I am having a difficult time in deciding what to do in 15 days and in what order: I want to enjoy the blue waters and the white buildings but get my belly full of mythology
We are thinking of flying straight from Athens to Crete
Crete - 3 days to see Knossos Palace, and see Chania
Rhodes - 3 days - particularly to go to Turkey to see Ephesus. I believe there is an island off of Samos where part of the bible was written
Santorini - 3 days
Naxos - ??
Athens - 1 day in Athens & bus tour of Delph, Meteora & Olypmia

Should I skip Crete?

Please help

Crete is great, although three days is a bit short. If you want to go to Ephesus you need to go to Samos, not Rhodes, the ferry to Turkey from Rhodes goes to Bodrum.

With only 3 days on Crete that's about all you'll have time to see (Chania and Knossos). From Crete you can take a long ferry ride to Rhodes but to get to Ephesus from Rhodes is a time-consuming process, maybe too much time wasted in transit if you only have 15 days total. You can get to Patmos from Rhodes but not directly from Samos, which is the island you'd have to reach to get to Ephesus unless you go into Turkey from Rhodes and get there overland. Throwing Santorini and perhaps Naxos into the mix will just take too much time, especially if you're going to go back to the mainland to spend time in Athens and go to Delphi, Meteora and Olympia. Have you reall thought this through? Even if you eliminate Crete you're going to be scrambling to fit it all in.

Here's my suggestion: When you first arrive in Athens don't bother to go into town, take the next flight to Samos then the next daytrip available to Ephesus. When you return to Samos after your daytrip take the next ferry to Naxos, then on to Santorini. After Santorini you can fly or ferry back to the mainland for that part of your trip. Forget Rhodes and Crete, you just don't hav enough time.

Thank you - We will fly to Samos - take a day trip to Ephesus-We will be arriving in Samos around 3 o'clock that day. Where do we go to pick up a VISA and what tour company do you recommend for our day adventure?

Don't skip out on Crete. I spent 4 days there several years ago on an excursion through a few islands. I could have spent more time there. Chania was great. There is also a "hike" for the Samaria Gorge that is well worth taking if you are into the outdoors at all--take a bus from Chania and then you can catch a ferry boat back at the end of the hike--we actually stayed the night in the small town at the end of the hike really cheap but very nice and inexpensive as everyone leaves to catch the boat. Santorini I got everything out of it with 2 days there--beautiful sunsets. For my suggestion I wouldn't spend all the time on the mainland in Athens--do the tours and get out to the Islands. I didn't make it to Naxos but have friends who have and enjoyed the experience as well.

"Where do we go to pick up a VISA" - you'll get the visa when you arrive in Turkey. I think it's $20, but google Turkey visa or embassy to check.

Tsto - What was your itinerary?
How long were you in Greece?
I was thinking about doing the hike of the Samaria Gorge - it is very difficult - I am moderately in shape

If you're arriving at 3pm you will have missed that day's excursion. They leave the port of Vathi on Samos in the morning.

If you're just taking the daytrip excursion from Samos to Kusadasi a visa is not required. You'll be surrendering your passport as you board the ship and it is returned to you when you return to Samos. You will easily find the travel agencies in Vathi where you can sign up for the excursion.

Only if you plan to spend some days in Turkey will you need a visa. In that case you will get it when you get off the ferry from Samos at the Immigration desk at the port, same as if you were arriving by plane. It costs $20 each, so bring some USD$20 bills or the equivalent in euro.

I did the Samaria Gorge hike in 2006 - I was certainly no more than moderately fit, and it was a bit of a stretch for me, but absolutely worth it. Took me six hours, including lunch and rest stops. TR at www.wilhelmswords.com/eur2006/index.html - Idling Through the Islands. Only thing I regret about Crete is not spending time in the south - after I hiked the gorge I went right back to Chania.

Rhodes and Crete each deserve 7 days or more. Santorini could be done in only 3 days and is overrated in my opinion. I suggest you fly between the islands, as the ferries are very time consuming and expensive - when you consider the cost of food, a berth, etc. Athens deserves several days because it has some great museums and sites. Delphi is a full day trip from Athens. I think you need to make a list of what your priorities and refine your plan. I have been to Greece five times and haven't seen everything yet.

Mes2525 - how would you spend 7 days in Crete? We are thinking about an Athens/Crete trip around the same time in September. We'll be traveling with a young child so will go at a slower pace and are planning to rent a car. Would like to minimize hotel changes but don't need to stay in one place the whole time. Ayios Nikolaos (north shore) looks like an interesting place to stay to see the Knossos Palace and the archaeological museum in Heraklion or maybe somewhere in Elounda. Hania looks like an interesting base for the west side.

Okay, so by Hania, I meant meant Chania. For some reason, Fodor's guidebooks spell it "Hania".

You think that's confusing? Those nervy Greeks spell it Χανιά! How rude!

Natasha_Ramc--
I went for 14 days and visited Mikonos, Santorini, Crete, and Athens. The hike at the Gorge in Crete was not too difficult--it takes a long time but the group walks at a moderate pace and you have ample time to take pictures, short breaks, etc.--it was not difficult by any means. It was truly beautiful and it would be a real shame not to take it in if your on Crete. I would highly recommend staying at the little town at the end, having dinner, and taking the boat the next day. (Be sure and check on ferry boat runs back to Chania before you stay as the boats run on their own schedules). Make sure you get a watermelon from the market to enjoy at the end of the hike--it hits the spot! Santorini was beautiful but 2 days was enough for me to see the sights and venture off to the next place.

Thanks everyone

Is the Samaria Gorge hike doable with two kids, ages 9 and 13? Thanks.

there is a spot in athens that looks out on the entire city and the acropolis right in the centre it is quite the view and makes for some beautiful pictures you should definately take a look

Yes, the Gorge hike is definately doable with kids of those ages--there were actually younger ones when I went.

Everyone always loves the bits of Greece they know. We lave Crete and I think you would miss a lot by missing it out, but only you can decide what's good for you.

I have some trip reports I can send you if you email me.

I am not sure if you have made any decisions yet other than to fly to Samos after Athens.
You can catch the day excursion to Ephasus from both the capital city Vathey and from the second city Pythagarias. It is actually a lovely town with in my opinion more charm that the capital city. It once had a population of 60,000 people during Roman times and there are delightful little museums and ruins scattered around the area.

You will then need to make a decision, do you ferry on to Naxos and Santorini or do you fly back to Athens and then fly to Crete or Santorini. If you can afford it the flights will save you a lot of time.

I agree with a couple of posters here who suggest you drop Rhodes. It is a long way away. Crete is lovely but is a very big island. In two weeks we were only able to complete a part of our planned visit to Western Crete. You might want to consider staying in a city like Chania and really enjoy with it has to offer. A day trip through a tour company is easily booked in Chania.

After all that if you still have a spare day it is only a 2.5 hour fast ferry ride to spectacular Santorini.
My last thought would be do do less hopping and more relaxing on the two islands you choose to visit.

I have somehow lost our pictures of Samos and Ephasus ( I guess we will have to go again sometime) but I do have some pictures of our Western Crete trip.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/559511069PIlVxI