Hi everyone-
I am considering signing up for a 2 week painting program on the island of Skopelos at the beginning of July.
I am a 27 year old woman who has travelled pretty extensively through Europe, but always with someone else with me. So, the idea of travelling alone is a bit scary, although I think I might enjoy it actually.

The program begins and ends in Athens and I was considering staying an extra few days, maybe even a week, to explore Athens and the surrounding area.
I was hoping to get your opinions and suggestions on a 27 year old woman traveling alone in Greece. Good places to go, safe ways to get there, safe areas to find a hotel in, etc.
Thank you so much in advance for all of your help.
:0) Joanna

Greece is a very safe country. You will have no problems travelling on your own (although you will probably get a lot of male attention). I would stay in the Plaka area while you are in Athens as it is a very safe area for walking, even at night. Hotel choice depends on your budget. I would try to choose a hotel which has a bar where you can relax and meet other travellers. If you can afford it, the Electra Palace is lovely and very central. The Plaka Hotel is another good option. Another area you could consider is the Syntagma Square area - very central, more hotel options.
In the surrounding area, Nafplio is very nice. The beach resort of Tolo is 7 km from Nafplio and is very friendly. It is a good base for visiting other sites in the area.

Carolena

Thanks so much Carolina-
I just got word today that the program I was looking at still has space available, so I think I'm going to book it.
We will be taking a 2 day 'tour' of Athens before heading to Skopelos...I guess we will see all the major sites. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do when the class ends? We will be dropped back off in Athens. Is there a short 3 or so day tour I can take of the countryside? Should I stay in Athens and take public transportation to a town nearby?
Any thoughts or suggestions are really very welcome.
Thanks,
Joanna

DO what I did on my first trip... get to Bus Station A and take a reserved=seat A.c. bus to Nafplio, across the corinth canal, through orange groves etc. I won't repeat all my praise of this gem of a town on the bay of Argos; just put "Nafplio" in the "Search" slot and read the 3-4 recent posts I've made on how much fun it can be... ruins, castles, shops, beach, marble plaza, great sunsets on the water etc .. and there are 6-8 busses per day starting at 6 am, so no problem getting back at whatever time you choose.

I went alone my first visit there, and promptly hooked with a great BRitish couple & we took a day tour of Mycenae/Epidaurus. Lots of friendly people, you'll find -- and few Americans. (Greeks don't tell us about Nafplio; they want it for themselves!).

I would stay on, on Skopelos, for awhile. Beautiful island, Skiathos is next door. Alonissos, on Skopelos' other side, is an untouristed, green, very untouched island.
Then go back to Athens, maybe do a day trip to Hydra. I would think that Napflion would require more than just a few days to really explore.

If you only have a few days, I agree that it would be best to stay near Skopelos. Skiathos has beautiful beaches, lovely countryside and is very safe. You would probably meet tourists from all over Europe and I'm sure you would meet plenty of people to talk to. Greece is an extremely friendly country. If you try to pick up even just a few words of Greek, it will make people even more receptive to you. Just attempting to say a few basics, like please, thankyou, hello, goodbye etc. goes a long way.

Carolena