I'm going to try to post a relatively short trip report for my recent trip to Greece. I just got back on Monday night, so things are fairly clear in my mind still.

I made my arrangements back in January through a combination of direct bookings (airlines and a hotel in Mykonos) and Dolphin Hellas agency in Greece, which was most helpful.

We flew Air France from New York to Athens via Paris (because we got a really good deal), arriving on Thursday, 5/25. We took the metro (both easy and cheap) from Athens airport to the Acropolis Metro station and then checked into Hotel Hera, a small hotel south of the Acropolis that was also the base for an OAT group that arrived the morning after we did. The very first thing we did was to climb the Acropolis from the Theater of Dionysos at about 3:30pm on a warm day. It was steep but worthwhile. I enjoyed having a little breathing room at the top. By the time we left at 6, there were more groups, mostly of teens from Europe. Then we had a nice two-hour nap before dinner in the Plaka at a cheap taverna.

With the Acropolis out of the way, we were able to devote day 2 to the rest of the "big" sights: The temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, and Roman Agora, plus getting money first thing at Citibank on Syntagma Square. We had lunch at a mezdes restaurant in the Plaka and then did the Archaeological Museum in the afternoon. It was a busy but fun day and we saw a lot. We had dinner at the same taverna (OK .. I'm not so adventurous once I find a place I like).

My first big surprise was that I actually enjoyed Athens a great deal. I know a lot of people don't, so perhaps it was a combination of staying south of the Acropolis and doing it before the islands, but I thought the city was fun and lively. We took no taxis, so that may have made things easier as well. The lateness of the typical dinner hour helped us transition from New York to Athens time. I found the city relatively inexpensive and easy to navigate, though certainly busy.

On day 3, we set off to the airport at 10am for a flight to Mykonos (again, via the Metro to the airport, a fairly easy 40-minute trip). The Athens airport itself was so easy to navigate and efficient that I was totally pleased with the beginning of the trip.

Part 2 will be Mykonos.

I am enjoying your reports so far Doug. Brings back great memories of my similar itinerary in Sept. 2000 (my 1st trip to Europe). Will never forget the first moment I laid eyes on the Parthenon, wow...still gives me goosebumps. I had to go back again in 2001 for more.

Hi Doug

I am also enjoying your report. I will be in Athens (as well as Santorini) end of july/early aug. Just wondering about your comment regarding staying south of the acropolis... what is the difference between north and south? We haven't booked a hotel yet, but we are looking into it shortly... not sure what location we would like though!

Thank you!

I suspect that it would have been easier for everyone to follow your trip if all parts were posted on one thread.

Doug, what time did you plan to arrive at the airport for your 10am flight to Mykonos? Do they recommend 2 hours to clear security like they do in the US, or can you get there more like an hour ahead of time?

We arrived at the Athens airport about 2 hours ahead of time to check in for our Mykonos flight, but I suspect we could have arrived a bit closer to our flight (perhaps 90 minutes). Check-in with Aegean took perhaps 15 minutes because there was a line, and security is pretty quick. The only difficulty is that Aegean has many flights, so lines can form. But the Athens airport seems to be pretty quick and efficient and it's not that big.

Staying south of the Acropolis put us in a somewhat quieter neighborhood than if we'd stayed near Syntagma or Omonia. You could also stay right in the Plaka, which would also be ideal, though it would be a walk if you took the metro.

Since this was my first trip to Athens, my main priority was to be close to the Acropolis, Plaka, and a Metro stop, and I was able to find a hotel that met all the criteria.

Doug thanks for the report. Does Aegean Air have luggage weight limits when flying from Athens to Mykonos? We will have all of our luggage for a 2 week trip with us and I am worried about weight limits. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Doug, How was your flight on AF? Will be doing the same flight JFK to ATH in Sept. and I keep reading awful reports about AF and flying thru CDG. I'd love to hear some positive reports. I was hoping to get a non-stop but didn't want to use the extra miles. Thanks

Re getting the money at Citibank....you DID use an ATM to do this...or did you?

Lilypoo, I copied this off the Aegean website:

"Business Class: Cabin Baggage Allowances: two pieces up to 9 kgs. The dimensions of the first piece must not exceed 55cm length X 40cm height X 20cm width (or garment bag 20cm deep, when folded), while the dimensions of the second piece should not exceed 45cm length X 35cm height X 20cm width.
Free Baggage Allowance: each passenger is permitted to check-in baggage up to 20 kg for domestic flights and up to 30kg for international flights.

Economy Class: Cabin Baggage Allowances: one-piece 55cm length × 40cm height × 20cm width - total weight 6 kg.
Free Baggage Allowance: each passenger is permitted to check-in baggage up to 15 kg for domestic flights and up to 20kg for international flights.

Excess Baggage Charges

For domestic flights, excess baggage charges are calculated by weight and charged at € 2 for each excess kg. For international flights, excess baggage is charged with 1.5% of the IATA published fare. For more information please contact our Customer Service Department at 801 11 20000 or at +30 210 6261000 if you are calling from a mobile or from abroad."

I used the ATM at Citibank on Syntagma to get my money, so no foreign-bank fee.

Aegean does have pretty strict limits on luggage, but we really had no problem with checking, so I think you shouldn't worry. You'll have to re-check if you are coming right off of Air France, though.

I thought the food and service on Air France were both pretty good. And the cabin on the refurbished planes is excellent, though legroom is horrible. Luckily, it's not such a long flight, but it was late on all the legs, so we had 90 minutes to change and it was basically just enough if we ran really fast.

I can't say the same about CDG. Coming back we had the misfortune of coming into the new terminal 2F. Talk about a bad experience. Yuck. My luggage was also delayed going over. I don't normally check, but my traveling companion does and had too big a bag to carry on, so I did as well. But my bag did arrive by that night at 9:30, so I guess I was lucky.

Doug: Staying south of the Acropolis at the Hotel Hera is a great choice. Much less noise and fewer tourists. There are several hotels with a range of prices to choose from and I've found some good local bakeries, grocery stores and cafes to go to that have local people in them.