I have been doing some research on hotel availability in March for Mykonos and Santorini. From what I have read, a lot of the hotels are closed during this season. We are planning an independent stay and would also like any info and suggestions on transportion from Athens to these islands.

Check out the recent Greek Island forum under Past Hosted forums. Lots of info on just what you are asking.

Has anyone checked out "the Database of TravelHelpers"? It's located at: <BR> www.geocities.com/TheTropics/2442/database.html <BR> <BR>- - unlike www.allexperts.com and www.expertcentral.com, it says it has a focus on locals. Locals and "experts" who have gained experience through actual travel can have very different perspectives. I know a lot about central Ohio (where I live), although I am not so knowledgeable about hotels, renting a car here, and (some of) our better-known "attractions" here. <BR> <BR>Are the "experts" at this seemingly one-person webpage any good? There are none listed with specific expertise for Mykonos or Santorini, but the three listed might still give you answers to your question(s). <BR> <BR>In what appears to be a sneaky Internet programming trick, pushing "back" from this "TravelHelpers" page drops you unexpectedly into a site called www.xpertsite.com - - and they in turn DID have an "expert site" which features SOME info on Mykonos - - www.fira.clara.net/ - - very clever, but I'm skeptical. <BR> <BR>FWIW, allexperts has two listings for Greece that sound ok, and both have answered a lot of questions. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Rex <BR> <BR>What is this all about? I'm the owner of the site you mention about Athens and Mykonos i.e. www.fira.clara.net and also a contributor to this forum. <BR> <BR>I have NEVER given permission for my site to be listed nor have I offered to answer questions etc. My site is NOT in any way an "expert site" (your quotations). <BR> <BR>The ironic thing is that I previously used a Demon server (the address they have) and last weekend moved the full site over to ClaraNET but had to leave a re-direct page. I presume that is why the address you have quoted is the new one. <BR> <BR>As you can gather I'm annoyed about this and your comments didn't help. <BR> <BR>I have written to the so-called company this afternoon and will post their response. <BR> <BR>Bill

Methinks thou doth protest too much! <BR> <BR>Give permission to post the address of a website? What? <BR> <BR>And ANYBODY can take your e-mail address, put a "www." in front of the domain name and access your website - - is it privacy you are seeking? or more publicity? <BR> <BR>Anyhow - - the "Databse of TravelHelpers" has recently posted publicly on www.lonelyplanet.com - - I don't know how legitimate or illegitimate the site is - - that's why I asked the question - - and I got to your site EXACTLY as I described - - I clicked "back" and a link to your site was just sitting there at the bottom of the page on www.xpertsite.com <BR> <BR>I don't make the news - - I just report it.

Rex <BR> <BR>What I dislike about this is that my site address is being used and referred to. I didn't place it there and as I've said have never given permission. <BR> <BR>The first I knew about its placement was reading about it in your message. <BR> <BR>I'm not in any way an 'expert' on the subject and the first to admit it. That's why I dislike all of this. <BR> <BR>I contribute to this forum and don't seek publicity for the site. <BR> <BR>As I said in my earlier message I'll be happy to post Xpersite's reply and have asked them to confirm that they placed the address without referral to me. <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Bill

Bill, <BR> <BR>I apologize to you - - I was reacting in a defensive manner - - I really thought you were taking me to task for citing the address in my message on this board. <BR> <BR>If you do not feel like you're an "expert on Athens /Mykonos, that modesty doesn't come across very well on your website where there are two clickable links and a large reminder to <BR> <BR>"send a travel question about Athens or Mykonos" - - a direct quote <BR> <BR>One irony is that you and I have pirated this thread - - and still there is no information to answer "Vicki's" question - - sooooooo - - do you have any information on this? <BR> <BR>The questions seem to be very worthwhile, and I'd love to hear the answer(s) - - Vicki, will you consider submitting them to the two folks listed on www.allexperts.com and telling us what they say? <BR> <BR>Amicably yours, <BR> <BR>Rex

Earlier this year I went to Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos. I worked with a travel agency in Athens who was recommended on another traveler bulletin board -- Dolphin Hellas. They were great. I worked with Aliki, but lots of people said Kiki was also great. They helped us with accommodations and inter-island flights. They quoted very good hotel rates, usually lower than what is quoted on the hotel's web page. You can contact them at [email protected] <BR>It sometimes takes them 4 or 5 days to respond to a question, but have patience, they do come through. While in Athens my friend and I went to meet Aliki since we had emailed back and forth so much. They are located close to the Plaka district. Hope this helps.

Rex <BR> <BR>I have a reasonable knowledge of both the island and the city and what information I can give I give freely. My site is a homepage about both places and to where I have journeyed possible far too many times. I enjoy answering folk's questions and that's why I have the questions option on my page. It just concerned me today that my site was being shown at an address claiming to offer help from experts. I can only guess they have placed my site because of the 'questions' option I have on my own page. I don't mention my home site on here when I post replies, as I dislike those that have a tendency to promote. In fact I think it was Ben who last mentioned my address and that was a good time ago. <BR> <BR>So, my apologies to you for the knee-jerk reaction. <BR> <BR>Vicki, <BR> <BR>The hotel season on most of the islands tends to be from mid-April although there will be some hotels open in March. Unfortunately I can't give you information for Santorini but for Mykonos I usually always recommend a local's accommodation site. There you will find a very large number of Mykonos hotels with comprehensive information on each. Find it at:- <BR> <BR>http://mykonos.forthnet.gr/travel/mac/ <BR> <BR>When I checked it this evening I couldn't get through but you should keep trying as is the best I've found for local hotel addresses, dates available, tariffs etc etc. Mac is usually helpful if you have a particular and specific enquiry. He has an email link on his page. <BR> <BR>The majority of smaller hotels tend to close down during the winter season but some of the larger (and more expensive!) ones remain open, although some with limited services. Cavo Tagoo may remain open with full service but it could be pricey. If you can give me an idea of your budget for accommodation per night I will contact some friends on the island who may be able to find some hotels that will be available at that time of year. <BR> <BR>I also keep a handy reference of Myconian hotel Internet addressees but prefer not to publish it here. If you want them email me and I'll oblige. <BR> <BR>As to getting there, you will need to use the famous Greek ferries or Olympic Aviation (subsidiary of Olympic Airways). In March, Olympic is only flying once per day to and from Mykonos as they consider it still to be off-season. They have online timetables at http://www.olympic-airways.gr/. As there is only one flight per day I strongly recommend that if you choose this option you get it booked now. I left it too late once for a flight in February (trying to book in November!). <BR> <BR>Ferries? Again, winter timetable, which can sometimes be problematic. The main Greek ferry site is at:- <BR> <BR>http://www.greekferries.gr <BR> <BR>Although they are still showing their summer season information there is an email link so perhaps you could message them and find out what will be available for your specific dates. Bear in mind that there can be problems with unexpected ferry cancellations though. <BR> <BR>Apologies that I can't provide specific info on Santorini but both the Olympic and GreekFerries sites may help. <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Bill <BR>

Bill & Rex: Thank you both for your responses. As I am "computer challenged" I did not understand the interaction on the first few responses, but I appreciate the help. I think we picked the wrong time of year to visit, but we wanted to avoid the summer tourists. I wonder if we would be better off staying in Athens a few days and then taking a cruise. Any suggestions?

Diane <BR> <BR>Thanks for the information. I will definitely contact the travel agency you recommended. What time of year did you travel and can you recommend "must sees" and "don't bother" sights?