Help with Greece itinerary
 

Hi!

I am trying to plan a 13 day trip to Greece this summer and am having some trouble figuring out an itinerary. I want to do everything :)

(I posted earlier in the year, but now I have a little bit of a better idea of dates and things)

Basically, I have narrowed it down to Athens (with at least one day trip, to Delphi if it's accessible this summer, or somewhere else), and 2-3 islands (Santorini and Crete). Is it better to do fewer islands but spend longer on each one, or maybe do 3 islands but spend less time on each? Also, I would love to get to Rhodes if possible - I am very interested in medieval architecture and history, and it looks lovely. Is it worth it? Will I have time for it?

Here is my possible itinerary - comments helpful! (note - plans for Fridays/Saturdays cannot be changed from below)

wed Day 1 - arrive in Athens, fly (?) to Santorini
thurs Day 2 - Santorini
fri Day 3 - Santorini
sat Day 4 -Santorini
sun Day 5 -ferry to Crete
mon Day 6 -Crete
tues Day 7 - Crete
wed Day 8 - Crete or head to Athens (ferry? fly?)
thurs Day 9 - head to Athens or day trip out of Athens
fri Day 10 - Athens
sat Day 11 - Athens
sun Day 12 - Athens (day trip out of Athens)
mon Day 13 - home

Thanks in advance!

Unless you are on a honeymoon, I'd spend only 2 nights in Santorini and spend the extra time in Crete, which is huge and worth the investment of time, or I'd add a third island and spend one less night in Athens.

But definitely fly to Santorini immediately upon landing in Athens. Look for an Aegean Air flight. With 2 hours between flights, you'll have plenty of time to reclaim your luggage and check in for the onward flight to Santorini.

There are certainly other islands that are worth your time, but if I were to add another island, it would be one of the less-visited places. Santorini is, in my opinion, not unspoiled (I've been there twice and probably wouldn't go back again under any circumstances even though it has some of the most fabulous views I've ever seen). Crete is so large that there are always places off the beaten track, but also too much mass tourism.

Most people add Mykonos, and it is fun (and Delos is really worth while, but it's only worth adding if you're into the party scene there; otherwise pick a small, quiet place.

Thanks Doug...We are not really into the party scene, which is why I did not bother with Mykonos, thought I WOULD be interested in seeing Delos.

You can get to Delos from either Paros and Naxos on a daytrip excursion several days/week. It includes a stop in Mykonos Town for a couple of hours.

Your plan can work just fine. However having said that Crete is huge and you can only do it in such a short period by choosing just one place and just staying there with perhaps a day trip. Try Chania for instance. It is our favourite with lots to do but you do not have time to do much else.
Frankly with so little time, after you leave Santorini think about heading to Naxos. It is a lovely island with great beaches, a lovely town some antiquities and mountain villages to explore. As mentioned from Naxos you can catch the day excursion boat to Delos and on to Mykonos.
Leave Crete until you have a week or two.
Naxos Pictures
Naxos
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552001505EYxVYT
Delos Excursion
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552009563QJRIYa
Have fun planning