cl4udie

I will be going to Milos, Greece this summer for 2 weeks (meeting a local Greek friend there). I've been to Athens but never been to any Greek Island, so therefore I'm pretty excited about going to Milos.

After some thoughts, I have decided that I wanted to visit Istanbul for 3 days since it's only an hour flight and I've always wanted to go to see Istanbul.

But now I have another dilemma. I've heard so much about Santorini and it's obviously a very popular choice of destinations among other Greek islands. From all the posts I've read, most are saying that Santorini is a 'MUST SEE'.

I don't want to pack to much stuff in 2 weeks and I'm looking forward to spending quality time relaxing in Milos. Accordingly, I should have about 10 days in Milos.

Please let me know if I should include Santorini in my trip, which means I will be shortening my stay in Milos. That also means, I will visit Santorini alone. Another choice would be to eliminate Istanbul, and visit Santorini instead. PLEASE HELP... I can't decide...

travelerjan

Ask your Greek friend.

And, tell you what, plan Santorini for your NEXT trip. Because after a few days on a Greek Island you will be saying, how have I wasted my whole life up till now, without experiencing GReece?!?!? and you will start planning your next Greek trip.

Don't ask about Santorini on a travel forum. Because you will be flooded with raves from all the people who went there on their honeymoon. Go to Milos now, enjoy, and next time plan a trip that includes several islands for 3 days or so at a time.

brotherleelove2004

Consider that with travel time from Milos to Athens to Istanbul to your Istanbul Hotel subtracted you're going to lose the better part of a day before you are able to explore your Turkish surroundings. Even if you don't lose a half-day it really takes more time than you've alloted to explore Istanbul. Either cut your time on Milos shorter or save Istanbul for another time. And really, the same thing applies to Santorini. For either of these destinations (once you're settled in) you need at least 4 full days to get the complete experience.

cl4udie

Thanks for both responses. Yea, I think I've read a lot of post here and probably got some influences about Santorini as a 'Must See' from the honeymooners. I guess I should save Santorini for my honeymoon too

samtraveler

I went to Santorini NOT on my honeymoon, and IMHO it's definitely a must see. Never been to Milos, but not sure I'd need or want 10 days on any single island. Seems like you could split the 10 days between Milos and Santorini and do both justice quite well and still maintain a relaxed pace. I'd save Istanbul for another trip. Santorini is heaven on earth even when you're not on your honeymoon!

bozama

Samtraveller has an excellant point, 10 days is quite a lot for one little island. Now, I am not sure where Santorini is in relation to Milos, but I would look into which other islands are close and easy to get to and split my time into 5 days hunks which is usaully enough. I spent 7 days on Mykonos and 6 on Paros , and that was enough on each island, I did not have time to do Santorini, but imagine 5 days would more then be enough there as I am into beaches and Santorini is NOT a beach island( yes it has a few, but not many) .

travelerjan

I did not suggest a second (or third) island because Claudie said she was meeting a local Greek friend, and I assumed there was some plan afoot... of course, posters do this to keep us guessing . Also, she mentioned this Istanbul thing, so I thought (guessing of course) she was taking 4 days off the back end of her trip to fly BACK to Athens, Fly OUT to Istanbul, then I assume fly BACK to Athens to get her overseas flight (unless of course she is from UK, she also didn't say).

If indeed "local Greek friend" doesn't have her tied down for set period, I would suggest a "hop" or two from Milos after about 4-5 days. Where to,depends on DATES of her 2 weeks - if in August, more ferry options but also harder to find accommodations. Claudie, if u want advice please share specifics on all the above!!

Two other good options on the same ferry line are Sifnos and Serifos -- great beaches & hikes on the former, one sublime beach on the latter, (Livadiki), only an hour ferry between each island, 2-3 x daily.

Tell more, Claudie, and we can help more!

cristine27

cl4udie where are you coming from?
If it's from Europe then i would suggest to visit Santorini as well and leave Istanbul for another trip.
I've heard that Istanbul is truly wonderful but the air fare from Greece (even though it's so close) are not cheap!!

cl4udie

Hi everyone. Thanks so much in advance for the posts! I live in California, U.S. Here is my tentative itinerary:

Aug 1: leave U.S.
Aug 2: arrive Istanbul
Aug 6: arrive Athens
Aug 17: leave Athens to U.S.

My friend lives in Athens and a native Greek. He said he's been to every islands in Greece and Milos is the best, especially for the beaches. There are over 70 beaches and a lot to see. I checked many websites and it looks like Milos is very popular with locals.

Re: airfare, I checked everyday the past 10 days, cheapest roundtrip I could find is approx. $1600. If I do the above itinerary, it'll be around $1850. So it's about $250 difference. So expensive but I guess I'm going around peak time.

I did thought originally that 10 days seems a lot of time in 1 islands, and thus I wrote this post, especially since I hear so much about Santorini. But then I never been to any Greek Islands so I don't know what to expect.

Again, I appreciate all your responses and hope to hear some feedback.

myblue

Hello to all,

all I can say is that once you visit Santorini you will never "leave" again.

The memories of this place stay with you forever, as it did with me.
Hopeless romantics this is your Mecca!

Definately a must see.

Louanna Mantheakis
www.myblue.gr

brotherleelove2004

Louanna, fantastic website! I have sent you an email.

cl4udie

Louanna, beautiful website!! OMG, now I'm totally confused...

gruezi

claudie,

Santorini is beautiful with a gorgeous setting, but I think Istanbul would be fascinating. I'm sure I will hear about this, but IMO, there is not so much to "see or do" on Santorini as you might find in Istanbul. I would vote for the sidetrip to Turkey and save Santorini for another trip to Greece if you find you love Greece.

gruezi

cd

cludie
We were on Santorini for only 4hrs during a cruise. It is truly beautiful but I have no desire to go back. One thing that I hated there were the ropes around the mules that are used to go down the island. The mules hair is rubbed off and just looked like animal crulty to me.

I'm glad we visited 6 of the Islands but I just don't get what anyone would do for more than a few days on any of them.

We were in Istanbul for 3 days and could spend more time there, so much to see and do and the people were so friendly.

Grandma

Another vote for Istanbul. Saw Santorini on a lovely cruise on a very small ship. We visited Akotiri (is it reopened yet?), a winery, plus the town centre (very commercial) and had lunch looking over the caldera (is that the right term? "Harbor" sounds too benign.) Even with the charms of Santorini.... I would still not rule out Istanbul if you think it will be awhile before you have the chance to visit again.

JayZee

Santorini IS a MUST see!! We spent 3 days on the island & that was just right to get a taste of an absolutly gorgeous scenic island. We also traveled to other Greek isles but Santorini was my favorite.

Coming from California we've traveled to many parts of Europe & there is nothing to compare when you're high above the ocean gazing over the area. Just mesmorizing!

cristine27

cd in response to your question "I'm glad we visited 6 of the Islands but I just don't get what anyone would do for more than a few days on any of them."
i could tell you.. relax, swim, eat good, shop.. have a vacation!! If for you vacation means only sightseeing then no.. you won't find many things to do there.

And there is NO comparison between an island(Santorini) and a city (Istanbul). Both are lovely in their own way.. Could you compare Hawaii or the Carribean with Los Angeles or New York?

cd

cristine
The OP writes, "Another choice would be to eliminate Istanbul, and visit Santorini instead. PLEASE HELP... I can't decide..."
I was not comparing the two but rather giving MY impression of the two. And, thanks for anwswering my question, I did feel that the thing to do on the Islands was to, "relax, swim, eat good, shop.."
All things that I can do at home. When we travel we like to see things we've never seen before, walk back thru history and see the things we've read about in books. Different strokes for different folks.

kleeblatt

Milos with a Greek friend? You are so LUCKY! He'll show you Milos in the eyes of a local and come up with an itinerary that you would never have thought of.

Read up on Istanbul, Athens and Milos and then enjoy your time. There's nothing more divine than to treasure each day on a small Greek island and have a chance to mingle with the locals.

I am so jealous! That's my kind of holiday.

upstate_girl

I would vote for Istanbul. However, I'll warn you that I had five days there last year and felt like it wasn't enough. I did not want to leave. I've been to Sanotrini as well, and it's lovely. Ultimately it depends on what kind of vacation you want. Either way I think you'll have a great time.