Surprise trip to Greece!

Old Jan 21st, 2017, 06:20 PM
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Surprise trip to Greece!

Hi All!

My husband turns 40 in July and I am planning a surprise 14 day trip to Greece. He knows we are going on a trip, but he doesn't know where. I've done a ton of research and read tons of good information but I was hoping someone could help me nail down an itinerary. Here is what I am hoping for- we are very active people. Laying on the beach all day will be a nice change of pace for us, but we definitely don't want to do that the entire trip. My husband loves history and I want to soak in as much of the history as possible. I'd also like to book a fishing trip, and do some scuba diving. Can anyone tell me the best places to fish and scuba and who to book with? I'm in the very beginning stages of planning but I know the sooner I get everything straightened out, the better. We are going in the busy season, July 29-Aug 12, because that's just what works for our schedules back home.

We are coming from Texas, US.

Thank you in advance for any help/tips!
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Old Jan 21st, 2017, 11:25 PM
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Since you "want to soak in as much of the history as possible", then an itinerary concentrating on the mainland would be best, including Nafplio in the Peloponnese, Delphi, and of course Athens.

Obviously you will want to include some islands too, and Santorini has spectacular scenery. Scuba and line fishing aren't all that good in the Aegean Sea, but one company I am familiar with on Antiparos (next to Paros and not far from Santorini) is: https://www.blueisland-divers.gr
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 04:45 AM
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I was just reading up on the fact that the sea has been over fished so fishing isn't great. Thanks! I will definitely keep that in mind. What about hiking? Any place to hike that is good? I am definitely looking forward to relaxing and sunsets in Santorini.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 05:56 AM
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Coming from Texas as you do (I have lived all over the state), you will be used to the August heat, but early August is the peak of the busy season on the islands, culminating with the August 15th Assumption Day holiday. There is good hiking just about everywhere, so decide on where you want to go and then ask for suggestions.

Santorini is certainly beautiful, but I don't like to share my sunsets with hundreds of other people pushing for the best position. When on Santorini I've stayed on the balcony of my room to watch the colors of the sunset reflect off the whitewashed buildings. My favorite sunset viewing spot is at Sunset Beach on Antiparos, which has the same sun and the same sea without the crowds.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 06:04 AM
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We loved the Napflio area - highly recommend it!

We also really loved Naxos.

You can see our pics here

https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]

https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 01:28 PM
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Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm only just getting started in the planning, but I know I need to get everything squared away so I can book sooner rather than later. I'm really open to anything, I just want to make sure we get in as much as possible. @heimdall I've read some other threads and you are always very helpful. Thanks for chiming it. I'll post again once I figure out which cities I decide to visit.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 01:32 PM
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@jamikins thank you for sharing your lovely photos!!
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 06:23 PM
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So, I did a little itinerary planning today. Here is what I've come up with so far. I would love feedback.

Day 1: Leave home
Day 2: Arrive in Athens - Fly to Santorini
Day 3: Santorini
Day 4: Santorini
Day 5: Santorini
Day 6:
Day 7:
Day 8:
Day 9: Kea
Day 10: Kea - Athens
Day 11: Athens
Day 12: Athens - Nafplio - Peloponnese
Day 13: Athens
Day 14: Home

I don't know where to go in between Santorini and Kea, and not sure how easy it is to get to Kea? I'm also interested in Lesvos, but it seems a bit difficult to get to with what I already have planned.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 07:25 PM
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Why why why KEA! I've been there... but then, I've been to 25+ islands, and it sure didn't make the first 20. Why??? it has 4 tavernas at the port, 3 are really mediocre ... beaches ditto ... lots of hiking .. but other than that ... ???

What about Milos? Folegandros, Amorgos, Naxos, Antiparos, Sifnos, Serifos ... ALL of these are enchanting compared to Kea. TRip Advisor last year issued its Top Ten Islands in the WORLD to visit --- in the whole of the Mediterranean & Aegean, just one. Not Santorini. Not Mykonos. Not Ibiza. Not Capri. no ... NAXOS.

And as for Day 12 -- Nafplio itself needs at least 2 days, not counting all the famous places surrounding it.

Have you looked at any guidebooks? Any at all?
Seeb any photos of Naxos? Milos? Antiparos? here are a few:
Trip Around Naxos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
Naxos Town - http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
Milos 2013 -https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157634779985764
Milos Guide - http://www.milos-island.gr/index.en.html
Antiparos - https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7632126687570/

Please please do a bit more homework -- you'll be able to find accoms. on all these islands, they don't book solid way ahead like Santorini. (which of course has a lovely view, but have you read more? It is only 12 miles long, has no fishing/diving, beaches are black grit). GIve it 3 days for sitting on a balcony drinking wine, then go see some marvelous landscapes, beaches, ruins, on islands that don't have daily MegaCruisers & Jumbo Jets.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 08:26 PM
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Thank you for the input @travelerjan. I have done some research, but admittedly not enough. The hiking is definitely what drew me to Kea, but I did read about Naxos and it is also on the long list of places I want to go. Obviously we don't have time to do them all, so I want to make sure we get the most in the amount of time we have. I really appreciate your response and will rethink after more research.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 11:31 PM
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Kea is not a good choice to combine with other Cyclades islands. All the other Cyclades islands are served by ferries from Piraeus and Rafina, while Kea has ferries from Lavrion. Therefore, to get from, say, Naxos or Paros to Kea it would be necessary to go back to Piraeus or Rafina and then travel overland to the port of Lavrion.

Kea is known as a weekend choice for Athenians because it is so easy to reach from the city, but it's not really on the island-hopper's 'radar' I suspect it will be very busy in the run-up to the Assumption Day holiday.

There are lots of Cyclades islands with good walking, notably Naxos. Paros also has good walking, including the ancient Byzantine Trail:
http://paroshikes.com/the-lefkes-mar...y-walks-hikes/
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 03:11 AM
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Okay, I'm taking Kea off the list and researching Naxos, Antiparos and Paros, as well as a few others. I'll update again after doing more homework! Thank you!
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 07:08 AM
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Hi bekho44,

I think I have a good suggestion for you two, including a lot of history + scuba activities.
It would be a good idea to charter a yacht and enjoy sailing in Saronic Gulf (which is very close to Athens, a city full of history) and continue to Peloponese with a hired car. Please see below:

* The sailing itinerary
- Alimos marina (Athens)
- Epidavros (you may visit the ancient theater)
- Hydra + Dokos isls (There is a shipwreck in Dokos isl. you can explore)
- Spetses isl
- Nafplion (was the Capital of Greece before Athens)
Tip: The most popular yacht charter company is www.kavas.com - they can will provide a skipper for your trip

* Hiring a car from Nafplion
- Nafplion to Mycenae (24km) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycenae
- Mycenae to Nestor palace (177km) https://goo.gl/kewm6M
- Nestor palace to Temple of Apollo Epikourios (95km)
- Apollo Epikourios to Olymnpia (65 km)
- Back to Nafplion

I'd be glad to provide more help if you need
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 06:31 PM
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So, I have done pretty much nothing but read about Greece today and my itinerary seems to be changing more and more. I am *almost* thinking we could skip Santorini... almost.

Day 1: July 29: Leave home (US)
Day 2: July 30: Arrive in Athens - Flight to Santorini
Day 3: July 31: Santorini
Day 4: August 1: Santorini
Day 5: August 2: Leave Santorini - ferry to- Milos
Day 6: August 3: Milos
Day 7: August 4: Milos
Day 8: August 5: Leave Milos and head to ???
Day 9: August 6: ???
Day 10: August 7: ???
Day 11: August 8: ???
Day 12: August 9: Athens
Day 13: August 10: Athens
Day 14: August 11: Athens
Day 15: August 12: Leave Athens - Home.

I think my husband would like to explore mainland Greece. Does anyone have any tips on where we could head in between Milos and Athens?

Any feedback on the changes I've made so far? Thank you all!
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 07:57 PM
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If you like hiking, Milos is not the place. However, it does have a wonderful sea adventure... on a sailboat or large catamaran (I preferred the latter), you do a full round-trip of island, seeing all the amazing rock formations on the waterside (Milos had volcanos Outside the island),... I preferred the half-wayround, because left more time for stops in coves, for swims & BBQs. To get all the way around, those boats had to keep gooing.

Back to NAXOS - the guy who's documented ALL the walks in the Cyclades islands in minute detail (WITH plotos) says flat-out "The interior of NAxos is a paradise for Hikers." http://www.cycladen.be/NaxosEng.htm Whereas he lists at least 10-12 hikes for most islands, for Naxos he's listed 37.!! Of course, in August you'd need to hike at 7-8, or wait until 6 pm... because of the heat

MAINLAND - FLY from Milos to ATH airport, rent car and drive immediately to NAFPLIO (just 2.5 hrs). best base in Peloponnese to see all the famous landmarks/ancient sites in the ARGOLID This super NON-commercial website http://www.visitnafplio.com tells all, with photos -- check every single link on the page, including the vital ones up by the Top (such as Really Useful Information) NAFPLIO is considered THE most beautiful Old Town in all Greece; the sunsets from its seafront will make you totally forget Santorini. And there are Forts and Ruins galore to explore in town & out. here are just a few photos of Nafplion and surrounding area https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7632094108982/

Nice part about this, you can drive all around area w. ease (small roads, little traffic), and when it's time to leave for Athens -- zoom! back on the country's most modern divided highway; you can return car @airport take metro or X95 bus to central athens, never have to drive in busy streets. This online map -- http://euro-map.com/karty-grecii/pel...eloponnesa.jpg - Is my fave for planning... click & it gets huuuuge. Yu can see the route allthe way from airport to Nafplio, and ALL the things to explore nearby -- NEmea, Mycenae, Tiryns, and Palimidi (the giant fortress looming over the town... and on your way back, Epidaurus & the Corinth Canal.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 11:14 PM
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As I recall, it was my ninth trip to the Cyclades and eleventh trip to Greece before I bothered going to Santorini. It is beautiful, but not an essential part of a trip to Greece. If you give it a miss, I wonder if later you will regret it.

I'm with your husband about exploring the mainland. I usually go to the islands because I like relaxing on beaches and prefer not to drive when on holiday. Milos is an ideal island if beaches are your main interest, but not much else there apart from the mining industry. The mainland, though, has so much more to offer than the islands, and it's easy to get around by rental car. I have never understood why so many people think Greece is just Athens + islands!
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 09:06 AM
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It looks like you have been doing a lot of good research for your trip. As you can see from the advice that you are getting opinions vary.

Greece is my favorite country for hiking. We usually go to south west Crete to hike in the White Mountains and along the south coast in the west.

Last year we went to Milos for a week and found it to be great for hiking. Milos has the biggest network of accesible dirt roads and paths of Cyclades. Anavasi has a good map that covers Milos and the nearby island of Kimolos. Also the Milos Mining Museum has maps for 7 different walks. Our favorite walks were along the north coast to Sarakiniko, the Volcano walk, the sulfur Mines walk and the Nychia walk

If you want to scuba dive there is a diving school in Pollonia where you can get equipment.

The biggest problem with Milos is that you will want to spend a few nights in both Adamas and Pollonia. If you had to choose only 1 I would go with Pollonia since in August you will want to swim and scuba dive more than walk.

I won't say don't go to Santorini but we went once and will not be going again. Milos has great sunsets especially in Pollonia and Plaka and it is a volcanic island also.

Again opinions differ but I wouldn't spend more than 2 nights in Athens at the end of the trip.

Last thing, after going to Greece I can't imagine you won't return.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 10:54 AM
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Yasu! (I'm practicing my Greek greetings!)

I truly appreciate everyone that took the time to respond to my posting. You all have been very helpful. Here is what I think I have settled on. As always, please tell me if you think something could be changed a bit to better our experience in Greece.

Day 1: July 29: Leave home (Texas, US)
Day 2: July 30: Arrive in Athens - Flight to Santorini
Day 3: July 31: Santorini
Day 4: August 1: Santorini
Day 5: August 2: Leave Santorini - to - Naxos
Day 6: August 3: Naxos
Day 7: August 4: Naxos
Day 8: August 5: Leave Naxos - to - Nafplio
Day 9: August 6: Nafplio
Day 10: August 7: Nafplio
Day 11: August 8: Nafplio
Day 12: August 9: Nafplio - to - Athens
Day 13: August 10: Athens
Day 14: August 11: Athens
Day 15: August 12: Leave Athens - Home.

Is that too much time in Nafplio & Athens? Should I add a day to Naxos and take a day off somewhere else? keeping in mind that this trip is FOR my husband- the hiker/history lover- I am trying to make sure we get enough time in places that he will enjoy.

One other question- should we take a ferry from Santorini to Naxos? What is the best way to get form Naxos to Nafplio?

Thanks again! Adio!
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 11:41 AM
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Not much choice but to take a ferry from Santorini to Naxos. You will have a choice of Blue Star, a conventional ferry that leaves in the afternoon, or highspeed ferries, some of which depart Santorini earlier in the day. My choice would be Blue Star, which takes about two hours, and offers great views from the outside deck.

From Naxos you will have to first return to Athens to reach Nafplio. A flight to Athens and a rental car from the airport would work well. Ferries from Naxos go both to the main port at Piraeus or the smaller one at Rafina, which is near Athens Airport.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 12:11 PM
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Heimdall's right about Santorini-Naxos. And I would add a bit of time to Naxos, and take a squinch of Nafplio. I've been to both multiple times, and there's SO much to see in both for history lover. In Naxos you can do a 1-day round-island whirl in a car, and just relax in Naxos Town & on your chosen beach rest of time.

Heimdall's also right that the Naxos-Nafplio journey can be a challenge - and when you do ferry +bus it's a daylong TREK. Plan + car from airport is fastest. If you book now, on Aug 6, there are 2 AM flights 7:25-8:10 (€80) or 11:40-12:25 (€99). Both times would allow you to stop at NEMEA (superb Ancient Games site) en route to Nafplio. Aug 7-8 allows you plenty of time both to explore Old Town & see Mycenae, Tiryns etc. On day u leave Nafplio (Aug 9), en route to Athens, you can do a 3-some: first drive up back way to top of Palamidi, then drive East to see Epidaurus, go up coast road to Isthmus & see Corinth Canal (a 30 min stop) before return to Athens -- efficient unhurried sequence for sites.
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