Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Message from Greece.....GARYNFLA

Hello everyone. I am back home now and wish I was back in Greece. It was the best trip I have ever taken and I have traveled to most of Europe.I still say I would definetly stay in the Fira or Firostephani area of Santorini ( also called Imerovigli <sp>. Oia was a sleep after 10ish and great for couples that want to vegge out. The Fira is where all the fun is. Be sure and rent a car. There is like 3 roads and traffic is a breeze there. In Athens definetly stay within walking distance to the Plaka or you will regret it. The Plaka is so much fun and lot's to see and do.It is the oldest area of Athens and very quaint and most streets don't allow cars so walking or strolling hand in hand is pleasurable. Do NOT attempt to drive there. I Have driven all over Europe and would not take the chance driving there.Even if tyou have the worlds best insurance and your rent a car is wrecked you have to pay for the days is is not in use. Then you settle with your insurance company.All in all Athens is so incredible.Definetly hire a driver and car and take the trip to Delphi!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mykonos was quite a treat also. We stayed the Elysuim and I would not stay there again. It was freindly but lotsa attitude. I looked at The Belvedere and would stay there next visit.The best part of the Mykonos to me was venturing out on our moped and touring the islands and the beaches( a car would be just as fun). We thought Super Paradise Beach was nice but Paradise Beach was spectacular!! All in all my favorites go as follows, Santorini was the best, Athens/Plaka was second and Mykonos was just ok.If you like to party till 4:00 A.M. it is the place to go. I am up early and go to bed usually by mid-night at the latest. With exception to Santorini.We partied with the owners of the Cafe Oia until 3:00 A.M. It was so much fun partying with the locals.They danced with pitchers of wine on their heads, lifted tables with their teeth while little old Greek ladies danced under the tables.The food never stopped flowing and neither did the local wine which is about 2Euro per carafe. We were guests of the guy that owns the jewelry store that one of the "posters" on these boards kept saying "don't go there, he will rip you off".I was able to hear the real story behind those posts and they could not be further from the truth. Alex the owner of ORO jewelry store in Oia is a real treat and his 81 year old aunt Stella was the sweetest person we met on the trip, well mayve a tie with Vicki that runs the new Azure Villas in Oia. They will have a web-site soon as it was just completed in August 2002. All in all this was the best vacation ever.Greek people love Americans and love to show their hospitality. Never once did we feel unsafe or at risk anywhere. Go have a great time. You will never forget the people, the country or the wonderful history.. Feel free to e-mail or post any questions. I have over 800 pictures that I am setting up and I will post the site when complete, which should be in a couple of days. I will also be adding to my stories of this incredible trip which will include shopping, dining, tours, etc... Gary in Ft Lauderdale