shubha_r

Hello everyone,
Another trip in horizon, so back on this forum for help in planning our itinerary.

We, family of 4, 2 adults and 2 kids ages 13 & 9 planning a 2 week trip to Greece in mid August. We are pretty well traveled and my 13 yr old is eager to see Greek mythology come to life ����

Based on my research, here is my rough itinerary. Need your suggestions to see if this makes sense.

Little bit of our background and travel style: we really like to get a feel for the place, so we would like to avoid 1 or 2 nights if possible. We are not budget travelers , we like to stay in nice places, preferably villas to fit all four of us comfortably, willing to spend money on good options. We are also foodies, love to visit markets and good restaurants.

Here is what I am thinking :

Athens: 3 nights
Naufplio: 3 nights
Santorini: 4 nights
Naxos: 4 nights

I am planning to finish Athens and Naufplio and head to islands.

Can you please comment on my choice of places incl islands ? We really want to do Santorini.

Are there any other places that we should be considering instead ?

Thanks
Kush

brotherleelove2004

As far as I'm concerned it's a very good, all-around mix, but I strongly suggest that you save the mainland for the end instead of doing it at the beginning so you aren't having to scramble back in a mad rush to make your flight home. Nothing will ruin your holiday faster than a cancelled flight or ferry due to weather or unforseen mechanical breakdowns. Try to arrange your airport arrival so you can take another flight out immediately, or get to the ferry port if that's your chosen mode of transport. Both Naxos and Santorini have airports. Check Aegean Airlines/Olympic Air. Ferry schedules: http://www.gtp.gr

travelerjan

I agree that Athens should be last ... by that time you'll be invigorated by your relaxing time on the Islands, and familiar with Greek ways, and ready to deal with a big city. However, I would not recommend straight to Island, then try to go to Nafplio --- toooo long a day!! I've done it & I know. Therefore, I recommend this scenario:

ARRIVAL DAY -- try to plan a flight that arrives in AM (USAir & Delta do nonstops from US, arrive 9-9:30). Rent car and drive on wonderful modern high around Saronic Bay, over corinth Canal and to Nafplio. On the way, you can stop just after canal on RH side and thrill your kids with a visit to a genuine Ancient Games Site -- Nemea, the #2 runner-up to Olympia. Authentically restored, temple, ruins, fab stadium (they can go thru athletes' tunnel, and run from ancient starting blocks!!!). Takes only an hour to see, and a great treat. Spend your 3 days in Nafplio and surroundings... Tiryns fortress is from Ilaid ere, Nafplio musum has suit of armor from Achilles' time!! If you want you can stay just outside Nafplio on one end of Tolo Beach -- here's a good place w. family bungalows: http://minoanhotels.gr/Hotel-in-Tolo...galows/en.html --Tolo is only a 10=15 minute local bus ride or drive into Nafplio... and the city has free parking all along the waterside.

DAY 4 Then drive back tp Airport, seeing Epidaurus on the way, going on same mod. highway to Airport, turn in car, fly to Santorini,

DAy 7? ferry on Blue Star to Naxos -- a "mini"cruise; sit on deck! SO much to see... ancient ruins, marble mountains! Great sandy beaches...


DAY 11? you can fly or ferry back to mainland for Athens visit.

travelerjan

Clarification of first paragraph... do not try to come back from Island to mainland, and THEN get to Nafplio, in same day ... makes for loooong day.

shubha_r

Thank you both. What are some of the not to miss sights around Nafpoli ?

Also, do you think Naxos is a good island or should we consider Paro? In Greek islands, is there such a thing as beachfront resorts ? Or should we walk or drive to a public beach ?

Any recommended places to stay in these areas ?

Heimdall

Hmmm...mid-August. Athens will be quiet, while Nafplio and the islands very busy. The main summer getaway in Greece is the Aug 15th Assumption Day holiday, so the islands are busy through the third week of the month. In the meantime Athens is quiet when so many Athenians are away on their holidays.

Personally I would rather go straight to the islands upon arrival than drive to Nafplio jet lagged and tired after a long overnight flight. From her previous posts I know travelerjan doesn't do her own driving, so she may not fully appreciate how hard it is to concentrate on the road when you are tired. The flight to Santorini takes only about 45 minutes, and there are places to relax in the terminal and Sofitel during the layover.

That said, you wrote you are travelling in mid-August, so the exact dates of your travel would make a difference.

travelerjan

In 2013, my 4 friends & I did the Nafplio first thing, and did OK.... but I defer to Heimdall. Santorini first, then Naxos. then back to Mainland, for your Athens visit. At the end, do Nafplio --- it's an easy drive back, to the Airport, as long as you allow enough time. If your homebound flight is in early AM, there are several small hotels near the airport (St. Thomas B & B is in an olive grove & has a pool), where u can stay, to get to airport easily in 15 minutes.

shubha_r

Thanks !!

I was told about the Aug 15th holiday, so planning to leave here on 15th and spend 2 weeks before the schools open here.

What are your thoughts on the island I picked ? What should we pick between Naxos and Paros ?

Also, about driving, if we are to hire a driver to drive us to Nafpoli and other day trips, is it too expensive ?

Thanks
Kush

HappyTrvlr

There is so much ancient history surrounding Napflio. Look at the Mycenae and Agememnon, Tyrins, Epidavros, Corinth, Nemea.

Heimdall

Jan, I was "sitting on the fence" in my reply because of the Aug 15th holiday and not knowing exactly when the family is arriving. I drive home from London airports after overnight flights, but in my own car and know the route well.

I think the "safe" option would be to de-lag on the islands and leave the driving until later, but if that puts the OP on the road when there is a lot of holiday traffic that may not be a good idea either.

shubha_r

I am going to look for few different options for our itinerary.

I am still waiting for someone to chime in on the islands I picked and any reccos for the accommodations in these places. I am looking at a few options, will post them shortly as well.

Kush

Heimdall

Hi Kush,

You posted while I was composing my reply. If you are leaving home on the 15th you will get to Greece after everyone has traveled to their holiday destinations.

Hiring a professional driver would be expensive, but save you the worry of doing it yourself. You can do a google for "George the famous taxi driver" (this is not an endorsement) to find out what it would cost. There are other taxi drivers who offer the same service and none of them are official guides.

If you are a confident driver you will probably be okay in a rental car, bearing in mind you will be tired after the flight. I just don't like giving advice that could cause a potential problem.

The last week of August would be less busy on the islands, so maybe Jan's idea of doing Nafplio first would work better, especially if you hire a driver for the mainland. Naxos and Paros both have their fans, and either would be good. Although I usually go to Paros/Antiparos, I think Naxos would be better in August.

shubha_r

Heimdall, thanks for the response , appreciate your discretion on your advise as well.

It's comfortimg to know that end of Aug will not be as crowded

I will look into the taxis and may be we can hire guides as needed too.

I am playing with this idea a bit, any feedback on this ?

Crete for 5 nights
Santorini for 3 nights
Athens for 3 nights
Naufplio for 3 nights

Of course the order is not much of importance for now, until we finalize the destinations.

The reason behind this itinerary is, if we can do Crete instead of Naxos, Might be a better Greece experience in case if don't return for a while

Thanks
Kush

Heimdall

Hi Kush,

That looks like a good itinerary. Some people say you need more time for Crete, but we work with whatever time is available. I wouldn't take nights away from any of the other destinations, because 3 nights would give you two full days, but 2 nights only one full day at each.

There are multiple flights each day to both Chania and Heraklion on Crete, so you could fly straight out upon arrival in Athens. You should definitely rent a car on Crete. Ferries from Crete to Santorini all leave from Heraklion, but you may want to start out at Chania. I will leave more detailed advice on Crete to others.

Honestly, there are so many choices of places to go in Greece, and no wrong answers. Enjoy your trip wherever you decide to go, and you will probably want to return to visit some of the places you missed.

mariha2912

Was hiring a professional driver a consideration for driving after a long flight or you do not want to drive in general during you trip? I think this will influence your decisions somehow...
While public transport is decent in the places you mention, it might be time consuming and more of a hussle and in August many buses will be jam-packed, not a great experience. If car hiring is not an option, I would suggest Paros upon Naxos and I guess you need to have some specific ideas to comment on Crete...

shubha_r

Renting a car is not out of question, just that it would be nice to get a driver for long distances. We will definitely be renting car in the islands and in and around Nafpoli. I was just wondering about options of hiring a driver for long distances .

Kush

stanbr

Sorry I am a little late on this thread.
last May we arrived Athens at 10:30 am after a 24 hour journey from the west coast. We decided to rent a car despite knowing there is jet lag after that long trip. Our thinking was a couple of cups of coffee after arrival plus adrenaline rush would be sufficient for us to get to Nafplio. In fact we stopped at Nemia for an hour plus a rest stop at the side of the national road for more coffee and we made it safely to Nafplio. It is possible. Having said that I would recommend catching a connecting flight to an island to get over jet lag.

Normally we fly to our furthest island first then make our way back toward Athens for the end of the trip. 5 days in Crete is only enough time to concentrate on one area as it is too large to try see in a few days. If you choose Crete I would to fly to Chania and enjoy that wonderful historical flavour in the old town harbour area.
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/
You will need to get to Heraklion for the ferry to Santorini.

Or if you wish to stick to your first plan then fly to Santorini then on to Naxos. 4 days on Naxos will give you time to explore the old town and waterfront promenade, get to the great west coast beaches and visit some of the antiquities and the lovely mountain villages.
St George beach is directly adjacent to Naxos town and there are lots of hotels with ocean views lining the beach. Further out there is the Plaka, Agia Anna and Ag Procopious string of beaches about 7 km from Naxos town with good local bus service. Anna has hotels on the beach while Plaka has a string of hotels across the road from the beach all with excellent beach views.
St George Beach Hotels Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632162394787/
Plaka Beach Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632112899515/
And lots to see around the island
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
A week in Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645113682278/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/

Then on to Nafplion and all the historic sites nearby.

Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/

Based on what you have considered to do, whatever combination you choose you will have a wonderful time.