Cyclades island hopping plan + Nafplio
#1
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Cyclades island hopping plan + Nafplio
Hi. I've spent the past several days furiously researching here and elsewhere - thanks to the Greece regulars for all the good info!! We arrive in Santorini from the US on September 4, and although plane tickets and Santorini/Athens hotels were booked in March, we just nailed down the rest of the itinerary, so I am now booking remaining hotels. I delayed for ferry schedules and briefly considered winging it upon arrival, but I really enjoy the research, plus not having to spend vacation time finding a place to stay. Given what I've seen re: availability, seems like a good idea - maybe September is busier than I thought. I feel pretty comfortable with the below, but would welcome any critiques or food for thought.
We are a 40 year old couple. Goals: get a taste of a few locations (certainly not try to see everything), relax - some beach time, but also wandering around picturesque villages, some ancient history, minimize time in crowded/city areas, eat/drink well, read books. My husband rides (and loves) a motorcycle at home, so we will rent one on each island, with a car for Napflio. Other places considered and reluctantly eliminated: Naxos (my runner up), Paros, Antiparos, Folegandros, Koufonisia. Selected the below based on ferry routes and some diversity.
Anyway, getting down to it:
3 nights: Santorini, Oia, Anemoessa Villa - Akrotiri, see famous views, then head to quieter pastures
3 nights: Milos, Pollonia, Niki Savvas - couldn't get a place I liked in Adamas, but then realized Pollonia might be a good substitute for the smaller islands, with advantage of options for visiting other beaches and towns as inclined, boat tour
4 nights: Sifnos, Kamares, Sifnaika Konakia - no real agenda, explore towns and beaches
3 nights: Napflio, TBD - I'm most worried about this travel day, it feels long with ferry + drive, but husband really wants to go here (he went as a kid), we will stop in Corinth on the way, Mycenae, Epidavros, Nemea, wine
1 night: Athens, King George - husband has been to Athens twice and I'm just not feeling cities this trip, just Acropolis and a nice dinner before leaving for home the next morning
Any suggestions/tweaks?
We are a 40 year old couple. Goals: get a taste of a few locations (certainly not try to see everything), relax - some beach time, but also wandering around picturesque villages, some ancient history, minimize time in crowded/city areas, eat/drink well, read books. My husband rides (and loves) a motorcycle at home, so we will rent one on each island, with a car for Napflio. Other places considered and reluctantly eliminated: Naxos (my runner up), Paros, Antiparos, Folegandros, Koufonisia. Selected the below based on ferry routes and some diversity.
Anyway, getting down to it:
3 nights: Santorini, Oia, Anemoessa Villa - Akrotiri, see famous views, then head to quieter pastures
3 nights: Milos, Pollonia, Niki Savvas - couldn't get a place I liked in Adamas, but then realized Pollonia might be a good substitute for the smaller islands, with advantage of options for visiting other beaches and towns as inclined, boat tour
4 nights: Sifnos, Kamares, Sifnaika Konakia - no real agenda, explore towns and beaches
3 nights: Napflio, TBD - I'm most worried about this travel day, it feels long with ferry + drive, but husband really wants to go here (he went as a kid), we will stop in Corinth on the way, Mycenae, Epidavros, Nemea, wine
1 night: Athens, King George - husband has been to Athens twice and I'm just not feeling cities this trip, just Acropolis and a nice dinner before leaving for home the next morning
Any suggestions/tweaks?
#2
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Mel, In my opinion, you got lucky with having to stay in Pollonia rather than Adamas. I prefer Pollonia and is where I always stay when on Milos. The thing I love about Milos is the quiet beauty. Pollonia has enough restaurants to keep you from getting bored but is still so very small and quiet. I love the sea around this area and all the rock formations. I always rent a car and drive all over, visiting every beach on the map and deciding on the fly where I want to stop for awhile. Enjoy!!
#3
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Looks very good to me! Have been to all those places and love them! and so nice to end with Nafplio! I'm sure you've consulted the splendid noncommercial website http://www.visitnafplio.com -- click on EVERY section, the info SO good. Do NOT miss walking around the "point" of the peninsula at sea-level path, awe-inspiring. View from park at TOP of point is swell too. BTW, highly second the hotel recommendation of VisitNafplio editor -- Hotel Agamemmnon; its the Only hotel directly on the seafront, and if you are superlucky you'll get a front balcony (side baclonies good too.. on the square). If it's full, look at http://www.omorfipoli-pension.com That's a win-win situation.