I agree with Carolina in that Tolon is a great base. To see the main sites there is no need to spend your time moving from one base to the next. She gave you many suggestions. We certainly enjoyed the island trips. Tolon is a great base as its beach is good and there are plenty of restaurants to go to at night.

Tania, you and I must be neighbours in Toronto (more or less). <BR><BR>I agree with the comment about 5 days being too long in Santorini. We had 5 nights there (which was really only 4 days) and I found it too long. I loved Naxos - had been there many years ago and still enjoyed it. We had 4 nights there. <BR><BR>I also agree with the comments on Athens. I realize it gets a lot of bad press, but my husband and I enjoy cities - we had only 2 nights there (1 day) and could have used more time.<BR><BR>Good luck with your plans.

BYRON: Wow! Thanks for the heads up on Arion! I know exactly where it is. All I really have to go on in choosing a travel agent is word of mouth, so I value an endorsement. I'll pop in either this weekend or next and ask them a few questions to get the ball rolling.<BR><BR>SUSAN: Any recommendations on your end for travel agents in the neighbourhood? <BR>I guess my inclination towards five days in Santorini (as opposed to three or four, which most people recommend) is because it'll be at the end of a long trip, and I'm saving it for last because it's the most spectacular, picture postcard place of all the destinations, and that it'll lend itself well to rest, rest and more rest, and to spoiling myself. I just wonder if I'd be shortchanging myself of just simply luxuriating for that extra day or two if I stayed for only three or four days. <BR><BR>I'm fine with two days in Athens, but I'm hesitant about staying any longer, as a big part of my decision to travel around Greece was to be in non-urban environments (I spent most of my August trip last year in Venice, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast, and as glorious as the city centers were for my mind, Amalfi was amazing for my soul. Same thing with France the August before that. I'm hopelessly in love with Paris, but it was Provence that awakened me. So two days in Athens will be totally do-able, as I can spend most of it focusing on the historical sites and the archeological museum (which will give me a better context for the rest of the trip.)<BR><BR>THEODORA: Thanks muchly for the link; I've bookmarked it. And I agree that even though Tolo is less expensive, it makes more logistical sense to stay in Nafplio (one less bus schedule to worry about...)

Tania, we used Mr. Travel - 398 Danforth (461-2424). I got the recommendation from my former hairdresser on the Danforth who went to Greece fairly often. I found them pretty good to use. They booked our flight to Greece and between the islands, and we got a good rate with Olympic (although it's not my favourite airline!). We also had them book some of our hotels in Greece. (Rate was the same or less than if I had booked them myself. It wasn't really necessary to book in advance, however when I looked at our arrival times at some of the places, I knew I didn't want to be trudging around looking for a bed.) We also spent a week in Turkey - we 'winged' it on that part of the trip and it was amazing. I actually preferred it to Greece - it seemed more like my first trip to Greece back in the 70's. <BR><BR>I probably would change the times around for Naxos and Santorini. 5 days on Naxos and 4 on Santorini, especially if you're planning to do trips from Naxos. Naxos is a fairly large island and really nice to visit. Santorini is visually beautiful, but very very touristy. I know everyone raves about the sunset in Oia - but the hordes of people make it almost too much. <BR><BR>You'll have a wonderful trip, I'm sure, no matter what you choose.

Ladies and Gentlemen,<BR>Good evening to all of you...it is really amazing that Tania took Byron's advise and she walked in to our agency to plan her vacation in Greece (she was loaded with info about the country that she is planning to visit).Tania, thank you for choosing us..as well as we thank Byron that besides that had wonderful time in Greece, he is recommending us....at Arion we do not sell Greece we know Greece....<BR>Now,as you noticed Tania hooked me into the wed site with all of you...<BR>Have a nice evening...<BR><BR>

I am happy that things worked out. Eleni, you were very helpful when I had questions. Good luck and great vacationing. You'll love Greece especially Santorini.