A (too) short late October visit to Greece
Nov 3rd, 2019, 04:05 AM
#25
Nov 3rd, 2019, 08:45 AM
#26
Five nights in Athens and only two on Santorini.
Pretty much the opposite of what we did: 3 nights in Athens and 5 on Santorini, which I think is much better.
We were not thrilled with Athens, but needed to stop there both arriving and departing.
Stayed the first two nighst at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, and the last night at the Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort. We didn't want to stay in Athens proper again.
Pretty much the opposite of what we did: 3 nights in Athens and 5 on Santorini, which I think is much better.
We were not thrilled with Athens, but needed to stop there both arriving and departing.
Stayed the first two nighst at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, and the last night at the Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort. We didn't want to stay in Athens proper again.
Nov 3rd, 2019, 10:03 AM
#29
Thanks for the TR and great photos. Greece is on our shortlist for the next big trip. We have decided we are done with European car rentals (in most cases), so definitely appreciate the PK Travel recommendation. I've got the site saved in my Greece folder now.
Nov 4th, 2019, 02:10 AM
#32
Nov 4th, 2019, 02:12 AM
#33
Thank you.
Virtually weekly, I'm asked (at the kiosk at checkin) if I'm interested in volunteering to be bumped. When I can, I indicate "yes" and always put $500 as my bid. Most of the time they don't need my seat, or used someone's with a lower bid. But I've gotten $900 for a one hour flight where I was put on a flight only one hour later. Delta's currency is seats. If they want/ need mine, might as well ask for what I want. I'm glad they routed me through Paris per my request. My #2 request was going to be Amsterdam. I can easily stroll around either and enjoy myself.
Even in the rain!
Last edited by starrs; Nov 4th, 2019 at 02:15 AM.
Nov 4th, 2019, 02:53 AM
#34
I'll still do weekly rentals when I have lots of time. I've enjoyed driving around Ireland (first trip to Europe many years ago), Provence, Tuscany (two Octobers ago), etc. But years ago, I missed the train to Giverny and didn't have enough days to reschecule. On my April trip to Paris, I booked a day trip there (van trip/ group) and LOVED it! Show up to a convenient location in Paris, enjoy someone else do the driving - and back - and it was a lovely day. I could easily use Athens as a base for day trips. This trip turned out that way very accidently. I knew I was arriving a day before my friend but didn't realize her flight the second day was late afternoon. I promised her to wait to explore Athens until her arrival. I planned for a pool day, just to relax from a very busy life schedule, but wasn't going to sit around the pool for two days in Greece! The airport pickup and trip to Corinth was perfect! The day trip to Delphi was marvelous. I could easily use Athens as a base for several nights and use PK Travel for day trips out to different locations on the mainland. I already have a starter list of locations.
Now Constantine is my #1 reason to take more (longer) day trips with him! He was fabulous, as a driver, as a person and as a conversationalist.
I would love to stay multple nights at the Hilton with an Acropolis view and have a starter list of restaurants I'd like to try at night. But then again, we really enjoyed returning to "our friend" Irene at Old Itaki. It was fun to be greeted like an old friend. We enjoyed the location and the music too.
I knew I could trust Challiman's recommendations. We've "known" each other long enough and I've followed her trips enough to know I could count on whatever she said. When she said I should use Paul's Yellow Taxi and go to Delphi, those were givens. I feel the same about Macross' advice. When you've followed their trips for years, you know you have similar travel styles and standards and they are among many Fodorites whose advice I count on without reservations.
This was my friend's first time using a private driver and she was hesitant, but really enjoyed the Delphi day. And I loved using LoveItaly's private driver for the Amalfi coast.
I want to return and do more islands. A family member sailed to many islands on a small ship this summer. I'd like to do that too, but will definitely use PK Travel again for more mainland day trips.
They do trips departing from the ferry at Piraeus if those traveling on cruise ships want to take excursions.
Last edited by starrs; Nov 4th, 2019 at 03:17 AM.
Nov 4th, 2019, 02:57 AM
#35
I'm glad you did! We've already "talked" on Facebook, but I highly recommend Oia. SO glad I stayed there! Several posters on the "memories" thread stayed nearby and enjoyed an Oia base as well. It's definitely my #1 choice of location.
We definitely needed more time but you are planning for that already.
Last edited by starrs; Nov 4th, 2019 at 03:18 AM.
Nov 4th, 2019, 02:58 AM
#36
And this is the first TR I've written in years. I hate them, but decided to "just do it".
Nov 4th, 2019, 03:06 AM
#37
I do Hilton and IHG. I'm either using points (Hilton) or gathering them (Crowne Plaza). I joined the Priority Club the second year they started it. All of my co-workers went to Europe on points that first year because Holiday Inn set the point levels too low on the inaugural year. I was one year "too late" for that! For years, I belonged to every loyalty program (still am) but focus on Hiltons and then IHG if there's only a HIX in a small town or want to stay at an Indigo or former Kimpton (now IHG too).
We only spent 1 day exploring Athens. I definitely want to return to spend more time in Athens. We barely scratched the surface of things to see and do. But loved using Athens hotels as a base for day trips. The schedule for this trip was wonky due to very different travel schedules, but it turned out great. No complaints.
Last edited by starrs; Nov 4th, 2019 at 03:11 AM.
Nov 4th, 2019, 03:08 AM
#38
Nov 4th, 2019, 03:09 AM
#39
