gladfon

Hello Everyone,
I have just begun to plan for a trip in mid to end of May 2009. This will be for my husband and me. We are 70 and 75, but healthy and active. I have traveled to Europe several times in the past 10 years. My husband once. We will have 11 or 12 days in Greece. We realize that traveling in Greece is more complicated that is why I am seeking help early on. I have done some research and read many posts and would like to visit the following:
3 nights Nafplion (Corinth)
3 nights Naxos
3 nights Santorini
2 nights Athens

Is this doable? We are used to moving around when we travel. Posters say it is best to arrange transportation before reserving hotels. I have looked at Open Seas site and they don't have schedules for May yet. Some hotels seem to be filling up already. We are looking for budget hotels in Nafplio and Naxos, perhaps spending a little more in Santorini and Athens.

I'm thinking of taking bus from Athens to Nafplion; return and fly from Athens to Santorini; Blue Star Santorini to Naxos; fly Naxos to Athens for last 2 days.

I know this is a lot to ask for a first posting, but I would really appreciate your help in getting me started. Thank you. Gladys

toni

Your itinerary sounds just fine, although an extra night in Naxos would be good. However, I would suggest flying to Naxos (staying in Naxos Town or Agios Georgios), ferry to Santorini (staying in Oia) then flying back to Athens. Your first sight of Santorini from the boat will be memorable and Santorini just makes for a spectacular finish. We are going to Mykonos and Naxos next June and I am also booking now. You still have plenty of time to arrange your transport.

igorek

Your itinerary is perfectly doable. Just wanted to throw in a couple of ideas.

1. Not sure if spending 3 days in Nafplion makes sense on the 1st short trip to Greece. IMHO, the most spectacular, and the most unique place in Greece is Meteora; you can visit it either by a train from Athens, or by taking a bus tour that will usually also take you to ancient Greek sights way more impressive than Corinth (eg Delphi).

2. Many people will probably disagree, but I personally found Santorini overhyped and overpriced, not very clean overall, with a bad beach, and not much to do for those over 30. The views of the island from afar were the only memorable things. There was an excursion to the vulcano, but it was basically a death march under incredible heat (I was there in May). So think of staying more in Naxos, or go to Crete for a day or two (a ferry from Santorini).

Heimdall

Gladfon, I think your itinerary is just fine.

The suggestion to arrange transportation first, then hotels, is valid for islands without daily ferry connections, but totally unnecessary for Santorini and Naxos. Those two islands are among the best served in Greece, and you will have no problem getting from Santorini to Naxos on any day you choose. Mid to late May is a period when advance ferry reservations are not required.

You will want to book your flight to Santorini as soon as possible, and Aegean Airlines would be the best choice. Naxos is served only by Olympic Airlines, and they are facing an uncertain future. Their routes may be taken over by a different company before next May.

IMO, there is no real advantage in flying from Naxos to Athens, especially if you are staying in Athens the last two days. Ferries are slower, but you don't have to check in, wait for baggage at the end of the flight, and make your way from the airport to central Athens.

travelerjan

Gladfon -- Congratulations!!

Unlike so many, you've absorbed all the advice we dole out here and have put together a VERY do-able itinerary with a few "tweaks." I'm in your "age(less) range" and have done very similar routes several times with travel pals old & young.

And dont worry about transport yet. Yr route is well-served by ferries that keep a regular schedule year after year. To see the usual ferry sked for may, go to Open Seas and click calendar backward to May 08. My constant warning about transport is mainly for people who pay up front for posh Santorini rooms and the day before, they are way over by Turkey!

(1)don't get hi-jacked by someone else's passion for Meteora; stick w. Nafplio. It is Divine in late May! If you want, u can rent a car there 1 day v. cheaply & zip to Epidaurus, Tiryns, Nemea or Mycenae.

(2)SANTORINI - fly as planned, but just stay TWO nites. Akrotiri is closed, so the isle is mainly about caldera view. And taking blue star to Naxos will give u view from below -- it's the same coming & going,so don't switch sequence re toni.

(3)NAXOS - add that extra day here. My first trip, I planned 3 days, kept postponing! stayed 5. Still finding new delights there. You can ferry back to Piraeus: the 9:45-3 Blue Star chops up a whole day but u can avoid that by taking the Blue Star "dinner ferry"-- 6pm - 11:30 pm, then taxi to your hotel. NOTE: if you do, see if u can get "late checkout" i.e. 4pm at your naxos hotel.

E-mail me re plans details; yours sounds like a dream trip & I'm here to assure you it will work out well!

Heimdall

Travelerjan's point about chopping up a day with the 9:30-3:00 Blue Star ferry is also true of Naxos-Athens flights. Daily flights leave Naxos at 1:40pm. Although flying time is short, airport transfers, check-in, and baggage retrieval add more time, so there is not a lot of difference overall between flights and ferries.

I have to say, though, I would not want to arrive at Piraeus at 11:30pm. By the time you reach your Athens hotel, check in, and get ready for bed, it will be 1:00am or later. I would rather get there at 3:00pm, check into my room, shower and change, then take a stroll around Plaka before sitting down for dinner in a nice Athens retaurant.

Whether to spend 3 days each on Santorini and Naxos, or split it 2-4 is a matter of personal preference. Either island has more than enough to keep you busy for two, three, or four days.

stanbr

We have been asked by friends to plan a Greek trip for 14 days and your plan is virtually identical to yours. You have chosen three very good places to visit on your first trip.

You certainly can book hotels in advance if that removes risk and uncertainty. In May however you do not need to book Naxos or Naophlion. In our experience in Late May and early June there are lots of good budget places available. Just walk up , ask to see the room and negotiate a price. That early in the season most Greek hotels have had no cash flow for the past 6 months and are willing to negotiate.
In Naphlion though many people from Athens spend the weekend there so if you are trying my walk up trick on a Friday or Saturday you may not be able to find a place easily.
We stay at Pension Elaini. It is very nicely decorated and is inexpensive. It is high up so you have an uphill walk on a full tummy after dinner however that could be said for many of the places in the old tow. Traveler Jan recommends Hotel Leto which has ocean view and is next door to Elaini.

In Naxos I would suggest you stay at St George beach which is adjacent to Naxos town so you get a beach holiday along with all the attraction of the town only a 10 minute stroll away.
Try Hotel Glaros which is right on the beach, Galini and Sophia which are about50 meters from Glaros but without the view or Hotel Spiros which has a pool and is 200 meters from the beach. all are economical hotels and are quiet at night.

In Athens you should book hotels. In Santorini hotels are expensive particularly those on the Caldera. We found a nice hotel with a view and very well priced and were shocked to find that it only had one room available for June 15 and 16 2009. You might want to book Santorini.
Here are our Naxos and Naphlion pictures just to whet your appetite.
Naphlion pictures
http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/551991579dJbWvh
Naxos
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552001505EYxVYT

travelerjan

Stanbr & I work as a Tag Team -- we fill in for each other. Add-ons about Nafplio hotels ... Hotel Byron is always touted by guide books, but it doesn'thave the view of the 2 mentioned. BTW, if u have a car, there is parking 50 yards from Leto & Eleni at a Parking square....up on a ramped drive from sea front. ANd if neither of those 2 suit you, try Pension Ligeia, by parking square.

If your knees don't want to walk up the ramp or the stairstep streets, take a look at Hotel Victoria, right at the foot of the "stairstep" lanes. ON all the above, I always suggest u "google" the hotels for traveler reviews, either Trip Advisor Reviews or Travel Library.

Some athens hotels to check in the 85-120€ range in May, on Mitropoleos St or right off it -- Hotel Arethusa, Hotel Central, HOtel Metropolis (all near the Cathedral, the "metropolis" get it?). A bit more, Hotel Cyprian, Hotel Plaka, HOtel Hermes. Maps show convenient location near Syntagma square, easy walk to Acropolis etc.

grapes

Napflion: I stayed at Hotel Victoria and it is a good choice for those who want to decrease the number of stairs taken. The location is convenient, staff were friendly, the rooms serviceable (this is not a luxury establishment), and we had a balcony with table and chairs. It was pleasant to hear the sounds and activities of the town and the birds as the morning began. The Worry Bead Museum and the War Museum are both worth a visit. The Natural History Museum was closed.

gladfon

Hello again,
Thank you for all the quick responses.

Toni: I agree that taking a night from Santorini and adding it to Naxos is a good idea. Thanks

Igorek: I became interested in Nafplion during my research. I want to use it as a base for touring Mycenae, Epidaurus and Corinth (where St. Paul preached). Stanbr's pictures clinched it. At first I was going to arrange a tour from Athens, but I really want to stay there.

Heimdall: I don't have my transatlantic reservation yet, so I have to wait on booking Santorini flight. It looks like a ferry on return to Athens is a better option(it will save us money.) An afternoon return is better for us, especially since we'll be staying 4 nights instead of 3 in Naxos.

Traveljan: I'm sticking with Nafplio. We won't have a car, but will see if we can do daytrips by bus without too much stress. I will take you up on e-mailing you concerning details. I have some questions regarding ferries and other boats/ships, and type of tickets to request. Thank you.

Stanbr: I had already seen your very beautiful pictures, and am excited about visiting Greece. I began planning this trip for my husband who said he wanted to go, even though he doesn't like to travel. Now I'm excited about it.

Thank you for your hotel recs. I guess I can book hotels now as long as I book hotels that don't need a deposit or have a lenient cancellation policy.

Thank you so much everybody. You'll hear from me again as I continue to plan.

gladfon

Hi Grapes and Travejan,
You were posting while I was typing. The Victoria Hotel sounds like a good option. Do you have any recommendations for hotels in Santorini where we don't have to climb too many steps.

I'm not looking for luxury hotels, or properties on the beach (although we'll bring our swimwear), but our focus is not a beach holiday. I would like a studio apartment where we can make breakfast and a light evening meal. We'll probably have a nice lunch out. I will look into the Athens hotels since we'll only be there 2 nights.

Thanks again for your suggestions.
Gladys

Heimdall

Gladfon, look through posts by brotherleelove - he is the Santorini expert on this forum, and has answered the steps question before. He also alerted everyone to Aegean Airline's release of cheap fares to Santorini for next May & June, which is why I suggested booking early. You have plenty of time, though, so just wait until you have your transatlantic flight arranged.

brotherleelove2004

Gladfon, on Santorini check the Aspa Villas, Musses Studios and the Anemomilos Hotel for facilities with few or no steps if you stay on the ground floor, and one flight of steps if you stay on the top floor.

stanbr

Gladfon I see you are interested in visiting Ancient Corinth.
It is well worth the visit.
Here are a few comments we wrote after our visit in 2005

Ancient Corinth
I have seen pictures of Ancient Corinth and I thought it was nothing more than a few columns. In fact it is a large site with many statues and even a fountain. Although there is not much left of the fountain, but the surrounding buildings are still there and you can hear the water running underground. In one of his letters to the Corinthians in the New Testament St. Paul makes reference to the bema (judgement) seat. This ‘bema’ can be seen in the market area of the ruins.

On another thought for Naxos, Hotel Spiros is a studio style hotel with kitchen facilities and this year is priced around 50 euro for a double.
One of the great pleasures of having your own kitchen is doing your daily marketing for breakfast lunch and snacks. The old market section of Naxos town (Chora) is a maze of narrow streets with a wonderful wood fired bakery, small street stalls with fruit and vegetables. I certainly wouldn't walk a kilometer for food here in Canada but there is something very special about doing daily shopping in a market area that has been active since the 1300's.

wildblueyonder

Hi gladfon and others. I'm reading this thread with much interest as I am trying to plan a (slightly) similar trip for next June (from the UK). We have never been to Greece either! I hadn't intended to plan so early, but, as you say, things are booking up already! My plan is as follows and, without wishing, in any way, to hijack gladfon's thread, would people please be kind enough to comment if they see any problems ahead? Thanks.

Fly UK to Athens - 2 nights in Athens
Ferry to Mykonos - 2 nights Mykonos (we'd like a 'simple ' hotel with one room for 3 adults, but nothing is booking yet)
Ferry to Santorini - 2 nights Santorini - would like a room in one of those 'cave' hotels!
Ferry to Heraklion - we have a provisional booking for a week in a villa near Chania - so 7 nights there.
Fly from Herakion back to Athens and then Athens to the UK.

brotherleelove2004

Wildblueyonder, save yourself the hassle of returning to Heraklion after Chania for that flight to Athens. There's an airport in Chania. Aegean Airlines is already offering some discounts for island flights.

http://www.aegeanair.com/

stanbr

Wildblueyonder, I just checked Easyjet. They are flying from Heraklion to London and Manchester. Why bother to go back to Athens at all why not just fly to the UK from Heraklion.

travelerjan

I'm responding to Heimdall's point about not wanting to get to a hotel room at midnight after an evening ferry. I prefer to think of a 6 pm ferry as a "dinner ferry" with time to watch sunset on deck, go eat a light meal, then go to my reserved economy aircraft style seats to rest, read and drowse.

Sure it's nice to devote one's day to travel in order to arrive early, relax, have dinner in Athens etc, -- IF you have a long leisurely agenda -- but gladfon has just 11 days! As for chopping up a day with transport in order to get to a hotel for an early night, I follow the precepts of my Swedish mother (who took her last trip abroad at 84), "You can sleep when you're dead."

Heimdall

Stanbr, the easyJet flights to Crete (and Mykonos) were inherited when easyJet bought out GB Airways late last year. The airline has not yet announced whether it will continue those flights next year. There are also many charter flights to Crete from various UK airports, so there is no shortage of direct connections.

Travelerjan, heaven forbid that we should all think the same way! And who said anything about an early night? At 3:00pm the day is only half over, with shops in Plaka open until late evening, and restaurants open even later. You look upon the morning ferry as a wasted day, I look upon the afternoon ferry as a wasted evening. Gladfon can make up her own mind which is best for her and husband.

wildblueyonder

brotherleelove - it's all a little bit up in the air, but we'd like to have one night in or around Heraklion, in order to have a good look around Knossos. I suppose the easiest way to do this would be on the way in and then we could fly back to Athens from Chania - sounds more sensible!

stanbr - BA from Heathrow return Athens + a short hop flight with Aegeon back to Athens, actually works out cheaper than with Easy Jet (even though they don't have their fares for next June yet, judging by the October ones, they aren't cheap!) Also, it's not much less hassle for us, as it's easier for us to get to Heathrow than Gatwick. But I'll keep checking on Easy Jet!

Thanks!