Greece - Athens/Delphia, Santorini, Crete in 8 nights
 

Hi - we are planning a vacation to Greece in Sept 2011 and would like feedback on the 'feasibility' of the itinerary. Arrive Athens on a Sat morning. 3 nights in Athens to see Athens historical sites and Delphi. Fly to Santorini and stay in Oia for 3 nights. Boat to Crete and stay in Heraklion for 2 nights to see 'some' of Crete and Knossos. On a Sunday, Fly from Crete back to Athens and fly home on same day.

I should have mentioned we are flying out of Newark, NJ.

I would arrange it so that you are in Athens last to ensure you make your flight home.

I have a different itinerary suggestion. Fly straight out to Crete on that first Saturday (Give yourselves at least 2 hours between flights). Ferry from Crete to Santorini. Fly back to Athens for the last days of your trip.

Both Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air have websites for e-tickets.

http://www.ferries.gr/hfd New schedule will be released in late-March. Take note of "No sailing" dates.

brotherleelove2004 on Feb 16, 11 at 11:11am -

Can you elaborate on the flipped itinerary? Crete first?
thanks, Kathy

Hi Kathy-

It really doesn't matter whether or not you go to Crete or Santorini first as long as you can connect with a flight out the same day as your initial arrival in Greece. But by going to Crete first your ferry to Santorini will arrive at a decent hour of the day, around Noon, instead of later in the evening, around 7:45. http://www.ferries.gr/hfd (Take note of "No sailing" dates when new schedule is released in March sometime.)

Save Athens for the end so if they're needed you'll have those extra days to get back to the mainland for your flight home. This removes the risk of missing that flight because of a last-minute cancellation or mechanical breakdown. Nothing will ruin your holiday faster than the stress and worry of a desperate scramble to make that same-day flight home.

I agree that flying to the island straight away and saving Athens for last is far preferable to the other way round. I'm not sure though, that Crete, Santorini, Athens, and Delphi in 8 nights is a good idea. You will spend a lot of time in transit, even if you take flights. Personally I would skip Crete (you can't do much in 2 nights) and add an extra day each to Santorini and Athens. :-)

Okay. We are going to try to add another day to make Crete possible. But I agree that we have a lot of moving around for only one week. We haven't booked anything yet. Will consider your good advice.
:)

Heimdall makes a good point. It takes a minimum of a week with a rental car just to scratch the surface of Crete.