Hi,
I've seen a few responses about swimming in the sea in may but could anyone liken the water temperature to either long island swimming in the summer or the caribbean? Also, can someone tell me what to expect to pay for airfare mid may from NYC to Athens. Delta is offering nonstop for 574.00 R/T. Is this good?
thanks.

First that is a good airfare, take it. Secondly, the waters in Greece never get as warm as the Caribbean. The Mediterean is much cooler. You can swim in May, especially townards the end of the month, but expect cooler water.

What part of Greece? I think the water in May can be quite chilly, but probably warmer on Crete for example. I'm not sure the water is ever as warm as the Caribbean.

Marilyn- what would be the first month you would consider it warm enough to get in the water--in general? I am saving up for a trip to Greece, and trying to guage how much more I need to move my trip from shoulder season to swim-time.

Quark that looks like a great airfare - hope you get it!

I was in Greece/islands twice in mid to late May, and in Crete it was "warm enough" to be in the sea, water temp. comparable, perhaps, to the NJ seashore, not even Hilton Head temp! It was not warm enough to be in the water in Mykonos (chilly and VERY windy during our stay) or Santorini, although I enjoyed the pool in Sant.,where it did get warm during our stay. I think June would be a safe bet for sea swimming in the area, but as others have said, it is not the Caribbean, ever.

That seems like a good fare to me; we paid $800 7 or 8 yrs. ago in May from PIT.

Ninasdream, I do think it depends on where you are going and what your priorities are, and I am certainly not an expert on all of Greece.

Crete being further south, it gets warmer earlier and stays warmer later. We were there mid-September and it was hot and great beach weather. We've been on Paros in mid-September and it got windy and chilly enough by 3pm that we had to leave the beach. Of course, it could have been just a fluke of the years we were there, but I think not.

I have less experience at the beginning of the season, but if you wanted to be more confident in the weather, I'd wait until June, and start with the southernmost areas and work your way north.

The summer fruit isn't ripe until July and August. This may seem like a small matter, but I love the watermelon, grapes, and picking ripe figs right off the trees. That won't happen in May or June.

On the other hand, you'll get a lot more tourists in July and August.

Now I just want to get on a plane and go there...sigh...

Marilyn, Thanks for your response. And mentioning the fruit was an inspired detail, because I would want to enjoy. Now you have me sighing, too. Maybe I can concentrate on a few small towns outside of the high tourist areas in late summer, if I can manage the airfare.
I am actually kind of excited about a recent conversation with a coworker. She's from Italy, even speaks a local dialect, worked in the travel industry and has some contacts who can assist me with accomodations and local tour guides in and around Sicily. My dream trips are the stuff you see on Globetrekker. Hmmm...

Agreed, great airfare. Traveling in May is nice, but the weather can range from hot, hot sunny days to rainy cold ones. I enjoy water on the slightly chilly side when it's cooking outside. (Just got back from Thailand and the water was so warm, there was no relief...).

The nice thing about May is that spring is in full bloom and the hiking is superb (Amorgos!). Best yet, the hordes have yet to arrive and you will have the place pretty much to yourself. I've been in May, Jun/Jul, and Aug and I definitely prefer May.

Have a great trip.

Regards, Bruce
Greece Travel Photos - http://www.brucegcollier.com/galleri...level2_all.htm