Naxos or Paros
Jul 16th, 2014, 09:53 PM
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Naxos or Paros
We have three weeks in Greece beginning mid-sept and after 3 days in Athens with friends we are planning 3 days driving the Peloponnese peninsula, Crete for 4 days, a very quick stop in Santorini (and maybe Mykonos which I was ready to skip until reading some posts on this site). Then we have another five days to hike, kayak, beach, eat and enjoy the local lifestyle. Paros and Naxos both sound perfect but we'd rather choose just one of the two and hunker down. Any advice?
Jul 17th, 2014, 07:06 AM
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Hi sisters!
I would suggest changing your itinerary sequence for 2 reasons (a) more efficient travel logistics and (2) your visit timing, mid-september. The islands begin slowing down earlier than the mainland, ferry schedules change, and weather also. Actually, if it's an option to move your Athens-with-Friends thing, it might work BEST to do it at the END; think about it.
As for Paros or Naxos, I'm always suggesting Naxos, but it's because it meets your expressed interests so well. Far better hiking (see this amazing website -- http://www.cycladen.be/NaxosEng.htm ), excellent local bus system allows you to enjoy superb beaches without renting a car, and its inland villages afford a chance to glimpse the local lifestyle -- in fact there's both a Fisherman's Feast event in September, AND a Raki Festival in the villages -- http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/naxos...y-festival.htm
Here's a possible alternate scenario (either immediately or after 3 days in Athens:
(1) Fly (or overnight ferry) to CHANIA, CRETE. 1 day exploring old town. rent car, drive to south coast then N.E. to Heraklion for fast-ferry 9:45 AM of your 5th Crete day ...
(2) SANTORINI… arrive 12 noon, spend that day & next, & get ferry to Naxos 3:15 pm Blue Star ferry on 3rd day -- OR on 2nd day, if one night in Santorini is enough, just to take pix of the Famous View of Caldera ..
(3) NAXOS … aaah. In Sept, stay on Ag. Giorgios Beach directly adjacent to Naxos town, use buses to visit farther-out beaches. Swims, hikes sunsets, lively events etc even in Sept (Naxos has large permanent population) .. AND it offers a DAY-excursion to check out Mykonos-Delos. Take the Blue Star ferry 9:45 am or 6 PM (the latter gives u an extra beach afternoon).
(4) ATHENS?? -- here u could do your 3-day visit with friends … OR
just spend 1 night in Athens and then ...
(5) PELOPONNESE -- get car at airport or rent from Swift/A vanti, which will take you to the intercity highway on-ramp, & its nonstop until after Corinth Canal. Best center: Nafplio… enjoy gorgeous Old Town & visit Mycenae Epidaurus, Asine, and (just off hi-way) overlooked NEMEA.
I would suggest changing your itinerary sequence for 2 reasons (a) more efficient travel logistics and (2) your visit timing, mid-september. The islands begin slowing down earlier than the mainland, ferry schedules change, and weather also. Actually, if it's an option to move your Athens-with-Friends thing, it might work BEST to do it at the END; think about it.
As for Paros or Naxos, I'm always suggesting Naxos, but it's because it meets your expressed interests so well. Far better hiking (see this amazing website -- http://www.cycladen.be/NaxosEng.htm ), excellent local bus system allows you to enjoy superb beaches without renting a car, and its inland villages afford a chance to glimpse the local lifestyle -- in fact there's both a Fisherman's Feast event in September, AND a Raki Festival in the villages -- http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/naxos...y-festival.htm
Here's a possible alternate scenario (either immediately or after 3 days in Athens:
(1) Fly (or overnight ferry) to CHANIA, CRETE. 1 day exploring old town. rent car, drive to south coast then N.E. to Heraklion for fast-ferry 9:45 AM of your 5th Crete day ...
(2) SANTORINI… arrive 12 noon, spend that day & next, & get ferry to Naxos 3:15 pm Blue Star ferry on 3rd day -- OR on 2nd day, if one night in Santorini is enough, just to take pix of the Famous View of Caldera ..
(3) NAXOS … aaah. In Sept, stay on Ag. Giorgios Beach directly adjacent to Naxos town, use buses to visit farther-out beaches. Swims, hikes sunsets, lively events etc even in Sept (Naxos has large permanent population) .. AND it offers a DAY-excursion to check out Mykonos-Delos. Take the Blue Star ferry 9:45 am or 6 PM (the latter gives u an extra beach afternoon).
(4) ATHENS?? -- here u could do your 3-day visit with friends … OR
just spend 1 night in Athens and then ...
(5) PELOPONNESE -- get car at airport or rent from Swift/A vanti, which will take you to the intercity highway on-ramp, & its nonstop until after Corinth Canal. Best center: Nafplio… enjoy gorgeous Old Town & visit Mycenae Epidaurus, Asine, and (just off hi-way) overlooked NEMEA.
Jul 17th, 2014, 08:44 AM
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Here is why Jan is suggesting Chania, Naxos and Nafplio.
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/
Trip around Naxos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/
Trip around Naxos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094108982/
Jul 17th, 2014, 09:22 AM
#4
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Another Naxos lover here!! We spent a week there in 2012 in sept!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627668851905/
We also spent 4 nights on the Peloponnese
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627669385061/
Enjoy your trip no netter what you decide!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627668851905/
We also spent 4 nights on the Peloponnese
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627669385061/
Enjoy your trip no netter what you decide!
Jul 17th, 2014, 09:51 AM
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I enjoyed Naxos, but went back for a second visit to Paros. To really enjoy it, you would need to rent a car, but there's very little traffic on the roads other than in Parikia ( where ferries arrive/depart).
We have stayed in Naoussa a couple of times now, and find it the quintessential charming Greek port city. Lots of amazing restaurants ( incredible fresh seafood!), many people relaxing in the town square with a dark coffee or slice of Greek pizza.
The beaches are gorgeous, especially Golden Sunshine Beach, and our new favorite, ParosPoros, a small cove framed by mountains, a dock, and a fabulous taverna serving simple but excellent Greek food.
We also really enjoyed a visit to Lefkes, a medieval city in the hills on the way to Golden Sunshine Beach.
There's plenty to do for five days, and when there's not, you can sit down and savor your afternoons on a really lovely, friendly island.
We have stayed in Naoussa a couple of times now, and find it the quintessential charming Greek port city. Lots of amazing restaurants ( incredible fresh seafood!), many people relaxing in the town square with a dark coffee or slice of Greek pizza.
The beaches are gorgeous, especially Golden Sunshine Beach, and our new favorite, ParosPoros, a small cove framed by mountains, a dock, and a fabulous taverna serving simple but excellent Greek food.
We also really enjoyed a visit to Lefkes, a medieval city in the hills on the way to Golden Sunshine Beach.
There's plenty to do for five days, and when there's not, you can sit down and savor your afternoons on a really lovely, friendly island.
Jul 17th, 2014, 10:19 PM
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Such a wonderful advice, thank you all. I've been reading your comments on other folks posts for the last week it's been so helpful in putting our trip together. So here is a revised itinerary:
Days:
1-3 Athens with friends (arriving 9.14)
4-7Crete
8 santorini (sun/mon)
9-14 Naxos (with day trip to Mykonos/ Delos and Paros?)
15-19 Peloponnese
20-21athens
22 return sfo
Does this sound like a good plan? I'm thinking we fly to Crete and back to Athens from Naxos to save time and make the other connections by water and land, though we prefer the water over air and the hassles with air travel.
Days:
1-3 Athens with friends (arriving 9.14)
4-7Crete
8 santorini (sun/mon)
9-14 Naxos (with day trip to Mykonos/ Delos and Paros?)
15-19 Peloponnese
20-21athens
22 return sfo
Does this sound like a good plan? I'm thinking we fly to Crete and back to Athens from Naxos to save time and make the other connections by water and land, though we prefer the water over air and the hassles with air travel.
Jul 18th, 2014, 07:02 AM
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Looks good! Only advice: Book Naxos-Athens fllight NOW… you can get "semi-flex" in case u need to move it a day one way or the other. Only 1 flight per day, with only 40 passengers so flight sell out LONG in advance. It's a BIG help in making the Naxos - Nafplio transfer possible; I have experienced 2x the ordeal of doing it via ferry-taxi-KTEL bus… not fun. The fly-drive option much better … and u arrive in time to relax, get to seafront for sunset.
