Hi,

I am traveling to Greece with my wife and child (3 year old) in Sep end for 10 days. Have read through the forums and researched online to make initial itinerary. Need your feedback on same and have some specific questions too.

Few things, I am used to drive on left side of road in India and my kid is generally cranky in a car so avoid renting a car. Will rely on taxi, public transport and organised bus tours for the entire trip.

Day 1 - Land in Athens by 2:30 pm (traveling from India so total journey of 11 hours including 2.5 hours layover in Istanbul). Since it will already be a long journey and we have 3 year old with us not going to Santorini same day as it will involve another 2-3 hour layover on Athens airport and 1 hour flight post that. Plan to visit the National Garden in evening. (Overnight Athens)

Day 2 - Morning ferry to Santorini which will reach Santorini by 3 pm (ferry over flight as it is more economical). Plan to stay in Fira so that will be just to explore Fira. (Overnight Santorini)

Day 3 - Volcanic islands, Explore Oia (Overnight Santorini)

Day 4 - Akrotiri, Red Beach, Black Beach (Overnight Santorini)

Day 5 - Not sure what to do in morning in Santorini, will take 3:30 pm ferrry to Naxos. Arrive in Naxos at 5:30 pm. Explore the town (Overnight Naxos)

Day 6 - Take public transport/organized tours to explore Naxos (Overnight Naxos)

Day 7 - Take morning flight to Athens, will be in Athens by noon. Will do Acropolis, Parathenon, Acropolis Museum, Temple of Olympian Zeus. (Overnight Athens)

Day 8 - Take morning bus to Nafplio, explore Nafplio, back to Athens by late evening (Overnight Athens)

Day 9 - Half day organized tour to Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon (Overnight Athens)

Day 10 - Mount Lycabettus, Pandrossou, Central Market (Overnight Athens)

Day 11 - 6 am flight back home

Ques:

1) On Day 1 in Athens should i do National Garden or Acropolis Museum in evening?

2) Is there sufficient public transport in Sep end for me to do my Day 3 and Day 4 trips in Santorini?

3) Anything to suggest to do on Day 5 first half in Santorini before my afternoon ferry to Naxos

4) What to do on Day 6 in Naxos. Will i get organized tours in Naxos to explore the island (as much is it possible in one day)? Or should i not bother about organized tours and do it in public transport?

5) Should I stay one night in Nafplio instead of coming back same day? And if I travel to Nafplio by public bus, how can I fit Corinth canal and Mycanea in itinerary. Problem is I was going through Dolphin Hellas organized tour but that leaves only on Mon, Tue, Wed and I am not in Athens on either of those days.

6) Larger question - Will you suggest adding one day to Naxos and removing one from Athens? If yes how do I change my Athens itinerary. Just to let you know our interest we are interested in beautiful landscapes, historic sites etc but not interested in spending hours on a beach (especially with 3 year old).

7) My flight back is very early morning. If I am staying in city centre I will need to start at 3 am odd to reach airport. Will I get taxi at that time? Or should I stay in airport hotel last night?

Have lot more smaller queries but I guess above ones are more important.

Thanks

Vishal

Some thoughts:

Day 5: Naxos has a lot to offer. You might want to consider leaving Santorini a day (or more) earlier. Just an idea…

Day 7: I could be wrong, but I can’t imagine fitting all of these things into a single day, even a day starting early in the very early morning. YMMV.

Day 8: What, exactly, do you hope to see on such a day trip?

Day 9: Whether this trip is worth it to YOU depends on what else you want to see and experience.

Q 1: The Museum of the Acropolis is, to my mind, extraordinary. The National Garden, ho-hum.

Q 3: You might consider leaving earlier. Depends on what YOU want.

Q 4: My opinion: explore Naxos by foot.

Q 5; Your call. You don’t have time for everything you might want to see. Only you can decide what to skip.

Q 7: Contact your hotel and ask them whether they can and will reserve a taxi for you that suits your needs.

Do you have a good guidebook? If not, PLEASE get oen!

Good luck!