10 days in Greece from 10th August..
Aug 4th, 2017, 10:17 PM
#1
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10 days in Greece from 10th August..
Hello guys!
So we are off to Greece on the 10th for 10 days and visiting Napflion, Santorini, Naxos and Athens.
We have most of the bookings sorted except the ferry..which we intend to take from:
1. Santorini to Naxos
2. Naxos to Athens
I have just a few things I am not sure about:
Do you recommend we book the ferry in advance?
How much cash should we carry? - We are completely comfortable with card money.
Any particular activities we could do? - We are taking the Kayak tour in Napflion and perhaps Snorkeling in Naxos.
Many thanks for your help!!
Cheers.
So we are off to Greece on the 10th for 10 days and visiting Napflion, Santorini, Naxos and Athens.
We have most of the bookings sorted except the ferry..which we intend to take from:
1. Santorini to Naxos
2. Naxos to Athens
I have just a few things I am not sure about:
Do you recommend we book the ferry in advance?
How much cash should we carry? - We are completely comfortable with card money.
Any particular activities we could do? - We are taking the Kayak tour in Napflion and perhaps Snorkeling in Naxos.
Many thanks for your help!!
Cheers.
Aug 5th, 2017, 12:10 AM
#2
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'How much cash should we carry?"
Do you mean from your home? None! Use ATMs!
Or do you mean on a daily basis? That would depend on how much you plan to spend on food and wine and snacks and treats and gifts and whatever on any given day, and how many of those expenses you are willing to charge rather than pay in advance. Keep in mind that one small factor contributing to the economic crisis in Greece is that many people pay cash for things -- and so many merchants don't claim their full income -- and so they don't pay their full share of taxes -- and so the taxes they pay are not sufficient to support public programs -- and so people are so strapped for money that they don't claim all they earn....
Do you mean from your home? None! Use ATMs!
Or do you mean on a daily basis? That would depend on how much you plan to spend on food and wine and snacks and treats and gifts and whatever on any given day, and how many of those expenses you are willing to charge rather than pay in advance. Keep in mind that one small factor contributing to the economic crisis in Greece is that many people pay cash for things -- and so many merchants don't claim their full income -- and so they don't pay their full share of taxes -- and so the taxes they pay are not sufficient to support public programs -- and so people are so strapped for money that they don't claim all they earn....
Aug 5th, 2017, 03:44 AM
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Thank you kja!
Well..I am not sure how much euros to carry around in cash..i am guessing cards are accepted widely..so its okay to go loose on actual cash money and use card widely?
Thanks again!
Well..I am not sure how much euros to carry around in cash..i am guessing cards are accepted widely..so its okay to go loose on actual cash money and use card widely?
Thanks again!
Aug 5th, 2017, 05:34 AM
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Definitely prebook the ferry from Naxos to Athens, because people start travelling home from the islands around the 20th after their Assumption Day holidays.
Many shops and restaurants still prefer cash, so you will need some euros to carry along with the cards. I usually draw about €300 from an ATM at Athens Airport, then more on the islands when I run low. If your bank has foreign transaction charges it's usually best to make fewer withdrawals in large amounts than vice-versa.
Many shops and restaurants still prefer cash, so you will need some euros to carry along with the cards. I usually draw about €300 from an ATM at Athens Airport, then more on the islands when I run low. If your bank has foreign transaction charges it's usually best to make fewer withdrawals in large amounts than vice-versa.
Aug 5th, 2017, 09:26 AM
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I also wait until I get to the airport to withdraw euros from ATMs. It's quick and for the most part very safe. I just withdraw what I need for a few days rather than carrying large amounts of cash on me then withdraw from ATMs as needed. I also take a credit card as back up. Just let your bank know where you are going and dates.
You are visiting four areas in 10 days. It may sound easy but it takes time to get from one point to another and time is money on Holiday.
Athens deserves a minimum of two with three days being better. Most people leave Athens for last to ensure they are back in time for a flight home in case of strike, weather delays, cancellations, etc.
Islands and parts of the mainland may look close on a map but it takes time to reach destinations, especially further away islands like Santorini by ferry. You can fly there, also to Naxos but how do you get from Santorini/Naxos . . . only by ferry.
It takes at least two hours between Athens and Nafplio by bus/car. I would leave Nafplio and Athens on your last days.
Your itinerary could be ferry/fly to Santorini, ferry to Naxos, ferry back to Piraeus and bus/car to Nafplio then bus/car to Athens for the end.
You may want to eliminate one area and add those days to the other destinations or just go for it and hope you have enough time at each destination to fully experience them, but it may be tough with just 10 days between 4 destinations.
Just my opinion but from experience quality is more important than quantity.
You are visiting four areas in 10 days. It may sound easy but it takes time to get from one point to another and time is money on Holiday.
Athens deserves a minimum of two with three days being better. Most people leave Athens for last to ensure they are back in time for a flight home in case of strike, weather delays, cancellations, etc.
Islands and parts of the mainland may look close on a map but it takes time to reach destinations, especially further away islands like Santorini by ferry. You can fly there, also to Naxos but how do you get from Santorini/Naxos . . . only by ferry.
It takes at least two hours between Athens and Nafplio by bus/car. I would leave Nafplio and Athens on your last days.
Your itinerary could be ferry/fly to Santorini, ferry to Naxos, ferry back to Piraeus and bus/car to Nafplio then bus/car to Athens for the end.
You may want to eliminate one area and add those days to the other destinations or just go for it and hope you have enough time at each destination to fully experience them, but it may be tough with just 10 days between 4 destinations.
Just my opinion but from experience quality is more important than quantity.
Aug 6th, 2017, 09:12 PM
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Thanks so much guys!!
Ferry bookings done on both routes.
The info on the currency bit is very helpful.
We are doing Nafplio before we get to Santorini (taking the bus from Athens to Nafplio on arrival).
Athens main city is at the end - like you said don't wanna take chances with the flight timings etc
Thanks guys!!
Cheers
Ferry bookings done on both routes.
The info on the currency bit is very helpful.
We are doing Nafplio before we get to Santorini (taking the bus from Athens to Nafplio on arrival).
Athens main city is at the end - like you said don't wanna take chances with the flight timings etc
Thanks guys!!
Cheers
Aug 7th, 2017, 08:32 AM
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wanderer/butterfly, good thinking to do Nafplio first (or are you one of those who took this advice from me, which I constantly dole out?). When you are tired, but want to get to somewhere beautiful within 2-3 hours on your first day -- without driving -- the KTEL bus IS the answer.
To GET THERE - X93 bus outside Airport Door 4-5 gets you there 60-70 mins @€6 (half that for seniors). Taxi is faster, but will cost €35-40. The KTEL Nafplio bus departs hourly on the half-hour, so you can judge whether to bus or taxi. Latter may be worthwhile if you are at the curb at about 3:15 and you want to make the 4:30 KTEL bus.
THe X93 is express, your luggage is piled inside, in a central "pen." You buy ticket at a nearby kiosk and must VALIDATE by punching it in a pole-mounted box inside bus. Then you can find a seat and doze... no need to be alert for pickpockets, there are none, since bus is nonstop, they cannot grab & jump off.
At KTEL Station u buy most tickets in a room with many windows & clerks. However, for Nafplio, tickets are sold right beside the bus. AND the bus itself is stationed right on the far-LH side of EXIT door of the terminal. So if x93 or taxi lets you off at main entrance, just head straight across the 'car barn' for the exit door. If you can't see it, ask anybody, "Nafplio?" & they point. I'm not sure about Credit cards, have €14 ea ready in cash.
NOTE #1: Bus seats are reserved/numbered -- ask for seats on LH side (you can touch your left arm)... because that's the side toward the sea, very scenic once bus gets thru the industrial area. NOTE #2 - No onboard restrooms, but a rest-stop about 1 hour into the trip, on highway in Corinth area. NOTE #3 - it is VERY hard to glimpse the corinth canal as you cross it (before rest stop) on the big new highway -- which is high & wide, while canal is VERY narrow. In the old days, the bus took the "old road" directly over the abyss. However you may decide to go up to driver about 45 minutes into the trip, and tell him (sweetly) you'd looove to see the canal but you realize it's almost impossible to glimpse from the modern highway... but you'd be grateful if he'd give you a High Sign when the vehicle is about to cross, and on which side to look.
(On one trip, with 4 eager "newbies" along who wanted a canal peek, I did this, very politely, and driver grinned & said "No problem!" and SUDDENLY he twisted steering wheel to the right, we zoomed off at an exit marked "isthmus" onto the local street, and onto ... the Old Bridge! We gasped & looked & took pix, and once over, he turned left & jumped right back on the big highway! I ran up to thank him, but he grinned & waved me off. Maybe you'll get that driver, or one just as nice!)
To GET THERE - X93 bus outside Airport Door 4-5 gets you there 60-70 mins @€6 (half that for seniors). Taxi is faster, but will cost €35-40. The KTEL Nafplio bus departs hourly on the half-hour, so you can judge whether to bus or taxi. Latter may be worthwhile if you are at the curb at about 3:15 and you want to make the 4:30 KTEL bus.
THe X93 is express, your luggage is piled inside, in a central "pen." You buy ticket at a nearby kiosk and must VALIDATE by punching it in a pole-mounted box inside bus. Then you can find a seat and doze... no need to be alert for pickpockets, there are none, since bus is nonstop, they cannot grab & jump off.
At KTEL Station u buy most tickets in a room with many windows & clerks. However, for Nafplio, tickets are sold right beside the bus. AND the bus itself is stationed right on the far-LH side of EXIT door of the terminal. So if x93 or taxi lets you off at main entrance, just head straight across the 'car barn' for the exit door. If you can't see it, ask anybody, "Nafplio?" & they point. I'm not sure about Credit cards, have €14 ea ready in cash.
NOTE #1: Bus seats are reserved/numbered -- ask for seats on LH side (you can touch your left arm)... because that's the side toward the sea, very scenic once bus gets thru the industrial area. NOTE #2 - No onboard restrooms, but a rest-stop about 1 hour into the trip, on highway in Corinth area. NOTE #3 - it is VERY hard to glimpse the corinth canal as you cross it (before rest stop) on the big new highway -- which is high & wide, while canal is VERY narrow. In the old days, the bus took the "old road" directly over the abyss. However you may decide to go up to driver about 45 minutes into the trip, and tell him (sweetly) you'd looove to see the canal but you realize it's almost impossible to glimpse from the modern highway... but you'd be grateful if he'd give you a High Sign when the vehicle is about to cross, and on which side to look.
(On one trip, with 4 eager "newbies" along who wanted a canal peek, I did this, very politely, and driver grinned & said "No problem!" and SUDDENLY he twisted steering wheel to the right, we zoomed off at an exit marked "isthmus" onto the local street, and onto ... the Old Bridge! We gasped & looked & took pix, and once over, he turned left & jumped right back on the big highway! I ran up to thank him, but he grinned & waved me off. Maybe you'll get that driver, or one just as nice!)
Aug 28th, 2017, 10:00 AM
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travelerjan-
I am planning a trip for next year and am considering the airport to Nafplio upon arrival. You say taxi is €35-40. The websites that I have checked quote considerably higher costs. Can you provide taxi companies at that lower rate?
Thank you,
David
I am planning a trip for next year and am considering the airport to Nafplio upon arrival. You say taxi is €35-40. The websites that I have checked quote considerably higher costs. Can you provide taxi companies at that lower rate?
Thank you,
David
Aug 28th, 2017, 10:57 AM
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No no no no -- that is from ATH airport to the KTEL Kifissou BUS STATION. If you read the following paragraph, it describes the X93 bus to the KTEL station and it will become very clear; I didn't think I'd have to spell it out.
Of COURSE taxi to Nafplio is hugely expensive because it would take taxi out of athens for a whole day Even if he just took you there & dropped u off.
If going to Nafplio (& hopefully, staying overnight), and there are 2 or 3 of you, and you don't mind driving, car rental div. by 3, not much more than bus. If going solo, bus is economical. Some couples do KTEL bus to Nafplio, then may rent a car on the spot for going to ancient ruins quickly, then do KTEL bus back; follow instructions above.
Of COURSE taxi to Nafplio is hugely expensive because it would take taxi out of athens for a whole day Even if he just took you there & dropped u off.
If going to Nafplio (& hopefully, staying overnight), and there are 2 or 3 of you, and you don't mind driving, car rental div. by 3, not much more than bus. If going solo, bus is economical. Some couples do KTEL bus to Nafplio, then may rent a car on the spot for going to ancient ruins quickly, then do KTEL bus back; follow instructions above.
