Hello!

I am planning a trip with friends to Greece this November.

A few questions:

1- How will the weather be?? We will be staying in Athens for a few days and then a few islands...

2- I have been once to Greece and these are my thoughts so far:
A) Two days in Athens ( one of these days being a day trip to Corinth
B) Two/Three Days in Santorini
C) Two/Three Days at another island- ideas?? ( We went to Mykinos last time and it was really fun, but that was in College!) We would love to go to an island that is really relaxing with great views and history
D) The extra two days missing are for travel between spots!

Thanks for your help!

crete was my favorite island. you'll have to pick btwn the western part (e.g. chania) or eastern part. i went to chania and really liked it.

Hi,

Crete is wonderful. Another island might be Rhodes. At that time of the year it will not be packed with tourist. There is a lot of history and the medevil town of Rhodes is interesting. Further out is the lovely town of Lindos. I also remember a butterfly valley. Rhodes is not my favorite island, but I am glad I went there. also travel the Peloponnese. There are wonderful acient sites and beautiful views. Have fun.

Yipper

My idea is --- you have picked the wrong season to go to Greek islands. Most of them will be "closed down" almost completely ... just a few local tavernas open. November is chilly, and one of the rainiest months. THere will not be "great views" thru the rain. People always keep equating the Mediterranean/Aegean with the Caribbean... and it's NOT. More like latitude of Virginia. And if an island trip is about beaches mainly, you will be out of luck.

I hope you have not already bought air tickets. If so, perhaps you can get them changed to another time. November is Fine to visit big cities of Europe, when they will be lively, and there is lots to do even if it's raining outside, there are museums, theatre, clubs, stately homes, historic sights etc.

Greece is a land of sunshine and sea... so it's meant to be enjoyed between April and late octobr at the latest. Even Crete will be gloomy in November, and Rhodes cloudy too. PLease please, do homework about weather before making purchase decisions.

If you've already bought tickets, don't despair. Greece is much more than just islands, and there are more historical sights in Athens, Delphi, and the Peloponnese than all the islands put together. I agree with travellerjan that November is the wrong time to visit the islands, but it is a better time to be in Athens than during the hot days of summer. If you want to check actual weather stats, go to http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp and plug in location and dates.

I believe you can have a relaxing holiday without ever setting foot on an island. Others on this board can detail the many sights in the Peloponnese. I will say, though, that one of the most memorable sights for me was Delphi, and views of the Gulf of Corinth from there. Athens is a vibrant city, with it's many museums, ancient sites, fine restaurants, and nightclubs.

If visiting at least one island is a must, consider this: either fly to Santorini and back and stay a couple of nights, or take a day trip/overnight to one of the Saronic Gulf islands, e.g. Aegina or Hydra.

Thanks for the feedback- the plane tickets have not yet been bought- maybe a May/June trip would be better for Greece!

I have sent this info to our friends- your help has been great!

Late May thru JUne is ideal ... I'll see you there!

Just curious, trevelerjan, as I follow your posts until I can get myself to Greece: Have you traveled on the mainland as extensively as you have the islands. I always travel in late May anyway, so I will likely be visiting the islands, but I also often follow the beat of a different drummer and the mainland intrigues me. If one wanted to visit mainland Greece (which of course would have a very different feel than the islands and less weather dependent), would November be a good time? I am thinking of the gorge with the monastery for example (the name escapes)...

YOrkshire ---
I would not choose November unless some business dealings enabled me to get a free trip at that time. I've traveled by choice in May, June & September ... the BEST months. FOr an idea of where I"ve been and how it started (I'd wanted to go to greece for decades before I got there), here's my web page: http://www.techforecast.com/janet.htm

I have been to 24 islands, some of them 6-9 times... but I have also been to the Peloponnese 5 times ... most of the Time in the Argolid, but also 10 days doing counter-clockwise zoom in May 2008 ... Then to Delphi & a couple other places. I would do more of this, but not at this point for 2 reasons (1) I'm usually taking along newbies, who want mainly to see the islands, Athens and around Nafplio .... and (2) In crete & other islands, I'm with others who drive, but on my 2008 jaunt I was solo, and dependent on public transport because I don't have a driver's license these days (not because I'm a felon or feeble -- just from living in huge cities w/o car for 40 years!).

As far as "the Gorge with the Monastery" I know one on the north side of crete, and I guess there is one in the wilds of Peloponnese. I could look it up if I cared. Of course, I am one who doesn't long to see Meteora either, or Marathon. Byzantine era I can read about, but endless ikons and ruined 15th C churches, not so much.

There are plenty of Islands that follow the beat of a different drummer. Read about Ikaria ... the island next to Samos. It intrigues the hxxl out of me. Read the Cadogan Guide to the Greek Isles, and Cadogan Guide to the Peloponnese. DIVINE writing... wonderful bedside reading for a travel-dreamer. Enjoy!

Thank you travelerjan--you satiated my curiosity about out of season Greek travel. I have an interest in the Balkans, so I guess that is why the northern mainland intrigues me, but with all of those island to choose from I guess it is easy to be off the beaten path.
I also love Cadogan guides, and I am losing my ability to drive as well, so when I make it to Crete I will be seeking your advice.

Yorkshire, if you llike the Balkans, and 1930s-40s Greece history there is a new "spy" novel (but more than that, really) which you will LOVE. By Alan Furst ... he has written about 6 or 7 wonderful novels about that fascinating turbulent period in Europe when the Nazis were taking over country after country, and people were sometimes in a limbo... in Turkey, in Holland, In occupied Paris ... and getting by, day by day, with their conquerers, and somehow getting involved with underground too. Absolutely enthralling for atmosphere.

The new one --SPies of the Balkans -- features an asst. police chief of Salonika, during the period between Metaxas saying "Ohi" and the Nazis taking Athens... it's full of interludes in Vienna, Belgrade, Bucharest, Sofia, etc, and trains interlinking .. the first of his books that really deals with the one-by-one surreptitious flight of German Jews & how they slipped across Greece. Riveting. Author lives in NY & Paris ... I think it's probably published in UK by now also (came out here in June). --- hmmm we're off-topic, shame on me.