Best Island for the Golden Girls
Nov 21st, 2018, 04:11 AM
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Best Island for the Golden Girls
4 mid 50's ladies who have been friends since first freshmen year in college, back in the dark ages when you took notes with pen and paper. 
We supported each other through marriages, divorces, births, deaths, breast cancer and knee replacements and now sliding into retirement. Last year after the death of our 5th partner at a too early age we decided that every year we would take a trip together. Out of this whole wide world where is the first place we pick?? lol Disneyworld
Animal kingdom
anyhoo, this year we're off to Greece. We only have 7 days so we decided on 3 days in Athens and 4 days on an Island.
To that end I'd like your opinion on which one of the myrid of islands in Greece should we hit. We are planning on the last week in August or the first week in September.
We definitely positively want to hit the beaches. We'd like a bit of nightlife. we're not Dance diva's but we don't want to go to bed at 9 pm. Would like to be able to grab a nice late night cocktail.
Suggestions.
We supported each other through marriages, divorces, births, deaths, breast cancer and knee replacements and now sliding into retirement. Last year after the death of our 5th partner at a too early age we decided that every year we would take a trip together. Out of this whole wide world where is the first place we pick?? lol DisneyworldAnimal kingdom
anyhoo, this year we're off to Greece. We only have 7 days so we decided on 3 days in Athens and 4 days on an Island.
To that end I'd like your opinion on which one of the myrid of islands in Greece should we hit. We are planning on the last week in August or the first week in September.
We definitely positively want to hit the beaches. We'd like a bit of nightlife. we're not Dance diva's but we don't want to go to bed at 9 pm. Would like to be able to grab a nice late night cocktail.
Suggestions.
Nov 21st, 2018, 05:13 AM
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One of the best of the Greek Islands is Naxos which is rather easy to get to from Piraeus . . . either ferry or flight. It has something for everyone. I think the first week of Sept. may be a good time as it's just about the end of High Season so there'll be less tourists, lower prices and still great weather.
St. George Beach would be a good choice to stay as it's a short walk to Naxos Town with lots of shops, markets, and tavernas and there is a nice town square at St. George with lots of options too.
There are many other Greek Islands to recommend and you'll probably get more opinions, but Naxos is not over-the-top like some of the better known islands and you can find lots to explore as it's the largest of the Cyclades Islands.
St. George Beach would be a good choice to stay as it's a short walk to Naxos Town with lots of shops, markets, and tavernas and there is a nice town square at St. George with lots of options too.
There are many other Greek Islands to recommend and you'll probably get more opinions, but Naxos is not over-the-top like some of the better known islands and you can find lots to explore as it's the largest of the Cyclades Islands.
Nov 21st, 2018, 01:07 PM
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Girls. you are going to Looove Naxos. Don't let others lure you away to $$$$ places pestered with Cruise Mobs. If you stay on St. George Beach, you can have lovely balconies looking at the water (it's a shallow beach but its a quickie bus ride out to Divine Beaches like Plaka & Ag. Prokopios). From St. G, u walk 15 mins to all the delights of port town -- shops, tavernas (restaurants), cafes, music bars, clubs... and flagstone maze-like paths up to the tippy=top where there's a Fab Medieval Castle, Venetian manors (& weekly concerts). You won't need a car, except for maybe 1 day to whirl all around the island, see the dramatic inland scenery (hillside villages, marble-paved streets, ancient ruins, and Farms!). Or u can do this via good local half-day bus tours. And Did I mentiom the village wine festivals in Early Sept?
Since your trip will be so CRUELLY short, you must be very time-efficient, and Greece isn't as easy to bop around in quickly as Northern Europe. SO -- do NOT do Athens first, since u will have to be there for yr last night anyway. Here's the skinny: book on airlines that go non-stop from N. America - Athens. Thats Delta, AA, Air Canada, UAE (Newark). All leave late aft, arrive ATH between 9 - 11 am. All other connex don't arrive until afternoon... and u then have few /no options for island connection, thus lose a whole day. (yes the 4 named will cost more but u know the old saying; if u don't have the time u must spend the money!!). U want to be on Naxos for that 1st glorious sunset... worth it. Here are a couple of photo albums to whet your appetite:
Since your trip will be so CRUELLY short, you must be very time-efficient, and Greece isn't as easy to bop around in quickly as Northern Europe. SO -- do NOT do Athens first, since u will have to be there for yr last night anyway. Here's the skinny: book on airlines that go non-stop from N. America - Athens. Thats Delta, AA, Air Canada, UAE (Newark). All leave late aft, arrive ATH between 9 - 11 am. All other connex don't arrive until afternoon... and u then have few /no options for island connection, thus lose a whole day. (yes the 4 named will cost more but u know the old saying; if u don't have the time u must spend the money!!). U want to be on Naxos for that 1st glorious sunset... worth it. Here are a couple of photo albums to whet your appetite:
Aegean Air domestic flights usually have a period early in the year where they offer "promotional fares." use this link to sign up for A's e-mail "newsletter" https://aegeanairlines.custhelp.com/.../302/related/1 to be alerted... if you act promptly u can book a flight for €50 or so. If u want to ferry back to Athens, ferry is about €38. and takes 5.5 hours. If u do that, take the 6pm ferry so u won't eat up the whole middle of the day (9:30-3)wi8th the earlier sailing. You get a whole extra afternoon on the beach (u wd have to check out at noon, but landlady will stow your bags behind reception, and let u use a spare powder room to change into travel duds. Trust me; i've done it).
Naxos is very good bet for you... it's not for teens, but for Grownups who still know how to have fun. Just ask me; I've got a new knee too, and I never end the night early on Naxos!
