Greece Itinerary
Oct 31st, 2011, 12:50 PM
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Greece Itinerary
Just beginning to think about a trip to Greece for Sept,2012 and would like feedback on itinerary and number of days alloted. Especially not sure of the order of the islands. We are in our mid-60s and enjoy historical sights, small towns, scenery, beaches and food. Recently returned from a 23 day trip to Turkey where we did all of the above using public transportation and also driving in two different areas. We're wondering if this Greece itinerary might be too ambitious. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.
First iteration of itinerary:
Athens, 2 days then drive the Peloponnese
Delphi, 1 day
Olympia, 2 days
Kardamyli, 2 days
Nafplio, 2 days then on the the islands
Hydra, 2 days
Crete, 3 days
Rhodes, 3 days
Mykonos (for Delos), 3 days
Santorini, 3 days
Athens, 1 (near airport for flight home)
First iteration of itinerary:
Athens, 2 days then drive the Peloponnese
Delphi, 1 day
Olympia, 2 days
Kardamyli, 2 days
Nafplio, 2 days then on the the islands
Hydra, 2 days
Crete, 3 days
Rhodes, 3 days
Mykonos (for Delos), 3 days
Santorini, 3 days
Athens, 1 (near airport for flight home)
Oct 31st, 2011, 02:05 PM
#3
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First of all, how long is the trip? I'm not sure if your itinerary is taking into account travel time, or whether it is going to be part of the days allotted to each place. If the latter then it needs cutting down, the travel logistics will mean you only having hours in some of the places!
For 3 days, forget Crete, it's a huge island & needs more than that to even start seeing any of it.
I would then rearrange the order somewhat.
Fly to Mykonos on arrival, then ferries to Santorini. Possibly continue to Rhodes (or skip that too), either way you then fly back to Athens.
The above can be done in reverse order.
Once back at Athens airport hire a car, the only way to make efficient use of your time in Delphi & the Peloponnese.
The order is good there, Delphi, Olympia, Kardamyli, then Nafplio. Visit Hydra while you are staying there, no need to spend 2 days on the island.
Final 3 days in Athens, at a carefully chosen central hotel, ne need for one near the airport for the last night unless your flight is extremely early. Even then not a necessity as public transport runs from the centre to the airport 24/7.
This is only a guideline, what you specifically want to do & see in some of the locations you have chosen will dictate the time you stay at each.
Do not underestimate travel times between destinations, particularly island to island.
For 3 days, forget Crete, it's a huge island & needs more than that to even start seeing any of it.
I would then rearrange the order somewhat.
Fly to Mykonos on arrival, then ferries to Santorini. Possibly continue to Rhodes (or skip that too), either way you then fly back to Athens.
The above can be done in reverse order.
Once back at Athens airport hire a car, the only way to make efficient use of your time in Delphi & the Peloponnese.
The order is good there, Delphi, Olympia, Kardamyli, then Nafplio. Visit Hydra while you are staying there, no need to spend 2 days on the island.
Final 3 days in Athens, at a carefully chosen central hotel, ne need for one near the airport for the last night unless your flight is extremely early. Even then not a necessity as public transport runs from the centre to the airport 24/7.
This is only a guideline, what you specifically want to do & see in some of the locations you have chosen will dictate the time you stay at each.
Do not underestimate travel times between destinations, particularly island to island.
Oct 31st, 2011, 02:59 PM
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You might like to visit fewer places, staying longer in each.
Travel between islands takes up a lot of time and the first couple of ferrys is not particularly romantic or exciting.
I highly recommend Crete as a place to stay for several days to weeks. Particularly if you are interested in food. Hospitality is extraordinary, the island is loaded with treasure -- everyone wants to share their pride with you. Outside of Heraklion, it is the best of the modern world placed in a traditional, historical, beautiful setting.
In Santorini, you will have to be strategic to have a fresh experience. Tourism has overrun the place, yet it's magical for a couple of days, particularly if you're interested in geology.
Because I don't speak Greek, I used a guide George from PortoClub, and found that not only was the trip more affordable, but so easy and enjoyable with the nicest accommodation!
Good luck!
Travel between islands takes up a lot of time and the first couple of ferrys is not particularly romantic or exciting.
I highly recommend Crete as a place to stay for several days to weeks. Particularly if you are interested in food. Hospitality is extraordinary, the island is loaded with treasure -- everyone wants to share their pride with you. Outside of Heraklion, it is the best of the modern world placed in a traditional, historical, beautiful setting.
In Santorini, you will have to be strategic to have a fresh experience. Tourism has overrun the place, yet it's magical for a couple of days, particularly if you're interested in geology.
Because I don't speak Greek, I used a guide George from PortoClub, and found that not only was the trip more affordable, but so easy and enjoyable with the nicest accommodation!
Good luck!
Oct 31st, 2011, 03:44 PM
#5
You only need one night in Olympia; give more time to Napflion. Also remove a day from Santorini and add it to Crete if you still plan to go there.You could also skip Rhodes and give those days to Crete. For Crete, use Chania as your base.
Oct 31st, 2011, 05:31 PM
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Personally, I do not think you need to spend 2 days in Hydra. Add these days to Athens and do a day trip to Hydra that can also include the other Saronic islands of Poros and Aegina. They are usually covered together as a day cruise from Athens. You may get some ideas for other sights from my trip report below.
Ronald
http://memories-of-greece.blogspot.com/
Ronald
http://memories-of-greece.blogspot.com/
Oct 31st, 2011, 10:25 PM
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Hydra is a wonderful romantic island, where one can easily spend 2 days....
It is very popular amongst Athenians due to it's proximity to Athens.
Personally i would avoid the one day cruise to Aegina Poros Hydra... too crowded and too little time to see the islands.
Another idea for the OP would be to drive to Kosta from Nafplio, leave the car there and take the boat to Spetses, another wonderful island ( where cars are not allowed).
From Kosta it only takes 15 min to Spetses....
It is very popular amongst Athenians due to it's proximity to Athens.
Personally i would avoid the one day cruise to Aegina Poros Hydra... too crowded and too little time to see the islands.
Another idea for the OP would be to drive to Kosta from Nafplio, leave the car there and take the boat to Spetses, another wonderful island ( where cars are not allowed).
From Kosta it only takes 15 min to Spetses....
Nov 3rd, 2011, 12:42 PM
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I am with the dropping Crete.. it is a huge place that requires far more time than 3 days to explore.. You could get away with an extra day in Nafplio, since you will be seeing Epidaurus oneday and Mycenae the next which will allow you no time to experience beautiful Nafplio.. and once you have done the islands and you are on the mainland... you can always change your plans at short notice.. and spend and extra day here or there ! Happy planning !
