Ios or Naxos (Either in a day trip?)
Feb 14th, 2005, 11:26 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ios or Naxos (Either in a day trip?)
Yet another greek island question from me! 
So we know we want to stay in Mykonos and Santorini. We have 7 days and were planning on stay in Mykonos for 3 and Santorini for 4. Oringinally, we had planned on staying in Naxos for 2 days (thereby cutting down on Mykonos and santorini). we now are considering visiting it as a day trip which would avoid the issues of packing, repacking, checking in and out of hotels.
So my questions is - can Naxos be done as a day trip from Mykonos? And can Ios be done as a day trip from Santorini? Are they worth seeing - or are they similar to Mykonos and Santorini? Ios seems to be an island that is alive at night - and since we would do a DAY-trip - is it even worth it???
So we know we want to stay in Mykonos and Santorini. We have 7 days and were planning on stay in Mykonos for 3 and Santorini for 4. Oringinally, we had planned on staying in Naxos for 2 days (thereby cutting down on Mykonos and santorini). we now are considering visiting it as a day trip which would avoid the issues of packing, repacking, checking in and out of hotels.
So my questions is - can Naxos be done as a day trip from Mykonos? And can Ios be done as a day trip from Santorini? Are they worth seeing - or are they similar to Mykonos and Santorini? Ios seems to be an island that is alive at night - and since we would do a DAY-trip - is it even worth it???
Feb 14th, 2005, 01:15 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,792
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both can be done as a day trip, although your time will be limited to just a few hours. If you take the 7:15 morning car ferry to Ios or Naxos (next stop after Ios) you can take the Flying Dolphin back in the afternoon, giving yourself a maximum stay of about 7 hours on Naxos or 8 hours on Ios. Of course this depends on you travelling on one of the days that the Flying Dolphin is in operation.
I say skip Ios altogether and focus on Naxos or Paros (next stop after Naxos).
I say skip Ios altogether and focus on Naxos or Paros (next stop after Naxos).
Feb 14th, 2005, 10:10 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can do a day trip, but I question whether it's worth the hassle and stress, especially on a honeymoon.
Yes, Naxos is a lovely break from Santorini and Mykonos, but the differences are not ones immediately apparent in a quick trip. The strength and appeal on Naxos is getting out to the great beaches (better than either Mykonos or Santorini) and little towns up in the hills such as Apiranthos, Halki and Apollon.
If you just do the Hora and beaches around the edge of town, you'll miss it. I think Mykonos and Santorini are just too similar for my tastes, despite Santorini's definite edge in topography. But for honeymoon partying, they are a nice pair and you'll have a great time.
If you do want to escape the U.S. tourism Greek icons, you could take a gamble. Pack a light overnight bag and if you find something nice from the harbor hawkers or on a drive, then grab it (and just eat the hotel in Mykonos for a night). If you're feeling spontaneous, it could be an adventure.
Better yet might be to get a nice taste of the two islands you've picked and decide to come back and explore some more. (My Ios knowledge is second-hand and dated, so perhaps someone else can chip in.)
Yes, Naxos is a lovely break from Santorini and Mykonos, but the differences are not ones immediately apparent in a quick trip. The strength and appeal on Naxos is getting out to the great beaches (better than either Mykonos or Santorini) and little towns up in the hills such as Apiranthos, Halki and Apollon.
If you just do the Hora and beaches around the edge of town, you'll miss it. I think Mykonos and Santorini are just too similar for my tastes, despite Santorini's definite edge in topography. But for honeymoon partying, they are a nice pair and you'll have a great time.
If you do want to escape the U.S. tourism Greek icons, you could take a gamble. Pack a light overnight bag and if you find something nice from the harbor hawkers or on a drive, then grab it (and just eat the hotel in Mykonos for a night). If you're feeling spontaneous, it could be an adventure.
Better yet might be to get a nice taste of the two islands you've picked and decide to come back and explore some more. (My Ios knowledge is second-hand and dated, so perhaps someone else can chip in.)
