Touring the Greek Islands
Aug 3rd, 2013, 07:28 AM
#1
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Touring the Greek Islands
Traveling to Santorini September 13-30/13. Will be staying on the Island the entire time. Need help in arranging transportation to some islands nearby during my two weeks there- no overnights, just day trips by boat. Oh, and on return to ATH, I would like to return to Rome by boat. Any help would be appreciated.
Aug 3rd, 2013, 02:34 PM
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I'd suggest you ask about day trips when you get to Santorini - in my experience, local information in Greece once you get there is by far the most accurate, particularly as far as day trips are concerned. What is on offer can vary considerably from one week to the next and often depends on the number of people actually wanting to make a specific trip.
As for going by boat from Athens to Rome (which isn't actually on the Mediterrranean), you would have to allow for several days travelling time from Piraeus (the port to Athens) and Civitavecchia (port to Rome) - but there isn't actually a ferry service between the two. The normal way to travel would be Patras - Brindisi, or Patras - Ancona, all on the Adriatic. That means getting to Patras from Athens (four hours by train, more by bus), then a train journey of 5-8 hours to Rome from Brindisi, or 4 hours from Ancona. Alternatively you could get the ferry from Patras to Bari, Venice or Trieste, but all of these are further away from Rome.
As for going by boat from Athens to Rome (which isn't actually on the Mediterrranean), you would have to allow for several days travelling time from Piraeus (the port to Athens) and Civitavecchia (port to Rome) - but there isn't actually a ferry service between the two. The normal way to travel would be Patras - Brindisi, or Patras - Ancona, all on the Adriatic. That means getting to Patras from Athens (four hours by train, more by bus), then a train journey of 5-8 hours to Rome from Brindisi, or 4 hours from Ancona. Alternatively you could get the ferry from Patras to Bari, Venice or Trieste, but all of these are further away from Rome.
Aug 3rd, 2013, 04:16 PM
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Daytrips from Santorini to other islands are challenging because of the ferry schedules. The islands that are closest are Thirassia, Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros, Anafi, Naxos and Paros. You can definitely visit Thirassia for the day by shuttle boat from Amoudi Bay below Oia, and perhaps by regular ferry from Santorini's ferry port, Athinios, to Thirassia's port of Riva.
You won't know what's available to you until you're there and are checking for the most current information. You will find it here: http://www.gtp.gr You should be able to find information about the Thirassia shuttle boat outside the town office in Oia.
You won't know what's available to you until you're there and are checking for the most current information. You will find it here: http://www.gtp.gr You should be able to find information about the Thirassia shuttle boat outside the town office in Oia.
Aug 3rd, 2013, 11:59 PM
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Hi Harry,
I'm assuming you already have your accommodation on Santorini booked, and that's why you wish to do only day trips. While the Cyclades Islands may look close together on a map, they aren't all linked together by frequent ferry services.
Apart from Thirassia, which is part of the Santorini caldera, it is only possible to do day trips to a few islands by a combination of ferries, at least one of which would be an expensive catamaran. For instance, a round trip to Naxos would cost about CAD $110 per person on a catamaran, a little cheaper if you could do one leg on a conventional ferry. Then you would have only a few hours on the island, maybe enough time to look around town and walk to a nearby beach.
Ios, the young people's party island, would be the easiest to reach from Santorini. Others, e.g. Anafi and Folegandros would be more difficult. You would have to double-check on the day of travel that the ferries you depend upon are all running that day (not a given in the case of catamarans).
What I suggest, even though you may already be paying for a room on Santorini, is take a ferry to Naxos and stay there one or two nights. There are people with rooms to rent waiting at each ferry arrival, so it's easy to find somewhere to stay. Leave your luggage in Santorini and take an overnight bag with you. Of course if you could rearrange your plans to move from one island to another, that would be even better.
I'm assuming you already have your accommodation on Santorini booked, and that's why you wish to do only day trips. While the Cyclades Islands may look close together on a map, they aren't all linked together by frequent ferry services.
Apart from Thirassia, which is part of the Santorini caldera, it is only possible to do day trips to a few islands by a combination of ferries, at least one of which would be an expensive catamaran. For instance, a round trip to Naxos would cost about CAD $110 per person on a catamaran, a little cheaper if you could do one leg on a conventional ferry. Then you would have only a few hours on the island, maybe enough time to look around town and walk to a nearby beach.
Ios, the young people's party island, would be the easiest to reach from Santorini. Others, e.g. Anafi and Folegandros would be more difficult. You would have to double-check on the day of travel that the ferries you depend upon are all running that day (not a given in the case of catamarans).
What I suggest, even though you may already be paying for a room on Santorini, is take a ferry to Naxos and stay there one or two nights. There are people with rooms to rent waiting at each ferry arrival, so it's easy to find somewhere to stay. Leave your luggage in Santorini and take an overnight bag with you. Of course if you could rearrange your plans to move from one island to another, that would be even better.
Aug 8th, 2013, 05:43 AM
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Thanks for all the info guys!! Really appreciate it and looking forward to our trip even if we have to stay on Santorini for the entire time. I am quite sure I will be coming back with a group of friends next September also, shud you hve any updtes during that time, I will be checking this site. Tks agn.
H
H
Aug 8th, 2013, 06:38 AM
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Hey Harry,
there is a site called dopios that offers advice, insight tips and activities offered by locals. It's located in Greece, but counts locations allover the world. Take a look at the site, i think it's open in the greek islands, i'm sure there will be someone from Santorini there to help you! Try it out, i used it in Barcelona, it's cool!
Cheers and enjoy your trip!
Maria
there is a site called dopios that offers advice, insight tips and activities offered by locals. It's located in Greece, but counts locations allover the world. Take a look at the site, i think it's open in the greek islands, i'm sure there will be someone from Santorini there to help you! Try it out, i used it in Barcelona, it's cool!
Cheers and enjoy your trip!
Maria
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