wug

Hello Fodorites, you all have helped me so much in the past. I'm asking again.
I'll be working in France and then Greece in September. I have about four days between the two very hectic working schedules where I'd like to get away and chill by myself. I'll be flying from Paris to Athens and will probably arrive around 5 pm. I'm wondering about suggestions for an island or place on the mainland that I could get to easily and not too expensive. I've been to Greece many times so I'm not looking for the touristy stuff.

A couple of years ago I had a few days between work and I went to Milos. I LOVED it and have been back one other time. I enjoyed it because it was quiet yet many beautiful beaches to visit. Unique scenery and also an ancient theater to visit. I stayed in Pollonia and it was very budget friendly.

Maybe that gives you an idea of the sort of thing I'm looking for. I love to hike or kayak but also like to just wander and visit small villages and out of the way beaches. I have four nights before I have to be back in Athens. Is there maybe a company that flies direct from Paris to one of the islands or somewhere interesting on the mainland so I wouldn't have to stop in Athens.

Any ideas?

gertie3751

Get the ferry to Serifos or Sifnos. 4 hours or so. Nice beaches, budget friendly, easy to get about on buses, interesting villages.

wug

Hi Gertie, Are there ferries that late in the day to those islands? That's what I'm running into mainly, trying to get transport that will not have me staying in Athens that first night.

gertie3751

Neither of those islands have airports. Don't know if there are ferries that late. I think I got one around 1pm. But ferries are basically for the local people so keep going through the night. You might find one going to Milos or Naxos that stops. Look at Greek Travel Pages http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp

yipper

Try Hydra. Easy ferry from Piraeus.

wug

Hi Yipper, thanks so much. I have been to Hydra many years ago. I thought about that but, there are no budget accommodations I can find. Are you familiar with any?

Weadles

Try Naxos or Paros, both of which offer everything you're looking for. There are only a few flights each day though from Athens, so if you're interested, you need to book ASAP.

wug

Thank you Weadles. I've also been to both those islands and love them, however, there aren't any flights that are late enough in the day. I would have to stay in Athens that first night. I Was Hoping someone knows of a late ferry or option to get out of Athens later in the day and make it to my destination. Maybe I will up just have to rent a car and drive somewhere.

yipper

I am not personally familiar, but if you google B and B on Hydra there appears to be a few, especially on trip advisor. good luck. Also look at Aegina.

clausar

Seems that you have been everywhere, have you been to the Southern Peloponnese? (The Messinian Mani is very beautiful, with sea side villages like Stoupa or Kardamylli, or Foinikounta, Koroni and Methoni on the other side of Kalamata, which is a nice city with nightlife. !!

Another option would be Pilion, with nice beaches and amazing mountaineous villages.

Both can be reached easily with a car, and you won't be depended on ferries and weather conditions

Odin

Pilion/Pelion is absolutely stunning, it's quite different to other areas of Greece as it is very green, it's mountainous with several beautiful villages and gorgeous beaches. Parts of Mama Mia was filmed around Damouchari, if you've seen the film, it will give you an idea of the terrain. The local architecture is interesting, with overhanging balconies and Pelion stone roofs and you can stay in a mansion house (archontika.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/ar...#axzz2K1RY923d

http://www.karagiannopoulou.com/index.html

Villages to check out: Makrinitsa, Vizitsa, Tsangarada, Portaria.

Beaches: Milopotamos on the north coast of the Pelion.

It's about 3 hours driving from Athens to Volos, the gateway to Pelion.

Heimdall

But ferries are basically for the local people so keep going through the night.

Not so! You would be hard pressed to find a ferry to any island (bar Saronic Gulf) leaving late enough in the afternoon for your requirements. You may be able to find a direct flight from Paris to one of the more popular Greek islands in early September, but you didn't mention what time of the month you are travelling.

I like clausar's idea of southern Peloponnese. You could rent a car at the airport and drive down the motorway, which I believe has been completed all the way to Kalamata now. I have been to the Koroni/ Methoni area, and it is absolutely stunning, with beautiful seaside villages and beaches the equal to any on the islands. It will be blissfully quiet in September, but unlike the islands everything will still be open.

wug

Thank you Heimdall, Clauser and Odin. I'm going to look into the Pillion area and southern Peloponnese. I like the idea of gorgeous beaches and mountains. I love to hike and also love the idea of beaches close by too. I've been to the Peloponnese once but it was over 25 years ago and it was really more visiting the ancient sites.

parosblue

Hi wug,
The southern Peloponnese sounds like a good choice for your escape. Or, you could try to make a connection to Kythira. The flight is only 50 minutes, but I don't think you can make one on the evening of your arrival. Another idea would be to find a direct flight from Paris to Crete, relax there for your break and fly back to Athens. Lots of countryside where you can find inexpensive lodging.

wug

Thank you parosblue. I'm going to look for those flights to Crete. I've been to Crete about four times but, three were with work and it was wonderful, however, there is sooooo much I haven't seen. I'm thinking either that or the Peloponnese. Luckily I have plenty of time to figure it out.

Pulla

Why Islands? Why don't you try mainland. Check Kalamata - there might be some flights there. Then KTEL bus to some village - or rent a car.

Islands - to Crete there are night boats from Piraeus - there is a direct bus from Athens airport to Piraeus harbor.

Rgds
Pulla

mes2525

I agree that you should look into the Kalamata area -Koroni, Methoni and Pylos are beautiful little towns and I enjoyed a couple of days visit to Kalamata, which has a great food market. Ancient Messene and Hector's Palace are close by if you want to visit archaeological sites.

wug

Thank you everyone, I'm looking into either the Kalamata area or Napflion. Whatever makes the most sense and I'm not wasting two of my days in travel. I looked at my schedule again and realized I just have three nights between Paris and when I have to be in Athens.

I'm leaning toward either taking the bus or renting a car and going to Napflion. It looks like there is plenty to do around there for a few days. Does anyone have a suggestion of staying in the Old Town or staying somewhere outside of Napflion maybe on the beach in Kiveri?