Greece Itinerary
 

We are planning a 2 week trip 12-14 days to Greece in early September. Flying in and out of Athens. Interests are history and beach time. I definitely would like to see Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora; thinking that may be easier logistically to get a 4 day tour of the Peloponnese (any recommendations for a tour co.?). I would like to see islands - preferences are; Grete, Pathos, Naxos, Santorin. Would like to combine some down time and sightseeing on islands. May be day trips from one of the islands (what is most convenient?). Like off the beaten path places that are less touristy and more authentic May fly from Crete if end up going there. Please advise what would be worth to visit and best accommodate my plans and most efficient.
Thanks in advance, PK

With your mainland wishes in mind, you really only have time to visit one island. Keep in mind that because of its size Crete requires a minimum of a week with a rental car just to barely scratch the surface. Islands close enough to the mainland for a daytrip are Aegina and Hydra. The others on your list are just too far away for that and deserve several days.

I guess by "Grete" and "Pathos" you mean Crete and Patmos? Crete has good ferry connections with Santorini and Naxos, but Patmos is in the Dodecanese island group in the eastern Aegean. Patmos has no airport, and would take more than one ferry to reach from the others.

Assuming you spend a week on the islands, that would be enough time either for Santorini and Naxos or just Crete, but not all three. Patmos would be more compatible with visits to other Dodecanese islands, e.g. Rhodes.

I like your idea of the Peloponnese sites + Delphi and Meteora, and that would be a good trip in itself. Athens-based tour companies that offer such trips are:
http://www.chatours.gr
http://www.keytours.gr
http://www.gotours.com.gr/en/

Athens- Santorini- Mykonos? History & culture in Athens. Classic white buildings and blue water in Santorini. Beaches in Mykonos?

We are planning a trip to Greece, also in September. We only have 8 nights, and are doing Athens & Santorini. I have a thread on it.

Found a good deal on hotels, ground transport, and ferries through CostcoTravel. I had found that lots of hotels were already booked for mid-September, and going through Costco got us higher-end hotels, with breakfasts and other goodies.

Chances are if CostcoTravel offers a tour of Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, etc it would be through one of the three companies in the above links.

For my trips to the islands I've always done my own bookings, and probably saved a lot of money that way. With all the resources available online these days it's very easy to do. I always deal directly with the hotel, and book my flights on the airline's own website. I wait until I get to Greece to buy ferry tickets.

CostcoTravel has Athens-Santorini-Mykonos.

Ordinarily I arrange all our details myself, too. But this trip didn't give me much less time. I'm really happy with the deals I got via Costco.

Forgot to say: you can plan your itinerary however you'd like on CostcoTravel. You choose the order you visit them and for how long.

I would tend to agree with Lee and Heimdall you simply do not have enough time to do everythign you proposed.
Personally while we love Crete it is too big to be done in less than two weeks. If you concentrate on just one area however that can work. Say choose the west side and visit Chania with day tours to Samaria if you want hiking or the boat Excursion to Balos and Gramovossa the archeological site at Ancient Aptera and perhaps a visit to Rethymnon.
That will easily take 5 days.
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/

Personally though I believe Santorini is a must see so if it were me I would do Santorini and a combination of Naxos or Paros or Santorini with just Mykonos although that will be a rather expensive option to do these two islands together.
That will leave you sufficient time to do the 4 day bus tour and some time in Athens.

We did Olympia, Delphi and Meteora by car with stops in Nafplio and Pylos. While that gave us maximum flexibility and efficiency on our arrival times at teh sites I do have to say as the driver I was pretty tired after the drive. The bus tour allows everyone to relax during the commute and have all your energy for the sites. The drawback is you will arrive at each site with bus loads of people.

Here is what you can expect
Olympia Delphi Meteora https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645469717811/

Thank you all for your feedback and info. I read more posts and decided to leave Santorini and Crete for the next trip. I think I have a better idea how to schedule my time
Day 1 Arrive Athens
Day 2 Athens
Day 3, 4, 5-dy Peloponnese tour (organized or private)
Day 6 Athens to Naxos ferry
Day 7 Naxos
Day 8 Naxos
Day 9 Naxos to Paros
Day 10 Paros
Day 11 Paros
Day 12 Paros
Day 13 Paros-Athens
Day 14 Athens - home
Please let me know if this seems logical for the first trip to Greece. Does Athens need another day?
Thank you, PK

PK, that looks more manageable to me. You could take a day off Paros to add to Athens, but that's a matter of personal preference.

Since you are interested in history, consider a day trip from either Paros or Naxos to Delos and Mykonos. The archaeological site on Delos is a near equal to Delphi, in my opinion. See my photos of Delos (with an emphasis on the mosaics) here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627791957268

While on Paros, try to get over to Antiparos as well. There is an archeological site on the island of Despotiko which can be reached by boat from Agios Georgios at the southern end of Antiparos. This site is in the early stages of excavation, and there is still much to be discovered.

The Delos/Mykonos day trips are offered by the same two companies from both Naxos and Paros, so you can choose which is more convenient for you. The two boats are Naxos Star and Alexander, both about the same size. The trips from Naxos leave from the harbour at Naxos Town, while the trips from Paros leave from Naoussa.

Nice photos Heimdall.
PK you now have a workable plan. Enjoy

Ok, Great! Thank you.
I just realized that it is 5.5 hrs ferry ride from Athens to Naxos. I understand that ferry is part of the experience, but it is so long and we will be taking the ferry back from Paros. Will it be better to fly to Naxos? Or will it be the same 5,5 hrs with time to airport waiting and flying? Also, I am starting to second guess; is Naxos and Paros similar islands and I should be considering another one. Thank you!

Over the years I have realized that on vacation time is more valuable than money. By flying you are on the island in an hour rather than the afternoon.

Check with Aegean airlines to see if they have any flights to Naxos still available. You may want to consider flying to Paros instead. The new airport has increased capacity and I understand Aegean is having a seat sale on flight to Paros. Fly to Paros first then ferry to Naxos. The hour ferry trip will give you the ferry experience without taking up 6 hours of your day like the Piraeus to Naxos trip.

For that matter I wold be tempted to book the return flight from Paros as well if you can get one of those seat sale prices.


Yes Naxos and Paros are somewhat similar but they both have lots to offer. Naxos has some antiquities and lovely mountain villages and a larger main town plus that long string of great beaches in the west coast.

Paros has Antiparos and beaches dotted around the island. The fishing villages of Naoussa and Piso Lavidi are quite unique.
You will not regret doing both.
Paros Piso Lavidi https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57656008345581
Antiparos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632126687570/
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/

Thank you all - great advise, will fly definitely Naxos. Love the idea of day trips from Paros.
I would prefer not renting a car on Paros; how doable is the island without a car?
Thanks again,
PK

The new Paros Airport opened today, with 78 passenger Q400 aircraft flying there. Now it should be easier to get flights to/from Paros than to Naxos with its 37 passenger Dash 8-100. I've just seen a film clip of the first flight to the new Paros airport.

It's easy to get around Paros without a car, especially if you stay in Parikia, the hub for island bus services. Naoussa is a secondary hub, so it's relatively easy from there as well. In all the years I've been going to Paros and Antiparos I've never rented a car or scooter.

Here is a map of the Paros bus routes: http://ktelparou.gr/?q=en/content

Heimdall, where is best to stay? I prefer beachfront and walking distance to restaurants. If we fly to Paros, we still need to take the ferry to Naxos, this will be somewhat cumbersome. Is not it?

pk, the easiest of all would be a flight directly to Naxos. have you looked yet to see whether there's availability on a flight on the day you want?? (You tell us only "day 1, Day 2"etc, but not what actual DATES these represent, so we cannot check on your behalf). IF there's a flight to Naxos that would of course be best.

IF you must settle for a flight into Paros airport and want to stay first on Naxos, it will be a taxi ride (€12??) from airport to ferry pier. Ferries go frequently from about 9:30 to bout 2:30 pm then there's a gap til 6:30pm then a couple in the evening.

So then your options are:
#1 - Fly to Naxos, spend time, then ferry to Paros, then return to mainland.
#2 - If no Naxos flights are left, then I'd say fly to Paros, spend time there, then ferry (40 mins or 1 hr) to Naxos, spend time, then ferry to Mainland.

At that time of year - to be walking distance to the attractions of the port town, I would advise on Paros sto stay in Parikia on the beachfront directly north of the port, in the town's edge, and on Naxos to Stay in the St. George (Ag. Giorgios) beach area directly adjacent to Naxos town.

You really need to look at a guide book or .. less satisfactory -- some non-promotional websites that show a MAP of the Town & Island and give some real facts and observation not just promo prose.

To start you off, here are "Skymaps" of both Port towns (incl. beaches):

http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/viewmap/?mapid=27&cid=0
http://www.skymap.gr/apps/site/viewm...pid=29&cid=305

Remember, these are really incomplete, because hotels, cafes, etc are only shown if they pay for inclusion, but it DOES show the layout & distances

Personally I would fly to Paros and stay on Paros, but if you want to go to Naxos then fly there. You could just as easily take a day trip from Paros to Naxos as vice-versa.

I mentioned the larger planes at the new Paros Airport because now it will be much easier to get seats to that airport. If your search for flights turns up no seats available to Naxos, then consider Paros instead, or just take the ferry.

Got it - thanks. Regarding staying on Paros; as I understand Naoussa and Piso Lavidi are further away from the Parikia where most bus and boat depart. How do you reach these places without a rental? Any recommendations for apt/hotels/B&B on Parikia "on the beachfront directly north of the port, in the town's edge" as travelerjan suggested.
Thank you, PK

I just returned from a 10-day trip, one night in Athens to fly in and one day in Athens before flying out.

Flew from Athens to Mykonos for 2 nights, then 4 nights in Santorini, then 3 nights in Crete.

Not enough time on the islands, especially Crete. Probably should have rented a car in Santorini but did rent a car in Crete. All the islands seem beautiful but Santorini is pretty unique.

Did a day trip to Cape Sounion. Beautiful coastline.

The mainland areas in stanbr's pictures look beautiful.

PK, about Paros -- hard to recommend without knowing preferences and budget -- do you want a "clean & plain" budget accom with a nice balcony and no frills, or do you like a 24-hr manned front desk, more staffing, bar & restaurant, pool, what? And what budget range per night in Euros?

To get to those other 2 places, you need to take a bus from the central bus area near the ferry, in Parikia. Also, the bus routes spread out lke fingers of a hand - so you don't get to Naoussa, then get a bus to Piso Livadi, you have to go back to Parikia for that bus. We don't have info on your ages and spirit of adventure, but Paros, not being mountainous, is very traversable by quads (4-wheelers) or scooter. Since you've also been changing your mind back & forth, We also don't know how many days you plan to be there, which could affect advice. If you are settling on Paros as your main thing, I also like Heimdall's prefrence for staying in Antiparos. That island is almost totally walkable to beaches ... there are v. nice places to stay in port area, across the bay from the ferry, easy walk to several beaches... and the "agora" winding mazey lane thru center of ilsand is SO pleasant. Yuo could stay in Antiparos, and if you stayed near the ferry, very quickly get over to Paros for daytime or for nightlife & then ferry back.

Appreciate hearing more info on preferences & €€ & how many days where, before spending time sifting my lists for accom. recommends.

Actually there are buses between Naoussa and Piso Livadi, so you don't have to go back to Parikia. The bus continues from Piso Livadi to Drios, passing by the long, sandy Golden Beach.

I save a printed bus timetable every time I go back to Paros/Antiparos, and I have one from mid-September 2015. There were seven daily buses between Naoussa and Drios from early morning to late evening.

There are also buses from Naoussa to Santa Maria, a beach resort on the NE corner of Paros. The main bus route, of course, is between Parikia and Naoussa, running at least hourly throughout the day.

Travelerjan reads all the TripAdvisor reviews, so I will leave hotel suggestions to her. If you were to stay on Antiparos I can recommend several different hotels where I have either stayed or know the owners.

Travelerjan, I am still trying to figure out the logistics of where to stay on the island/s. So we now have tickets, leaving on Sept 1 and returning on Sept 15. I was thinking 2 days on Naxos and 4 days on Paros, so that we (my hasband and I are in mid 50s, very athletic and mobile)) could get the feel of the both islands. My budget is flexible, simple is clean and balcony would be nice. I do not require a 24-hr service, actually prefer to be left lone, but would like maid service. Would like to be near a swimming beach, but not too close to ferry, something secluded but within walking distance to transportation and restaurants, markets. I wander if staying on Antiparos will make it more challenging to get to restaurants and transport to other islands?
Heimdall, thank you for the transport information.
Is the general nonsenses that it is better to stay on Parosos and take a day trip to Naxos, or it is worth 2 night stay on Naxos? Also, is Antiparos doable in a day?
Thank you again. PK

Hi pknaster,

Let me suggest a few places on Antiparos to give you an idea what to expect:
http://www.kastro.net
http://www.mariasplace.gr
http://www.artemisantiparos.com
http://theologosbeach.gr

All these hotels have daily maid service with someone cleaning your room while you are out, but otherwise leaving you alone. Each room will have a balcony or terrace. The hotels are all 5-10 minutes walking distance or less from two or three different beaches.

Antiparos is well known for its variety of cafes, tavernas, and restaurants. In fact many people come from Paros to dine and enjoy the evenings on Antiparos. There are many interesting shops in the town, including designer clothing and jewellery, but none of the tourist tat you find on some other islands.

Antiparos is only 30 minutes from Parikia, the port and main town of Paros. There is a ferry that runs every half-hour from early morning until after midnight to Pounta, which connects with a bus to Parikia. There is also a direct boat from Antiparos to Parikia that runs several times a day. That makes it easy to use Antiparos as a base, but go to Paros for sightseeing whenever you wish.

If you would rather stay on Paros you can come to Antiparos for the day—many people do just that. You could also choose an island boat trip with Captain Ben or Alexandros.
http://captainbenantiparos.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2b8nzBEWKo (17 min video)

I would recommend two nights on Naxos rather than going there from Paros on a day trip. Naxos has lots to see and do too, and a day trip wouldn't do it justice.

Guess who is on Antiparos right now?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...lson-pals.html

YOu have a contradictory wish, which is not unusual for people who do not yet know a place and who are building up a "dream scenario" in their mind. to me, "secluded" and ear to restaruants, markets, transport are mutually exclusive. Reminds me of someone last year who wrote asking for a beautiful white-sand beach in high season that is basically unpopulated ... yet in a few minutes walk of gourmet restaurants and lively nightclubs. (not possible to be unpopulated in high season -- but if it WERE so, where would the gourmet restaurants and nightclubs get the customers to keep going??). So you must have a spirit of compromise.

In Paros, IMHO, its hard to get lodging right on a good swimming beach and still be in a place that's got your other attractions. Here is a website that describes its beaches, but which I think is a bit kinder to Parikia beach than perhaps I would be. http://www.greekisland.co.uk/paros/paros.htm If you stay in Naoussa there are some beaches that are not too far ... but Naoussa again in my opinion is now a totally-tourist place, so by midsept it feels emptying out. In these islands the port towns always have liveliest feel in the fall. The other beaches have housing strips but are not real year-round villages.

Naxos has one of the largest year-round populations, doing other things besides tourism, so Naxos town will be lively, with tavernas full, with locals not tourists. I still maintain that St. George Beach is the place to be in Sept. -- it is not "near the ferry" ... I guess about a mile away. On St. George beach you can stay at the "far end," and feel away from it all. Villa Naxia is v. nice, moderate price but nice appearance, units have a kitchenette but the place offers breakfasts if u wish. RIght in center of beach, Hotel Asteria has 3 floors of rooms w. balconies all facing the sea... a front terrace for breakfasts & lunches. A "swimming beach?" Well, it's shallow to wade into, you wade out about 100 yards to get waist-high then it drops off. Very clean water. I swim there most days -- and also take a bus out to Ag. Prokopios beach (about 15 minutes), which has steep drop-off about 10-feet out.

I do NOT feel that a day trip to naxos is worthwhile. Go back and look at Stanbr's photos. Too many delights to explore. Do you know that mountain villages have wine festivals in September? Right on the crescent of harbortown shops, there is one that specializes complete in Naxian products -- cheese, olive oil, wine etc. The people there can tell you more about the harvests.

Antiparos is do-able in a day, and enjoyable for 3. You want us to say what you want to hear. All I can say is ... Stanbr & spouse have been to Greece about 14 times in this century -- and Naxos is the only island they visit on every trip, for at least a week of it. I have been to Greece 12 times since '99, and have stayed on Naxos 13 times, never for less than 4 days. (This is not because we are one-island loyalists ... each of us are familiar with more than 20 other islands). Heimdall apparently has been coming to Greece for decades, his "home island" is Antiparos ... and recently he's also stayed on Naxos. So you can tell what we love the most. Trip Advisor does too-- last year it named the 10 best Islands in the WORLD to visit. In the whole of the Mediterranean/Aegean, TA listed just one. Naxos.

You Asked my opinion; here it is: Fly to Naxos & stay 4 nights. On day 5, take first morning ferry to Paros, drop your luggage at a storage facility right by the ferry pier. Spend an enjoyable day exploring the town -- it has an amazing cathedral, and ruins here & there -- maybe having a swim at Parikia beach. Take a late-day ferry to Antiparos, and check in at a secluded-feeling place, quiet, fab views right across the tiny bay looking at the "mini-pier"... Mike's Place (Heimdall's choice) or next door Sunday Hotel (ask for upstairs canopied balcony w. harbor view). Next day, walk all over the town, and go to the beach. Dozens of good places to enjoy simple greek food (as in Naxos). 2nd day, do the same. Day 7, fly back to Athens.

A few thoughts on the 4 day tour of the mainland. We did that some years ago. Here's how each day panned out.

Day 1, board bus, head to cultural place, bus, lunch, bus, retail therapy, bus, hotel, dinner.

Day 2 repeat above
Day 3 repeat above
Day 4 repeat above.

Now, we realise we didn't choose well. We saw the places you mentioned being interested in and they were fabulous, just be very careful choosing the tour company.

Cathies gave good description of the bus tour... and alas, it is typical of bus tours available from all 3 major companies offering tours from Athens. Too little time on-site, too much time on bus, OR taken to stores for shopping (kickback??). For that reason, there is just one tour i recommend -- a 2-day 1-nighter that does Corinth Canal Mycenae Epidaurus & Nafplio ... but leaves you free on yr own from afternoon day #1 until after lunch day #2, to enjoy & explore Nafplio.

PK, time grows short u have decisions, this back-forth on forum not very time-efficient. Might be ok if you were going next season, but you leave in 4 weeks! Click my name to get my profile & e-mail; maybe quick direct contact can untangle things so you can do some booking pronto!

Thank you for your great suggestions and recommendations. Travelerjan, thank you for your time; now I am much clear what islands to visit. Booked Villa Naxia in Naxos for 4 nights. Heimdall, decided to stay on Antiparos for 3 nights and need your recommendations (in addition to others) for a hotel. I am considering Mike's Place, Theologos Beach, ThalaSea, Artemis (low reviews rating. If you have other suggestions, please let me know. Scrb11, what tour co. did you use, I would like to avoid it if possible.
Thank you all for the wealth of information.
PK

Hi pknaster,

A couple of other suggestions for hotels are:
http://www.mariasplace.gr
http://www.antiparosgreece.com (Kastro Apartments)

Maria's Place is owned by a lady named Athena and her husband. I have friends who always stay there when they come to Antiparos. Kastro Apartments is on the edge of town on a hill overlooking the sea, with the island of Paros in the background. I've never stayed there, but have chatted with the Magda, the owner and some of her very satisfied guests.

If you want to stay in a very beautiful part of Antiparos where you will need a car, think about http://www.dolphinantiparos.gr . This hotel is in the Agios Georgios settlement at the southern end of Antiparos, overlooking uninhabited Despotiko Island. You can get a boat across to Despotiko there to see the archeological site, or to the beaches. The southern part of Antiparos is mostly made up of expensive villas, some of them owned by well known people. It also has some of the best beaches on the island.

A little background on the hotels in your shortlist:

Mike's Place is run by a lady named Lilian whom I have known for many years, and where I always stay. Mike was the name of her father, who originally built the hotel. About 10 years ago she completely renovated this small hotel to a very high standard.

Theologos Beach is right next door, owned by a man named (you guessed it) Theo, short for Theologos. He is a very popular man on the island, and I stayed with him while Mike's Place was being renovated.

ThalaSea is owned by Yannis and Marianna, who ran Yannis Cafe until they built the hotel. The cafe was a rendezvous for islanders and regular visitors, and Yannis is the man to ask if you want to know anything about Antiparos. Yannis is probably my best friend on the island. You can see photos of ThalaSea during its construction on my Antiparos Flickr album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627739415280

Now that Thalasea is completed it is beautiful, and furnished to a high standard. It is on the road overlooking Psaraliki beach, and only a few minutes walk into town.

Looking back through the thread, I see that I already recommended Maria's Place and Kastro Apartments. Every hotel I recommended is somewhere I have stayed or know the owners, not something I read in reviews.

I like Mike's Place because it is small and in a quiet location. Lilian, the owner, is kindness personified. If it weren't for my attachment to Mike's Place I would probably choose ThalaSea or Kastro Apartments, but you won't go wrong with Theologos Beach either.

When I was flying out from ATH, I took some pictures. After about an hour flying north towards Zurich, I saw this beautiful blue-green lake surrounded by mountains below.

Took a picture and now after checking the GPS coordinates (my camera is set up to record the GPS), the plane was over Evritania, which after research is called the "Switzerland of Greece."

Hadn't heard of that region discussed much when people were talking about Greece. Looks like a place worth visiting.

scrb, if you'd like to inform other potential Greece-goers to a possible beauty spot, I suggest you start a NEW thread with something like "mountain paradise in Greece".. If you put it at the end of a long thread about a certain person's ferry & hotel questions on her trip, most people will not click on it, and will never learn of your wonderful discovery from on high...

Well I haven't been, just flew over it and then Googled some pictures.

But if and when I visit, I will.