Honeymoon in Greece Next Month
 

IS THE COUNTRY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION AFFECTING TRAVEL/TOURIST ACTIVITY? ANYTHING/PLACE TO AVOID?

My husband, Brendan, and I are honeymooning in Greece and Israel this June. We are both avid travelers neither of us have ever visited Greece. We were married just over two months ago but are waiting to take our honeymoon because I'm a teacher so taking off time can be a headache. Plus, we're in the process of moving cities.

While in Greece we are going to both Mykonos and Santorini. We have our flights and hotels booked, but that's the extent of our planning (see below).

We're really interested in restaurant suggestions and day/night activities to do around the islands.


Depart Chicago June 12
Arrive Athens June 13

Transfer from Athens to Mykonos
June 13 -16 Mykonos
Semeli Hotel

June 16 - speedboat to Santorini

June 16 -19 Santorini
Aressanan Hotel or Athina Repose Suites

June 19 - Fly to Athens

June 19-20 Athens
Electra Palace

June 20 Depart Athens

THANK YOU and I look forward to all suggestions.

If you're getting advice from a travel agency they're not doing their job. There is no "speedboat" to Santorini on June 16. That's a "No sailing" date for the Hellenic Seaways FlyingCat 4.

http://www.ferries.gr/hfd

What you'll need to do on the 16th is take the morning SeaJet2 highspeed ferry at 10 am to Paros, it takes 40 minutes. At Noon you'll then catch the Blue Star car ferry when it stops at Paros on the way to Santorini. You'll get to Santorini around 3:30pm, sooner than if you'd taken the FC4.

http://www.gtp.gr

Go with Athena Repose so you have a view of the caldera. You won't get that at the Aressana.

"IS THE COUNTRY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION AFFECTING TRAVEL/TOURIST ACTIVITY? ANYTHING/PLACE TO AVOID?"

I just returned from Greece Sunday. The financial situation didn't effect us at all. In fact, the world media is playing up the situation as far as "riots" etc. While we were there they had a planned strike on May 20th. The only reason we saw anything that had to do with it was because we were crossing a street and I looked to my left. There was a main square in the town and I saw some people walking with signs. No noise, no violence, just walking. The police had blocked off a portion of the square so they could walk. Besides that, we saw no evidence of anything going on besides normal life.

Don't let the media alarm you. Everyone in Greece was very happy we were there, thanked me many times and wanted to let me know that all was fine and safe in their beautiful country.

Enjoy your honeymoon. You are going to LOVE Greece!

<i>"IS THE COUNTRY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION AFFECTING TRAVEL/TOURIST ACTIVITY?</i>

Yes!!! The euro is currently trading at 1.2241 on the forex market. This is a great time to go to Greece, when prices in dollar terms are lower than any time in the last four or five years. I am leaving for Greece in about ten days. :-)

<i>ANYTHING/PLACE TO AVOID?</i>

No.

>We're really interested in restaurant suggestions and day/night activities to do around the islands<

The Semeli in Mykonos town is a good choice especially of its location. In a quiet area but only a few minutes walk to the restaurants & bars. There are very many restaurants in Mykonos town but one that is both close to your hotel and gets consistently gets good recommendations is Avra (reasonable to expensive). A second, also only about a 5 minute stroll from the hotel but past the little outdoor theatre is Marco Polo. Superb food at very reasonable cost.

You will be tempted by many to eat at the restaurants in the Little Venice district of town. Those are very expensive and if there's a wind blowing, uncomfortable to sit at.

Try and visit the sacred island of Delos, the island's second town of Ano Mera and use the small local buses to take you to some of the many great island beaches. The town itself has a few interesting museums too. More importantly, give yourselves plenty of time just to stroll around the town itself, get lost in it's maze of tiny narrow streets and relax over a coffee, taking the chance to people-watch.

Have a great trip!

Bill

Turns out we will be transferring in Paros and then on to Santorini. My mistake, my travel agent had it correctly booked.