Greece itinerary - need advice!
Mar 22nd, 2017, 12:50 PM
#21
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I mean it is better to take a Flight Athens / Santorini if starting by Santorini
To make your journey more pleasant you should start from good to better places ( you start from Mykonos , paros or Naxos and Santorini).
I think that Mykonos still a beautiful typical cycladic island ( especially in off-season ).
Paros and Naxos two resemble and beautiful islands .I prefer Paros ( Parikia charming old town, Naoussa one of the most beautiful and picturesque fishing villages in Greece and Antiparos is a beautigul place close to Paros.
Santorini is an unique island.Don't miss Oia
Riadhou
To make your journey more pleasant you should start from good to better places ( you start from Mykonos , paros or Naxos and Santorini).
I think that Mykonos still a beautiful typical cycladic island ( especially in off-season ).
Paros and Naxos two resemble and beautiful islands .I prefer Paros ( Parikia charming old town, Naoussa one of the most beautiful and picturesque fishing villages in Greece and Antiparos is a beautigul place close to Paros.
Santorini is an unique island.Don't miss Oia
Riadhou
Mar 23rd, 2017, 06:05 AM
#23
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Thanks everyone for their replies!
Is there a table online that shows when the ferries stop for the season and certain dates they travel for the off season? I was originally wanting to go into Crete from Athens, but haven't seen any ferries leaving from there even though I know they have to. It may just be too early to see online.
I would have loved to start near Mykonos, but our flight lands in Athens at 9:20 AM and I've only seen a flight to Santorini on Volotea at 11:40 AM. Otherwise we would have to wait until midnight to fly out and lose a whole day.
Is there a table online that shows when the ferries stop for the season and certain dates they travel for the off season? I was originally wanting to go into Crete from Athens, but haven't seen any ferries leaving from there even though I know they have to. It may just be too early to see online.
I would have loved to start near Mykonos, but our flight lands in Athens at 9:20 AM and I've only seen a flight to Santorini on Volotea at 11:40 AM. Otherwise we would have to wait until midnight to fly out and lose a whole day.
Mar 23rd, 2017, 08:45 AM
#25
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renee you have me confused. This is the first mention of Crete in your posts.
There is an overnight ferry from Athens to Chania Crete. It is still running on your date Oct 20. Its by Anik Superfast and departs Piraeus 21:00 and arrives Chania 06:00 on the 21. That doesn't sound very convenient.
Then you mention flying to Santorini which was in your original post. A 11:40 flight after your 9:20 arrival is just about perfect. I also checked and there is an Aegean airlines direct flight to Santorini at 11:45. There are several other flights later in the day so I don't understand your comment you will have to wait until midnight to get out of Athens.
If you are thinking of changing up your plan then Aegeans web site shows direct flights to Mykonos at 7:05 PM not very good, Chania Crete at 5:00PM, Heraklion Crete at 2 O'clock and there is one to Naxos also around 5, so you have all sorts of options.
As to the boat excursions to Delos from Naxos and Paros (its the same ship from both ports) while no trips are planned that late in the season if there is enough demand they do run. See Crazy's comment he took that excursion in October long after the daily schedule was finished for the season.
Getting to Delos from any island this late in the year will depend on the weather. We were there in late October two years ago and the wind cancelled all sailings that particular day do no Delos for us.
The advice provided to you still holds. Two nights per island really is a poor option. Dropping one island and adding a day to the other two still makes sense. It was you who said "If we have to drop an island, I'm leaning more towards Mykonos, mainly due to expense and the fact we can still do a day trip to there and Delos from Naxos."
Thats why we have all been concentrating on dropping Mykonos however if Delos is actually your main priority then drop Paros or Naxos and go to Mykonos for three nights.
There is an overnight ferry from Athens to Chania Crete. It is still running on your date Oct 20. Its by Anik Superfast and departs Piraeus 21:00 and arrives Chania 06:00 on the 21. That doesn't sound very convenient.
Then you mention flying to Santorini which was in your original post. A 11:40 flight after your 9:20 arrival is just about perfect. I also checked and there is an Aegean airlines direct flight to Santorini at 11:45. There are several other flights later in the day so I don't understand your comment you will have to wait until midnight to get out of Athens.
If you are thinking of changing up your plan then Aegeans web site shows direct flights to Mykonos at 7:05 PM not very good, Chania Crete at 5:00PM, Heraklion Crete at 2 O'clock and there is one to Naxos also around 5, so you have all sorts of options.
As to the boat excursions to Delos from Naxos and Paros (its the same ship from both ports) while no trips are planned that late in the season if there is enough demand they do run. See Crazy's comment he took that excursion in October long after the daily schedule was finished for the season.
Getting to Delos from any island this late in the year will depend on the weather. We were there in late October two years ago and the wind cancelled all sailings that particular day do no Delos for us.
The advice provided to you still holds. Two nights per island really is a poor option. Dropping one island and adding a day to the other two still makes sense. It was you who said "If we have to drop an island, I'm leaning more towards Mykonos, mainly due to expense and the fact we can still do a day trip to there and Delos from Naxos."
Thats why we have all been concentrating on dropping Mykonos however if Delos is actually your main priority then drop Paros or Naxos and go to Mykonos for three nights.
Mar 24th, 2017, 03:12 AM
#26
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I agree with stanbr that if you want to see Delos, go to Mykonos and drop either Paros or Naxos. There <i>may</i> be an excursion to Delos from Paros or Naxos in late October, but I wouldn't count on it. The later in October, the fewer the tourists, so your chances diminish with each day that goes by. Also note that even in high season the trips are only 3 days/week, and cancelled when winds are too strong.
Now, whether to choose Paros or Naxos may be dictated by the ferry schedules. According to gtp.gr, the last daily ferry from Paros to Mykonos (SeaJet 2) runs on October 23rd. There is another ferry, Artemis, that leaves Paros for Mykonos on Saturday, October 28th, but that's it.
SeaJet 2 switches its itinerary on October 24th, stopping at Naxos instead of Paros, and running to Mykonos until October 31st. Good thing you are travelling in October, because from Nov 1st you would have to go back through Athens to get from Santorini to Mykonos.
Now, whether to choose Paros or Naxos may be dictated by the ferry schedules. According to gtp.gr, the last daily ferry from Paros to Mykonos (SeaJet 2) runs on October 23rd. There is another ferry, Artemis, that leaves Paros for Mykonos on Saturday, October 28th, but that's it.
SeaJet 2 switches its itinerary on October 24th, stopping at Naxos instead of Paros, and running to Mykonos until October 31st. Good thing you are travelling in October, because from Nov 1st you would have to go back through Athens to get from Santorini to Mykonos.
Mar 24th, 2017, 04:23 AM
#27
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Renee, for your question regarding ferries from Crete to Santorini, the last one leaves Heraklion on Oct 30th. There is also a once per week slow ferry that publishes its timetables about a month in advance.
https://gtp.gr/RoutesResults.asp?Sch...GRSKY22,3125,6
https://gtp.gr/RoutesResults.asp?Sch...GRSKY22,3125,6
Mar 24th, 2017, 05:22 AM
#28
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A little tutorial about ferries:
Renee2707 wrote: <i>"Is there a table online that shows when the ferries stop for the season and certain dates they travel for the off season?"</i>
The two best websites for ferry timetables are:
https://gtp.gr
http://www.openseas.gr/openseas/en/
Ferries run all year round to every inhabited island, following routes mainly from/to Piraeus and Rafina near Athens. These ferries are there for the islanders, and run even in winter when few tourists travel. These are large car ferries that carry both passengers and heavy goods vehicles loaded with supplies.
From mid-April (around Greek Easter) until the end of October highspeed ferries come out of their winter layup to provide additional service during the tourist season. These highspeeds add cross-routes that are popular with tourists, e.g. Crete - Santorini and Santorini - Mykonos.
Renee2707 wrote: <i>"Is there a table online that shows when the ferries stop for the season and certain dates they travel for the off season?"</i>
The two best websites for ferry timetables are:
https://gtp.gr
http://www.openseas.gr/openseas/en/
Ferries run all year round to every inhabited island, following routes mainly from/to Piraeus and Rafina near Athens. These ferries are there for the islanders, and run even in winter when few tourists travel. These are large car ferries that carry both passengers and heavy goods vehicles loaded with supplies.
From mid-April (around Greek Easter) until the end of October highspeed ferries come out of their winter layup to provide additional service during the tourist season. These highspeeds add cross-routes that are popular with tourists, e.g. Crete - Santorini and Santorini - Mykonos.
Mar 24th, 2017, 07:21 AM
#29
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Ok, that definitely makes sense. Thanks everyone! Since we did really want to do Delos, seems like the best choice would be to drop Naxos or Paros and go to Mykonos in hopes we can get some good weather and take a ferry to Delos. Now just the tough choice of Naxos or Paros to go to 
Thank you everyone again!
Thank you everyone again!
Mar 24th, 2017, 08:04 AM
#30
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Let's look at your new itinerary for Santorini > Paros or Naxos > Mykonos > Athens as I understand it (assuming I didn't get the days wrong):
Santorini 4 nights: Oct 20 - 23
Paros or Naxos 3 nights: Oct 24 - 26
Mykonos 3 nights: Oct 27 - 29
Athens 2 nights: Oct 30 - 31
Fly home on Nov 1
The only way I can think of to get to Mykonos from Paros on Oct 27th is to take Blue Star Delos to Naxos at 11:55 and connect with SeaJet 2 to Mykonos at 13:40. Blue Star arrives on Naxos at 12:40, so if all goes to plan you would have a 1 hr layover on Naxos. That is probably enough time, because Blue Star usually runs on time and SeaJet 2 is often late.
Frankly, since you are undecided, it would be easier to pick Naxos. Despite all I have written, Naxos is a lovely island too, and you wouldn't have time to do the things I have listed for Paros in two full days anyway. Another option would be to skip both Paros and Naxos and divide your nights between Santorini and Mykonos, or add another night to Athens.
Since you have decided to visit Delos from Mykonos, you really <i>must</i> spend at least three nights there, giving you two full days. The first time I visited Delos, boats from Mykonos old harbor were cancelled due to high winds on the first day, and I had to wait until the next to make the visit.
Photos from my second visit to Delos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627791957268
Santorini 4 nights: Oct 20 - 23
Paros or Naxos 3 nights: Oct 24 - 26
Mykonos 3 nights: Oct 27 - 29
Athens 2 nights: Oct 30 - 31
Fly home on Nov 1
The only way I can think of to get to Mykonos from Paros on Oct 27th is to take Blue Star Delos to Naxos at 11:55 and connect with SeaJet 2 to Mykonos at 13:40. Blue Star arrives on Naxos at 12:40, so if all goes to plan you would have a 1 hr layover on Naxos. That is probably enough time, because Blue Star usually runs on time and SeaJet 2 is often late.
Frankly, since you are undecided, it would be easier to pick Naxos. Despite all I have written, Naxos is a lovely island too, and you wouldn't have time to do the things I have listed for Paros in two full days anyway. Another option would be to skip both Paros and Naxos and divide your nights between Santorini and Mykonos, or add another night to Athens.
Since you have decided to visit Delos from Mykonos, you really <i>must</i> spend at least three nights there, giving you two full days. The first time I visited Delos, boats from Mykonos old harbor were cancelled due to high winds on the first day, and I had to wait until the next to make the visit.
Photos from my second visit to Delos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57627791957268
