Athens, Naxos or Mykonos??, Santorini
 

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum.
I'm planning for our honeymoon trip in late june - early July 2007 for 2 weeks. We're 26 and 31 y/o that just want to relax (i do want to see some night scenes although hubbie's not very interested).
I'm torn between Naxos and Mykonos. Here's my latest itinerary : Please advise!

1 night in Athens
5 nights in Naxos OR Mykonos
6 nights in Santorini
1 night in Athens

Any suggestions for places to stay and where to go / what to do?

I think we're budgeting about $200-300/ night for hotels. Maybe a bit less for Naxos, seems like the hotels are less expensive there? I was looking at the Hotel Galina and Sofia. Is that good?

I'm emailing Anastasis Apts if they have availability for our dates.

And how do you book a ferry ride? There's so many choices - economy, business, 4 berth etc ... getting overwhelmed!!

Any help is much appreciated!
Thanks!

The ferry rides between these islands are short, so economy tickets are all you need.

I think Santorini and Naxos is a better mix than Santorini and Mykonos. There's much more to see and do on Naxos.

On Santorini have a look at Villa Ilias, Scirocco Apartments, Volcano's Villas, Hotel Kavalari, Nomikos Villas and Efterpi Villas.

Santorini has a small archaeological museum, the historical site of Ancient Thera, lots of shops and beautiful clifftop villages. The best swimming is below Oia at the end of the seawall that begins on the wharf at Amoudi.

I like the Santorini-Naxos pairing as well (although BTL and I might quibble on the balance of days ..:))

For one thing, it although you to spend a little more in Santorini while spending less in Naxos. The harborside dining in Naxos town is might be a nice evening compromise for you and hubby. There are lovely dining spots, decent bars and gorgeous strolls.

But if you're set on partying hard as a top priority, Mykonos is the answer . . . or wait until Santorini, where Fira can get lively (but not as lively as Mykonos).

:-p :)>-

Thanks for the suggestions.
We've decided on Naxos and then Santorini! i'm excited about Naxos.
I have a few choices for hotels > i'm not sure which one will be good for us.
1. Villa Marandi > looks nice
2. Hotels Galini and Sofia > available and rates are really good. We might go this route if we decide to splurge in Santorini
3. Lagos Mare > Love the pictures and they have packages
4. Plaza Beach Hotel > Looks like it's so close to a very beautiful beach! (Plaka)

As for Santorini I feel in love with a few places and the rates are soooooo high!
Love Ikies TRaditional Houses but we could probably afford the cheapest one and i'm worried about the privacy and noise issue. And i haven't heard back about the availability.
Anastasis was another option but fully booked.
I think i'm going to look for places in Oia or Imerovigli.
The search is on..

Check the Cave House Suite at the Delfini Hotel in Oia.

Take Galini/Sofia ... very friendly family hotels right at edge of Ag.Giorgios beach -- a shallow beach good for sunbathing. If you want deeper-water, also with sunbeds & tavernas, just stroll to the Naxos Town quay where busses will take you every 20 minutes to Prokopios Beach, Plaka beach, etc.

Galini/Sophia also is within sight of the lovely Naxos Town harborside crescent of cafes and tavernas for evening sunset-watching/dining--a 10-minute stroll. PLUS Gal/Sof includes SPLENDID breakfast buffet served on their terrace. What's not to like?!?

Santorini Museum has good visuals of Akrotiri, the arch. site which alas is closed indefinitely... but Naxos has what I think is THE most stunning small museum collection of prehistoric marble idols statuettes... if these were in USA, a complete huge museum would be built to honor them! It's up at the top of the Maze-like Agora (shopping lane) in Naxos town...which you love wandering & getting lost in.

PS: in July Naxos Town has lively clubs... and you can walk home from there, no need to taxi.

we're this close!

Thanks for the posts, they really helped a lot!

So far the plan will be :

1 night in Athens - haven't found a hotel yet. I can't get a flight out to Naxos on the same day with our schedule.

6 nights in Naxos - Hotels Galini/ Sofia

5 nights in Santori - we have to break up the hotel because Ikies didn't have availability for our dates.
So, 2 nights at Artemis Villa and 3 nights at Ikies. This way we can experience both Imerovigli and Oia! I wished Ikies was available the whole time so we didn't have to change hotels!! o well.

1 night in Athens - hotel to be determined.

moving on to air and ferries ...

Will check out the museum recs and definitely the swimming place under Oia!
:D