The Grande Bretagne in Athens was one of our all time favorite hotel experiences.
Crete- focus on Western Crete, base in Chania. We spent two weeks there and will return. So much to explore.
mainland- yes, return and stay in Napflion, beautiful small city, favorite by Athenians for their week end get always. Surrounded by Greece’s most significant antiquities sites.

Yes, we loved the Hotel Grande Bretagne, too. The view from their rooftop restaurant is below:
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Pretty view.

Yes, the Acropolis view was one of our favorite things about the Hilton stay. From the rooftop bar/ restaurant. From the Executive Lounge - from inside and from the balcony. But best of all, from the room - both from the balcony and even from the bed!

Lots of great hotel choices in Athens. We were thrilled with our choice. I'll return.

That was definitely on my wish list if we could carve out enough time. I would have rented a car for an overnight there - thanks to the great advice from Fodorites. That last 1/3 of the trip was problematic as far as choices. If we had flown back from Santorini, we would have had two full days to use. But we didn't. But then again, I wouldn't trade the Delphi/ monastery day with Constantine. The only solution is to return with more time!

For real.
I expected to enjoy the trip.
I didn't expect how much I would fall in love with Athens and the mainland. And of course, I want to return to see more islands.

I'm late in checking out your trip report Starrs but glad to see you had a good time. I have only been to Athens for a week with day tours out for a week and would like to return. I stayed in the Plaka area and had a view of the Acropolis from the room that was very close. Not bad for one of those old package deals. I also remember they asked for volunteers to bump when flying home. After you said it, I wonder if they do that a lot from Athens. I swore next time, I would do it as I was with a group of friends and it was early cell phone days so not easy to get myself home from the airport but today it's different.

To save money last year, I took a 21 hr flight with a very long layover in Munich. I worked out nicely as I got my German Christmas market in and did my shopping. I think I will look into Greece for 2021.

I uploaded some more photos from my phone. Here are a few -
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We went the back way up
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A cat around every corner
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Mars Hill / Aeropagus - where Paul preached
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gorgeous view
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These kids were as agile as mountain goats, climbing everywhere. Dad was on the phone
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Another corner, another cat
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The beggar's husband arrives to escort her home at the end of the day
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Here's a photo that shows the kind of summer clothing people were wearing on a late October day. Truly lucky with the weather!

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What a great way to get there!

Thanks!
Dreaming of my second time!

We froze on Santorini in late October, had to buy some clothes. Huge rain storms too, common at that time of year we were told.You were lucky with the weather.
Starrs, I am guessing that you don’t like seafood. That and a Greek Salad was our nightly meal. Octopus and fish.

Starrs I think a lot of people do the long layover thing to check out places. I was afraid to but since I've been to Munich so many times, I knew exactly how to spend my time so tried it. I would do it again in a heartbeat and wouldn't mind Paris so you were smart doing what you did.

I also may steal your intinery here for another trip in the future.

The Paris part was a great surprise, but one I loved.
" I knew exactly how to spend my time" - I did consider exploring a new area more but the rain kept me close to "home".
I would have loved a few hours to wander more in Amsterdam. My time there was too short in April.

Re "stealing my intinery" - my first reaction would be "Noooo!". It was far from ideal. Our joint trip really didn't begin until Day 3. I knew I'd be there a day early but didn't realize it was more like two days. But then again, I did like Day 1. If we had all of Day 2 or even had the ferry day back, we could have done more. So steal, some of it, but make better use of at least one day. That "extra" day would have made a big difference = 2 nights on another island. OR two days for a Meteora visit. OR two days to rent a car and explore the mainland on our own. But even with the imperfections and "too little time", it turned out to be a great trip.

I think I must be in the minority as far as flying in on one day and then immediately out to Santorini or another island. I'm sure that works for many, but I always worry about missed flights and a missed day at the beginning of the trip. I don't mind that so much for a "quiet" day or a non-special hotel. But I would mind it greatly if I had to eat the price of a night at Canaves Oia (or similar) or the first day's planned outing. I just like a buffer day. But I have to build in buffer time for work trips so it's what I'm used to. Others seem to thrive on flying directly to their main destination and that works for them. We are all different.

I do think a lot about returning. At Thanksgiving I'm going to ask a lot of details about the small ship cruise. Next time may be that and then some more mainland time. It's fun to dream about!

If I can add only one island, I think it will be Syros.

My logic for flying out to an island the same day as arrival in Athens is that it takes just as long to get into central Athens from the airport as to fly to an island, about 45 minutes to an hour, and saves a trip back to the airport the next day. If you arrive at Athens Airport early to mid morning you will have a choice of several flights to Santorini that day, and if you can find one with a 2-3 hour layover you have time to check in for the flight and sit down for coffee or a snack before heading to the departure gate.

I’m also a firm believer of saving Athens for the end of the trip, and not splitting it into two visits at the beginning and end of the trip. A year ago September there were storms that stopped the ferries for two days, and people were stranded on the islands missing their flights home. Most domestic flights seemed to be still running, but it was too late for last minute bookings, as the flights were full.

I fly to Greece from London, which is only 4 hours, less than a transatlantic flight, but travel to the airport from my country home makes it a full day. Most of my flights are overnight, similar to flights from North America. Similarly, when I fly back to the USA to visit family, I don’t stop overnight at the arrival city when I can be in my home town in 2 hours.

I agree with Heimdall. We fly straight to an island from Athens (after a bloody Mary at the Sofitel) We usually to fly to our farthest stop and work our way back to Athens

Good info. We all have our personal preferences.

How is the Sofitel? I was offered an overnight there by Delta if I agreed to be bounced. I chose a different option but the Bloody Mary idea sounds great!.

Hi starrs, I have stayed at Sofitel a couple of times on the rare occasion I’ve arrived at Athens in late afternoon and had an early morning flight the next day. Sofitel is a luxury hotel chain, and I’ve stayed in the one at London Gatwick as well. The Athens Sofitel is very nice, with the most comfortable beds in Greece I’ve ever slept in. The hotel is right across the street from the terminal, so you can go from checkout to the airline check in counter in 5 minutes. The hotel has several restaurants, or you can walk across the street to the terminal for cheaper fare and use of the free Wi-Fi (I’m a bit of a cheapskate, but don’t mind paying for convenience). ;-)

Thanks Heimdall. I've stayed in a couple of Sofitels over the years. The one they built in Atlanta was lovely. It didn't stay long and now is a Westin. It sounds like the Athens one is a very good airport option.

We have stayed at the Sofitel only once and enjoyed it. We are members of Accor hotels and like getting points.

This spring we had a couple of hours before boarding our flight to Santorini and bloody Marys there were an excellent way to toast our arrival in Greece and wait to check in with Aegean.

If I ever have a long layover again, I'm going to follow your lead!

The Athens Sofitel has a rooftop swimming pool as well, but I’ve never used it.

Oia hotel booked!

Oia has been my anticipated "empty nest" trip for years. The kids have been gone for quite a few, but DHs impending transplant and need for dialysis necessitated putting it off. I'm so excited we are finally going! Our small ship cruise (49 passengers, so, very small!) will be stopping there as well, but since I read the words "weather permitting" attached to Santorini on several cruise sites, and wasn't willing to take the chance of missing it, we are starting the trip by staying there first. It will be a bonus to go back.

I just found a TA review that described watching the planes from the pool. That would be nice!

Oh, I am SO glad!

I enjoyed it even more than I imagined - and I've "Imagined" a lot during the years. My friend brought back a beautifully wrapped and decorated bar of soap (in turquoise paper) and I'd stare at that spot of hope on my bookshelf during the hard years and think "One day". I adored staying in Oia.

I need to send you a description of a necklace I spied the first night in a shop and told myself I'd return to get it. We ran out of time (and energy). If you see it, I'd love for you to pick it up for me! Maybe we can meet up in NYC again at the dumpling place and talk about Oia. :palm:

amwsou needs to plan another great GTG!

Thanks so much for writing and posting your photos. It brought back some wonderful memories. We love Greece, have mostly been to the islands but next trip (who knows when) we'd like to include a few spots on the mainland as well. Glad you enjoyed it.

Kay

Thanks, KayF!
It's funny how things work out. Not having the time for another island meant we explored the mainland more. Happy "mistake". Of course, the solution (for me) is more time next time to do both. I look forward to the islands but REALLY enjoyed the drives out into the countryside to see Corinth and Delphi. Truly beautiful journey. I hope you get to return relatively soon!

Good input.
If I don't do a small boat cruise to see different islands (I'm not a "cruise person"), which additional two would you add?
The ones we discussed before the trip = Naxos (really hoped that add would work), Patmos (John), and Slopelos (Mamma Mia). Why Syros? I've had two people since the trip tell me it was their favorite.

topping for Ger