifetime experience. Absolutely no need to splurge in Athens...but do stay in/near the Plaka.
Have fun!
May 1st, 2016, 04:12 PM
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My apologies for being horribly absent from this post. Thanks for the comments uncfan. Active mid 60's but walking is not a problem. Plus we are staying at the Hotel Amalia which appears to be in great location.
As to Santorini I took a gulp and rented a car. I have driven in Italy (even Sicily), Scotland and South Africa so I am hoping those experiences will keep me sufficiently wary on Santorini. I just figured a car would allow us to spend less time waiting for teaxis and buses
Petros, like many couples, My wife prefers the museums and I prefer walking around, eating drinking and talking to new people. I think we will be more guided by my 33 year old son who has a low tolerance for musuems. So I think the best plan may be structured mornings (museums and sights)
and unstructured afternoons.
Any good tips on rules regarding parking on Santorini?
As to Santorini I took a gulp and rented a car. I have driven in Italy (even Sicily), Scotland and South Africa so I am hoping those experiences will keep me sufficiently wary on Santorini. I just figured a car would allow us to spend less time waiting for teaxis and buses
Petros, like many couples, My wife prefers the museums and I prefer walking around, eating drinking and talking to new people. I think we will be more guided by my 33 year old son who has a low tolerance for musuems. So I think the best plan may be structured mornings (museums and sights)
and unstructured afternoons.
Any good tips on rules regarding parking on Santorini?
May 1st, 2016, 05:17 PM
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Be sure to go to your local AAA office to pick up an International Driving Permit, no test or membership required. Bring 2 passport photos to save a few dollars.
Parking on Santorini is free just about everywhere and anywhere as long as there aren't any no-parking signs nearby and traffic can pass by without slowing, especially the large buses. There are also parking lots in every village and almost everyone of them is free.
Parking on Santorini is free just about everywhere and anywhere as long as there aren't any no-parking signs nearby and traffic can pass by without slowing, especially the large buses. There are also parking lots in every village and almost everyone of them is free.
May 1st, 2016, 05:20 PM
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No parking signs in Greece: http://tinyurl.com/h8fu2wl
May 7th, 2016, 11:59 AM
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Thanks for the parking tips re Santorini. That eases my mind. Yes I am a AAA member so got my Intl. Dr. Lic. there plus they discount passport photos for members.
Anyone ever eaten at the Kapari Natural Resort on Santorini? I made a reservation based on TripAdvisor.
Anyone ever eaten at the Kapari Natural Resort on Santorini? I made a reservation based on TripAdvisor.
May 7th, 2016, 02:51 PM
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Ok, wake up early in the morning and go to Syntagma Square. For breakfast get a tyropita (cheese-pie) from "Ariston". Then continue your breakfast ritual by getting a coffee al-fresco, in "Tailor Made". Don't hurry, coffee in Greece is not just a caffeine dose, we honestly spend hours with friends in cafes. When ready, your next stop is the Acropolis of Athens. You have to see the Parthenon at least once in your lifetime. After seeing the Acropolis, go to the Acropolis Museum. One of the top museums in the World for both its collection and its architecture, it will give you a complete image for the holy rock. When done, go get lunch in "ManiMani" which serves south Peloponnesian cuisine (Mani region, in particular) with a modern twist.
Next day wake up early, again, and go for a souvlaki in "Kosta" (the one in Agia Irini square). Ok souvlaki is not breakfast material, but who really cares right? It's delishious. Then get a coffee in "360° cocktail bar". One of the trendiest garden terraces in Athens, with Acropolis view. But go early unless you wanna get sun roasted. Continue to the Ancient Agora, heart of the ancient Athenian society where all philosophers used to hang around. Don't miss the Hephaestus Temple. Then go to Syntagma, get to the metro and get off at Victoria station. You go to the National Archaeological Museum, one of the top museums in the World having the largest collection of Greek antiquities including many masterpieces. Go back to Victoria station, and get off at Omonoia station. This time you will get a more rustic lunch in "Diporto". More than a century old, it's a classic Athenian taverna that is unchanged and undiscovered by tourists. Then just hang around in, in Plaka or Monastiraki or Thissio. One of my favourite activities to do in the afternoon, is walk in Dionysiou Aeropagitou street which encircles the Acropolis. It's a pretty atmospheric walk, amd the purple of the afternoon makes it even better. Also don't miss going to a summer cinema, it's an Athenian tradition. My favourite is "Ciné Thisio" which is a beautiful yard from which you can see the Acropolis.
And some extra restaurants I recommend:
-Mavro Provato (DON'T miss that)
-Melilotos
-Stin Aiolou opos palia
-Nostimies tis Meris (off the beaten path)
-Brizolakia tou Teli
-Le Greche (best Greek gelato on Earth)
Next day wake up early, again, and go for a souvlaki in "Kosta" (the one in Agia Irini square). Ok souvlaki is not breakfast material, but who really cares right? It's delishious. Then get a coffee in "360° cocktail bar". One of the trendiest garden terraces in Athens, with Acropolis view. But go early unless you wanna get sun roasted. Continue to the Ancient Agora, heart of the ancient Athenian society where all philosophers used to hang around. Don't miss the Hephaestus Temple. Then go to Syntagma, get to the metro and get off at Victoria station. You go to the National Archaeological Museum, one of the top museums in the World having the largest collection of Greek antiquities including many masterpieces. Go back to Victoria station, and get off at Omonoia station. This time you will get a more rustic lunch in "Diporto". More than a century old, it's a classic Athenian taverna that is unchanged and undiscovered by tourists. Then just hang around in, in Plaka or Monastiraki or Thissio. One of my favourite activities to do in the afternoon, is walk in Dionysiou Aeropagitou street which encircles the Acropolis. It's a pretty atmospheric walk, amd the purple of the afternoon makes it even better. Also don't miss going to a summer cinema, it's an Athenian tradition. My favourite is "Ciné Thisio" which is a beautiful yard from which you can see the Acropolis.
And some extra restaurants I recommend:
-Mavro Provato (DON'T miss that)
-Melilotos
-Stin Aiolou opos palia
-Nostimies tis Meris (off the beaten path)
-Brizolakia tou Teli
-Le Greche (best Greek gelato on Earth)
