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.

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