Marko

Is four days too long on this island, and is there an island you can do as a day trip from there ?

Wayne

If you really like to explore the local scene, four days isn't too much. But in case you want a day trip, I'd suggest Milos, Naxos, or Paros. None of them is extremely close, but they are reachable for a daytime round trip. If you go by air, of course, you can fly between these islands and it's really a short trip. Good luck.

Trish

I've been to Santorini twice in the last 5 years both trips I spent 5 days there and could have easily spent more. I would suggest getting transportation and seeing the whole island, we also enjoyed taking the boat tour because Santorini is truly spectacular from the water.

bobthenavigator

You will not want to leave--4 days is about right. I would stay at Oia and have a meal at Katrinas in Amoudi.

SusanInToronto

We had 5 nights, 4 days on Santorini and that was plenty of time as far as I was concerned. I think 3 days would have been better for us - not that we didn't enjoy our time there, but we enjoyed other areas more.

April

It depends on the person. I could have happily left after the first day.

luvtotravel

My first time there was for two nights, the second time for four nights. I hope to go there again some day. Of course, it depends on what you enjoy doing. I thought it magical.

Heimdall

Wayne offers some good suggestions, but as far as I know there aren't any flights between Santorini and the islands he mentions. Paros is the ferry hub of the Cyclades, so that might be the best alternative, as there will be numerous sailings each day between the two. Frankly, though, you would probably spend more time on the ferry than on Paros, so perhaps you should stay on Santorini and thoroughly explore the island.<BR>

Wayne

To clarify---Milos and Paros have airports you can fly into. Naxos is a ten-minute ferry ride from Paros, so if you fly to Paros you can easily get to Naxos. That's why I named those 3 islands as being the easiest to reach by air. Good luck.

GeoffHamer

The next island north of Santorini is Ios and it's easy to get a ferry there for a day trip, but if you don't want to stay any more on Santorini, it's much easier to go to stay somewhere else. There's no point in committing yourself to four days on Santorini unless you really want to spend four days there.

Heimdall

Wayne, there are no flights between Santorini and Paros, so there is no point in making that suggestion (Naxos also has an airport, with a longer runway than Paros, but there are no flights between Santorini and Naxos either). The runway at Paros is so short that it can only take 18 pax STOL aircraft, and last year there was only one flight per day (from Athens). Nearly all the flights to the islands are to and from Athens. Aegean Airways lists flights between Mykonos and Santorini, but when I did a search on their website didn't get any results.<BR><BR>For the record, the highspeed takes 30 min from Paros to Naxos, and the conventional ferries 1 hr. I think GeoffHamer's last reply is the most apt - don't book four days on Santorini unless you really want to stay there that long. Ios is a possibility for a day trip if you are in your 20's and enjoy binge drinking.

Marko

Thank you for your thoughts, varied as they may be. As you may all read this again how about comparing 4 days on Santorini to 4 days on Rhodes ? Which would you prefer?

GeoffHamer

If you have to spend four days somewhere, then Rodos has much more to offer as it's a bigger island and you can make day trips to Simi or to Turkey. However, Santorini is unique and the geography of the island is stunning. I've been to Greece many times over the past 20 years, but never with a fixed itinerary or with anything booked in advance apart from the homeward journey.

Marko

I would love to have that flexibility, but three kids under 14 will make it hard, we are an adventurous family but will still need to know where we will be tomorrow.

Heimdall

Marko, a lot depends on when you are traveling. In July and August Rhodes becomes a very busy package holiday island, and the Cyclades are also busy, mostly with independent travelers.<BR><BR>May, June, and September are the best months to visit the Greek islands. If you are going in one of those months, and are flexible, you can play it by ear, and stay in Santorini as long as you like, then catch the ferry for another island.<BR><BR>The difficulty in advising you what to do, is because you haven't said how you intend to get to Santorini, or what your budget will allow. Instead of four days on Santorini or four days on Rhodes, why not two days on Santorini, followed by two days on Mykonos (visiting Delos on one of those days), or two days on Paros, for example? That would be easier than taking a day trip from Santorini.<BR><BR>Island hopping is very easy in the Cyclades, and except during the high season, accommodation readily available without booking in advance. To make the most of your time, you could fly from Athens to Santorini, the take the ferry from Santorini to Paros or Mykonos, and then the highspeed ferry back to Pireaus.

Heimdall

Marko, another thought just occurred to me. I couldn't understand why you are so fixed on four days in Santorini, or four days in Rhodes. Are you, by any chance, planning a long weekend break with a charter flight to the island from somewhere like the UK? If so, all the above advice about island hopping is useless.<BR><BR>Or will the four days be part of a longer trip where you will be going from Athens to the islands?<BR><BR>Several people have tried to help you, but you need to be more explicit. Your last post revealed that you have three children under 14. That helps, because unless they are fond of archaelogy and stunning views, Rhodes might be a better choice, especially if they like beaches. Let us know a little more about your plans, and you will get better advice.

Marko

Sorry I have been a bit obtuse, here is the latest version of our itinerary.<BR>Commencing late june of 2004.<BR>Message: Some revisions based upon your suggestion, one day added in total, your thoughts please.<BR>DAY 1 : AUSTRALIA TO ATHENS <BR>DAY 2 : ATHENS <BR>DAY 3 : ATHENS<BR>DAY 4 :TO SANTORINI BY AIR<BR>DAY 5 : SANTORINI <BR>DAY 6 : santorini<BR>DAY 7 : SANTORINI/MARMARIS/BODRUM (ferry)<BR>DAY 8 : BODRUM<BR>DAY 9 : BODRUM/KUSADASI<BR>DAY 10 : KUSADASI/PAMUKKALE/HIERAPOLIS<BR>DAY 11 : KUSADASI/SELCUK/EPHESUS/ <BR>DAY 12 : KUSADASI TO CANNAKALE<BR>DAY 13 : CANNAKALE/Gallipoli<BR>DAY 14 : CANNAKALE TO ISTANBUL (car)<BR>DAY 15 : ISTANBUL<BR>DAY 16 : ISTANBUL<BR>DAY 17 : ISTANBUL TO CAPPADOCIA (plane)<BR>DAY 18 : CAPPADOCIA<BR>DAY 19 : CAPPADOCIA to ISTANBUL(plane)<BR>DAY 20 : ISTANBUL <BR>DAY 21: ISTANBUL TO AUSTRALIA<BR><BR><BR>

Heimdall

Thanks for your last reply. You have a very busy itinerary after a long flight from Australia. From the Turkish segment of your trip, it looks like you have an interest in ancient civilization, so a visit to the Minoan sites on Santorini should not be missed.<BR><BR> You should take advantage of your four days on the island for a little relaxation and a chance to get over jet lag. Santorini is as good a place as any for this. I think you will be happy with four days on the island, exploring by day, and enjoying Greek food in the tavernas by night.<BR><BR>What part of Australia are you from? I was in NSW and Queensland in 2000, and plan another visit later this year or early the next.<BR><BR>

Marko

Queensland, west of Brisbane. Yep and even my kids love the old stuff !! They badly wanted to do Egypt but I am a little cautious. I am seriously thinking about baseing in Kusadasi and visiting Bodrum, that way we stay a little bit more relaxed.

abortolotti

Hello Everyone!! I just read all your comments and I am glad so many people can be so helpful in planning a trip; I'd like to send an email to you guys but I didn't know how to do it, so I send the message here (sorry if I bother you!). I just posted a note as well on where to Stay in Santorini and Crete.....if you have time, can you check it and maybe help me too???? Thanx.