Heimdall

Clausar, you taught me something this morning! Thank you! I wasn't aware that Greeks refer to the country as Skopia, and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is too much of a mouthful for me.

Reminds me a bit of Africa, where the two Congos are referred to as Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville respectively.

clausar

@ Heimdall

SoFarAway

Hey, kja, it seems that this is your second life.
And for you to think that Ackislander's post was gentle and constructive shows how warped your definition of helping is.
If thinking I am someone else satisfies your paranoid fantasies, who am I to argue.
So, do you have any recommendations about the Macedonia region of Greece or not?

SoFarAway

One issue that is important to our kids is that they would love to do some snorkeling while in Greece.
Do the beaches in Macedonia offer good snorkeling?

Thank you.

Odin

We spent a week in Sithonia this past July and would say the beaches are absolutely stunning. But underwater, there is not much to see, yes some fish here and there. We did one scuba dive from the Porto Carras hotel and it was very enjoyable. Overall, the area was overun by tourists from Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine etc who drive to this area. Some of the best beaches were almost impossible to get on (Vourvourou & Orange Beach/Kavourotripes for instance.) There was a stretch of very beautiful beach on the south side of Sithonia (Kouviou) which was amazing and has space at the far end. What we liked about some beaches is that some provide sun chairs/umbrellas for no charge but you can buy drinks/meals from the bar (eg Bahia Beach bar at Zographou Beach).

SoFarAway

Thanks Odin,

As it will be our first time in Greece, some friends say we should go to Crete (and another island) and others tell us to go to the Peloponnese and save Macedonia for another time.

If you had the choice as a first timer to Greece, where would you choose?

We will be travelling in July or August with our teenage son and daughter (ages 15 and 17) for about 16 nights and want to see historical sites, relax, enjoy nice beaches and be one with our destination, if you know what I mean.

Thanks.

PetrosB3

Truth is, Macedonia is not a beginners destination. It's a beautiful and historic place, but if you want to see the "classic" Greece stay in the south.

My advise is to tour the Peloponnese, an easy and very rich place. Though a small piece of land it has so much to offer, just the fact that it's home to 6 UNESCO sites makes it clear. The Itinerary goes like that:

DAY 1
Athens
DAY 2
Athens
DAY 3
Athens
DAY 4
Athens-Epidaurus Theatre-Nauplion
DAY 5
Nauplion
DAY 7
Ancient Mycenae-Monemvasia
DAY 8
Monemvasia
DAY 9
Simos Beach-Monemvasia
DAY 10
Monemvasia-Medieval Mystras-Stemnitsa
DAY 11
Dimitsana-Stemnitsa
DAY 12
Stemnitsa-Ancient Olympia-Galaxidi
DAY 13
Ancient Delphi-Delphi Museum-Galaxidi
DAY 14
Hosios Loukas Monastery-Athens

SoFarAway

PetrosB3, a very big thanks.

We actually had dinner with a greek couple yesterday evening who said the next place they want to visit is the Halkidiki area of Macedonia. When I mentioned the Peloponnese, that was the other area she wanted to go visit.

So, we have a decision to make and I will share your detailed itinerary with them.

Just one question:

When you say Macedonia is not the "classic" Greece or a great place to visit for a first time visitor to Greece, what do you mean?

Thanks.

kja

@ PetrosB3: You are incredibly kind to <b>once again</b> share a possible itinerary for the Peloponnese with this poster, who travels under many names and insults other Fodorites under each of them. Here's the thread in which you provided a wonderfully detailed option:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

Odin

<i>When you say Macedonia is not the "classic" Greece or a great place to visit for a first time visitor to Greece, what do you mean?</i>
Just what it says really. The classic Greece meaning the historical sites, the classic Greek culture and local traditions, all the things a tourist is expecting from a vacation in Greece.

<i>had dinner with a greek couple yesterday evening who said the next place they want to visit is the Halkidiki area of Macedonia. </i> Are they American Greeks?

As I mentioned above, I spent a week in Sithonia, Halkidiki this past July. It is a tourist area, with tourists from Eastern Europe. I can't imagine a American there, especially one who has never been to Greece. English is not well spoken in this area, I speak fluent Greek so not an issue for me and I was pleased not to hear English but I wonder how you would manage.
The other Halkidiki peninsula of Kassandra might suit you better. This is where the Brits/Germans/Scandinavians go. The small town we stayed in was lovely but it is dead in the winter with a very small permanent population. So in the summer when it is tourist season, they open all the tourist restaurants and serve tourist food. Fresh fish in the restaurants was €50 a kilo. I did not find the area overall to be terribly beautiful either. Some spots were incredibly beautiful, esp off the beaten track through the forests and down to the coast. If you had a boat and could sail around the coves, it would be fantastic. We went for the beaches, which is what we got, when we could get on them.

I would follow Petros advice and itinerary above for the Pelopponese and the advice of your friends and the advice on this forum.

SoFarAway

Thanks Odin,

The couple is originally from Greece but both moved to Canada about 15 years ago. The reason they are interested in that area is that they have some family who lives there but have never been to that part of Greece.

We are going to follow yours, PetrosB3's and others' advice and head to the Peloponnese.

Thank you all so very much.

P.S. kja, you must stop your complete obsession and again, GET A LIFE!!! I am my own person and in no way related to anyone else on this forum but I do appreciate you letting me know the other link as PetrosB3's detailed information about the Peloponnese will be very helpful.