Apple Vacations v. Book our Own to Greece?
Apr 9th, 2009, 02:25 PM
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Apple Vacations v. Book our Own to Greece?
My friend and I, both 26 year old women are planning a 10 day trip to Greece in June, and we were wondering whether anyone has used Apple Vacations to travel to Greece, if so, how it was, and whether you think its better to book with Apple or to try and plan it on our own. Neither of us has been to Greece before, we don't speak Greek, basically we are totally clueless travelers interested in seeing something new! Thank you!
JR
JR
Apr 9th, 2009, 02:41 PM
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Apple is really good for All Inclusives, their value and service are tops in that area. However, for European vacations I have found Apple lacking....Maybe its just my local Apple office that is poor in this area
Apr 9th, 2009, 07:40 PM
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YOu don't need to book a tour ... and you don't need to speak Greek! Contact a good ATHENS BASED agency ... t hat's in case you have a problem, they are right on the scene, not back in the US or UK. Three agencies that are used to dealing with US/Canadian travellers and are well regarded are; Thesaurus, Dolphin-Hellas, Fantasy travel. All have websites.
If you don't specify islands they will automatically give you Santorini & Mykonos & Athens because that is what most Americans want. In order to know a little more, I think it's wise to cehck a good website, here's one done by a GREEK GUY about your age a schoolteacher but hip -- and it's such an easy site to navigate!
I suggest 2 days in Santorini (3 nites) because it's a must-see but expensive; ask for a hotel in FIrostephani -- good views, walkable to nightclubs in Fira, but not as crowded . How about 3 -4 days in Paros?? the 2 of you can rent a scooter (or better, a 4-wheeler) and get to the best beaches -- and parikia also has good nightllife! ALSO -- a bonus; you can take a "day excursion" from Naoussa on Paros that will show you Delos (the sacred Isle) and Mykonos -- leaves 9 am, back by 7 pm). THen do Athens at the last -- stay in the Plaka area, walkable to all sites.
E-mail all 3 agencies what you want -- and have them give you a quote for cost of ferries and hotels. Give them a budget parameter for your lodgings -- You don't need to pay for "transfers" from ferries to hotels ... it's easy ... wakalble usually.
You'll have a lot of fun, because the isles iwll be filling up with peple your age.!
If you don't specify islands they will automatically give you Santorini & Mykonos & Athens because that is what most Americans want. In order to know a little more, I think it's wise to cehck a good website, here's one done by a GREEK GUY about your age a schoolteacher but hip -- and it's such an easy site to navigate!
I suggest 2 days in Santorini (3 nites) because it's a must-see but expensive; ask for a hotel in FIrostephani -- good views, walkable to nightclubs in Fira, but not as crowded . How about 3 -4 days in Paros?? the 2 of you can rent a scooter (or better, a 4-wheeler) and get to the best beaches -- and parikia also has good nightllife! ALSO -- a bonus; you can take a "day excursion" from Naoussa on Paros that will show you Delos (the sacred Isle) and Mykonos -- leaves 9 am, back by 7 pm). THen do Athens at the last -- stay in the Plaka area, walkable to all sites.
E-mail all 3 agencies what you want -- and have them give you a quote for cost of ferries and hotels. Give them a budget parameter for your lodgings -- You don't need to pay for "transfers" from ferries to hotels ... it's easy ... wakalble usually.
You'll have a lot of fun, because the isles iwll be filling up with peple your age.!
Apr 9th, 2009, 07:59 PM
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Thank you guys! We'll definitely look into it further. Has anyone else had experience with Apple? Travelerjan, where's the website you recommended? I don't see a link, not sure if its my computer issue or what! We were also interested in a day or two in Turkey, is that hard to do on your own?
Apr 10th, 2009, 04:31 PM
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For my first trip to Greece, I used Fantasy Travel. Everything was good, and they got us where we needed to be. I agree with Travelerjan that prearranged transfers are not needed (although a real luxury).
Apr 10th, 2009, 05:00 PM
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I forgot to put in the link!!! my bad ...
http://www.greek-islands.us/
http://www.greek-islands.us/
Apr 11th, 2009, 06:56 PM
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For heavens' sake. in 10 days you don't have time for Turkey too. (I know you said you were totally clueless, but....). That's like saying I have 10 days to visit the USA and I'd like to see Nw Yorkk, Boston and Washington, and oh yes, how about New Orleans? Look at a map, will you. Ferries can only go 30 mi per hour. I gave you a workable scenario. If u add Turkey it is not workable. Be realistic, please please.
Apr 14th, 2009, 06:07 PM
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TravelerJan-Thanks, In researching this trip I have looked at maps and realize how far Turkey is away. The Apple trip we were considering had a cruise that included the Greek Islands AND Turkey, which is why we were on the Turkey thing to begin with. Thanks for the info, but you don't need to be rude...
Apr 14th, 2009, 06:20 PM
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Sorry didn't mean to sound rude, but I just felt urgency for you not to get entangled in an itiinerary that would have you on ferries or planes most of the time. The REASON that cruises can do that is that they only give you 4 hours or so on an island, and the ship moves from dinnertime until morning, while you sleep, and goes about 400 miles.
Apr 15th, 2009, 07:56 AM
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Thanks TravelerJan. When I posted about Turkey I had just started my research, but we have since scrapped Turkey from the plan. After reading on here all the information about where to stay and what to do, I'm wondering if we need the tour company at all. My friend is concerned about the ferries and getting from one island to another. How hard is that? I feel like we could plan the hotels and flight to and from by ourselves, but the ferries seem a little nebulous. Will we be able to get ferries once we get there without problem or is that a reason to stick with a tour company? Thank you.
Apr 15th, 2009, 08:01 AM
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And I also noticed you said June 5-8 is a holiday, we are planning on going sometime between the 5 and 19th. Will the ferries and flights run like normal? Is this a bad time to visit?
Apr 15th, 2009, 08:04 AM
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Ok, I don't know how to delete or edit posts on here, but we found the ferry website so we have that info now. Still unanswered: are the ferries reliable? can we count on booking online? Thanks so much! I really appreciate your expertise in this area.
Apr 15th, 2009, 08:26 AM
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Jess, yes they're reliable, especially the large "regular" ferries (code is CF; cc means catamaran) -- the regulars carry 1200 - 1800 people and are actually small SHIPS, in June almost never delayed or cancelled due to weather since the sea is lilke glass then ... I can relieve your mind on some issues, but no time to keyboard it all without feedback.... much too tedious! Click on my name to get my e-mail and maybe we can arrange for a quick phone chat; I'm tied up tonight & tomorrow nite but daytime, or Fri. would be OK.
Apr 15th, 2009, 01:17 PM
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Don't worry too much about the June 5-8 (Pentacost) long weekend. Ferries from Athens (Piraeus and Rafina) to nearby islands, e.g. Mykonos and Paros, will be busy on Friday and Saturday, as will ferries returning from the islands on Monday. Apart from that, there are no real problems. I'm on the islands every year around that time, and its nowhere near as busy as July and August.
It's easy to organize your own itinerary in Greece and it's islands. Don't forget, there are many things to see on the mainland, too.
It's easy to organize your own itinerary in Greece and it's islands. Don't forget, there are many things to see on the mainland, too.
Oct 31st, 2011, 12:57 PM
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affordabletours.com Globus my fav 40% off for clueless newbies
greecetravel.com
greekislands.com
easy to self-guide there usually
Do get trip insurance Greece collapsing fianacially
right now many strikes..
Happy Planning!
greecetravel.com
greekislands.com
easy to self-guide there usually
Do get trip insurance Greece collapsing fianacially
right now many strikes..
Happy Planning!
Oct 31st, 2011, 02:38 PM
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Karine28 , you replied to a thread from 2009....
qwovadis where did you see that there are many strikes in Greece right now? I live in Athens and i am not aware of any strikes affecting tourists.
Plus where does your information come from, about Greece collapsing financially ? Have you followed the news lately?
or do only copy/paste same info every time a post is tagged Greece?
qwovadis where did you see that there are many strikes in Greece right now? I live in Athens and i am not aware of any strikes affecting tourists.
Plus where does your information come from, about Greece collapsing financially ? Have you followed the news lately?
or do only copy/paste same info every time a post is tagged Greece?
Oct 31st, 2011, 03:05 PM
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I have only two words for you: Porto Club.
Give them your budget and where you want to go. They will find the best routes, accommodation, and also give you ideas and leads you would not find in a guidebook.
Give them your budget and where you want to go. They will find the best routes, accommodation, and also give you ideas and leads you would not find in a guidebook.
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