Hi,

I know that at the end we'll have to make our own decision, but I'd like to get feedback anyway from folks who've gone to any of the locations. At this point in time I don't have very much information and it seems like it would be two totally different types of travel/expierences. So far our world travels include Paris, Rome, Flornece, and Venice. Not much, but getting there.

We're hoping to take this trip sometime between end of May to end of June for 9 nights and if we go to Greece were thinking of Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. If we go the other route it would be to Prague and Budapest.

Thanks!

I would go to Greece. May/ June is an excellent time to visit Greece.
I liked Prague but found it too touristy already and I didn't like Budapest much, but that's just my opinion.

I have been to all the places you are considering and enjoyed them all. Prague has become touristy but still is lovely. Budapest is a gem waiting to be restored to its former glory. Its geography is perfect with the wide Danube and the cathedral and castle on the hill.
However, Greece stole my heart. The antiquites there are our world's great treasures, and the Greek people the most welcoming and warm we have encountered. The fresh seafood and salads were a highlight of our time there. Of the places you mention in Greece, our least favorite was Santorini. It was so touristy, and packed with cruise ship passengers.We stayed in Oia which is better than Fira but still nota place we would return to. The natural wonder of standing on a caldera edge is beautiful to see, but spend more time on Mykonos or another island like Paros or Naxos to get a better feel for Greece. Better yet, drive south from Athens to the Pelopnesean Peninsula or go to Crete.

They are completely different types of destinations. Do you want Old World cities (Prague and Budapest) or beaches, ruins, and natural beauty (Greece)?

I've been to Prague and Budapest and loved them both. I've never had a strong desire to see Greece. Partly because I live near the beach. Partly because much of it looks arid to me in the pictures I've seen. Still, it's all a matter of taste.

We visited Greece in July (Athens, Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes) and thought it was one of the best trips we've ever taken.

The Greek people were incredibly welcoming, the food for the most part was excellent and moderately priced, and the natural beauty of the islands surpassed our expectations.

Our favorite islands in no particular order were Crete, Rhodes, and Santorini. Rhodes offers ancient and natural splendors, everything from the medieval Palace of the Grand Masters in the Old Town of Rhodes, to a butterfly farm just outside Faliraki ( one of the beach areas).

In Santorini, we spent a day swimming in hot sulphur springs, as well as hiking up to the top of the volcano. The view of the caldera from our hotel terrace in Oia, was one of the most beautiful sights we've ever seen .

Unlike the previous poster, we didn't like Mykonos at all, but to be fair that could be because our hotel was located just outside town and we didn't have a car. However, when we visited town at night it was full of partygoers who swamped the tiny streets around the harbor. We just didn't enjoy the crowds.

Thank you for all the information. Now it's even harder with all the wonderful comments.

I'll have to decide as Cimbrone mentioned what type vacation I'm looking for. If only I would win the lottery and just need to decide which place to fly into first on my private jet!

Well, you could do what we are doing...visited Greece late Oct. and early Nov. of this year (Athens, Crete, Rhodes and Symi),,,and we are taking our kids and their family to Prague this May!!! Greece and Prague were two places that we had not visited in Europe. They are surely very different but I expect both wonderful. See one now and make a point to visit the other next trip.

Are you afraid to go hungry in Czech?

We have actually made a decision to go to Prague, Vienna, and Hungry first and then Greece.

We were not afraid. Should we be?

You made a wise choice! Prague is truly amazing and so is Vienna. I didn't love Budapest, but the other two cities are remarkable. I also went to Athens, Mykonos and Santorini and wasn't a huge fan. Athens is very dirty, Mykonos is very touristy and not as nice as I had imagined, but Santorini is truly spectacular. It's a great Island, but I prefer Prague and Vienna to it any day...

The country's name is spelled HungAry. "Hungry" is the word for a food-deprived person.

I tried to make a joke which I have to explain

Hey, Faina, speaking of "hungry," you have bigger fish to fry over in the Fodorite Lounge...

Have you seen the error of your ways yet?

To have an opinion is not an error. To bring it to another place IS. Whatever you want to say, say it there, don't hijack Rohani's thread.

So only you can make jokes?

Never mind...

Thanks for bringing the mistake to my attention. Spell check has made me lazy and it's been a long week. TGIF;-)