Diane

Monica -- We paid about $75 per night off-season (early May) for the Petasos Beach Hotel on Mykonos. That included tax and a full buffet breakfast. We had a room overlooking the pool and the sea. I was impressed not only with the lovely room, but with the hospitality. Our room was not huge, but was comfortably large enough for two beds and a small area with a dressing table, and chairs for watching TV. We had a small balcony. The room was bright -- I mention this because a lot of European hotels use low wattage light bulbs and I always bring a hand-held light so I can read at night. (Here in the States when staying at hotels I drive to I bring my own light bulbs and put their's back just before checking out -- so maybe that's just something I notice.) There were plenty of hangers -- something else that is usually sparse. At some other hotels I stayed at in Greece I did not even have a closet, so a closet with lots of hangers was like receiving a gift. <BR> <BR>The bathroom was very nice. The shower had glass doors, there were nice toiletries, a hairdryer, and a washcloth-mitten. <BR> <BR>The hotel has safe deposit boxes, a workout room, the bus to town stops right outside their door. <BR> <BR>While on Mykonos my friend and each took a load of laundry into town. There is a laundry place close to the bus station. We left the laundry and went to have lunch and wander around a bit. On the way back to the bus station we stopped and picked up our laundry all clean and folded. It cost us each $9. It was nice to have clean clothes again. Just a suggestion.

Monica

Hi Diane, thanks for the information on the hotel. Sounds like a nice hotel. How far is it from the town center?

Diane

Monica -- The Petasos Beach Hotel is 5-10 minutes by bus. Sometimes at night we took a taxi (not expensive) if the bus looked crowded or stopped running for the night. The bus is about $1 one way per person. I suppose you could walk, but it would take a while and some of it is uphill. I preferred to save my energy for more enjoyable endeavors. Right by the hotel there are small boats that go around to the different popular beaches -- Paradise, Super Paradise, if sun worshiping is on your list. I liked staying here as it was quiet and the hotel offered everything I wanted at price that was very good for what we got.

Monica

Thanks Diane for the information. I’m not a big sun worshiper anymore, but do plan to enjoy the beach a couple of days. I’ve been getting quotes from several hotels for Santorini, Mykonos, and Naxos. So far, good prices.

Paulo

Monica <BR> <BR>There are a few signs that the ferry situation in May is shaping up. Till a week or so ago, the gtpnet site didn't show anything between Paros and Mykonos. Today, to my surprise, there's some data there. By no means this is an assurance on what will be on in May but it's a good sign. As you may see, there's still no data concerning Naxos to Mykonos directly (I would bet that the catamaran service that is shown between Paros and Mykonos will also serve Naxos). <BR> <BR>The http://www.gtpnet.gr/gihform.asp site <BR>says that there should be daily (except Tuesdays) catamarans leaving Paros at 7:40am, 11:00am and 5:00pm (arriving in Mykonos 40 minutes later). On Tuesdays the departures are at 7:40am and 3:35pm. <BR> <BR>Even if these services are not extended to Naxos, there's no problem once the ferry traffic between Paros and Naxos is very intense. Also, who can assure you won't spend a couple days in Paros after all <BR> <BR>Paulo

Monica

Hi Paulo, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the update! I'll check out their web site tomorrow. I will continue to remain "flexible" with our trip plans to the island and keep information on several islands, including Paros if we end up there instead of Mykonos.

Adam

Monica, <BR> <BR>I am in the process of finding airline tickets as well and ran across the "Dream Maps" URL below <BR>http://travel.yahoo.com/t/dreammaps.html Round trip tickets to Athens on Olympia Air for under $400 as of 2/13/01) with some reasonable restrictions. <BR> <BR>Does Anyone else have suggestions of air fare? <BR> <BR>Adam

Sandi

We spent September 2000 in Greece and I could go on & on. In the interest of time, I'll make 3 recommendations. <BR>Santorini - we stayed at the Asteras Villas(only 6 rooms actually) Right on the cliffs, reasonably priced (for the location) and fabulous owners (ask for Leah). <BR>Paros - I can highly recommend Naoussa for your stay. We were heading to Parikia until we met some savy travellers on the ferry; they changed our plan. We stayed at the Atlantis Hotel for $50 Cdn a night (included breakfast). It was very clean and local. We moved from there to Golden Beach to do some windsurfing (fabulous by the way!) and stayed at the Amaryllis Hotel, right on the beach, for $36 Cdn a night (also with breakfast). We had intended to stay on Paros fro 3-4 days, but were there for 11! We liked it that much. <BR>Have a great trip - I don't think you could go far wrong in wherever you stay!

karen

We went to Mykonos in May of 2000 and stayed at the Hotel Belvedere, a really nice place with a pool a few minutes walk to the center of town. We enjoyed it but if you go there ask for a room facing the pool, not the road. (www.belvederehotel.com)We also liked our hotel in Oia, in Santorini, the Atlantis Villas build into a cave with a wonderful view. If you visit Santorini, you must go to the archeological site of Akrotiri. Have fun.

Monica

Thanks Adam for that web site. Unfortunately May is shoulder season, so no good deals for flights to Greece, unless you change planes 1-2 times. My husband and I prefer not to have to change planes because of the problem we had getting to Rome (via Paris) in 1998. <BR> <BR>Glad to have more hotel recommendations. Thanks Sandi and Karen. I did get a quote from Belvedere, but they were over $100 and I would prefer to be round the $50-$85 range. Mykonos is probably pricier than some of the other islands. Yes, I am interested in visiting Akrotiri! <BR>

Paulo

Monica<BR><BR>I tried to email you yesterday from home with no success. Your mail server apparently was out of order because I got an unreachable IP message. <BR><BR>There's a renewed ferry schedule page (apparently by the same people)<BR>http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp<BR><BR>At times it loads slowly (here to Brazil), so just keep trying if this is the case. The page is straight forward and you shouldn't have any troubles putting it to work for you. The last time I checked (some 3 days ago) there was no hydrofoil service out from the Piraeus to Santorini. It listed a catamaran service out from Rafina, though, but there was a note that this was not confirmed (or something to that effect).<BR><BR>I also don't think you should count on being able to take the first flight out. Of course, if your flight is on time and you don't have checked luggage, there's a good chance. I have no idea on how things are working with the new airport. With the old set up, your chances would be close to zero (you'd have to change buildings and stuff). <BR><BR>At the moment, I'm not in a position to offer you advise. I'd like to know a bit more:<BR><BR>a) will you have checked luggage? If so, can you find out if you may check it through to Santorini? (or is it necessary to go through customs in Athens?)<BR><BR>b) suppose you'd have no problems flying to Santorini upon arrival in Athens; what would your entire plan consist on? How many nights in Athens before catching your flight home? From which island would you be arriving at the end of your trip?<BR><BR>Anyway, even though when you're travelling chances of getting stranded in an island are slim, it generally is a sound idea to take the possibility into accont if at all possible. That is, in principle I think you should plan on spending your last night in Athens (at least, I would, because I don't like the idea of getting stranded even if the chance is 1 in a hundred). Most probably, in your shoes:<BR><BR>a) with only two nights in Athens, I'd fly to Santorini upon arrival even if I had to wait some in the airport and take the 2 nights before heading home;<BR><BR>b) with 3 nights in Athens I'd use 2 on arrival and the last one before departure.<BR><BR>Paulo

Monica

Hello Paulo, thanks for responding to my email. I’m not sure if you responded at my home email or work. We have a virus on our home computer and are waiting for a friend to help us out! <BR><BR>Thanks for the web site. I checked it out and printed out some schedules as well as emailed the company. <BR><BR>Our plans are as follows:<BR><BR>1 May Tuesday: Fly to Athens<BR>2 May Wednesday: Arrive Athens, fly to Santorini<BR>3 May Thursday: Santorini<BR>4 May Friday: Santorini<BR>5 May Saturday: Santorini<BR>6 May Sunday: Boat to Naxos<BR>7 May Monday: Naxos<BR>8 May Tuesday: Naxos<BR>9 May Wednesday: Boat to Mykonos <BR>10 May Thursday: Mykonos a.m. visit to Delos<BR>11 May Friday: Mykonos to Athens<BR>12 May Saturday: Athens<BR>13 May Sunday: Athens<BR>14 May Monday: Fly home, arrive same day<BR><BR>In reviewing the boat schedules, I have pretty much decided we won’t be able to get to Mykonos, so will head to Paros instead. And in reading about Paros, there are some interesting things to see and do.<BR><BR>I plan to call Olympic today and see about maybe flying to Paros first, then boat over to Naxos, then Santorini. And will check on flights back to Athens. I agree that the 11:20am flight will be pushing it, so if we can’t fly to an island within about 3 hours after landing, we’ll head into Athens for a couple of nights. Or hang out for the 5 hours and head to Santorini. <BR><BR>Yes, plan to take only carry-on luggage – 2 plus my day bag. <BR><BR>Thanks again Paulo for your help!<BR><BR>Monica<BR><BR>(PS: I'll email you directly too!)

frisbeee

Monica, I just saw your question for the first time today and although it was posted in January, you're still posting so I just wanted to put in another vore for the Loucas Hotel in Santorini. We stayed there last June and it was fabulous!! Great Breakfast, friendly staff and breathtaking views. The front desk arranged our tour to the winery, Akatori, etc. so if you haven't made final plans, you should consider Loucas.

Monica

Hello Frisbeee,<BR><BR>Unfortunately Hotel Loucas is fully booked while we are there. I may change the plans a little and go to Santorini towards the end of the trip, so maybe they'll have a room for us. I am researching other choices of hotels in the meantime. We will also book our hotels when we get to the islands.

Parag

Hi Monica,<BR><BR> I am Going to Greece from 21st April to 4th May 01.If I can get any 1st hand information,please let me know before 13th April as I am leaving for Cairo on the 14th April.<BR> I have been searching the web pages on 'ferries.gr/asp' The overnight ferry Pireus-Santorini departs at 17.00 hrs reaching Santo.at 1.30 hrs. which is very inconvinient.Instead try an overnight ferry Pireus-Heraklio(Crete) departing at 19.15 hrs Minoan Lines (Modern &amp; comf. but chairs for Deck Class-Sourceonely Planet)OR Anek Lines(Not very posh but berths for Deck class) Both have comfortable 1st &amp; 2nd class cabins.Both reach in 11 hrs i.e.at6.30 a.m. You can spend a day or 2.Crete is supposed to be very beautiful.Hydrofoil for Santo. leaves at 7.00 a.m. &amp; reaches at 8.40 a.m.<BR> in another 2 days move on to Naxos from where you can take a hydro. to Paros or an overnight ferry to Pireus 22.00 to 4.00 a.m.This will most likely be my schedule for the 1st week ,moving on to Mainland Athens,Delphi,Sounion,Napflio,Epidaurus,Mystra &amp; Langadhia Pass (Paulo's reccomendation)

Monica

Hello Parag,<BR><BR>Thanks for the suggestion of Crete. However, after a few months of reading and research, I will keep Crete for another trip so I can have at least 6-7 days there. <BR><BR>I called the GNTO in NYC (212-421-5777) and was told the official ferry schedules will come out 17 April 2001 on their web site: www.gtpnet.com.<BR><BR>You might want to call them and see if you can get any information since you are leaving prior to the 17th. <BR><BR><BR>

Paulo

I still wasn't able to reach your office email. It gives a unknown host message. When I try to mail to the host IP directly (which I got from the complete header of your email), it gives your user name as unkwown. Anyway ... <BR> <BR>I wouldn't rule Mykonos completely out, yet. When you get to Greece,either the catamarans/hydrofoils are running or not. If they are, you should be able to travel from Naxos to Mykonos, via Paros (if not in the same day, with a stop over in Paros). <BR> <BR>Once you're playing it by ear anyways, this wouldn't be a big deal. Once in Greece you may inform yourself on what options you have and play accordingly. <BR> <BR>I'd prefer to make the itinerary the way you laid it down, and not in the reverse order. I'd still probably go for Santorini on arrival, even if I had to wait some. If you count and extra taxi trip back and forth to the aiport + one extra hotel check in and stuff, most probably you'll end up loosing more time than the airport wait. If there is a <BR>more convenient flight to Paros as there is to Santorini, you'd be inclined to take it ... but then you'd be ruling Mykonos out from scratch. I'd keep the options open. It may be a drag to wait at the airport, but once you arrive in Santorini you'll have plenty of time <BR>to recover <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Monica

Hello Paulo, <BR> <BR>You make a very good point about the travel time via taxi to/from airport/Athens. That is about 4 hours right there, if it’s true that it takes about 2 hours from the new airport. I did check the flights to Paros and they leave about the same time as the one to Santorini, so I’d prefer to start in Santorini. I’ll call the airlines today and see if the flight is still available for us to go directly to Santorini. And yes, I’ll keep Mykonos in mind. I have received hotel prices for several on Mykonos, as well as the other islands. <BR> <BR>Our trip is in 2 weeks and I’m getting excited! <BR> <BR>Thanks again for all your help and advise/suggestions. I do appreciate it! <BR> <BR>Monica <BR> <BR>

Monica

Hi Paulo! <BR> <BR>Well, I made airline reservations to fly to Santorini the day we arrive in Athens. If we are VERY lucky and the flight gets in early, we might make the 11:20am flight. If not, we'll "enjoy" the new airport for a few hours. I feel much better now! <BR>

heryl

Monica, would love to hear from you when you come back. We are also planning an almost identical itinerary for our anniversary next year. Have a good time!