travelerjan

NAxos can be a wonderful week-long experience... and there are very many local tours you can take, where you would meet up with other independent travelers .. there are also concert events once a week, another place where people socialize. I would definitely consider this island as a "staging area" where you can move on from. Ag. Giorgios beach gives you the advantage of a beach hotel, with the access to a lively town... you get a nice mix of travelers, no rowdy "holidaymakers" -- it's definitely a place for "grownups". Plus, in May, Ag giorgios a mecca for Scandinavians who have preschoolers. One of my joys in mid-late may is lollling on a sunbed, watching blond toddlers waddle with sandpails at the waters edge. Another big plus of Naxos is excellent local bus system, no need to rent car.

PLUS -- I believe the dedicated day excursions Naxos - Santorini will have begun by Mid-May!!! Alexander - Santorini every TUESDAY the MV Alexander, a large stable boat, leaves Naxos about 8:30, picks up people on Paros, and arrives about 10:30 Santorini. You are spared the scramble because this trip has its own bus & guide-escort. The bus takes you "up top" and to OIA -- where you have about 2 hrs free time (no need to trail raound behind a guide with flag!). Then you return to bus & are taken to FIRA, again where you are free to wander (see the small but good museum, walk the promenade, see the cathedral, have lunch with bus friends etc). Then you find the bus & it takes you back down to port for return sail... arrive Naxos about 7:30 just in time for cocktails at the seafront crescent. Traveling with Newcomers, I have sent them off on this day excursion several times... and it does give you a "taste" of Santorini, and the Famous Caldera view... without any honeymooner aura.

If you ARE interested in Naxos, I would recommend quick action... because well-situated rooms at good prices are almost all booked for mid-may.

ekscrunchy

I'd be all for going alone, with the suggested changes. There are so many pluses to solo travel, so many that i never realized until my last trip solo, to Spain. I might be in the same boat as you since partner is now on fence about going to Sicily next week since he needs hip replacement. I really do not think you will be the only single traveler in Santorini, not by a long shop, but skip that if you feel better. Just do not miss the opportunity to take the trip. That's my advice..... Look at it this way..you will probably get treated far more hospitably being a single woman that being in a couple. That sounds harsh but I think it's true. I was actually GLAD that I was alone in Spain last month!!!

travelerjan

Uppsala -- we all wish you well on this adventure --- and if you have not firmed up all your plans when you arrive in Thessaloniki, please have your daughter help you get onto this Fodor's forum & perhaps we can give you some more links and advice -- for lodgings, transportation, excursions & day tours etc. This could turn out to be memorable! Kalo Taxidi (greek for Good Trip/ Bon Voyage!)

Fra_Diavolo

I still crave Wimpy egg burgers . . .used to be one at the corner of Gloucester and Cromwell Roads, a mainstay in my college dining.

KarenWoo

We stayed at the Hotel Palatia and really enjoyed our stay there. It's in an excellent location on the beach and a short walk to Naxos Town. There are restaurants right on the beach and, of course, in Naxos Town. Manos, the owner/manager is very nice and very helpful. We had a lovely room with a balcony overlooking the beach. For an extra 10 euros per person, Manos will prepare breakfast for you and deliver it to your room so you can eat on your balcony. You have a choice of eggs prepared different ways, bacon or ham, pastries, Greek yogurt, coffee and juice.

If you decide to go to Naxos, a couple favorite restaurants are To Elleniko, Meltemi, and Yialos, one of the beachside cafes. If you tire of breakfast on your balcony, I can recommend Soulatski for a delicious breakfast with lots of locals and some tourists.

uppsala30

We have been here in Thessloniki for 4 days, I’m just getting around to starting a trip report. Getting here from California was - let’s just say an adventure. I was originally scheduled to fly from SNA-DFW-JFK on Sunday April 30 to meet up with my daughter. On Sat. 4/29 I started getting weather alerts from American Airlines about severe weather in New York. Ok so I quickly punted and changed my flight to the first flight out of LAX on Sunday morning. Good thing I did, about 1 hr after I landed the weather turned really bad, thunder lightning and streets flooded everywhere. A lot of flights were canceled.
My daughter and I had reserved seats together so I could help her w her baby, at the last minute Delta split us up. We had called ahead of time to plead our case, but they didn’t care. I was stuck three rows back in the middle of the plane. I couldn’t really help her. Luckily she was seated between two nice ladies who helped a lot. The good news was that the entire Greek Presidential Guard was on our plane!, they are the troops that march in Syntagma Square.

uppsala30

Tomorrow we are going to Veria, Virginia, and then Dion to look at archeological sites. Then on to the coast at Plaka.

Travel_Nerd

Glad you are already having a great time. I do suggest, if you're willing, to maybe write your trip report in a separate thread so it gets flagged as one.

Looking forward to reading more!

uppsala30

I have been trying to start a new thread for the trip report and I can’t seem to start a new one. I’m wondering what I am doing wrong. Is it because I am in Greece and using apartments wifi?