progol

I'm missing the travelling this year, what with attending to elderly parents and in-laws, and visiting (hubby's) children & grandchildren, new careers and life transitions.... so we are not travelling to Europe this year and I'm getting my travel jones fix from reading all your reports. There are some great trip reports out there right now! And ohh... I am so missing the travelling right now!

But what does a travel junkie do? Of course, I'm planning the next trip (or 3), and am drooling over the trips with glorious vistas. To be in Positano...or is more glorious to be in Santorini? THAT is the question!

So now I'm working on the Next Trip Plan... and can't decide between the Greece/Greek Island trip, or the Amalfi Coast plan. We've been to Rome and Northern Italy, but neither of us have ever been to the Amalfi Coas; I've been to Greece (mainland, Crete), but never to the islands.

Our travelling days are fewer and further between, so I'm not sure when we'll travel next. But I sure am in the mood to plan! Which appeals more - and why? I'm curious... your thoughts and opinions are definitely wanted!!

Paule

KayF

Hi Paule,
I've been to a few Greek islands and the Amalfi coast too and thought both were great but I'd vote for Mykonos and Santorini as the best. Mykonos is incredibly picturesque with whitewashed buildings and bright pink bougainvillea and Santorini just has to be seen to be believed - the views are never to be forgotten. The Amalfi coast was good, we've been twice but these Greek islands were better.
Kay

Weadles

Santorini is definitely one of the most beautiful places that I've ever visted. I didn't like Mykonos very much at all, but that might be more due to our July visit ( extremely crowded!) and where we stayed on the island ( too far from town).

However, if I had to pick between the two choices, I'd choose the Amalfi Coast. And don't laugh- my main reason is the food! There's nothing wrong at all with Greek food, and in fact, some of what we had two summers in a row now has been excellent, but oh, that amazing food on the Amalfi Coast! That and the beautiful views, the easy access to the coast, and the proximity to Rome, which unlike Athens I've grown to really like, wins my vote hands down.

progol

See what I mean? I can't even decide which to dream about first!

Love the input! I hope to get to one or the other next.

Thanks for taking the time to let me dream on..

Paule

poet123

Having just returned from a greek island trip which included Santorini and Mykonos and having been to Positano and Ravello last year, my vote goes to...........POSITANO/RAVELLO. Both fab destinations but in my opinion Positano and Ravello just win.

progol

poet, what made the Amalfi coast win hands down?

DH is definitely leaning toward Greece, as he's never been there before, and I'm definitely torn. What makes the AC win your vote?

Anyone else with an opinion?

Paule

GBC

You are picking among wonderful options. My thought, if you've not been to Greece, you really must go there and include at least Santorini. If you can include some of the other islands, that's even better.

plufmud

I hope this doesn't add more decisions but what about sicily and crete.
Thanks for all the experienced travelers opinions.

gabriele

Have been to Amalfi Coast twice, but never Greece. However, based on photos of the Greek isles, the Amalfi Coast scenery is much more dramatic. There are cruises that go to all of these destinations. You can spend a day at each and decide to which location you want to return for a longer stay. That is just what I plan to do on a cruise in June 2008 - it stops in Naples, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Kusadasi, Athens, Istanbul. In reading trip reports of past cruisers on this itinerary, many state that the Amalfi Coast stop was the highlight of their Greek Isles cruise.

progol

Any thoughts about experiencing the culture of one region vs the culture of another? For instance, is access to a more "rural" area easier in one region than the other, so there's some chance of getting a feeling of "real life" as opposed to tourist life?

plufmud - I've been to Crete, but never Sicily. I was thinking about Rhodes, though, as part of a Greek Island trip. Someone recommended it in one of the posts recently.

Paule

Weadles

Progol,

The islands that you hear most about in Greece like Crete, Santorini and Mykonos are obviously the most heavily touristed. But there are hundreds of others- some well-known like Naxos and Paros, and some not- that would definitely give you more of a rural, less touristy feeling than most of the main destinations along the Amalfi Coast. However, there are some beatiful hikes along the Amalfi Coast ( like above the town of Amalfi) that allow you to escape the crowds- at least for a little while.

As far as scenery goes, Santorini probably tops my list in either place for the most amazing views and natural beauty.

RE: Rhodes. Yes, it's definitely worth a visit. We've just come back from our second visit there. It's a wonderful combination of resort and city- nice beaches, and lots of ruins to explore. Also seems like manic even in July/August than Mykonos.

Weadles

Sorry- that should have read "Rhodes seems less manic even in July/August than Mykonos."

progol

I'm inclined now to 'go Greek', simply because DH is more interested in seeing a new country than returning to one we've been to before. Can't lose either way, though, that's for sure.

Anyway, haven't a clue when we're going to go, but hopefully, sometime in 2008. When would be a good time to enjoy good weather but minimize (didn't say avoid, though!) crowds.

Thanks for all your input - I'm really enjoying the comments.

Paule

Heimdall

This may also add to your confusion. You are torn between Amalfi <i>Coast</i> and Greek <i>Islands</i>. What about the Greek coast, specifically Peloponnese? You could visit such beautiful places as Napflion, and experience the Greek culture in villages in the area.
Actually, depending upon how much time you have, it's not an either/or situation. You could spend a week, say, in the Peloponnese, and then another week on the islands, e.g. Naxos and Santorini.

progol

Heimdall,
You beat me to the punch here! Actually, I did travel through the Peloponnesian peninsula when I was much younger, but would love to go there with DH. I was thinking along the lines of 2 weeks just as you described - visiting the Peloponnese, Santorini and another island like Naxos. Now I just have to figure out when this will happen... sigh...
Paule

Heimdall

Progol, half the fun of travel is dreaming and planning. Best times to go are June and Sep, IMO. If you like it quiet, May and Oct are also good, but weather less dependable.