clausar

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....)

SUMMAGOLD

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

HappyTrvlr

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

Amicita

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!

SUMMAGOLD

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.

clausar

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.

Heimdall

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.

Amicita

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.

clausar

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.

Amicita

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.

clausar

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....

Amicita

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