miss_emery

wow, there was so much great advice to weigh here. I am always amazed at the generosity and breadth of knowledge found on these forums! Thank you all - I needed a bit of time to confer with my husband and share your thoughts with him.

Travelerjan, we very seriously considered your well thought out itinerary (so helpful!!), but in the end decided to cut Crete to save a little money and to keep our plans a little looser. As stanbr suggested, we had to make a decision about what kind of trip this would be - and we chose to err on relaxation this time. I know we will get to Crete someday - it just may be a few years. Hopefully nothing will happen to Knossos in the meantime - it has stood the test of time this long, right?

We were also convinced to spend more time on Santorini. It does seem like it has a lot to offer, and we should give it a chance to reveal itself. Hopefully it will prove to be as amazing as everyone says, but we don't have ridiculous expectations.

My current philosophy is that we will have a good time no matter what choices we make. I mean, come on! We'll be in Greece!

Here's our new plan:
• Tuesday, May 19: Depart LAX via Air France @ 6:45pm
• Wed, May 20: Arrive Athens 10:35pm, check in to Fresh Hotel
• Thursday, May 21: Look around Acropolis, wander Athens
• Friday, May 22: Check out of Fresh Hotel, ferry to Paros then Antiparos. Night 1.
• Saturday, May 23: Night 2 in Antiparos
• Sunday, May 24: Ferry to Naxos, Night 1 in Naxos - Kavos Hotel
• Monday, May 25: Night 2 in Naxos; explore island
• Tuesday, May 26: Night 3 in Naxos - day trip to Delos?
• Wed, May 27: Night 4 in Naxos; beach/explore
• Thursday, May 28: travel to Santorini; Night 1 in Santorini - Chelidonia Villas
• Friday, May 29: Night 2 in Santorini; wander Oia, Amoudi bay
• Saturday, May 30: Night 3 in Santorini; explore island
• Sunday, May 31: Fly Santorini – Athens (10am-ish), Athens – LAX (depart Athens 3:30, to arrive Monday afternoon)


I am liking the idea that our sightseeing days alternate with do-nothing days. Where did the Antiparos addition come from, you may ask? I don't know - something about the seclusion and the tiny, charming (and budget friendly!) hotels has been drawing us in. We decided to split our time between somewhere and Naxos, and Antiparos seemed different enough from Naxos, and lovely in it's own tiny way. We are looking at staying at either Oliaros or Kastro hotel apartments in Antiparos. Oliaros seems a little further away from the town, but has some nice sea kayak excursions that they plan. but i'm sure you can seakayak from anywhere, actually - i mean, we live in LA and we never do that here! Kastro has a nice pool going for it. Any thoughts? not many people have written much lately about Antiparos on here.

Also, thanks to Stanbr for the Delos recommendation - that will be a nice side trip. Is it just the standard ferry to Mykonos that we would catch from Naxos, then another ferry to Delos?

I am already planning my next 6 trips to Greece, however... so much to see!

travelerjan

No, MissE, a regular ferry won't do it, not timed properly. THere are TWO different excursion companies doing a "day cruise" to Delos/Mykonos on Tues-Thur-Sat for about 50€. leave Naxos around 8 or 8:30, pick up some people on Paros arrive about 10/10:30 at Delos, leave u there till 1, then take u to Mykonos. Boat goes back around 5pm. Savvy vets say take the Co. that runs the boat "Alexandros" because it's bigger, a smoother ride. You can just sign up the day before at a waterfront ticket agency -- good idea to check weather forecast, be sure it will be sunny next day or at least no rain. Take water/snacks to Delos ... only a small kiosk there & costly. A good way to see the Mykonos "scene" without staying there, also, so when you get home and acquaintances who did cruises ask, "Did you see Mykonos????" you can say YES.

brotherleelove2004

Another affordable option for Antiparos, if you haven't already considered it, is Mike's Place, right on the water in a quiet corner of the village within easy walking-distance of the center. http://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/antiparos.html

The Naxos>Delos excursion boats ('Alexander' and 'Naxos Star' are not standard ferries, they're smaller than the 'normal' ferries.

http://visit-cyclades.com/EN/cruises...os_Mykonos.php

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/290...15470341vREzyb

wug

I think your revised itinerary is great!! We spent a day on Antiparos kayaking and absolutely loved it. We're determined to go back and stay a couple nights. It is a very small quiet island but, the scenery around the kayaking trip was incredible and just had a great feel.

Delos is definitely a must too so I'm glad you're getting that in. I've been to Delos about five times, always fitting in a day somehow on each trip because of friends on the trip who have never been. You'll love it.

You won't regret more time on Santorini. My husband and I prefer the less touristy places but, Santorini is a place we always return to. We avoid Fira and always stay in a little cave house on the caldera in Oia. Since you'll be going the end of May, you won't have the crowds as you would in July. You're going to absolutely love it.

Naxos is also one of our favorites. Enjoy the island. Explore by car at least for one day. There are a lot of pretty villages and the scenery is spectacular.

You're going to love the trip and as you said, you'll be planning 20 more trips to Greece. It's such a magical place!!!

stanbr

Congratulations on your revised plans. I think you have a very good plan now. It is relaxed and gives you lots of time to explore. I think you will be happy you added some time to Santorini.
I know you have seen our Naxos pictures but I will add the Delos Mykonos pictures to show you what the excursion is like.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552009563QJRIYa

We have also compiled several trips into one Athens album if you would like to see some highlights there as well.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/570719132pdjjHG

Have fun and be sure to come back after your trip and let us know how it went.

cheryllj

Your new itinerary looks fabulous and much more relaxed.

Naxos and Santorini are a good pair of islands to visit because they are so different from one another but are easy to get to/from. On Naxos, try to visit the mountain village of Apeirenthos, where the streets are made of marble. And you will love staying in Oia (although it doesn't take a full day to explore! It's tiny).

miss_emery

thanks, all!

wug, did you arrange your sea kayaking adventure through Oliaros / House of Sea Kayaking? If so, how did you like?

Heimdall

Hi miss_emery,

I go to Antiparos twice a year, and absolutely love it. Kastro Hotel would be a good choice - their pool was new last year, and the hotel is on the edge of town in a quiet location (May is quiet on Antiparos, anyway). I stopped by Kastro Hotel two years ago, and the guests I spoke with were very happy with rooms and service.

Don't stay at Oliaros unless you plan to rent a car - Ag Georgios is a beautiful area, but there are only a couple of tavernas and no public transport into town, except a few buses in the morning. Oliaros is located 10km from town, where all the shops, etc are located.

<b>Wug</b>, didn't you do the kayaking with Kostas of Argonauts Blue? When I spoke to Kostas last summer, he said he doesn't do the tours anymore. <b>miss_emery</b>, House of Sea Kayaking may be your only choice now, and you don't have to stay at Oliaros to book a tour.