First time Greek Traveler
Apr 15th, 2006, 02:56 PM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm actually considering something like that myself, though not in September. It would be my first foreign solo trip, although I've taken many solo trips in the US.
If you can find a tour company that has a reasonable single supplement, it might be worth considering. They would take care of a lot of hassles, and traveling with a group would be less lonely, if that's a concern or problem for you. I suspect you'd be more likely to find a reasonable single supplement (or none at all) from a European tour company, since Europeans are ahead of Americans when it comes to recognizing solo travelers as customers rather than as aberrations.
At the very least you should look at what tour companies offer to get an idea of the islands they visit. Then do some research in guidebooks and the Web to see which islands you find most appealing. If you can find a travel agent who has experience with solo travelers, that might be a useful resource in either finding an appropriate tour or making independent arrangements.
If you can find a tour company that has a reasonable single supplement, it might be worth considering. They would take care of a lot of hassles, and traveling with a group would be less lonely, if that's a concern or problem for you. I suspect you'd be more likely to find a reasonable single supplement (or none at all) from a European tour company, since Europeans are ahead of Americans when it comes to recognizing solo travelers as customers rather than as aberrations.
At the very least you should look at what tour companies offer to get an idea of the islands they visit. Then do some research in guidebooks and the Web to see which islands you find most appealing. If you can find a travel agent who has experience with solo travelers, that might be a useful resource in either finding an appropriate tour or making independent arrangements.
Apr 18th, 2006, 01:19 PM
#3
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just got back from 2 weeks in greece..spent most of the time on the mainland which was amazing. Small cities and athens. Did go to some islands. I went on a trafalgar tour and there were several solo travelers on the tour who had a great time. Mykonos is the party island, its beautiful and known for it's crazy parties and nightlife. Crete is an extremely historic beautiful island and santorini is the island you see in all the pictures with the white homes and blue roofs. Its a good place to relax. Hope that helps
Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:25 PM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Visit Rhodes and Santorini. You could explore on your own. Santorini is absolutely beautiful and there are buses that take you to Oia, a little village with lots of charm. You can try the donkeys, eat fabulous food or dance the night away. Rhodes is nice with easy walking. September is the best time for Greece. I got to the islands via a cruise, so I was able to see a lot, but Mykonos and Santorini were my favorites. The food, the people, are wonderful. In Santorini, you can even rent a car (stick shift) and get around that way. You can visit the black beach, the white beach, it's great!
Apr 28th, 2006, 07:09 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a solo woman traveler, I wouldn't trade the experience of exploring on my own for anything -- tho' in Athens, I enrolled in a 2- or 3-night tour of environs just to make sure I didn't miss any of the historic sights. There is so-o-o-o-o much to see.
A word to the wise on solo traveling in Greece, however. . . especially if your happen to be female: Hotel clerks in small hotel are the worst. Not a single hotel clerk who saw me to my room in a small hotel (exempt of the couple of nights I was with the tour group) failed to close the door behind himself and offer to help me test the bed. Perhaps it's a standard gesture of Greek hospitality? Who knows!
In any event, you may want to be prepared for the nuisance with a well-practiced nod (nodding your head means "no"
and a stern "Ok-he" (the Greek word for no). Once that's behind you, the rest is a piece of baklava.
A word to the wise on solo traveling in Greece, however. . . especially if your happen to be female: Hotel clerks in small hotel are the worst. Not a single hotel clerk who saw me to my room in a small hotel (exempt of the couple of nights I was with the tour group) failed to close the door behind himself and offer to help me test the bed. Perhaps it's a standard gesture of Greek hospitality? Who knows!
In any event, you may want to be prepared for the nuisance with a well-practiced nod (nodding your head means "no"
and a stern "Ok-he" (the Greek word for no). Once that's behind you, the rest is a piece of baklava.
Jun 6th, 2006, 04:20 PM
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I justed booked a tour for Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini with Trafalgar. A bit pricey (not easy on the singles) but once I got the itch to go to Santorini, I had to do it. I'll be there end of July.
It is a tour, but it is a leisure tour - plenty of time on your own to explore.
It is a tour, but it is a leisure tour - plenty of time on your own to explore.
Jun 16th, 2006, 12:12 PM
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
check out www.ricksteves.com--they have just added Greek tours recently. I'm heading to Turkey early October for a Rick Steves tour and then doing Greece on my own afterwards..I'm in the process of checking out some options in Greece too! Keep me posted..I'm thinking ferry to Samos, Santorini and maybe Mykonos..but checking on ferry schedules that late in the season..
