Delayed Trip Report - Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Antiparos
Jul 28th, 2006, 11:36 AM
#21
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Hi Lina
Yes, Lava Oias is right in Oia, although at the southern part of Oia very close to where the car road curves to the right and the pedestrian road begins. (if you're familiar with Oia) Don't worry though, the houses are down a bit from the road and you can't hear any cars at all. Not that there is major traffic in Oia, but you know what I mean.
Yes, Lava Oias is right in Oia, although at the southern part of Oia very close to where the car road curves to the right and the pedestrian road begins. (if you're familiar with Oia) Don't worry though, the houses are down a bit from the road and you can't hear any cars at all. Not that there is major traffic in Oia, but you know what I mean.
Jul 28th, 2006, 11:37 AM
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However, that day excursion might not be operating so late in the year. If not, your only other option would be to use the ferry system, and you can check on www.gtp.gr to see if there's something that works in your time frame. My impression is that there is NOT anything between Naxos>Santorini>Naxos that will get you there and back on the same day, at least with any hope of having time to have a look at the island. If you can't spend at least a couple of days there then you're missing out on something very special. I hope you can get there.
Jul 30th, 2006, 04:46 PM
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Finally the end of this long trip report. Thank you for everyone for the nice comments. I hope you can find something interesting and/or helpful.
We spent our last day on the islands on Antiparos. We took an early boat from Naxos to Paros and then the small boat to Antiparos. Our whole reason for going to Antiparos was to go kayaking. I found a great trip through Argonatus Blue.
www.argonautsblue.com
Kostas was an incredible host. He met us at the dock and drove us over to where the kayaks were put in. Usually his trips start around 10 am but since we had to come over from Naxos he planned a trip just for us and we got started around 11:30 or 12:00.
Before I tell all about the trip, let me say that this was definitely a highlight of the trip. What an incredible day. The island, the scenery, the kayaking, and especially Kostas.
He got us settled in our kayaks and told us to just kayak along the coast. He would meet up with us and check on us after awhile. It was probably about two hours before we saw him again. He came looking for us in his little dinghy boat. I had decided to stop on a small beach so we could all reapply sunscreen and get some water. When he pulled up he asked if we knew whose beach it was and whose house it was up on the hill. Well, it ended up that we had pulled up onto Tom Hanks' beach. We found that to be pretty wild and it makes for a good story.
The kayaking was so incredibly peaceful. The water so clear and the rock formations so interesting. We were all having a great time. After a couple more hours we arrived on the beach he told us he'd meet us at. Here we climbed into his boat and he took us across to another small island. Kostas is a spear fisher and a free diver. A couple of years ago he discovered a cave in the middle of this island. You would never know it was there. You have to dive down about 10 feet, swim across six feet and then up a little to enter it. Only my daughter and I decided to try it. Unfortunately, the water was very rough and I could not get my breathing situated (I have asthma and this was NOT a time I would have like it to flair up... but it did) I had to bow out and let my daughter go. She grabbed Kostas' hand and dove. She said it was incredible in there. Beautiful blue light. If you go on his website you can see some pictures. Next time I vow to do it! I'll just go ahead and dive without thinking about it. I won't let my asthma have time to kick in!
Anyway, we took the boat back to Antiparos to our kayaks. By this time the water was really rough and it was quite a crazy rough ride back... but fun.
We kayaked for another hour or so as it started to turn evening. The colors were so incredible and the water along the coast was so calm. That is, until we got around the point to head up the other side of the island. It was suddenly very rough. I was out front and my husband said he watched me keep disapperaring between the swells. We were all tired from kayaking so long and now we really had to kick it into gear. We found a beach and all made it eventually (the two girls were pretty far behind in a two-person kayak. They did make it though!
Kostas met us at the beach and showed us how much farther the trip was supposed to be. We still had a ways to go but decided it was getting late, the water was so rough, and we were so tired that we said we were done. We tied the kayaks to his boat and slowly made our way up to where he doc was. This part of the island was where all of the caves were. The sun was setting and the cliffs were amazing. What beauty!
Normally he supplies a Greek lunch with salad, wine, bread and fresh sea urchins that he catches. It's usually served up on the beach. Since we got started so much later than usual, we were running out of time. He decided to take us all back to his house and make the meal there. We all pitched in and ate out on his terrace with a gorgeous view.
We spent our last day on the islands on Antiparos. We took an early boat from Naxos to Paros and then the small boat to Antiparos. Our whole reason for going to Antiparos was to go kayaking. I found a great trip through Argonatus Blue.
www.argonautsblue.com
Kostas was an incredible host. He met us at the dock and drove us over to where the kayaks were put in. Usually his trips start around 10 am but since we had to come over from Naxos he planned a trip just for us and we got started around 11:30 or 12:00.
Before I tell all about the trip, let me say that this was definitely a highlight of the trip. What an incredible day. The island, the scenery, the kayaking, and especially Kostas.
He got us settled in our kayaks and told us to just kayak along the coast. He would meet up with us and check on us after awhile. It was probably about two hours before we saw him again. He came looking for us in his little dinghy boat. I had decided to stop on a small beach so we could all reapply sunscreen and get some water. When he pulled up he asked if we knew whose beach it was and whose house it was up on the hill. Well, it ended up that we had pulled up onto Tom Hanks' beach. We found that to be pretty wild and it makes for a good story.
The kayaking was so incredibly peaceful. The water so clear and the rock formations so interesting. We were all having a great time. After a couple more hours we arrived on the beach he told us he'd meet us at. Here we climbed into his boat and he took us across to another small island. Kostas is a spear fisher and a free diver. A couple of years ago he discovered a cave in the middle of this island. You would never know it was there. You have to dive down about 10 feet, swim across six feet and then up a little to enter it. Only my daughter and I decided to try it. Unfortunately, the water was very rough and I could not get my breathing situated (I have asthma and this was NOT a time I would have like it to flair up... but it did) I had to bow out and let my daughter go. She grabbed Kostas' hand and dove. She said it was incredible in there. Beautiful blue light. If you go on his website you can see some pictures. Next time I vow to do it! I'll just go ahead and dive without thinking about it. I won't let my asthma have time to kick in!
Anyway, we took the boat back to Antiparos to our kayaks. By this time the water was really rough and it was quite a crazy rough ride back... but fun.
We kayaked for another hour or so as it started to turn evening. The colors were so incredible and the water along the coast was so calm. That is, until we got around the point to head up the other side of the island. It was suddenly very rough. I was out front and my husband said he watched me keep disapperaring between the swells. We were all tired from kayaking so long and now we really had to kick it into gear. We found a beach and all made it eventually (the two girls were pretty far behind in a two-person kayak. They did make it though!
Kostas met us at the beach and showed us how much farther the trip was supposed to be. We still had a ways to go but decided it was getting late, the water was so rough, and we were so tired that we said we were done. We tied the kayaks to his boat and slowly made our way up to where he doc was. This part of the island was where all of the caves were. The sun was setting and the cliffs were amazing. What beauty!
Normally he supplies a Greek lunch with salad, wine, bread and fresh sea urchins that he catches. It's usually served up on the beach. Since we got started so much later than usual, we were running out of time. He decided to take us all back to his house and make the meal there. We all pitched in and ate out on his terrace with a gorgeous view.
Jul 30th, 2006, 04:57 PM
#25
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OOPS! I hit the button by accident and it posted before I was done.
So, we had dinner at his house. The sea urchins were really good. Nothing like what we expected at all. We cleaned up and he took us back to the dock. We had a choice of two boats back to Paros. We decided on the last boat back so that we could have time to go to a tavern and have a drink with our new friend, Kostas. We all enjoyed talking and drinking the local Antiparos liquer.
I had been to Antiparos once before many years ago. It was a day trip from Paros just to go to the cave. I must say that I definitely plan to go back some day. It's a very small island and very quiet. The type of place where it seems you could get to know the locals and create friends for life. Also, it's not often that you see an island from the perimeter, which is what we got to do kayaking. What an amazing day! Memories we'll have forever.
The next day we headed back to Athens. We stayed at the ECONOMY HOTEL this time just for one night. We paid 66 Euro/double with breakfast. It was a great place for the price. Incredibly helpful staff, very clean rooms and easy walk to two metro stations. I would definitely recommend it for a budget hotel.
The next day we visited the Acropolis, wandered the Plaka and Syntagma Square before heading to the airport for our flight to Paris. We spent five days in Paris where we rented a couple of apartments. But, this is the Greece Forum so that report is for another time.
Dreaming of my next trip.............................
So, we had dinner at his house. The sea urchins were really good. Nothing like what we expected at all. We cleaned up and he took us back to the dock. We had a choice of two boats back to Paros. We decided on the last boat back so that we could have time to go to a tavern and have a drink with our new friend, Kostas. We all enjoyed talking and drinking the local Antiparos liquer.
I had been to Antiparos once before many years ago. It was a day trip from Paros just to go to the cave. I must say that I definitely plan to go back some day. It's a very small island and very quiet. The type of place where it seems you could get to know the locals and create friends for life. Also, it's not often that you see an island from the perimeter, which is what we got to do kayaking. What an amazing day! Memories we'll have forever.
The next day we headed back to Athens. We stayed at the ECONOMY HOTEL this time just for one night. We paid 66 Euro/double with breakfast. It was a great place for the price. Incredibly helpful staff, very clean rooms and easy walk to two metro stations. I would definitely recommend it for a budget hotel.
The next day we visited the Acropolis, wandered the Plaka and Syntagma Square before heading to the airport for our flight to Paris. We spent five days in Paris where we rented a couple of apartments. But, this is the Greece Forum so that report is for another time.
Dreaming of my next trip.............................
Aug 4th, 2006, 02:40 PM
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wug--Naxos sounds fabulous! And your hotel there seems like it would be just what we are looking for.I hope you won't mind all the questions to follow!Does the hotel have a web site? We are in the very early stages of planning a return trip to Italy and possibly adding a few days in Greece.We are interested in getting a feel for the Greek islands, villages, people, etc. We are a well traveled couple in our mid 50's who like to explore. We don't need any real nightlife, just some good restaraunts, bars near by. We like to poke through local shops. We like to stay somewhere where we can have a nice view and can walk from place to place. As far as driving around, are all the signs in Greek and how hard is it to follow directions? You seem to have allot of info and advice on this area--Would you reccomend Naxos as our only stop in Greece? Can you tell me how we would get there from Rome? I think I need to get a good map of Greece to get my bearings. How many days were you in Naxos? Since you've seen so much of Greece, would you reccomend any special itinerary for first time visitors? (We spent one day in Athens in 2003)Any advice from you would be appreciated. Thank you
Aug 4th, 2006, 09:01 PM
#27
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Hi Klapenta, yes, Birikos has a web site
http://www.birikos-studios-naxos.gr/
We were on Naxos for just three nights. We wish we had more time though. I'll definitely go back. Naxos would give a great taste of a Greek Island for you. It's touristy enough to have plenty to do but not so much that you can't get a feel for the locals, especially if you go into the interior of the island. The signs are in Greek and English as far as driving but, we did find it kind of confusing at times. Mainly just because not all of the roads were on our map. We never got lost really, just missed a couple of turns or took the "scenic route" some.
As far as Naxos being your one stop in Greece, that really depends on when you're going and how you want to get there. I know there are some charter flights direct to some of the islands from European cities, I just don't know about Rome and Naxos. It'd be nice to find one and not have to go through Athens, however, that may not be possible. Our daughter and her friend flew from London to Athens via Rome on Alitalia.
You can catch a flight from Athens to Naxos or take the ferry from Pireaus (the Athens Port). When are you planning on going? I'll be happy to try to help out any way I can.
http://www.birikos-studios-naxos.gr/
We were on Naxos for just three nights. We wish we had more time though. I'll definitely go back. Naxos would give a great taste of a Greek Island for you. It's touristy enough to have plenty to do but not so much that you can't get a feel for the locals, especially if you go into the interior of the island. The signs are in Greek and English as far as driving but, we did find it kind of confusing at times. Mainly just because not all of the roads were on our map. We never got lost really, just missed a couple of turns or took the "scenic route" some.
As far as Naxos being your one stop in Greece, that really depends on when you're going and how you want to get there. I know there are some charter flights direct to some of the islands from European cities, I just don't know about Rome and Naxos. It'd be nice to find one and not have to go through Athens, however, that may not be possible. Our daughter and her friend flew from London to Athens via Rome on Alitalia.
You can catch a flight from Athens to Naxos or take the ferry from Pireaus (the Athens Port). When are you planning on going? I'll be happy to try to help out any way I can.
Aug 5th, 2006, 12:05 AM
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Hi
Awesome report. I luv the Greek islands and will be in Paros in September for the first time. Can't wait! Just a couple of questions: The Lava Oia's look fabulous - http://www.lavaoias.gr/- they were €130 a night? I see photos of a lovely terrace - is this communal or do you have one each?
Cheers
Awesome report. I luv the Greek islands and will be in Paros in September for the first time. Can't wait! Just a couple of questions: The Lava Oia's look fabulous - http://www.lavaoias.gr/- they were €130 a night? I see photos of a lovely terrace - is this communal or do you have one each?
Cheers
Aug 5th, 2006, 05:43 AM
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Hi worldinabag, no, the Lava Oia terraces are not communal. They each have a private one. The two houses you see on the web site are next to each other on the same level but they have a small wall between them on the terrace for privacy. Our house was on its own level completely.
The 130 euro/night was for the larger two bedroom 1.5 bat. We were right on the edge of the low/high season. The one bedroom ones were more around 85-95 or so.
They were incredible! Especially the host, Pepitsa! Enjoy
The 130 euro/night was for the larger two bedroom 1.5 bat. We were right on the edge of the low/high season. The one bedroom ones were more around 85-95 or so.
They were incredible! Especially the host, Pepitsa! Enjoy
Aug 5th, 2006, 09:23 AM
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Regarding Kristalaine's inquiry about the one-day excursion trip from Naxos to Santorini that I favor and Brotherleelove is skeptical about, here's the website that gives complete details, times, sights you will see etc.
http://www.thenaxosguide.com/
when you get there, click on the menu "TRavel" and Select Excursions.
There is also an e-mail to inquire about it directly:
[email protected]
I asked when Santorini excursions start and they said early May, and late Sept is no more off-season than early May.
http://www.thenaxosguide.com/
when you get there, click on the menu "TRavel" and Select Excursions.
There is also an e-mail to inquire about it directly:
[email protected]
I asked when Santorini excursions start and they said early May, and late Sept is no more off-season than early May.
Aug 9th, 2006, 08:59 AM
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Wug
I was able to get two FF tickets for our Greece/Turkey trip next summer. I still have to buy two. One parent with one child. Did you have a specific plan to meet up that included the use of a cell phone. I am somewhat nervous about this process. Ideally I would at least like to have the use of a cell phone by the time we get to the airport. Does anyone know if this can be arranged?
I was able to get two FF tickets for our Greece/Turkey trip next summer. I still have to buy two. One parent with one child. Did you have a specific plan to meet up that included the use of a cell phone. I am somewhat nervous about this process. Ideally I would at least like to have the use of a cell phone by the time we get to the airport. Does anyone know if this can be arranged?
Aug 15th, 2006, 03:00 PM
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We will be cruising into Mykonos in early October. Do we need reservations for the boat trip to Delos? Also, is that a trip we should do via a ship excursion or on our own?
Thanks for the great travel log of Greece!!
Thanks for the great travel log of Greece!!
Aug 15th, 2006, 07:00 PM
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jjber1 - No, you definitely don't need to buy tickets in advance for the Delos boats. I'm not sure what the schedule will be like in October but usually there are three boats in the morning, if I remember correctly. 8am, 9am and 11am, I think. Then there are three boats coming back at different times. You can take any of them back, it really depends on you and once you get to the island and you see how long you want to stay.
As far as doing the ship excursion or on your own, that would depend on you. I've always done Delos on my own. I like it that way because then I can wander as I please. That, to me, is one of the things that makes Delos so great. It's an entire island of antiquities and ruins and you can just wander as your heart desires. However, IF you prefer having a guide explaining it all, which could be very interesting, then perhaps the excursion would be best.
Milliebz - I'm so sorry my answer to your cell phone question didn't get posted. I just realized that. Yes, we did have cell phones. We have Cingular and we had them add the international service to our phones before we left. There was no charge to do that but, there was a $1.29/minute charge for any calls we made while in Greece or France. It was a comfort knowing that we could reach each other in case there was a problem with any of the flights though.
As far as doing the ship excursion or on your own, that would depend on you. I've always done Delos on my own. I like it that way because then I can wander as I please. That, to me, is one of the things that makes Delos so great. It's an entire island of antiquities and ruins and you can just wander as your heart desires. However, IF you prefer having a guide explaining it all, which could be very interesting, then perhaps the excursion would be best.
Milliebz - I'm so sorry my answer to your cell phone question didn't get posted. I just realized that. Yes, we did have cell phones. We have Cingular and we had them add the international service to our phones before we left. There was no charge to do that but, there was a $1.29/minute charge for any calls we made while in Greece or France. It was a comfort knowing that we could reach each other in case there was a problem with any of the flights though.
Aug 17th, 2006, 07:42 PM
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Hello Wug:
I was just reminiscing over my Greece photo album and when I got to the Birikos photos I remembered your earlier post indicating that you planned to stay there. So I dug out your trip report. What a great trip! I'm glad you enjoyed the Birikos - we certainly did. However, I am very jealous of the 'party' that you were so fortunate to experience - we were there at the end of June so perhaps that was already getting in to the busy season.
We just did a day trip to Antiparos- toured the cave and had some grilled octopus for lunch. The kayaking sound fabulous - what a special memory!
Ahh Hellas...
I was just reminiscing over my Greece photo album and when I got to the Birikos photos I remembered your earlier post indicating that you planned to stay there. So I dug out your trip report. What a great trip! I'm glad you enjoyed the Birikos - we certainly did. However, I am very jealous of the 'party' that you were so fortunate to experience - we were there at the end of June so perhaps that was already getting in to the busy season.
We just did a day trip to Antiparos- toured the cave and had some grilled octopus for lunch. The kayaking sound fabulous - what a special memory!
Ahh Hellas...
Aug 18th, 2006, 07:22 AM
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Hi PurpleNeon - Yes, the Birikos was great. What great hosts the family was! The kayaking was wonderful too. We definitely plan to go back and spend some "down time" on Antiparos on our next trip.
I agree! Ahhhh Hellas - I dream of it often!
I agree! Ahhhh Hellas - I dream of it often!
Aug 19th, 2006, 12:21 AM
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I will be in Antiparos tomorrow morning. Breakfast at Yannis Place, a day on the beach, and then dinner at Yorgis - I can hardly wait!
I always said I would save the cave for a rainy day. Finally, two years ago, after about eight years coming to Antiparos, it actually rained while I was there, so I saw the cave. The kayaking sounds fun, but I have never done it. For those less energetic, there are two ex-fishing boats, Thela and Alexandros, that do round-island tours, with a picnic lunch, and stopping at some remote beaches.
I always said I would save the cave for a rainy day. Finally, two years ago, after about eight years coming to Antiparos, it actually rained while I was there, so I saw the cave. The kayaking sounds fun, but I have never done it. For those less energetic, there are two ex-fishing boats, Thela and Alexandros, that do round-island tours, with a picnic lunch, and stopping at some remote beaches.
