Magsbags

Thanks Janet. I followed your advise & brotherleelove, for lodgings.
Margarita 45euros , Iliovisalema(my guess?)50euros, Alexandra Rooms 30euros, Myrto 72euros.
Average 31 euros a night each, Im very happy with that.
I would hate to think what it would cost if I used a tour company!
You might be interested to know that I am going solo to Paris for 7 nights, 3 mins from Notre Dame Cathedral (accommodation 52euros with breakfast). Then Venice 3 nights ( 75euros, 10 steps from San Marco Square) I'll let you know how they go! Then I will meet up with my sister in Athens.
Everything booked, just doing alot of research now on each
destination. Janet I am looking forward to hearing about your next trip which isn't far away.

travelerjan

Thanks Mags, today I mail off my "trip kits" to my 5 travel pals ... we rendezvous in Athens on May 12, I'm pumped! I never get round to doing Trip Reports for the various forums, but am thinking about starting a Blog ... we shall see.

SusanP

I've been copying a lot of this in case I decide to go to Greece, thanks for lots of good information.

And Magsbags, what's your hotel in Paris?

Magsbags

SusanP - Hotel in Paris is Hotel Marignan, rue Sommerard.

jillianfk

Hi I too am travelling paris to venice could you please tell me the name of lodging in venice

Magsbags

jillianfk- Hotel Ai Do Mori, easy to find, 20 or so steps from San Marco Square, nice staff, great room, quiet.

samoca

Can you confirm that Hotel Ai Do Mori was 75E night single occupancy in June?--that's a very good price I think. (I was in Venice at beginning of June '09 and stayed in a one-bed apt for 70E/night, which I thought was a good deal at the time--but it was in Canareggio, which is farther from the "action" in San Marco (actually it's a great area). I felt cheated with only 3 days in Venice and am thinking of going back for 7 days in Sept. or Oct.

Also, I am very interested in your Greece itinerary and how it worked out. Could you give feedback on how it went? I was considering a cruise from Venice to Greek Islands (never done a cruise), but I hate spending the $, esp. since I prefer solo travel. By the way, I traveled for 7 weeks (6 in Italy, 1 in Paris) by myself last year at age 63. I do speak some Italian and pretty good French, which helps, but it was really easy and fun since I'm pretty extraverted.

Magsbags

I hate to spend the $$ too!

Venice;Yes Hotel Ai Do Mori was 75euros, single a night, with shared bathroom. It has nice decor and is clean. No breakfast available. Checkout their great website, it is very informative. 24 hour reception is on the 2nd floor, then my room was on the 5th (or 3rd from reception), secure, quiet, friendly staff. I booked direct, and paid cash on departure, can leave your bags there on last day if required.
Greek Islands;I flew from Venice to Athens, then flew to Santorini, then ferry to Naxos and then Paros, and then ferry back to Athens. Ferries and flights were all easy to use and not that expensive. Santorini is a picture and you should visit Oii and the beaches there are nice to swim in. The bus service on the islands runs smoothly and is cheap. I feel if you were on a cruise you would not get time to visit all of Santorini, need a 2 or 3 nights max. Naxos has a lovely fishing port and lovely sunsets. The hotel I stayed in was great, very very clean and had a lovely family running it. It was in the perfect position between the port and St George beach.2 or 3 nights max. From Naxos I took a ferry to delos and Mykonos for a day trip. Next time I would stay at Mykonos longer. Paros was not as nice as the other islands2 nights max.
I think there is a ferry from Venice to the Greek Islands, that might be a better option than an expensive cruise. Then just use the ferry service to travel around independantly.
The Islands are very safe to wonder about on your own.

SusanP

Can you tell me in what way Paros was not as nice? I'm starting to research a trip to Greece for next July and am deciding which islands to go to. Thanks!

travelerjan

Susan --- some people find that the Port town of Paros, Parikia, is not as attractive as the Naxos port, of Naxos Town... but this is an individual judgment. For visuals: to see a slide show of Naxos Town and the Island's beaches & highlights checklink above in my Feb 12 message.... check out Paros here: http://www.greekisland.co.uk/paros/paros.htm

One factor may be that Naxos has a bus system that enables you to reach to all the best beaches/beach towns without car rental, whereas in Paros, you're more likely to need a car or an ATV to get to some places ... I know I've enjoyed Paros more when I was with someone with a car, and in Naxos , didn't matter. If nightlife is tops on your list, Paros is livelier in that regard, might consider staying in Naoussa in July. It isn't clear from your post whether "I" means you are going solo, or whether you are a couple or going with friends.

NAXOS --If going in July, I would suggest staying at Plaka Beach, bus every 30 mins to Naxos Town, and Plaka has tavernas & nightlife in July too. Some of the beach towns & variuous lodgings have a more "dusty" feel & Look, but I really like this family-run budget place, which is at the end of the bus line... a terrif taverna, with 3 building units, right on the beach: http://aronisnaxos.com/index%20en.html ... if you are seeking luxury, beyond the bus line at Plaka beach is Medusa Resort http://www.medusaresort.gr/ -- you will need a car, but if this place is within your means, a car will be also. And NAXOS is a superb island to explore... mountain villages, ancient ruins and statues, stunning views... if you are going solo I'd suggest staying at St. George beach area, directly adjacent to Naxos town, and going to Plaka beach by day. St. G. is so handy for Naxos Town night life & being able to stroll back in 5-10 minutes along the water to ones hotel. Budget Suggestions right on the beach: Hotel Glaros, Hotel Asteria, Hotel St. George, Kalergis Studios, Thomais Studio, Hotel Sanudo ... upscale (with pool, & 50 metres from beach): Naxos BEach Hotel.

brotherleelove2004

What's not nice?

Paros has beautiful beaches, some interesting mountain villages, a lively port villate (Parikia), a charming fishing village (Naoussa), a lovely seaside village (Pisso Livadi), a small archaeological museum worthy of a visit along with the Church of 100 doors, easy access to Antiparos by frequent local shuttle ferry, and access to Delos Island and Mykonos by daytrip excursion boat.

Weadles

Another vote for Paros. But not the port town of Parikia. Go to Nauossa, which is much more beautiful and picturesque. Also try to visit Golden Beach, home to the windsurfing championships. It's nearly two miles of white sand, with many places where you can rent umbrellas/chairs, or have a leisurely lunch.

Heimdall

The area in Parikia immediately around the ferry docks isn't all that attractive, but then what dockland area is? One gets a better first impression arriving on Naxos with the ancient Portara drawing your eye away from the docks.

Walk a few streets away from the docks in Parikia and there are some beautiful sights, including the Venetian kastro with it's winding passageways. Many people aren't aware that an ancient cemetery lies only a few steps away from the docks. It was discovered during a construction project, excavated revealing crypts and funeral urns, and has a small display to the side. Ekantontapiliani (Church of 100 Doors) is simply stunning, but you don't realize how beautiful until once inside.

The impression that you need a car on Paros is wrong, although I won't deny it is an advantage to have one. I have been going there and to nearby Antiparos for many years, and when I can't reach somewhere on foot, use the buses. Perhaps the idea that you need a car to reach the beaches is that Paros has so many. Paros has beach resorts all around the island, not only the major ones of Parikia and Naoussa, but Piso Livadi, Chrisi Akti (Golden Beach), Drios, Aliki, Pounta, and many more. Most of them are reachable by bus and a short walk. There are also several beaches served by taxi boat, including Krios from the Parikia docks, and Kolimbithres, Monasteri, and Langeri from Naoussa harbor.

The majority of visitors to Naxos use only four beaches: St George in Naxos Town, and Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka, an area of salt flats just to the south of town. From mid-June to September the buses to/from the beaches are packed during peak hours. There are a few other beaches reachable by bus, but go further afield and you will need a car.

SusanP

Thanks for all the responses. I've been reading a couple of other threads as well where you all contributed, and it seemed as though Paros or Naxos would be good. I plan to start in Santorini (3 nights) and end in Athens (probably 3 nights). I have 4 more nights, so time for at least one more island in between, and depending on how much I pay for hotel, I might be able to add a couple more nights for another one. I will be alone and will not have a car, so from that viewpoint, it sounds as though Naxos might be a little better, although apparently Paros has a good bus system as well.

I will definitely want a hotel close to restaurants (I prefer not to have to go a long way for dinner) and the bus line. I can't afford luxury, hope to do below E100 per night, and below E75 would be even better. I know elevators aren't common, but hope to find something where I don't have to climb many flights of stairs at the hotel (arthritis in the knees). Don't worry, I know there is a lot of walking and a lot of stairs in Europe (have been to London, Ireland alone, Paris 3X, 1 of those alone and Italy 7X, all alone). I just try not to add many flights of stairs at the hotel!

brotherleelove2004

Unfortunately, step-climbing is a fact of life if you want to stay in a village over the caldera, but there are hotels away from the cliff that are more easily accessed. It just depends on your preference.

Santorini has a wide variety of hotels in every price range. Well-priced hotels in Oia include Delfini Hotel, Thea Studios, Old Oia Houses, Oia's Sunset Hotel, Musses Studios, Anemomilos Hotel, Villa Kallisti and Casa Sofia. Of these Oia's Sunset, Musses Studios and the Anemomilos Hotel have the fewest steps.

If you prefer easy access to the island's bus system focus your hotel search on Fira and Firostefani so you can easily walk back to your room. Check Anemomilos Suites and Villas, Villa Fotini, Hotel Mylos, Blue Dolphins Apartments and Villa Maria Damigou.

If you want to stay at a beach resort check the listings for Kamari Beach and Perissa Beach. There are few if any steps to climb on that side of the island.

http://www.santorini.com/hotels-in-santorini/kamari.htm

travelerjan

Susan, because you're a girl after my own heart, I'm going to give you my Naxos hotel link -- http://www.naxos-saintgeorgebeach.co...xos/index.html ... A/C, about 40 feet from St. George beach, each unit has a kitchenette niche and a nice balcony ... tell Mrs. Tsagklis Janet from Philadelphia sent you, and that you want Janet's Room, #2, 1 floor up. I can't attach a photo here, but e-mail me (click on my name for profile), and I can send you pix of the room & balcony, shaded by tree, view of the sands. In July, it may cost €30-35 for single occupancy. As a plus, the hotel right across the (narrow) lane outside is entirely occupied by Scandinavians all season long, quiet quiet quiet. What's not to love?

travelerjan

SANTORINI -- In FIrostephani, look at SUNSET HOTEL ... entry right off a main lane thru firostephani, only a few steps up, leading to a very large common terrace with comfy seating for the sunset. http://www.sunsethotel.gr/ Only 8-10 rooms I think, friends stayed there in late May for about 60€/double, maybe because they were "walk-up inquirers" and there were vacancies. Of course July would be more, but I think you could do it for €75 or 80 if you e-mail direct and ask, do you have a room for xxx at xx€ per night?? I think in this economy many hoteliers may think "a bird in the hand"...

We stayed just south of there at Kafieris Apts, had room w. nice view but its common terrace very small & monopolized by others. AND access to hotel entry was up a very steep ramp. In future, I'd use Sunset. We found FIrostephani to be away from the hubbub, yet Fira was easy to access (there is a fairly level walkway-lane that parallels the main road, about 15 minutes max to Fira Square). You can also walk along the rimside lane. Several good restaurants right in FiroStephani, including Aktaion, right off the rimside lane/walkway mentioned.

SusanP

brotherleelove, yes, I realize there will be a lot of steps just getting around! And I can deal with some at the hotel if necessary, just hope it won't be many flights. Thanks for all those Santorini suggestions.

Jan, That Naxos place looks great. I will email you for the photos. That price would be fantastic as well! Thanks.

SusanP

Jan, you were posting at the same time. Thanks for the additional one for Santorini. Are there decent bus schedules on Santorini as well, and if so, would Sunset be fairly close to that?

brotherleelove2004

The bus between Fira and Oia passes right by Firostefani and the hotels there are not far from the road.

Bus Schedules: http://www.ktel-santorini.gr

Map of Santorini: http://www.ktel-santorini.gr