Caitlin

Hi Everyone, <BR> <BR>I've already posted this in the general forum (not my intention) - I hope this appears in Italy as intended - I'm a bit confused how this works. <BR> <BR>My problem is: <BR> <BR>We will be flying to Athens on the 11th of September, and it includes a return flight to Rome. Our travel plans are sketchy but we want to spend 3 weeks in Italy (mainly Tuscany I think), 2 weeks in Greece (mainly the Islands) and a week in Malta (My partner has relatives there). <BR> <BR>We can either tour Greece first, or go straight to Rome and leave Greece until last. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have a view on which would be the better choice? Issues I'm thinking about are: <BR> <BR>Weather - will it be a bit too cool in Greece in mid-late October to swim? <BR> <BR>Hotel availability - though we are going to book in the big towns (Venice, Rome, Athens etc) we were hoping to 'wing it' for smaller centers. Would this be easier in October for Italy or is Greece just as booked out in September? <BR> <BR>Services - Will everything still be running in mid October? I though I read somewhere that the Greek Islands start to shut down around then. <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR> <BR>Caitlin <BR> <BR>

Bobby G.

I just returned from Rome and Athens on the 22ond. Was there 2 weeks. Rome is worth the trip but be very careful with you personal belongings. We had one pickpocket and a purse slashing in the Vatican City of all places. Also in Rome when you pay your cafe check they will not bring the change unless you go inside and ask for it. Also don't take the carraige rides around Trivi Fountain. We had a couple taken to a bad part of town and the driver wanted more money, when they refused he made them get out. They had to walk miles back to town. <BR> <BR>Athens was different. The people were nice and tried to speak English. The food was great as was Italy. The pastas were out of this world. In Athens the fresh salads were so good. You can ride the bus or trolly in Athens for about 30 cents. Ask the kisoes men for directions as some can speak english. If you have more ?s please feel free to contact me. Happy Travels, Bobby G.

elvira

<BR>Do Greece first, especially if you want to swim. Spend a couple of days in Athens to see the sights, then on to the islands. You can fly from Athens (prop planes) to the islands, or take a ferry. The ferries also still run between the islands during the fall. You might consider renting a house or apartment on one island, then daytripping to the others. I'd arrange that before I go; we rented two small houses in Naxos, but I don't know about the other islands - a websearch should turn up lots of sites. Ditto for information on the individual islands. <BR> <BR>If you're flying between each place, then I'd fly to Malta from Greece, then fly to Italy. If you're doing ferries, then ferry to Italy from Greece (it's a VERY long trip) then from Italy to Malta. <BR> <BR>Being a paranoid obsessive-compulsive, I make all my reservations for accommodations before I leave, so I've never had to depend on the kindness of strangers (ok I borrowed that) for finding places 'along the way'; therefore, I can't really say whether it's feasible to do so.

cynthia

Can you tell me which ferry you took from Greece to Italy and how much it cost? Did you get a room or stay on the deck? Thanks.

Caitlin

Thanks for the replies so far. <BR> <BR>A flight from Athens to Rome and back is included in the cost of our flight - so that bit is certain. <BR> <BR>It sounds like doing Greece first is definately the way to go. <BR> <BR>We would probably do Malta last. I'm not sure if we would trying taking a ferry from Italy to Malta and back, or fly. Flying would be quicker I suppose, though I believe you can take a ferry from either Sicily or Genoa - does anyone know how practical the Genoa ferry would be? It looks like a very long way... <BR> <BR>If we made a base on one of the Greek islands how long would it take to get to other islands and back? This is the bit I have really done no research at all on yet. I was assuming we would stay on maybe three Islands for 3-4 days each. <BR> <BR>Caitlin

elvira

<BR>Cynthia, we ixnayed the erryfay because of the length - and none of us were sure we wouldn't get seasick. The website I used to determine this was <BR>http://www.ferries.gr <BR> <BR>The only long distance ferries I've done were across the Channel, overnight, and having done the reclining seat and the cabin, GET A CABIN. If the weather turns foul, you won't want to be on deck, even if you take an early morning ferry that arrives in the afternoon.

elvira

<BR>Caitlin, the same website will help with interisland ferries: <BR>http://www.ferries.gr/ <BR> <BR>