travelerjan

Wildblue, I we mentioned studio units because (see above) you specifically mentioned needing triple rooms ... we can only go by what you type, not what you mean in your head.

wildblueyonder

Hi travelerjan - yes, my fault - but for me, 'triple rooms' are anything that sleep 3! I realise that was confusing. Sorry.

wildblueyonder

brotherlee - thanks very much for the link to ISMOSAV, which I've just been looking at. There is certainly much to interest me in Santorini.
Hmm. Another possibility. I've brought Crete into the equation ... Now thinking along the lines of, 2 nights Corinth (can 'do' Mycenae and Epidaurus from there, perhaps), fly Crete 5 nights villa rental (3 bedrooms), ferry Santorini, 3 nights, fly Athens, 2 nights. This seems to be pleasing my son and hub ... but, tomorrow, probably another plan! There is SO MUCH to Greece!

WWanderer

I don't think the Peloponnese would be boring because it's all the same. I can't see why someone in their 30's would be bored by Epidavros and Mycenae--both very special places. Napflion is a wonderful little city, and quite different from the average Greek destination (Venetian). And elsewhere on the peninsula there are great typical Greek towns and beaches.

Crete also would be a great idea.

Secretly I'm happy when folks believe the islands are best, because the parts of the Peloponnese are much more like the Greece I discovered in 1971 than many of the islands are now. I admit I'm kind of afraid to go back to Crete to find it completely spoiled (I know it's not, at least not completely.)

HappyTrvlr

Take the two nights from Corinth, one night from Santorini and stay in Napflion for three nights.Or just switch Corinth to Napflion Our Greek friends told us that Napflion and Chania,Crete are Greece's two nicest towns/cities. After visiting them, we agree.

wildblueyonder

Hi WW and Happy
Well, finally, afer MONTHS of dilly-dallying around I had to make a decision, because I found a 3-bedroom villa (with pool) near Rethymnon, which the owner would rent for only 5 nights, which would still give us time to tour around a bit. So, everything is booked - phew! (Except for domestic flights and ferries, which worries me a little!) I hope it won't be too much - I don't think it is - after several trips to the US where we travelled or large parts of most days! Looks like this:

Day 1: Fly London-Athens. Pick up car. Drive to Corinth. O/N at Kalamaki Beach Hotel (triple room - sorry travelerjan, but we really don't mind sharing a room!) Dinner included at hotel.

Day 2: Corinth Canal boat trip - then drive to Mycenae. If we've time (doubtful) we can drive to Epidaurus. Overnight at Omorfi Poli Pension in the centre of old Nafplion - so we will have time to look around there a bit.

Day 3: Back to Athens for an afternoon (I hope!) flight to Crete. On arrival at Heraklion, pick up hire car and, if time, visit Knossos. Or straight to our villa nr Rethymno.

Days 4, 5, 6, 7: free to laze around pool or visit places in Crete - I still have a lot of reading up to do on that!

Day 8: To Heraklion. If not already seen Knossos, do that - if we have, then drop off luggage at hotel (Lato Boutique - triple room and drive to Ag Nik. I think that's doable.

Day 9: Morning ferry to Santorini. Arrive around midday. Hotel booked in Kamari as it was so much cheaper and we like the idea of the close proximity of beach. Maybe take a trip to the caldera in the afternoon.

Day 10: Free in Santorini. We'll hire a car.

Day 11: Morning flight to Athens. Taxi to our hotel, Herodion. Acropolis this afternoon, perhaps - then stroll the Plaka in the evening.
Day 12: Free in Athens.

Day 13: Fly back to London.

It seems a little hectic now I've typed it out - lol! But I think it will be perfect for us (hopefully) with a bit of everything, including relaxation.

Thanks again, everybody.

brotherleelove2004

One detail to keep in mind when making your final plans. The morning highspeed ferry from Heraklion to Santorini normally has 2 or 3 "No sailing" days every month on Wednesdays, presumably for scheduled maintenance. You can check this website for those dates once the timetable for next year has been finalized, which will be sometime next April: http://www.ferries.gr/hfd

WWanderer

Sounds lovely!

travelerjan

This year, on a "No-sail wednesday" for the 9:45 fast-ferry(arrive 11:45), there was an 8:50 alternative, a "regular" ferry that arrived at 12:15... open decks, can walk around, delightful, we met some fun people that we subsequently spent time with on both Santorini & Naxos.

wildblueyonder

brotherlee - thanks for reminding me! I've been using this site http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_fr..._Santorini.htm and it does mention the Wednesdays on there, but I'd forgotten. Luckily, we should be travelling crete-santorini on a Sunday, which I hope will be ok - if not, I'll have to change something last minute!

wildblueyonder

ooh, travelerjan - now I wish we were going on a Wednesday - sounds wonderful! We once (back in the early seventies!) took a hydrofoil over from Jugoslavia (as it was then) to Venice and we were so disappointed not to be able to go 'on deck'! Can you see much out of the windows of the catamarans - and, as it says on the site I was looking at, is it really worth paying the little extra for business class?

wildblueyonder

WW - you really like? Think it will work? As you can tell I'm so full of confidence - lol! My big worry at the moment is how to do 'bank transfers' which is how the owner of the Crete villa wants me to pay the deposit... not a clue ... never done that before ... ! Oh and my next big worry will be how to 'pack light'!

gogogreece

With only 2 nights in Santorini, remember that the island is why you are changing your original plans. I am quoting you when you said you were going there because of the island's "uniqueness" I realize that this is a popular forum for Santorini, but keep in mind that the view is the "uniqueness", as it does not really personiphy Greek culture the way it used to. The beach can be enjoyed on the day when you rent the car. Of course, if you enjoy hot, black sand with a flat view than stay at Kamari.( I think that Kamara is black sand) Many do enjoy it, but for us it was only something only worthy of a quick look. If you want a pool there are 2 bedroom, 2 baths apartments with the best views on the island in Imerovigi on your own patio, or by the pool. There are even a few lower price alternatives with view, pool, 2 bedrooms, two baths. If you have a car, it would be perfect. The views are better, it is less expensive, quiet, and if you have a car for a day, you can do the island, Kamara, Oia, and elsewhere and still have time to spare. We were there with our bachelor son last year, who spent a late nite in Fira , took a taxi back in the early hours and had a great time by the pool. By the way, both of us have over 15 years on you, and our son the same age difference as your son. I can recommend a place, should you desire. Reasonable price for the caldera. Steps are involved. I am eager to hear about the villa rental in Rethymon. We stayed there one year, and is a good area for ouring, Chania is our favorite. and try not to miss it if you have tiem.

gogogreece

Sorry about the typos, I meant to "preview", but hit "submit" by mistake. Will be looking for a trip report on your return. We have lost count on trips to Greece,(well over 30) but never pass up the chance of going back.

wildblueyonder

Hi gogo

Oh, there is plenty of time for me to change hotels (!) - the only thing I can't change is the 5 nights near Rethymnon, because I've paid the deposit. I'm hoping that 2 nights will be enough, seeing as the ferry lands quite early on the first day. We can always add in a day, by taking out the night in Heraklion, although that would mean having to get up really early to drive from Rethymnon to catch the ferry. I've looked at lots of accommodation with views of the caldera, but, to be honest, the steps and some reports of dampness, put me off the ones we could afford. I think of the whole of Santorini as being unique, not just the view. And one thing I do love is to be able to access a beach in the morning (black or not) and walk alongside the ocean. I doubt we'll move from Kamari. We should have plenty of time to admire the caldera views.

Over 30 trips to Greece - wow - you must really love it! I feel as though we must've missed out by not visiting before. We've been to most of Western Europe many times - but always by car. It's only in the last 10 years that my husband has agreed to fly! We try to take our son to as many places as possible, because he won't be capable of doing it once we're gone.

I will certainly write a trip report! This year, I wrote my report as a little book for my other son's birthday - we took them all (daughter-in-law and all) to the USA. I wrote the report in the form of a postcard to my cat!

littlejane

If you are only in Santorini for a couple of nights, Kamari might not be the best base.

Somewhere on the caldera side (Fira, Oia, Imerovigli etc) will allow you savour the lovely views. I've stayed in Kamari before when we had 5 or 6 days in Santorini and it was fine, but if you're only there for a short time I would recommend changing this aspect.

SOCALOC

I think you'll be very surprised how intoxicating the caldera is. Think real estate...location location location. We stayed 3 nights and never spent one second of it lounging at the beach or pool on Santorini. We spent our down time on the other islands.

wildblueyonder

Hi littlejane and SOCALOC - I do understand what you're saying, but we are aleady going to have to pay approximately £500 more for our holiday, because of the additional flights and ferries. We would love to have a nice room overlooking the caldera, but we simply cannot afford it. I don't care to spend too long sitting around a pool or on a beach (30 minutes max. before I get bored) - I prefer to walk around places. I imagine I would be the same in that I wouldn't want to look at the caldera for long stretches of time - so would it be worth the extra money?

If you can find me a clean room/suite/apartment/studio, overlooking the caldera, with three beds, a fridge, not-too-hard mattresses, not too many steps for 200 euros or less for 2 nights (total), then I'd be more than happy to consider it. There are a couple at Akrotiri - but there is precious little else around - at least with Kamari, there are restaurants nearby - and, with a car, Oia, Fira etc are within easy reach.

travelerjan

Here you are -- http://www.santonet.gr/hotels/remv

the 2010 rates are €81 per triple until June 14, €94 per triple June 15-July 25. Rate http://www.santonet.gr/hotels/remvi/will probably go up a bit for 2011, but still under your 100 per night limit. So there.

Includes continental breakfast, served in the room & free transfers to/from port or Airport. There is a well-regarded restaurant on the premises.

I do not believe it has bed turn-down and chocolates on the pillows. But hey.

travelerjan

Pardon, one letter was left off the link: http://www.santonet.gr/hotels/remvi/