I'm planning a first-time trip to Greece either mid-May or mid-Sept. 2007, and would appreciate your feedback to my first draft of an itinerary.

My husband or a girl friend will be my travelling companion, and we all like big cities as well as small villages, history, architecture, exploring, good food and drink, and some beach time.

3 or 4 full days in Athens. Yes, I've heard the complaints about noise, pollution, crowds, but I can't imagine visiting Athens without seeing the Acropolis and Parthenon, ancient Agora, Kerameikos cemetery, the Roman Agora, Benaki Museum, National Archaeological Museum, etc.

Fly Athes to Rhodes: 4 days

Ferry: day trip to Simi from Rhodes

Fly Rhodes to Santorini: 3 days

Fly Santonini to Athens: overnight, fly home.

Darn, hit the "enter" key by mistake.

Anyway, your comments would be much appreciated.

Linda

Hi bowenLinda,

Don't be discouraged about Athens. It has problems absolutly and I wouldn't personally spend tonnes of time there but 3 days is great - the Acropolis and surrounding area makes for an outstanding day. The National Museum and a few other sites can round out a second. A day hiking the various hills -Filipanos/Lycavittos, worthwhile for sure. I wouldn't spend more than 3 really considering the length of your trip, but your right to not forgo it altogether. I haven't been to Rhodes but would love to see it - I think your itinerary sounds good personally. If you spend three days in Athens I would add and extra day to Rhodes considering its size and the great number of things there are to do (Sigh, I regretted cutting it from my itinerary - next time). 3 days in Santorini should be lovely - I Oia as a great place to stay.
(though Fira has more night life).

Cheers,

Murphy

Thanks for the comments, Murphy.

I think you're right re Athens - 4 nights/3 days sounds good, and I hadn't considered hiking nearby (?) hills. Good thought.

Any favourites for hotels in Athens and Santorini?

Also, did you visit Crete? I have had a hard time deciding between Crete and Rhodes. (Rhodes won by a hair because of the ability to do a day trip to Turkey.)

Thanks,
Linda

Sorry Linda,

I stayed at one of the hostels in Athens and I haven't been to Crete though people certainly rave about it.

In Santorini I stayed at a very nice hotel because I got an off-season deal -Delfini Villas www.delfinivillas.com, room range in price according to view etc. Great location in Oia, helpful owner and I enjoyed it.

Cheers,

Murph

We liked both Rhodes and Crete, but I think if I had to choose I would select Rhodes. I loved the old walled city; had my first Greek salad for lunch at an outside cafe there and just felt good walking around the cobblestone streets, with little fountains here and there.

In Crete we visited Knossos and it was very interesting, but Crete just seemed more "big city" than Rhodes.

However, I don't think you would be disappointed in a visit to either island.

Hi BowenLinda...I think you will love Athens. That said, three days there is fine. We stayed at the Electra Palace in the Plaka and were very happy with the choice. Santorini is a photographers dream come true - it is just beautiful. We splurged here (a one time thing) at Katikies in Oia. It was early May, by the way, and their season was just beginning. Which ever place you choose, I would recommend Oia. Finally, for that last night back in Athens before returning home, consider the Sofitel-Airport. It is very nice, right in the airport and yet it is very peaceful.

Murphy, thanks for the Oia recommendation - will definitely check out the Delfini Villas.

Giovanna, the more I read about Rhodes, the more attracted I am to it - thanks for that input.

GBC, I agree, I think I'll be just fine with Athens. As I mentioned, I like big cities and everything (well, almost everything) that comes along with them. I'm framing Athens as like a bigger, scruffier Rome, and I really liked Rome.

The Electra Palace is on my short list of hotels for Athens, and I've certainly heard of/read about Katikies in Oia. It sounds absolutely gorgeous; I'll see if my Canadian dollar will stretch that far.

Any additional thoughts for more modest accommodation on Santorini (with a fabulous view, of course)?

Thanks, everyone
Linda

It's so nice to see your reply here Giovanna. Did you ever get back to Mykonos for that beautiful ring?

Linda, my husband and I visited Athens for the first time a few years ago and I did a trip report. We had such a fabulous time there. Click on my name and you'll find it, it's called Love Athens? - You bet we did!

KInd regards,

milley

bookmarking

I'm also interested in hearing about affordable accommodations in Santorini with a fabulous view...

bailey6325 and BowenLinda, I just booked a room at Hotel Ira in Firostefani outside Fira. Every room is supposed to have a balcony with a caldera view. We got the smallest room for 85 euro/night on a weekend in early October.
http://www.irahotel.gr/

This place got fantastic reviews on Tripadvisor, and it looks gorgeous. Good luck finding a place! It took me forever to settle on this one.

Milley, I very much enjoyed your trip report, and it was right on topic for this thread. I know I'll really enjoy Athens, warts and all.

Sunny, thanks for the Hotel Ira recommendation. Another great one I've added to my list.

If anyone has any suggestions for accommodation in Rhodes...?

Linda

... ttt for newcomer, Callum

Milley: What lovely memories you revived. No, sadly, we have not returned to Greece to buy my Byzantine ring. But we aren't dead yet! Hope springs eternal.

I got a gorgeous Tahitian pearl ring a couple of years ago, which I had wanted for some time, and earlier this year my husband bought me a bracelet to match. Both purchased in Hawaii--not a bad place to visit either!

Best wishes to you and thanks for the memories.

Thank you very much Linda for bringing this up the list for me. It's still my first day on Fodor's but I've really enjoyed finding and reading messages posted by folks who visited Athens. Again, thanks for your help.

Calum

Giovanna

I remember you saying you also enjoyed Shirley Valentine. Did you know it is now on DVD?

That format is so much better than my previous video tape version. The colors are amazing especially of Agios Ionnis where much of the movie was made. It's now available on Amazon.

We've not stayed there but for Oia, you might check out Atrina Traditional Houses. The reports sound good and so does the price. Perhaps, someone on this board has stayed there ?

Milley:

Thanks for the info. Yes, I'm a big fan of that movie. I have a birthday coming up next month, the DVD would be a good suggestion for something I would like.

Have you returned to Greece? Where else have your travels taken you? Feel free to e-mail me and bring me up to date on your adventures. Would love to hear from you.

Giovanna

Hi Linda

Affordable accommodation to me means up to €150 per night. So in Santorini try Blue Dolphins - http://www.bluedolphins.gr/ or the Gallini Hotel - http://www.hotelgalini.gr. In Rhodes if you want to stay in the Old Town try Minos Pension - http://www.minospension.com. It has a great roof garden and is good value for €60 inclusive of kitchen facilities.

Buon voyage

Worlds, my apologies for not defining "affordable". Blame it on middle age, the sun (finally!)...

I've definitely added your suggestions to my list and love the idea of accommodations for only E60. Thanks again.