Greece- 8/9 DAYS
 

Hi, We are planning a trip to Greece around the first week of june. We are a family of 4 . children are 18 & 15. None of us have ever been to Greece. Is it a good time (weather ) ? we are not fond of very warm weather (we live in delhi,india - which is extremely warm at this time) . Assuming weather is fine , We would like to cover 3-4 places in the time we have . Probably athens / santorini / mykonos and/or any other places suggested. We would be flying in from Rome. We are more keen to visit places with natural beauty . Offcourse we would like to visit athens to see the history & culture of the region.
Your advise is highly appreciated.

Being used to Delhi temperatures, you will find Greece to be very pleasant in early June. You may even need a light jacket or sweater for evenings on the islands. Daytime high temperatures on the islands are likely to be in the mid 20s Celsius, Athens a little warmer. Of course weather varies from year-to-year, but that is what you can expect.

Three places in 8-9 days is the maximum you should attempt. It will help to proceed directly to the islands upon arrival in Greece, and save Athens for the end.

Heimdall is right -- your most efficient itinerary (avoiding backtracking) is to stay in Airport on Arrival and take the next available plane to your first island. ( allow 2 hours between planes; since you will be coming from an EU country, it will take you less time to go through passport control -- but you will need to pick up your checked baggage, then go to the other end of the airport building to check in for your domestic flight & check baggage... domestic flights require u to be at gate at least 45 minutes before departure).

The only 8 days, 3 is absolute maximum of places. Since Santorini offers the most flights, try to book a flight there as #1. allot 2 nights (it has a lovely view but is VERY touristic & when cruise ships dock, streets are CRAMMED). for Island #2, I don't suggest Mykonos since it has much the same "vibe". U can get a lovely ferry at 1500 daily -- Blue Star, large vessel w. outside decks -- and take a 2 hour ride to NAXOS. Your kids will love it... sandy beaches, Very interesting port town, full of history & beauty. Stay at Ag. Giorgios beach directly adjacent to Port Town, walk to/from for sight-seeing, dining. rent a car 1 day to drive around island, stunning landscapes, hilltop villages etc. Stay 3 days... take 6 PM Blue STar ferry back to Mainland, arrive Piraeus Port about midnight, taxi to your Athens hotel. Try to stay near Acropolis, for convenience of sightseeing. I suggest adjoining rooms at moderate hotels in quiet neighborhood directly South of Acropolis -- try Hotels Herodion, Phillipos, or Airotel Parthenon.

Since it appears that you're embarking on this trip almost immediately, and without a comprehensive guidebook, my best advice to you is to load up your printer cartridge, and assign your children to print out as much as you can from this website http://www.greektravel.com -- especially from the sections on ATHENS SURVIVAL GUIDE, and the sections on NAXOS and SANTORINI ... it will "invest" the young people in the trip-planning process and encourage them to read about and choose activities and sights to see.

I agree, limit your movement to 2 islands with Athens at the end.

Thanks Travelerjan / Heimdall / bll . Really appreciate your input.
Shall get my kids on the job immediately . THANKS