Greece Itinerary
 

Hi all. I'm planning a trip to Greece for September, and below is the itinerary I've come up with:

Day 1: Arrive in Athens in the evening. Spend the night in Athens.
Day 2: Sightsee in Athens (Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka). Evening fly to Chania.
Day 3: Downtown Chania, maybe a beach (Nea Chora, Falasarna or Elafonsisi)
Day 4: Gramvousa Balos Cruise
Day 5: Bus to Heraklion. Knossos.
Day 6: Ferry to Santorini, staying in Oia. No real plans for the afternoon, so may just relax on our balcony and enjoy the sights. Santorini Mou in the evening.
Day 7: Amoudi Bay, Sigalas Winery
Day 8: Caldera Tour
Day 9: No real plans for the morning. Evening fly to Athens.
Day 10: Early flight back home.

Any thoughts? I've already booked hotels and flights, so this is not that flexible, so I'm hoping this will work. Any suggestions for restaurants or shops or anything like that that I should try to hit?

Seems OK to me. You haven't made the common mistake of trying to fit in too many activities for the time you have at each stop.

Thanks. I have been accused of having overly full itineraries in the past, but I find the more trips I go on, the less inclined I am to try to cram in extra.

Another question - We won't have a car. I assume I can walk to Amoudi Bay, Sigalas and Santorini Mou from where we are staying in Oia. Will it be easy to find/walk to these places? Also, what is involved in a visit to Sigalas? Do they have formal tours/tasting or do you just show up and buy a few glasses or tastings?

We walked to Ammoudi. It's a long stairway down the cliff, but not too bad. However, we called for a taxi for the way back up to Oia because the stairs were completely covered in donkey crap that day (not sure if it's always like that) and we didn't want to deal with that going both ways.

Anyone know about Sigalas? Brotherleelove?

in Chania if you do the Gramvoussa/Balos tour, i don't think it makes sense to go to Elafonissi as well.....
These places are very similar.... with Balos being not as developed as Elafonissi..... I remember the first time i went to Elafonissi in 1992.... there were no beach chairs and only a small taverna, and only a few people there in mid June...
This has changed !!!! What you could do is visit Rethymnon, which has a beautiful venetian old city like Chania, or rent a car and drive to Plakias and Fragokastello area. There are nice sandy beaches on the Libyan Sea there, you will drive through Kotsifou and Kourtalioti gorge and enjoy another part of Crete. On your way to Rethymnon you can visit the only lake of Crete, Kournas, which is on your way......

You can easily rent a car for day on santorini. Our hotel made the arrangements.
We walked down to Amoudi Harbor. Sorry to hear that there are donkeys on that hillside now.AMoudi was my favoirte place on Santorini.

Sigalas is a small, award-winning winery in Oia with a tasting room behind the Taverna Santorini Mou. The facility is not elaborate but they are worth a stop if you enjoy wine tasting.

It's going to be a walk to get to the Sigalas winery. The winery is small but you can get small snacks to enjoy with the wine. The winery is on the road behind Santorini Mou but it would another 10 minutes on foot at least and on the way back it's all uphill. The winery is not really in Oia it's in Finikas I believe.

As far as i remember Sigalas is in Baxedes, which is a 10 min walk from Oia.
According to KTEL Santorini the timetable is at the moment :
From Fira From Baxedes
06:50 07:20
12:40 13:00
14:00 14:25

No, not in Baxedes, but behind Santorini Mou on the outskirts of Oia, near to Finikia.

Thanks all.

Clausar, I doubt I'll actually go to Elafonissi, since its out of the way, and that's my only day I'll really have time to wander downtown Chania too. Its good to know that I'm not missing much if I'm going to Balos anyway, though. I was trying to squeeze in more beach time, but I suspect we'll either stay in Chania or go to Nea Chora, which I understand is within walking distance?

For all practical purposes, I don't drive, so I never rent cars. People try to talk me out of this all the time, but it never works. I don't mind walking though. On a recent vacation, I walked something like 10 miles around Rome, so 10 minutes sounds very do-able.

I understand Sigalas is behind Santorini Mou, but where is Santorini Mou? In Oia, I know, but is it easy to find once you're there?

Santorini Mou is located on the main road at the beginning of Oia, just after you pass through the small settlement of Finikia. It's across from the Perivolas Villas.

Amicita, we visited Sigalas Winery on a recent visit to Santorini and really enjoyed it. It was easy to find on the map we were given at our Villa, and I also planned the walk on Google Maps. In the end we still stopped to ask at a store to ensure we were heading in the right direction though! We enjoyed the visit very much. We selected wines for tasting, had a light but delicious lunch along with a glass of our favorite, and purchased a couple of bottles of wine to take with us to Naxos.

Here is their website: http://www.sigalas-wine.gr/home_en.html, which states that the area is Baxedes. The winery is small but we thought it was beautiful and worth a visit. The walk wasn't far at all, however, we ended up taking a cab on the return only because we had the bottles to carry and were ready to get back. The winery called a cab for us.

We found out about it when we visited Ferendini restaurant, which was excellent Italian food on the Caldera, and is somehow tied to Sigalas. We had a great meal (with the best wine I had while traveling in Greece) and superb service at this restaurant, and the server told us about Sigalas when we shared that we were planning to do some wine tasting the next day.

If you enjoy walking and have time, I'd recommend the hike from Oia to Thira/Fira. It's long (about 7 miles) but it was really a highlight of our trip. Amazing views and a lot of fun!

I forgot to mention we also did the walk to Amoudi Bay and likewise encountered a whole lot of donkey crap on the lower steps. In my trip report I attributed this to horses, but donkey crap makes much more sense ;). We took the road back to town, which worked well for us because we wanted to walk but it was less steep than the stairs and avoided the donkey evidence. I did also see taxis waiting near the harbor.

I realize now that Sigalas is 'technically' in Baxedes. It's in the agricultural area below Finikia and Oia. I've always thought of as Baxedes just as the coastal area on the far side of the north end of the island. I hope I haven't confused anyone.

brotherleelove... you confused me... as i remembered that Sigalas was in Baxedes.....
Baxedes is a larger area than just the coastal part...
Baxedes in Greek means gardens, and comes from the turkish bahce, which also means garden....

Thanks all. This is very helpful.

I'm reviving this thread because I have a new question. What should I do my last day in Santorini? I am checking whether the hotel is flexible on checkout, but as of now, we will have to checkout early in the morning and then don't fly to Athens until evening. Any suggestions on good activities for a day like that?

Also, on Day 2 we fly out of Athens at 20:10. My plan that day is to walk from our hotel (near Monastiraki) to Roman Agora, Ancient Agora, Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and through the Plaka back to our hotel to get our bags and leave. Do we have time to do all that and make it to the airport on time? Also, I can't find a good map that shows exactly how to get to the Agoras. Are they easy to find?

Thanks!

I think you can do it on your last day. The Roman Agora and Ancient Agora are close together (we spent about 15-20 minutes in each). They are also at the located at the back end of the Plaka. The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum are a bit off. Its a hike up to the Acropolis which will take you at least an hour to walk around it and pause to take pictures, and then you will have to walk to the Acropolis Museum, which is a brisk 15-20 min walk from the Acropolis. And then at least an hour or two in the museum. You can have lunch in the cafeteria. Food was good and reasonably priced. Its do-able, but will be a brisk and tiring day.

Check out in Greek hotels, according to Greek law is always at 12 noon.....so there's no reason to check out in the morning

In Athens you should start with the Acropolis early in the morning, when it's not hot ( and it can get very hot even in September...) then visit the New Acropolis Museum, walk down the pedestrian walkway till Thisseion and visit the ancient Agora, then continue to Monastiraki and the Plaka, where the roman Agora is located... ( no special need to visit it, as you can see it from the outside...it's not that big, and there's not that much to see....)

try this map. the roman agora and ancient agora are just above the acropolis. i am pretty sure that the only entrance and exit out of the acropolis is from Dionysiou Aerop. But I could be wrong. To get to the museum you have to get back on Dionysiou Aerop. and walk east along the wide promenade.

http://www.athensguide.com/map/Athensmap.jpg

Chania.. two good restaurants are Taman and Well of the Turk.

Clausar, that is good to know about checkout laws! Although even if we don't checkout until 12, there will still be a period between checkout and leaving for the airport (flight is at 19:40), so I still have the same question.

I was planning to go to the Agoras before the Acropolis because it seems like they're on the way from my hotel, and I didn't want to backtrack, but I suppose it depends exactly where the Acropolis entrance is. Does anyone else know if its true that there's only 1 entrance?

Summagold - thanks, the approximate amount of time necessary at each place is exactly what I was looking for. It sounds like its manageable. I'm fine with it being a full day, since we'll have some more laid back days later in the trip.

HappyTrvlr - I was planning on going to Taman, based on fodorite recommendations. I'll look into Well of the Turk too. Thanks!

Amicita, i was just there in a couple of months ago, so it is still fresh on my mind. what i suggest is, start early and take a taxi from your hotel directly to the Acropolis. (taxis are very affordable in athens. maybe 7-10euros?). after the Acropolis, walk to the Acropolis museum. then walk thru the Plaka, have quick lunch or shop, then walk over to the Roman Agora and then onto the Ancient Agora. no need to rush to see the Agoras because if it is closed, you can always see it through the wrought iron gates. (They are also lit up at night.) Then walk towards Monastiraki to your hotel. This is what I would do.

Amicita you could also take the metro from Monastiraki for one stop till Syntagme, change there to the red line, and get off at the Acropolis station... ( a 10 min ride)

There is a very long pedestrian walkway beginning at the Syngrou Avenue, first you will see the New Acropolis Museum on the left, 100 meters away the entrance to the Acropolis on the right.

It is adviseable to start with the Acropolis, early in the morning, when it is not crowded and the weather is not hot.
Then go to the New Acropolis Museum ( ac throughout.... and very pleasant on a hot day)

After the museum, you can follow the pedestrian walkway down to Thisseion ( very nice walk) visit the ancient agora, which is located just there, then continue to the Plaka and take a look at the roman agora ( as i already mentioned, there is no need to go inside, you can see it from outside)

There is no backtracking in the route that i am suggesting, and please note that the Ancient Agora is located before the Roman Agora.

Amicita, yours is a common problem, as flight and ferry timetables don't fit well with hotel checkout times. Most hotels will hold your luggage for you after checkout. Just ask at the desk, and you will probably find that is the case where you are staying. :-)

Yes, I checked and they will hold our bags, but I'm still not sure what to do that day bc I don't want to swim or hike or do anything that I'm going to feel inclined to shower after, since we won't have access to a shower, and I'm not sure what else there is to do in Oia.

Clausar - the hotel (it's actually apartments, if that makes a difference) says checkout is at 10:30am. If what you say is accurate, theyre not allowed to require checkout that early? Even if that's the case, I'm not sure whether its worth it to argue with them about it.

Greek law is very clear about the checkout in Greek hotels ( or appartments or studios or rooms)... and it is 12 noon...
( i could tell you where to find it in written, on the website of the Hellenic Hotels Association) but you're right, should they insist, it makes no sense to argue.

You could mention though without arguing, that since you have a late flight, you would like to stay at least till 12... as you are entitled to...

September is high season still on the island, but they will know already if they are having another reservation for that day. Email them and ask, so that you will be prepared.

I was thinking my self what one could do on such a situation, till an evening flight... and i am afraid there aren't many options, since you will have seen most of the island already.. and it's a small island...

Hotels are usually used to clients with late flights, in many cases they provide a room where you can change clothes or take a shower. If that's the case, then you could easily spend the day on the beach and take a shower before you leave for the airport.
Just ask the hotelier.

I did email and explained our late flight and asked about a late checkout, and thats when I got the response that checkout if 10:30, but I can leave my bags. Maybe I'll write back and mention the 12:00 law, and see about a shower/changing room. I'm pretty annoyed that they're not following the law here.

My new thought is maybe we can go to Caldera Massages Studio and get massages or some spa activity on the last day. Its super expensive, but seems like it might be a good activity for a day like that.

Another idea would be to book another hotel, near the Airport, asking directly for a day use rate.
The rate wouldn't be too high, and you would have a place to shower and use the bathroom....or even use the pool and relax
Personally i always book a late check out everytime i have a late flight to catch, and the reason is mainly the use of the bathroom....

That's not a bad idea. I'll look into that...