Gladfon,
I'm eager to hear how you manage the transportation between your different locations, particularly how you handle the visit to Nafplion.

I've been going back and forth on a trip this spring, originally thinking the Peloponnese, but now I'm really taken by Naxos. I'm also realizing that I don't want to be spending so much time travelling in a car, and I really like your planned itinerary a lot.

I'm curious about the order of the locations, and how best to coordinate. Will you go first to Nafplion, and then return to the airport?

Please share the information you get from the others -- I see that Traverjan offered to help you directly, and it's precisely the details that I also would love to hear. It would be so helpful if you can let us know what suggestions have been made for your trip, believe me.

thanks,
Paule

rbnwdln, we are planning a trip to Athens and (3) islands for next June and all I have booked, so far, is the villa for a week in Crete. I would book hotels, but I generally book directly with the hotels and they do not appear to be accepting bookings for June at the moment. Flights I will probably book after Christmas. I'm not sure whether we should book ferries ahead and, if so, how far ahead, but the ferry companies also are not open for booking for next June yet.

ttt

I'm also planning a similar trip so I'll be another hijacker on this thread as all the experts seem to be checking in here. The itinerary I'm looking at is very similar to the OP except we have about 14 days (and there will be four of us). I definitely want to see Delphi and also Aegina and/or Hydra, and possibly Paros. So here are my questions.

Is it best to plan on one night in Delphi so it can be seen early or late in the day (we'll be there in crowd filled July) or can it be done on the way to Nafplion. We will rent a car.

If we want to see Aegina and/or Hydra can they be done as day trips from Nafplion, or is it easier to extend Athens and do them from there. It just seems it might be more pleasant to have more nights in Nafplion rather than Athens but I can't find info on getting to those islands from Nafplion. Couldn't we drive to Methana and take a ferry from there?

Does it make sense to do Paros as a day trip from Naxos (to cut down on number of different hotels we stay in). Naxos sounds like the more interesting island but I'd like to see Paros too.

Isabel, not a good idea to try a day trip from Naxos to Paros -- you waste too much time in transport (getting on/off) plus the ferries are all wrong; last one is right during dinner hour.

Instead, if you have planned 5 days for the 2 islands, at the end of the 4th day, take the 6pm ferry from Naxos-Paros, take a hotel right in Parikia (HOtel argonaut is a more upscale one, there are lots of little pensions if u want something for under 50E). U land at 7, walk to hotel, & you're in a taverna enjoying the sunset before 8!
The next day, u can prowl the town, or rent a car & tootle all over the darn island! Sure it's an overview, not an in-depth visit, but fun! I've done that approach with my "travel pals" twice and they liked it a lot!

travelerjan - thanks for the advise. At this (still fairly early) planning stage, I'm thinking of this itinerary - 2 nights Athens, 1 night Delphi, 2 nights Napflion, 2 Naxos, 2 Paros, 3 Santorini, 1 Athens. We are traveling with another couple and they only have two weeks. My husband and I plan to stay in Greece another 5-7 days and I haven't planned that part yet. I was trying to avoid too many "one or two night stands" and that's why I was thinking of day tripping to Paros, but I agree with you that over night would be better. Would you split the number of days like this or some other way. Thanks

Just my two cents worth but the trip from Naxos to Paros, while only an hour ferry ride can eat up several hours as you check out of your hotel in Naxos, wait for the ferry then try and find a room in Paros. I think Jans original advice is sound.
Take the extra day and enjoy Naxos. Actually in three days you will just begin to scratch the surface in Naxos.

I think Jan was suggesting that you should maximize your stay on Naxos for 3 nights and then, by catching the late afternoon ferry to Paros will give you an opportunity to explore the town the next morning as you put in time waiting for the ferry back to Athens. This way you maximize your time in Naxos and still get a reasonable taste of Paros.
You will find island hopping wastes way more time than you expect. Two days on each island does neither one of them any justice at all.

Isabel, Isabel -- too much too fast.
You are going to wreck your vacation by trying to cover too much ground at warp speed, to accommodate your friends with the shorter time. Have they given you their "Must-sees" or is it up to u? If the latter, I would suggest they'll just have to miss a couple of the stops, and get them NEXT time. Better they should have QUALITY time at fewer stops.


As Stanbr says, hopping takes waaay more time than you think it will. For one thing, arriving and going into Athens and then going out -- that's a big time-waste right there. Instead, I advise you "tough it out" and upon arrival, just walk right down the hall and get on a domestic flight to your farthest Island.By booking far ahead, you can get those "bargain" Aegean air tickets at 49€.Then do Athens at the end of the 2 weeks.

Possible Scenario:
DAY 1-- Fly to Santorini (3 nites)
DAY 4-- Ferry to Naxos (4 nights)
Day 8-- Ferry to Paros (2 nights)
Day 10 -- Ferry to Athens (2 days for Delphi, 2 days for Athens
Day 14 -- Friends fly out, you rent car @ airport, Drive to Nafplio.
Day 15 - 19? Nafplio & surroundings
Monemvasia? or Olympia? and back
Day 20? 21? final night Athens area

If u want to dig into details, e-mail me; it makes me crazy to keyboard in this tiny box.

Hello Everyone,
I didn't realize that my original thread had been revived.

Progol, I haven't made any definite plans for traveling between my stops in Greece because I'm waiting on purchasing transatlantic tickets. I have been looking for over a month but fares have been holding steady at $1082 from Tampa to Paris. Someone suggested that in October or November they usually go down.

I'm planning a 3-day stay in Paris because although I've been several times my husband hasn't. More importantly, we hate long flights and the stay in Paris would help us get over the jet lag.

We plan on using Easyjet from Paris to Athens. Although it would probably make more sense to take the bus to Nafplion as soon as we arrive in Athens, I think we will spend a night in Athens and then travel to Nafplion.

We plan to use buses to daytrip to Ancient Corinth and Epidaurus. On returning to Nafplion we will go to the airport and fly Aegean to Santorini for two nights; then ferry to Naxos for three nights, ending with two nights in Athens.
We're hoping Olympic is still in business so that we can fly back to Athens.

I'm planning on contacting Travelerjan when my travel plans are concrete. (Traveljan thank you for offering and for all your insight) I'll share whatever I learn. Thank you all. Gladys

stanbr and traveljan - thanks for the input. I do see what you are saying, and normally don't like to do less than 3-4 nights in any one place but to try and get in a taste of the islands and the ancient sites of the Pelopponese it's hard to do with out alot of moving. I guess I could cut out Paros or do as jan suggested and just do the last night there (although that still involves another hotel change). I'm also going to see if the other couple we are traveling with can add a night or two.

I'm also thinking the night ferry from Santorini to AThens (Pireaus) might work for us but can't seem to find it on any of the ferry sites. Anyone know which site it's on.

And one more question - any one have any information about the temple of demeter on Naxos - I've seen photos but can't tell how large a site it is, etc. Also I read a trip report that said it was possible to do Delos as a day trip from Naxos - anyone have info on the logistics of that? Thanks

Demeters temple is a small site and will take less than an hour to visit. Having said that it is an excellent site. The site is ancient with successive buildings constructed on the site. When we first found it in 1996 it was a active architectural site and was being reconstructed. Where the old marble blocks were still available they were being re used. The reconstructed site encompasses at least three different eras. Admission is free.
I have a couple of pictures in my Naxos album.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552001505EYxVYT

There are day trips from Naxos to Delos on the Naxos Star and the Alexander. About $100 for the full day. It gives you about 3 hours on Delos and about 3 on Mykonos. Well worth the money however it only runs 3 days a week.
The trip can be booked locally from any travel agent in Naxos.
It takes a full day so those two days you plan to spend on Naxos are starting to become a very brief visit to a wonderful relaxing laid back Island.

stanbr- thanks for that info. Very helpful. I'm actually not thinking of doing those sites if I'm only on Naxos for a couple of days. One of the alternate itineraries I was considering would drop Nafplion in favor of more time in Naxos, and if we were to do that then we'd want to do some more ancient site in the islands, That's why I was asking about those sites. I'm trying to put together a couple of possible itineraries for my traveling companions to consider, so the more information the better. Thanks.

bookmarking

Gladfon,
I knew I was in trouble with my original planned itinerary, when I kept going back to your post, me thinking how great it sounds!

So, my current planned itinerary looks remarkably like yours -

Athens - 2 nights
Nafplion - 3 nights
Naxos - 4/5 nights
Santorini - 3 nights
Athens - 1 night

I'm hoping to go in May 09. With the tanking US economy and a new job/career, I may end up postponing it a little while longer. But I am watching the fares from NY area to Athens for May!

It's been over 2 years since an overseas trip, and I'm definitely struggling with European Vacation Deficit Disorder!

Paule

Progol
We have made 7 trips to Greece in the past 12 years and I can tell you the Canadian dollar has consistently been worth less than the US dollar. It sure hurts to pay $1.50 for every euro! I can emphasize with your angst at the decline in the value of your dollar however if you choose wisely you can still afford to have a great holiday in Greece.
The secrets are to travel in the off season particularly late May and early June. The Greek hotels and tavernas have been without cash flow for 6 months and are ready to cut prices to get money flowing into the coffers again.
We have been able to afford our vacations by choosing budget accommodation in places like Athens and Santorini and booking very early on the best locations for the best prices. Everywhere else we simply wait until we arrive and negotiating prices with cash starved hotels.
I have to admit I do not try this in Athens or Santorini Caldera view locations but on the islands and the Peloponnese I never book ahead. You will be astonished how the posted prices reduce when you view a room and then start to walk away.
Another secret is to share dinners. A Greek salad is big enough to be shared by two people and no one thinks it is unusual to share a plate in Greece. The house wine in most tavernas is very inexpensive and generally pretty good.
I have had to be very frugal with my puny Canadian dollar but it has not stopped us from great Greek vacations. Don't let the slide in the US dollar prevent you from having one of the best vacations of your life. You will have a very hard time finding a better vacation value than Greece.

Stanbr,
I've always been a frugal traveller, although having to travel in the summer due to work. My approach has always been towards value - when I've felt more "flush", then I spent more on my surroundings and meals, and when I felt otherwise, we've stayed in more humble surroundings,and eaeten more "picnic in the park" meals.

With career changes (in our 50s and 60s!), and family obligations across the country, DH and I have not been able to travel overseas the past few years.

I'm hoping to travel to Greece in May, though I still have a hard time justifying the airfares. It's not just the decline of the dollar, but the overall financial picture and what DH and I feel comfortable with. I'm also the "new kid on the block" in my new job, and may not have the 2 week block. I'm hoping to figure it out in the next few months.

I do appreciate your suggestions, and have always followed the "value" approach as much as I'm able to at the time. We'll see what next year brings! I hope it's a European vacation, though!
Thanks!
Paule