2globalnomads

We would choose Italy, perhaps Sicily.

Why? Greece is expensive thanks to financial crises and economic chaos. And you don't want to risk spoiling your honeymoon when the violence will erupt again.

We were in Greece a few years we were stunned by the price levels. Even credit cards were not accepted anywhere (http://www.2globalnomads.info/2010/1...debt-loan.html).

One reason why it felt so expensive could be that we got used to the more pleasant price levels in Sicily. We lived in Trapani and Messina altogether one year (http://www.2globalnomads.info/search?q=trapani).

clausar

2globalnomads

The financial crisis did it's wonder - especially for tourists - by lowering the prices in Greece.

Not only hotels cost less now ( with some exceptions) but also restaurants, cafes etc.

Maybe you are basing your comments on your visit back in 2010, the fact is that there is no economical chaos at all in Greece.

In addition to that Greece is expecting an all time record this year, with 17 Million foreign visitors.

As for the price comparison, Greece is not more expensive than Sicily... i am sure that you are referring to certain places like Mykonos and Santorini, that are amongst the most expensive islands of the Mediterranean.

Other islands, and the Mainland are not expensive at all

As for violence i don't think that there is any violence in Greece.... maybe again you are referring to demonstrations that took place at Syntagma Square in Athens on certain days, something that didn't happen at all this year.

Heimdall

I typically pay around €25/night for a double room with private bath on islands such as Naxos and Antiparos. An evening meal with starter, main course, and a small carafe of wine costs me around €15, a little more if I order fish. If that's expensive, what did you pay in Sicily?

WWK

I love both Greece and Italy, but unless you can push your departure date to late spring, I think you'd be better off sticking to Athens and the mainland, or the three big Italian cities- Rome, Florence, Venice. The Greek islands are absolutely gorgeous, but at their best in the late spring and summer.

BTW, we generally find Greece much more economical than Italy, for both hotels and food. To give you an idea: We stayed at a wonderful hotel for our anniversary in Naxos, and had a beautiful room overlooking the beach for $200/hight.

khaverkamp

My fiance and I had a fantastic 10-day trip to Greece in June. We went to Santorini, Mykonos and Athens. It was a good mix of culture, beaches and history. (And great food!)

We used Gate 1 Travel to organize all of our flights, ferries and hotel transfers, and then had the time at each location to ourselves. I thought this was great, as everything was set up for us, but we didn't have to follow around a tour group while we were there. Essentially, they provided the structure, and we did what we want within it. Something to consider if it's your first time out of the States.

2globalnomads

@Heimdall

> I typically pay around €25/night for a double room with
> private bath on islands such as Naxos and Antiparos.

We paid 5€/night in Trapani and 6€/night in Messina. In Athens we paid many times more.

> meal with starter, main course, and a small carafe of wine
> costs me around €15, a little more if I order fish.

Crazy expensive. We cook all our meals by ourselves and buying groceries was very expensive in Greece. In Sicily you get a bottle a decent red wine with less than 2€.

Are credit card still not working anywhere in Greece?

clausar

2globalnomads

Do you plan your vacations based on rooms that cost 5 Euro per night?

I am sorry but this doesn't sound realistic....

Heimdall

Despite those cheap prices in Sicily, a lot of Italians come to Greece in August. I wonder why, if they could stay home and let mamma do the cooking? Maybe they like what Greece has to offer. ;-)

<i>Are credit card still not working anywhere in Greece?</i>

I'm not aware of any time credit cards were not working, although smaller establishments prefer payment in cash. Do those 5€ hotels in Sicily take credit cards?

Heimdall

BTW, it would be better to compare Athens with Rome rather than Trapani and Messina, at least where prices are concerned. I seem to recall Rome being rather expensive.

clausar

What an excellent recommendation to Honeymooners...

5€ rooms and less than 2€ red wine.......

shkra11

khaverkamp: so interesting that you mention Gate1. I'd gone on a trip with a girlfriend with them and had just looked up trips to the greek islands with them this past weekend. I've been pondering about what it'd be like to do the travel between islands etc. with them vs. on our own.

I loved the prior trip I went on with them to Turkey, but it was not a honeymoon-type trip at all- we were in a hotel/area for max 2 nights, usually just 1, then bags packed and at door by 6 or 7am & usually on the road for a few hours every day.

What times were the transfers between cities with them - any issues with early timing? how did you like the hotels they offered- were their romantic and more personal-feeling options? thanks so much