Athens and Greek islands in the spring
Sep 16th, 2013, 02:15 PM
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Athens and Greek islands in the spring
We wanted our trip to Greece to include Athens and Crete, as well as Santorini and Mykonos. We found the perfect trip with Gate 1 Travel's 13 Day Greek Islander with Crete.
This was an independent trip - it included air, transfers, ferries, and hotels, but was not guided or escorted. We spent our first night in Athens at the Hotel Stanley on the recommendation of Gate 1's travel consultant. We loved the location - we watched the sun go down and the lights come up on the Acropolis while we ate dinner in the rooftop restaurant.
We spent 3 nights in Crete, 3 in Santorini, 3 in Mykonos and 2 more nights in Athens before returning home. We added the volcano cruise in Santorini, the trip to Delos from Mykonos, the Acropolis tour in Athens, and a day trip to Delphi.
We rented cars on all 3 islands and recommend this as the best way to see the most on each one.
This trip gave us enough time everywhere to really have a good visit, sample several restaurants and take (literally) thousands of photos!
This was an independent trip - it included air, transfers, ferries, and hotels, but was not guided or escorted. We spent our first night in Athens at the Hotel Stanley on the recommendation of Gate 1's travel consultant. We loved the location - we watched the sun go down and the lights come up on the Acropolis while we ate dinner in the rooftop restaurant.
We spent 3 nights in Crete, 3 in Santorini, 3 in Mykonos and 2 more nights in Athens before returning home. We added the volcano cruise in Santorini, the trip to Delos from Mykonos, the Acropolis tour in Athens, and a day trip to Delphi.
We rented cars on all 3 islands and recommend this as the best way to see the most on each one.
This trip gave us enough time everywhere to really have a good visit, sample several restaurants and take (literally) thousands of photos!
Sep 16th, 2013, 02:19 PM
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Yet another new member registering to boost Gate 1. (they must pay credits for future travel or something since we get a couple every week -- register -- post how <i>wonderful</i> Gate 1/OAT is, and never heard from again)
Sep 16th, 2013, 05:12 PM
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I disagree about the location. It was handy to everything with a nice little park across from the entrance. We took a walk after dark and saw nothing weird. There was a lot of traffic going by all night, though. The hotel itself was very nice.
Sep 16th, 2013, 05:29 PM
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Don't miss the Lasithi Plateau on Crete. It was a highlight of our trip. Lots of tiny villages with charming tavernas. One of them gave us a whole plate of olives and cheese to eat with ur wine. Total bill for 4 people was 5 Euro. Little shrines and lots of tiny churches. Great scenery.
While Santorini and Mykonos were both lovely, Crete was my favorite island - not so touristy. It was more like a real place.
While Santorini and Mykonos were both lovely, Crete was my favorite island - not so touristy. It was more like a real place.
Sep 16th, 2013, 05:43 PM
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Jbirder
It is really nice that you liked the area of the Stanley hotel.
What you called a park, in reality is a Square with grass..
This not an area i would like to stay as an Athenian, and believe me i know what i am talking about.
The only convenient thing is that the entrance to the metro is 20 meters away from the entrance of the hotel.
It is really nice that you liked the area of the Stanley hotel.
What you called a park, in reality is a Square with grass..
This not an area i would like to stay as an Athenian, and believe me i know what i am talking about.
The only convenient thing is that the entrance to the metro is 20 meters away from the entrance of the hotel.
Sep 17th, 2013, 03:28 PM
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I agree in many ways with clausar although the area has improved.
My first visit to the Stanley was well over 20 years ago. It was booked for me by my employer so had no choice of where I lodged. I found the hotel situated in a square surrounded by adult nightclubs and brothels. I didn't feel unsafe (I never have in Athens over the very many years I've visited) but I hated the walk from the hotel to Omonia – it made me feel uneasy.
Also, I remember I had to entertain some Athenian guests and they refused to come anywhere near Karaiskaki and I'd to dine with them elsewhere in the city!
This was a bi-annual business trip and I never escaped the Stanley Hotel until about 10 years ago when I retired. I do have to say though that I thought the hotel was fine with good rooms and friendly staff.
The last time I visited (but didn't lodge) I thought the area had improved, they'd tidied it up a lot and the only thing I found that was there all those years ago was a little taverna that sits across from the hotel, on the left hand side. The addition of the metro stop on the hotel's doorstep is a huge advantage.
My first visit to the Stanley was well over 20 years ago. It was booked for me by my employer so had no choice of where I lodged. I found the hotel situated in a square surrounded by adult nightclubs and brothels. I didn't feel unsafe (I never have in Athens over the very many years I've visited) but I hated the walk from the hotel to Omonia – it made me feel uneasy.
Also, I remember I had to entertain some Athenian guests and they refused to come anywhere near Karaiskaki and I'd to dine with them elsewhere in the city!
This was a bi-annual business trip and I never escaped the Stanley Hotel until about 10 years ago when I retired. I do have to say though that I thought the hotel was fine with good rooms and friendly staff.
The last time I visited (but didn't lodge) I thought the area had improved, they'd tidied it up a lot and the only thing I found that was there all those years ago was a little taverna that sits across from the hotel, on the left hand side. The addition of the metro stop on the hotel's doorstep is a huge advantage.
Sep 17th, 2013, 04:34 PM
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billbarr
it is not the hotel of course, which was renovated after the Olympics, it is the whole area that is totally unattractive.
Too many drug addicts, too many illegal immigrants, it is one of the very few parts of Athens, where i wouldn't want to be when it gets dark.
Being an Athenian, i know the area much better than someone who spends there a couple of days....
Like your Athenian friends, i'd never chose to go out in that area, i would actually not go to anyplace that is between Omonoia and Karaiskaki Square, with the exception of the National Theatre.
Even though there are many police controls in the last 6-7 months, i would just not feel safe.
20 years ago this was a very safe part of Athens, but unfortunately this changed.
it is not the hotel of course, which was renovated after the Olympics, it is the whole area that is totally unattractive.
Too many drug addicts, too many illegal immigrants, it is one of the very few parts of Athens, where i wouldn't want to be when it gets dark.
Being an Athenian, i know the area much better than someone who spends there a couple of days....
Like your Athenian friends, i'd never chose to go out in that area, i would actually not go to anyplace that is between Omonoia and Karaiskaki Square, with the exception of the National Theatre.
Even though there are many police controls in the last 6-7 months, i would just not feel safe.
20 years ago this was a very safe part of Athens, but unfortunately this changed.
Sep 18th, 2013, 02:52 AM
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Hi clausar
Thank you for this. I had no idea the area had deteriorated so much. It makes me a little sad to be honest because so much of my time was spent there, but a long time ago. Indeed, the hotel only had a pool and bar on its roof in those days, there was no restaurant there. Dining was inside not outside.
Now, when I visit I stay at The Novotel on Michail Voda Street. I enjoy it there as I have always preferred the diverse mix of cultures in the Larissa area. Some folks dislike it but I enjoy walking the neighbourhood. I'm an oldie now and it's flat and easy to navigate. For me, Plaka hotels do not hold any attraction and I still do not know why.
Thank you for this. I had no idea the area had deteriorated so much. It makes me a little sad to be honest because so much of my time was spent there, but a long time ago. Indeed, the hotel only had a pool and bar on its roof in those days, there was no restaurant there. Dining was inside not outside.
Now, when I visit I stay at The Novotel on Michail Voda Street. I enjoy it there as I have always preferred the diverse mix of cultures in the Larissa area. Some folks dislike it but I enjoy walking the neighbourhood. I'm an oldie now and it's flat and easy to navigate. For me, Plaka hotels do not hold any attraction and I still do not know why.
Sep 18th, 2013, 04:31 AM
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Bill
I grew up in the city, 15 minutes away from the Novotel, but i grew up in a different Athens, compared to what it is today.
Novotel like many hotels in this area are having a difficult time to attract business, due to it's location.
Vathis Square , Larissa Station and Attikis Square are neighbourhoods that are less popular among locals, who in the last years started to relocate to other parts of Athens.
As for Michail Voda Street, it is multicultural indeed and that makes the area attractive
I grew up in the city, 15 minutes away from the Novotel, but i grew up in a different Athens, compared to what it is today.
Novotel like many hotels in this area are having a difficult time to attract business, due to it's location.
Vathis Square , Larissa Station and Attikis Square are neighbourhoods that are less popular among locals, who in the last years started to relocate to other parts of Athens.
As for Michail Voda Street, it is multicultural indeed and that makes the area attractive
