My wife and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and would like to visit Athens and 1 island in the Greek isles in late August. Are accomodations still available? Where would you recommend we stay and what island should we visit? 2 days in Athens and 4 on the island.

There are between 70 and 80 inhabited Greek islands, so asking which one to visit is like asking what to have for dinner - everyone has their own opinion and taste.

Having said that, if you're American and middle aged, then you'll probably end up in Santorini.

Oh, and yes, accommodation is available all over Greece in late August.

Santorini is visually beautiful, but I kind of thought it was over-rated. We visited it in September 2000, and I wished that I had stopped there in 1976 when I first went to Greece instead. Very very touristy. On the other hand, I made my second trip to Naxos on that trip and enjoyed it just as much.

It sounds like a pat answer, but it's true. There are so many islands - I would suggest that you get a guidebook and do a pile of reading.

So if we wind up staying on Santorini, would you recommend a particular hotel--would you stay near the main town or go to Oia?

Santorini is a unique island with amazing visuals. The village of Oia is the most beautiful and timeless settlement on the island. I highly recommend that you stay there. Public transportation is very efficient during the summer months and you can easily access the rest of the island from early morning to late at night.

There are accomodations for every budget there, from a hostel to small luxury hotels with A/C and swimming pools. The internet is full of websites offering rooms. Much depends on what your requirements are and how physically fit you are since everything is built on the side of a cliff over the sea and is accessible only by foot. Auto access is only to the edge of the village center. Some are obviously more accessible than others, and not all are a difficult walk down the cliff. Late August is the busiest time of the season, so make sure you have confirmed reservations no matter where you stay, and indulge yourself with a room that overlooks the caldera, you won't regret it!

http://santorini-hotels.info/santori...oia-hotels.htm

http://www.travel-in-greece.net/cyclades/santorini/oia/

What hotels would you recommend on Oia--we are looking for something high end that is accessible to the beach without a lot of climbing.

The beaches on Santorini are on the far side of the island away from Oia and Thera. They are black volcanic sand and therefore the heat from the sand can be unbearable. For beaches Santorini is not the best choice, for uniqueness it can not be beaten. For information on the island put up www.santorini.gr

Oia is on a cliff about 750 feet over the sea. There are two beaches available in Oia without climbing, Ammoudi and Baxedes, but to get to them you need a car (Baxedes also actually has bus service). If easy access is a necessity, Kamari Beach is the place where you should stay. But there are no white sand beaches on Santorini, only black sand or pebble. It's true that they get very hot, so make sure you have flip-flops or surf shoes to protect your feet.

AS for Oia, the Perivolas Villas, Oia Mare or the Atlantis Villas are good high end choices.

Thanks for the latest info on Santorini; Now for Athens--we are planning just a two night stay there. Would you recommend we stay on the Beach (are there good beaches near Athens) or should we stay in town near the Acropolis?

Definitely stay near the Acropolis. This is the most interesting area of Athens for a short stay. You can always take a taxi out to the beach if you really want to, but with only 2 nights you'll have plenty to do in town. I've never been to the beaches near Athens, but in August I'm sure they will be overcrowded.

We are looking at Staying in Oia. Anyone know anything about Canaves, Nikos Villas, or Katikies?

Hi
The Katkites in Oia is fabulous, but has become expensive. The pool is one those infinity pools and it is wonderful. I have also stayed at the Esperas which is a little less expenisve and it is not as stuffy. The Katkites is very popular so it might be booked. Good luck you will love Santorini, crowed or not.

Staying in Athens in August . . .we have reservations at the Grande Bretagne. Anyone know about this hotel?Is there something you would recommend in the alternative?

We just got back from our honeymoon in Greece. We had the most fabulous time in Santorini. We had a fantastic dinner at the 1800 restaurant. Reserve ahead of time a table on the rooftop terrace just before sunset; we loved it so much we ate there again the next night. We stayed at Atlantis Villas-it is at the far end of Oia so Canaves or Katikies may be a better choice-however, the front desk was delightfully helpful, pleasant and professional. We also stayed in Imerovigli on the outskirts of Fira at Aeolos villas which was nice too-amazing views. Wear good shoes and carry a small flashlight if you are older. There are numerous steps and irregular cobblestone type paths everywhere. We rented a scooter and saw every inch of the island on that thing-the most fun we had-if you are inclined to that kind of thing. Oia is at the far end of the island so Imerovigli is better positioned to tackle the rest of the island. With a scooter or a little car you have the run of the island. Perissa beach was wonderful; nice to sit by the sea and have a drink and watch the ocean and then to take a dip in the warm waters; very slow and relaxing. We only wish we had hit the mainland first (crazy road trip) and then went to relax in Santorini before heading home. The views I thought were more impressive in Imerovigli too since we were up so much higher-nice to see the cruise ships far below in the distance. We almost stayed in the Grand Bretagne and only saw the lobby. The staff was friendly and helpful and it looked nice but if you are used to the USA Greece hotels don't hold a torch to any of our finer hotels-even in Athens. The Atheneum Intercontinental was pretty nice too but the Grand Bretagne's location is closer to the hub of things so that is probably the way to go. Make sure you request a renovated room. The Plaka at night is a lot of fun and Adriana's? restauant has live traditional music, very nice and relaxing and good food and you can watch the throngs of people walking down the Plaka. Hope this helps.

Also, the Grand Bretagne has a new rooftop pool area that wasn't open when we were there; that's why we went to the Intercontinental (good breakfast there!) It should be open by the time you get there. I would think it to have a view of the Acropolis which is fantastic. If you can stay in Athens on the weekend the air quality will be MUCH better than on a weekday. We were wondering what all the complaints were about the smog and pollution and I didn't think it any worse than Los Angeles...until Monday! I was choking all the way to Poseidon's temple-really. There are obviously no smog checks required in Greece and it seems a requirement to drive a vehicle that blackens the air and your lungs-not to mention the smokers there! If you smoke you will think you died and went to heaven! I have never seen so many smokers in my life-way more than Paris-astounding. Still, what an experience! You will have a fabulous time!!!