Greece experts! I need your advice!!
 

I'm planning to visit the Greek Islands during Easter next year for about 10 days and have chosen Paros, Santorini and Sifnos as my places of interests. However, since it's not the peak season the period I go, I'm afraid the ferry between islands would be very infrequently. I plan to spend 4 nights in Santorini, 2-3 nights in Paros and 2-3 nights in Sifnos but I don't know which Island I should go first and which Island I should use as my final stop. I need to be in Athens on 26/4/03 to catch the afternoon flight back to my home town. Can any of you be so kind to work this out for me? Many many thanks.

There are several services daily to Paros and Santorini, but Sifnos has less frequent connections. The Greek government schedule from Pireas on www.yen.gr (in Greek) shows five sailings today to Paros, three to Thira/Santorini and one to Sifnos. Services in April will be at least as frequent as in November. The two companies serving these routes are www.dolphins.gr and www.bluestarferries.com. Neither will have schedules for next April yet, but you can see the normal pattern of services. If you have to be back in Athens on a specific date, it would be best to aim for Sifnos and Santorini first, and to leave Paros till last as it has the biggest choice of return sailings. Allow at least a day in or near Athens in case bad weather disrupts ferry services - if the forecast is bad, the Greek government keeps ships in port. One pleasant alternative to Athens for a final night is Aiyina ("Aegina"), a pleasant island only one hour from Pireas in sheltered waters.

I have done a bit of research on traveling in Greece during Easter time. One thing I keep reading and hearing about is that although there may not be a lot of tourists.... ALL the Greeks travel during this time to the outlying villages and their homes... so be prepared for crowded ferries, etc.

Dear Rita,<BR><BR>As a Greek I have to admit that if you're planning your vacation on the days where most Greeks tend to travel for the Easter holiday, try to book a few weeks earlier (don't worry since we tend to book few days before).<BR>I have to admit that the posting from Geoff Hamer it's the most accurate answer I would have given you.<BR>David's posting is also true. Although the crowds leaving Athens for Easter have nothing to do with summer it's still a busy period. I am sure you will enjoy Easter in Greece, I had friends who visited last Easter Paros island and they loved it.<BR>

Thank you guys for your useful information.<BR>Geoff, are you living in Greece?