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Challenge:dream trip return to Greece

Hi I think part of this year's trip will at last include a long-awaited return visit to Greece, solo, this fall, late Sept. Yes folks I'm doing my searches but I could use some help with narrowing down. Previous trip to Greece, many moons ago, was my first trip to Europe and it included Athens, Sounion, and Corfu with brief visits to Aegina and Hydra. I loved it all. I think on this return I'd like two islands, perhaps 2-3 nights each. I will spend one day in Athens just to revisit the Acropolis or perhaps Hydra. Wish list for the rest of the week: convenient travel from one island to the other; gorgeous scenery (two different types of landscapes would be great); some history or sightseeing to explore; nice beach a plus. Would like to avoid having to drive by myself so would prefer an island where I use public transport or taxis if I want to get around. The following have long been on my wish list: Rhodes, Santorini, Naxos, Crete, although I fear Crete will be too large for me to do it justice this time particularly if I don't want to drive. I even wish I could get back to Corfu, because I can't forget the olive groves and the beach, but since I haven't been to the others I don't think I will let myself repeat. I've even considered taking a first-time cruise among the islands but I think I will be frustrated if I only have a few hours in each place. unless some of you have some strong pro-cruise recommendations. Any expert suggestions? (After Greece I hope to end up in Venice or Rome for a few days to complete this dream trip. We'll see how the budget goes). Thanks for your help

Rhodes is my favorite Greek isle. Love it there. I'd certainly consider it for one of the two islands you visit.

We are returning to Santorini this year. I KNOW, I KNOW--it's touristy, crowded etc, but it is visually stunning. We want a room with a caldera view, to heck with the crowds! We haven't decided which other islands to visit, but this forum has been tremendously helpful.

Elaine, Spread over six days the following could be a suggestion:- Take the short Olympic flight from Athens to Mykonos (35 minutes against 6 hours on a car ferry) and start my journey back to Athens from there. If you take a morning flight to the island, you need only spend 3 or 4 hours in the very pretty little town that, in my mind should be visited at least once. By mid afternoon the ferry will be due to leave for its trip to Tinos (one hour sailing time from Mykonos). Tinos is an amazingly mountainous little island with impressive landscapes, great beaches and wonderful architecture. The island of dovecotes. Now a little busier with tourists compared to just a few years ago its religious significance makes it an amazing contrast to it’s neighbour, Mykonos. Excellent for hill walking. From Tinos, I’d next take the ferry to Syros (1.5 hour sailing trip from Tinos). Regarded as the capital of the Cyclades it is hilly with cliffs that plunge into the sea. If you can, try to arrive by ferry into it’s main port of Hermoupolis after dark. See the two town churches floodlit high on the hills above – you would really think they were floating in mid-air. Someone once said that this town IS a museum and it is wonderful that it is now having a renaissance. Syros beaches are pebbly rather than sandy. My last island would be Andros (2 hour sailing trip from Syros). Previously well known as a favourite island of Athenian ship owners (similar to Hydra) with some very beautiful houses especially in Andros Town. The island is very green and lush in vegetation compared to some of its neighbours. The best beaches on Andros can be found in Batsi. From Andros to Piraeus or Rafina is approximately 2 hours sailing time. Geo

Thank you all for your comments Geo, you have mentioned islands that except for Mykonos I know nothing about, but I will now do some more reading. I gather all all the ones you mentioned are in the Cyclades? Thanks esp for the very specific short-hop transportation suggestions Can anyone else do the same (transport suggestions) for going to Santorini and... or visiting Rhodes and...? or Naxos and...? thanks again

Elaine, If you haven't been to the Arcaeological museum in Athens yet and if you had time visiting either the Acropolis a 2nd time or the museum I would favor the latter. In my book, it's a sure must in Athens. Our experience with Greek islands is very limited. We spent 3 days each in Santorini and Rhodes. We loved both very much. In other words, even if there are "better" islands to be visited out there (and what's best is a matter of personal taste) I would bet that there's a 99% probability that you'll be very satisfied if you end up choosing the Santorini-Rhodes combo. Both are very well served by public transportation (even though we preferred to rent minicars in both islands). Considering your limited time, I would rule out a ferry trip between Rhodes and Santorini (or vice-versa) and also a ferry trip from Rhodes to the Piraeus (or vice-Versa). In other words, the only segment where I'd give a ferry consideration would be Piraeus-Santorini (or vice-versa). If possible, I'd take a night ferry from the Piraeus to Santorini and then I'd fly to Rhodes and back to Athens. Naxos is on the route from the Piraeus to Santorini and if you ellect to stop there it wouldn't have a bearing. A night ferry to Santorini is nice because IMO the best way to approach Santorini is by sea and at dawn. Also, once you'd be saving on a hotel night, you may buy yourself a nice double cabin instead. If there aren't convenient night ferries in late September, I'd fly instead of burning precious daylight time in the sea. Once there are no problems regarding flights from Rhodes to Athens, the most "critical" part of the journey would be the flight between Santorini and Rhodes. When we were in Santorini in summer 98, there were 3 weekly flights into Rhodes (one hour flight, leaving in the early evening). If your schedulle is tight, depending on the available flights in late september (I'm having trouble connecting to Olympic Airways site), you may not get the expected stay length in either one of the islands. Maybe you'd then have to switch your itinerary around and even so the problem could persist. Anyway, you may have better luck connecting to the Olympic Airways site: http://www.olympic-airways.gr/ Get to the timetable page and play around with the table on the right. It should show available flights (valid through February 2002). Paulo

Paulo I forgot to ask you which towns and hotels you stayed in

Hi Elaine Yes, all the islands I mentioned are indeed in the Cyclades and all within a reasonable travel distance from/to Athens. I have visited Santorini, Rhodes and Crete but still prefer the smaller quieter islands such as those mentioned in my earlier post. Mykonos is an exception of course but I still think that despite the crowds in mid summer, it is a wonderful island to visit. Geo

Hi Elaine, we flew from Athens to Mykonos, to Santorini and back to Athens, (2 people 3 trips, $289.00 TOTAL for everything) The flights were quick and, in our experience 100% on time, though I have heard that isn't always the case. Olympic airways. If you are short on time I would highly recomend flying. My favorite island was Santorini..granted they say it's touristy, but we absolutely loved it. We really enjoyed the archeological dig at Ankotiri, our hotel (The oft mentioned Loucas) and our meals but then we didnt' care for Greek food and Santorini was one island that had lots of options. We also chartered a yacht with another couple and got to see most of the islands in the Saronic gulf (Aegina, Poros, Spetses, Hydra as well as Epidarous) it was a great way to visit the different islands, we split the cost with another couple and our per diem was pretty much what you would have spent on transpo plus a 2-3 star hotel with meals.I would highly HIGHLY recommend doing that if you can swing it. We also stayed in Mykonos, and though it was pretty neat I would pick Santorini over it, just for the view. Have a great time.

Elaine Here are some online guides about some greek islands. Maybe they will help you in your choice: 1. island of rhodes http://www.gorhodes.com/ http://www.rhodos-info.de/rhodes/ 2. island of Patmos http://www.travelpoint.gr/ 3.island of Lesvos http://www.lesvosonline.gr/ 4.island of Santorini http://www.santorini.com/ 5.island of Syros http://www.i-syros.com/index2.html 6.island of Tinos http://www.wltl.ee.upatras.gr/Cyclad...S-HomePage.htm 7.island of Andros http://www.andros.gr/