Looking for Suggestions - 12 Day Agenda for Greece
Sep 19th, 2014, 04:28 AM
#21
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You are all AMAZING! I can't believe how helpful everyone is! I'm such a newbie and my husband and I have never been anywhere, so we are a bit nervous about trying to get around. You all have made great suggestions and I hope to over the weekend secure accommodations! I guess the reason why we picked Santorini and Mykonos is both my husband and i like to be where it IS busy...and lots of action....we are in our early 30's and do enjoy a good party too....Naxos looks great too.....I will oontinue to look into that as so many people have made that suggestion. Thanks again to everyone! Really appreciate your time!
Sep 19th, 2014, 04:55 AM
#23
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If we did do Naxos - can anyone recommend a good hotel with pool that isn't TOO expensive? it's nice to hear personal recommendations rather than reading hundred's of reviews on trip advisor!
Sep 19th, 2014, 05:18 AM
#24
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We spent a week at Hotel Spiros in Naxos
Www.hotelspiros.com
Lovely pool, great owners, short 5-10 min walk into lively Naxos town and 5 mins from the beach!
You can see our pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627668851905/
Www.hotelspiros.com
Lovely pool, great owners, short 5-10 min walk into lively Naxos town and 5 mins from the beach!
You can see our pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7627668851905/
Sep 19th, 2014, 05:21 AM
#25
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We stayed at the Hotel Galaxy on Naxos and LOVED it - as others have said, you get more for your money on Naxos. But if you want a less expensive property, I think you could easily find one (look on Tripadvisor for properties around St. George). I suggest staying near St. George - Hotel Naxos was about a 10 minute walk into town - lots of restaurants. Naxos may not be a super touristed island like Santorini but when we were in mid-May, there were plenty of folks and a busy scene every night near the port. Also the island is great for exploring by rental car - roads decent and I didn't see anywhere that there was intense traffic.
Sep 19th, 2014, 07:56 AM
#26
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I wanted to comment on your desire to experience Greek culture. Naxos economy still is heavily dependent on agriculture. That means it has a permanent population all year round. That means that Naxos will give you an opportunity to experience some of the culture particularly if you rent a car and head up into the mountain villages.
In May it is still early season on Naxos so to get the vibe you crave you probably should stay at St George beach which is adjacent to Naxos town so you get the benefit of a beach vacation along with all the activities of town.
Pools on the beach are virtually non existent except the very high end hotels like Nisakki, Naxos resort beach hotel and Galaxy and even these three technically don't have pools overlooking the beach. In May you might be able to get these hotels around 100 euros.
Hotel Spiros is essentially beside Galaxy and behind Naxos Resort. It has a pool and the second floor rooms have ocean view. It will be half of the cost of the other hotels. It is a tourist class hotel very plain and simple but well worth the price.
Here are images of the St George beach area and the hotels.
Spiros is in the album
St George Beach Hotels Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632162394787/
In May it is still early season on Naxos so to get the vibe you crave you probably should stay at St George beach which is adjacent to Naxos town so you get the benefit of a beach vacation along with all the activities of town.
Pools on the beach are virtually non existent except the very high end hotels like Nisakki, Naxos resort beach hotel and Galaxy and even these three technically don't have pools overlooking the beach. In May you might be able to get these hotels around 100 euros.
Hotel Spiros is essentially beside Galaxy and behind Naxos Resort. It has a pool and the second floor rooms have ocean view. It will be half of the cost of the other hotels. It is a tourist class hotel very plain and simple but well worth the price.
Here are images of the St George beach area and the hotels.
Spiros is in the album
St George Beach Hotels Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632162394787/
Sep 19th, 2014, 02:16 PM
#27
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hi dseale76
It's a very nice hotel which over the years has been regularly upgraded. The most recent has been two outdoor tennis courts (in 2013). Many years ago this was the hotel used in the movie Shirley Valentine. Indeed much of it was filmed at Agios Ioannis. I should also mention that in the hotel grounds is a restaurant that sits right down at the beach.
The local KTEL bus services for the whole island and their timetables are now available online. I've given the address below for the Agios Ioannis route (the bus stops right at the hotel, inwards and outwards). They show as operating right through to the early hours of the morning but I feel sure that when I was last there in May the late buses departed from town close to midnight. If I can suggest anything it might be worthwhile before making any reservation to email the hotel and they might be able to give you more accurate information especially if they know you are contemplating a reservation. Also, you could email the bus company at: [email protected] Lastly, in May you will have no problem in finding a taxi back to the hotel late at night if no bus is available. The cost will be around 10 euro.
The bus company's web address (with timetable) is: http://www.mykonosbus.com/mykonos-or...iannis.en.html (The Fabrika mentioned is the town bus station where this service starts and finishes)
Don't hesistate to ask if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Bill
It's a very nice hotel which over the years has been regularly upgraded. The most recent has been two outdoor tennis courts (in 2013). Many years ago this was the hotel used in the movie Shirley Valentine. Indeed much of it was filmed at Agios Ioannis. I should also mention that in the hotel grounds is a restaurant that sits right down at the beach.
The local KTEL bus services for the whole island and their timetables are now available online. I've given the address below for the Agios Ioannis route (the bus stops right at the hotel, inwards and outwards). They show as operating right through to the early hours of the morning but I feel sure that when I was last there in May the late buses departed from town close to midnight. If I can suggest anything it might be worthwhile before making any reservation to email the hotel and they might be able to give you more accurate information especially if they know you are contemplating a reservation. Also, you could email the bus company at: [email protected] Lastly, in May you will have no problem in finding a taxi back to the hotel late at night if no bus is available. The cost will be around 10 euro.
The bus company's web address (with timetable) is: http://www.mykonosbus.com/mykonos-or...iannis.en.html (The Fabrika mentioned is the town bus station where this service starts and finishes)
Don't hesistate to ask if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Bill
Sep 22nd, 2014, 04:58 AM
#28
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Thanks Bill for the additional information – I was a little worried as some of the reviews are not the greatest so it’s nice to hear some personal details!
Looking for some FINAL recommendations for FIRA – we have looked at MANY options (a lot which are selling out before our eyes) and I think we have come up with a top 4 – if any one can shed any light on any of these properties it would be greatly appreciated – I hope to book asap as many of the places only have 1 room left:
1. Lava Suites
2. Agnadema Apartments – in Firostephani
3. Nonis Apartments
4. Rena’s Suites
I think number 2 is our first choice – it seems to have everything – hot tub, pool, view, private balconies, breakfast – and Lava looks amazing – however it is a little bit more than we wanted to pay, but again, if it’s excellent I’m willing to pay for it! I don’t think any of the options have free shuttle service – it seems that there is a charge for this – should I pay their shuttle or try to get a cab ourselves?
Looking for some FINAL recommendations for FIRA – we have looked at MANY options (a lot which are selling out before our eyes) and I think we have come up with a top 4 – if any one can shed any light on any of these properties it would be greatly appreciated – I hope to book asap as many of the places only have 1 room left:
1. Lava Suites
2. Agnadema Apartments – in Firostephani
3. Nonis Apartments
4. Rena’s Suites
I think number 2 is our first choice – it seems to have everything – hot tub, pool, view, private balconies, breakfast – and Lava looks amazing – however it is a little bit more than we wanted to pay, but again, if it’s excellent I’m willing to pay for it! I don’t think any of the options have free shuttle service – it seems that there is a charge for this – should I pay their shuttle or try to get a cab ourselves?
Sep 22nd, 2014, 07:00 AM
#29
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WWK, I find your comment regarding Rhodes quite telling.
I'm reminded of an acquaintance who once said to me, 'We spent a night in Laussane. We didn't think much of Switzerland.'
Can you see the point? Obviously, where you chose to stay on Rhodes was not a place you should have chosen. Having done so, you cannot then say that is sufficient reason to write off the entire island as not worth visiting. Rhodes is a relatively large island and you can find any kind of accommodation in any kind of atmosphere you want. If you wanted a little village where you are the only tourist staying there, that is easily found.
Your comment also indicates a lack of knowledge of the island. There is no 'beach side' of the island. There are beaches all around the island. This is indicative of a common problem on all travel forums. People write opinions without actually having sufficient knowledge of the place they are writing about. While we are all entitled to an opinion, when offering advice, there is a duty of care on the part of the writer to only offer advice on a subject they are knowledgeable of.
I'm not having a go at you in particular WWK, most reviews written on any site by anyone are no different. An opinion based on an impression someone got during their short stay somewhere. That's why I never put much weight on reviews by anyone other than myself.
If you want to try visiting Rhodes again where there is much more to see and do than on either Paros or Naxos for which you mentioned some places/things of interest to do, let me know. What did you do on Rhodes other than complain about your hotel and the hordes of tourists? How long were you on the island for?
I have no problem with anyone saying "I like A better than B' if they indicate a real reason for doing so. For example, 'I prefer a small quiet place vs. a busy place'. But their objection/preference has to make sense. Yours does not WWK. You chose a big hotel in a busy location and then complain that it was a big hotel in a busy location. YOU chose it, it was not the only choice available.
I think you have done yourself and Rhodes an injustice when you reached a judgement of the island based on what was simply a poor choice of where to stay. There is far more to Rhodes than big hotels and hordes of package tourists.
I'm reminded of an acquaintance who once said to me, 'We spent a night in Laussane. We didn't think much of Switzerland.'
Can you see the point? Obviously, where you chose to stay on Rhodes was not a place you should have chosen. Having done so, you cannot then say that is sufficient reason to write off the entire island as not worth visiting. Rhodes is a relatively large island and you can find any kind of accommodation in any kind of atmosphere you want. If you wanted a little village where you are the only tourist staying there, that is easily found.
Your comment also indicates a lack of knowledge of the island. There is no 'beach side' of the island. There are beaches all around the island. This is indicative of a common problem on all travel forums. People write opinions without actually having sufficient knowledge of the place they are writing about. While we are all entitled to an opinion, when offering advice, there is a duty of care on the part of the writer to only offer advice on a subject they are knowledgeable of.
I'm not having a go at you in particular WWK, most reviews written on any site by anyone are no different. An opinion based on an impression someone got during their short stay somewhere. That's why I never put much weight on reviews by anyone other than myself.
If you want to try visiting Rhodes again where there is much more to see and do than on either Paros or Naxos for which you mentioned some places/things of interest to do, let me know. What did you do on Rhodes other than complain about your hotel and the hordes of tourists? How long were you on the island for?
I have no problem with anyone saying "I like A better than B' if they indicate a real reason for doing so. For example, 'I prefer a small quiet place vs. a busy place'. But their objection/preference has to make sense. Yours does not WWK. You chose a big hotel in a busy location and then complain that it was a big hotel in a busy location. YOU chose it, it was not the only choice available.
I think you have done yourself and Rhodes an injustice when you reached a judgement of the island based on what was simply a poor choice of where to stay. There is far more to Rhodes than big hotels and hordes of package tourists.
Sep 23rd, 2014, 06:10 AM
#30
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ALL BOOKED! Due to hotels filling up so quickly I booked everything (except for Athens) last night! Final trip looks like this:
Fly out to Santorini - May 15th
3 nights at Agnadema Apartemnet in Firostephani
2 nights at Lava Suites in Fira
5 nights at Aeolos Hotel in Mykonos
I want to thank everyone for all their great recommendations (I was sad that some of the suggestions were already sold out) but I'm happy with my choices. Now to figure out what excursions we want to do! Thanks again everyone! The countdown begins!!
Fly out to Santorini - May 15th
3 nights at Agnadema Apartemnet in Firostephani
2 nights at Lava Suites in Fira
5 nights at Aeolos Hotel in Mykonos
I want to thank everyone for all their great recommendations (I was sad that some of the suggestions were already sold out) but I'm happy with my choices. Now to figure out what excursions we want to do! Thanks again everyone! The countdown begins!!
