Advice on Greece Itinerary
 

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Greece for myself and two of my friends (all females in our mid to late twenties). We started looking at cruises, but we're more interested in really seeing the islands as opposed to having the cruise experience, so I'm trying to see what I can come up with on my own.

I've read a number of the most recent threads and have come up with an itinerary, but I would like some advice on whether or not this is doable.

We're budget travelers looking at a 12-14 day trip (time is flexible as long as the money holds out). I'm planning about $1000 for airfare with an additional $1000-1500 for ferries, hotels, food, maybe a tour, etc. Like I said, we're budget travelers so that $1000 is for inexpensive (yet clean and safe) hotels, no alcohol, cheap food, and lots of do-it-yourself tours. We like historical sites, beaches (although we don't want to spend the whole time on the beach), hikes and other adventures; we're not really into clubs or that sort of night life.

So, with that background, here's the itinerary I've put together. Comment away. . .

1. Fly into Athens

2. Fly from Athens to Santorini on Aegean air (2.5-3.5 days on Santorini)

3. Ferry from Santorini to Naxos (2.5-3.5 days on Naxos)

4. Naxos to Mykonos - I can't seem to find a ferry that runs between these two islands. Does one exist? How long is the trip? (1.5-2.5 days on Mykonos)

5. Mykonos to Athens (about 2.5 days in Athens)

Are there any islands we should substitute for the ones I've chosen? Many people say that Mykonos is touristy, but not knowing whether or not we'll ever get back it Greece, it might be nice to see it. Chios sounds wonderful, but it looks out of the way. I'd really like to see Ephesus, but I can't tell whether or not there are easy ferry connections from any of the islands I've chosen.

Please feel free to suggest hotels as well. Places that are willing to put three people in a room (a roll out bed is fine) for about 100 euros per night -- for the room, not per person.

Oh, and the trip will be in early June.

Assuming you mean $1000-1500 per person, it can be done.

Picking both Santorini and Mykonos is a bit redundant. They're both very popular and both are visited by hordes of cruise ship passengers during the summer months. If you want a more rounded experience of the islands choose one or the other and then go to another island nearby to enjoy the rest of your days.

There are ferries between Naxos and Mykonos. You can't find the schedules because they won't be out until sometime in April. Just rest assured that you will be able to get where you want to go.

Do some more research for Santorini, if you still plan to go there. Let us know which villge you prefer for your hotel and we'll come back to you with some recommendations based on your budget of 100 euro/night. Don't expect many choices for that amount if you want a view of the caldera. There are very few at that rate.

Check Aspa Villas, Anemomilos Hotel and Musses Studios for starters if you think you'd like to stay in Oia. In Firostefani try Hotel Mylos and Mama Thira B&B.

I think your itinery is great. My husband and I went to Greece this past June and we spent time in Oia and Naxos. We spent a little more time in each place compared to your schedule but you guys are in your 20's (we are in our 40's) and my husband really wanted a bit more relaxation on this trip. We ended up at Kalergis Studio on Naxos. http://www.studioskalergis.com I couldn’t find much on this place beforehand but we were very pleased and I think it would be great for 3 of you and its very reasonably priced. Our room had a double bed and a twin, with a little kitchenette and it was right on the beach. We just walked out our French doors to our little patio and then to the sand. On our right were a few beach front bars selling food and drinks and to the left were the beach chairs to hang out on. They don’t serve breakfast but just up the street there is a great little place with a wireless internet connection and we often sat there and had our coffee and some fruit and yogurt while keeping in touch with our kids at home.

And trust Brotherleelove, he knows everything and helped alot in my trip planning!

I like your itinerary.
We went a couple of years ago, two females who had your similar interests.

Brotherleelove is a very knowledgeable about Greece, but I have to say for our first time, we wanted to see both Mykonos and Santorini and we were very happy that we spent time on each.

We did not go to Naxos but did go to Paros.... not our favourite... , but I like your timing to add in Naxos.

I don't think if you are on a budget, that you need to have a view of the Caldera. We didn't, but easily walked all around the area.

We went on a package that included air, hotel, ferries. transportaion to each hotel, but then we did our own thing. It was with a Canadian Company called Nolitours and the price was good.

Good luck with your plans.

Brotherleelove,

Which other islands would you suggest in place of Mykonos that would be easy to get to from the others islands we plan to visit?

I think Santorini will end up staying on the itinerary, so I'll do some research and let you know which village we're interested in. A view of the caldera isn't all that important. We don't plan to spend that much time inside the room anyway.

There are many islands near to Santorini and Naxos including Paros, Antiparos, Sikinos, Ios, Folegandros, Anafi, Sifnos and Milos. Ios, Naxos, Paros and Antiparos are on the same ferry route between Athens and Santorini so they're the easiest to reach. The others can be reached with a bit good timing.

Once the schedules for June are set in April or May you can find them here:

http://www.openseas.gr/OPENSEAS/index_en.vm

In planning your budget, if you have 12 days and $1200 (you said 12-14 days & $1,000-$1,500 so I struck a median), that's $100 per day -- and at current exchange rates, that's 75€ per day. It's good to think in Euros when u are planning how to stretch your money.

A room for 3 on Santorini or Mykonos may cost 100€ =33€ each. That leaves 42€ per dayto cover Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Drinks,snacks, taxis, busses, sit admissions, beach chair rental, postcards, souvenirs, AND a pro-rated portion of ferry tix to next island.

On Naxos u can get a room for 3 for 40-45€,(14€ each?) so you have 50€ per day for all the other stuff. Try Studios Naxos ON Ag. Giorgios beach -- we got a cute tiny 2-room for 3 with kitchen corner on top floor w. balcony for 27€ in late may 2007. Similar to Studio Kalergis.

If u track your money daily that way, you can see where you're ahead or behind, & your money won't run out before your holiday does. Enjoy!

My math is bad! With Naxos room cost @14€ you have SIXTY Euros per day for other costs -- that's how you save up for your ferry expenses. PS: Naxos is great for hiking... take a look at this website:

http://www.cycladen.be/NaxosEng.htm

Santorini is a must in my opinion. Two years ago, we stayed in Esperas Traditional Houses in Oia, a beautiful property and, I thought, reasonable rates for the location. We flew to Samos for 2 nights and took a day trip to Ephesus, Turkey, which everyone thought was the highlight of our trip. Of all of our recent trips to Europe, our stays in Santorini and Ephesues stand out as highlighs. You will love Greece.

Well you have certainly done your research and you have chosen highlights for the first timer to Greece.
I have to confess we are budget travellers and are in our 50's so everything I have to say may not apply to you, however here are my thoughts.

If budget is a concern then you might want to consider one touristy popular islnd that will be expensive and one that is moderately priced and will give you a relaxed Greek experience.

First of all your time of 12 to 14 days is very good, Lots of people try to see 4 islands in 7 days and end up spending half their time on a ferry and not relaxing on an island.

Where are you flying from? A trasatlantic flight can be very hard and jet lag is nasty. We like to get into Athens and just relax for thet first night, just to get over jet lag. If your timing works it is not a bad idea to spend that first night in Athens and then head back to the airport for a flight to your first island. It is inexpensive to head back to the airport on the metro.

I think Santorini is a must see island, particualrly if you can find a hotel with a Caldera view. It is magical.

For a very different and more authentic Greek experience Naxos is a very good choice. It has a wonderful main town, antiquities, mountain villages, great beaches night life and tavernas. Best of all it is about half the price of Santorini. Because of the contrast these are very good islands to visit for a first timer.

To see Ephasus you need to get to Samos which is an overnight ferry from Athens and then catch a day trip to Kushadashi Turkey. It is doable in 14 days but you have to carefully choose your priorities because Santorini and Naxos are not on the same ferry routes as Athens to Samos.

Personally I am not a big fan of Mykinos brecause of the expensive nature of the place, however it is possible to take a day trip from Naxos to Delos and Mykinos. At least you can have a taste of Mykinos.

You do not indicate that you are party types however if that appeals to you, for direct ferry routes and economy of travel you might think of Santorini to Ios to Naxos. Ios is a big party island but is on a direct ferry route between Santorini and Naxos.

Just to tempt you here are our Naxos pictures.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552001505EYxVYT

Your itinerary sounds somewhat similar to ours - or at least the way I started it. I'm planning to fly into Athens, then fly straight to Santorini for 3 nights, ferry to Naxos for 3 nights, ferry to Athens for 3 nights, and then pick up a car and drive to Nafplion for 3 nights, to explore that area. Then straight back to the airport to home.

I decided against 3 islands, and to add the Peloponnese area for variety. Originally I was going to do 3 islands and Athens. I'm pretty pleased the the idea of our itinerary, although I haven't book ANYTHING yet, I'm waiting to book airfare first, and wait to be able to be flexible on the dates for this most expensive part of the trip. (My goal is to book by the end of January, book hotels in February, and then to have the rest of the time to read about where we're going and think about what we want to do - we'll see how that works out!)

Alice

Hi Alice! I'm reading your itinerary and it's almost the same as what my husband and I are planning for early - mid June. The only difference is that we'll fly from Naxos to Athens and pick up a car at the airport to drive to Nafplion and end our trip in Athens. Have you looked at the forums on Trip Advisor? Lots of good information there. Happy planning!

It is my understanding that July 8 is a holiday, as is the week preceding it. Will we encounter any difficulties if we fly into Athens and take ferries this week? Would it be better to postpone our trip a week until after the 8th?

Hi Memejs,

If you mean <b>June</b> 8th, yes that is a holiday. There is no Greek holiday in July.

June 6-8 this year is Pentacost, a three-day weekend, and many Greeks take the opportunity to get away to the islands. The week before is just like any other week. I am there nearly every year during Pentacost (50 days after Easter), and there is no reason to avoid that period. Just remember that ferries going to islands near to Athens, e.g. Mykonos, are packed on Friday and Saturday, as are those going back to the mainland on Monday.

If you are travelling in <b>July</b>, the earlier the better. The busiest time on the islands is from mid-July through the third week of August.

Lots of good suggestions. All I'm going to add is that Oia, Santorini is one of the more amazing places we've been. It is absolutely worth it and certainly recommend that you keep it on the itinerary. The pedestrian pathway through the village will still give you some incredible views of the caldera and town.