travelerjan

Progol, one answer becomes evident, when you put on a swimsuit and enter the sea! The waters in Greece in June, tho swimmable for northeasterners like me who don't mind a little "briskness", are deemed a bit chill for some people .... whereas the September seas are sublime .. you can float for hour --and the temperature is usually as pleasant as June. Many Europeans visit Greece then, for this reason.

Another aspect -- islands that are more seasonal start getting that "closing-down" feeling earlier ... hoteliers are preparing for their winter plans. So you will find September prices to be lower in, say, Sifnos, Milos, Samos, Ios etc. Islands that have a big year-round package-tour trade and cruise business keep rates higher in September -- Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes. And places that get a lot of "weekend getaway" business from Athenians may actually be quite busy in September ... Nafplio, Aegina are examples.

Heimdall is right; smaller family-run hotels are more likely to adjust prices down September

excited_confused

stanbr, thanks for the informative trip report, it was very helpful. I was looking for a reasonably priced hotel in Naxos, was leaning towards St Georges, but Hotel Glaros sounds lovely. I have just emailed them for the rates. Thanks again for the great TR.

stanbr

excited
Thanks for your feedback. I did enjoy doing that report it brought back such good memories. I think you will enjoy Glaros and certainly St George it is a very good location for a Naxos stay.

Barb

stanbr,

Thank you for such a wonderful and informative report. I've had Greece on my short list for some time now, but after reading your report, I am seriously considering it for Sept/Oct. 2012. I will be flying from Seattle or Vancouver to London and then flying direct to Santorini and staying there for 5 days, Naxos or Paros for 5 days with a day trip to Delos and then to Athens for 4-5 days. I am also thinking about taking one of the tours out of Athens to Delphi/Meteora.

I am a budget traveller as well, so your choices of hotels/apts. and eateries was very helpful.

I might be asking you for suggestions and more info if I really do decide to go next fall.

Love your writing style and how you organized your report and your photos are just lovely.

brotherleelove2004

Hi Barb-

Direct flights from London to Santorini may not be available so late in the season. Be sure you don't make plans around that idea until you confirm that they are. If they're not you will have to fly to Athens to change planes for Santorini.

Barb

Thanks for the heads up on that. I will absolutely have to check on that. It sure would be convenient to be able to fly to Santorini directly from UK. I might have to make plans for a little earlier, maybe late August early September. But prices for hotels might be a little higher then.

excited_confused

Stanbr, we were also planning a day trip to Plaka Beach taking the bus, I presume you have to take your towels etc with you? how long is the journey? Is there anything worth seeing/stopping for on the way?
I saw the lounge chairs & umbrellas in your pic, can those be rented? If so do you happen to remember how much they cost?
Thanks.

Bettina222

Stanbr,
Thanks for your great trip report.
I have used your suggestions for pensions and tavernas in the past and I'm I will again when I plan my next trip to Greece (hopefully in two years!)
Naxos is one of the islands we plan to visit!
Betty

stanbr

Hello Barb, Bettina and Excited. Sorry for not responding my computer was fried and took two weeks to get it up and running again.

Excited, yes you need to bring you own towels. We bring a water bottle and a water bottle of wine with some fruit for a snack. There are a few tavernas within walking distance along the bus route road so you can have a nice meal. Yes the chairs and umbrella are for hire. I believe they were 7euro for the day. Often there is no one around to collect the fees until about noonish so just take your best seat and eventually someone will show up. The bus ride is about 25 minutes and stops at Aggia Procopious a small town with a long beach, Aggia Anna another small town with a narrow beach and then out to Plaka. You can stop at any of them. On our last trip we spent the day at Plaka beach and then walked all the way back to Anna, probably about 3 KM where we picked up the bus for our trip back to Naxos town.
Barb it appears we are neighbors, I live in Nanaimo.

Hi Bettina good to hear from you again.

excited_confused

Thanks for the info, are the bus stops far from the beach? Expecting it will be very hot in August so good to know that umbrellas are available!

travelerjan

Ex-con, you pretty much step off the bus onto the sand.

stanbr

As Jan said. At most 100 meters to the beach. Some bus stops much closer.