Bettina222

Hello to all my helpful Fodors friends!
I am in the early stages of planning a trip to Greece for April of 2014 (I know.......I start my planning early!)
We have a total of 10 nights and will probably spend the last night in Athens to be close to the airport for our return flight home)
As of now, I'm thinking of spending time in Mykonos, Naxos and Paros.
Does that sound like a good plan?
I've gotten so much good advice from you folks for my last two trips to Greece I know I'll get it this time too!
I've been checking into hotels already based on posts I've been reading.
We are two couples traveling and we like to keep things relatively budget and not super busy.
Thanks so much.
Betty

Heimdall

Check to make sure the hotels you are looking at will be open that early. Greek Easter is April 20th (same as the western churches) in 2014, so ferries will be heavily booked around that date.

Ferry links between Mykonos and Paros/Naxos will start a week before Easter. If you are travelling in early April you may have to go back through Athens or spend a night on Syros. Ferries between Paros and Naxos are at least twice per day, so no problem there.

Bettina222

Thanks Heimdall
We would be arriving on April 10th and departing on April 20th.

Heimdall

Okay, so you will be departing Greece on Easter Sunday. That shouldn't be a problem, and there will be ferries back to Piraeus on Easter Saturday. What I'm not sure about are connections between Mykonos and Paros/Naxos earlier in the week.

I know that flies in the face of your early planning tendencies, but I wouldn't make any firm commitments for hotel rooms until you know for sure when you can get between Mykonos and the other two islands. The reason for this is that Mykonos is on a different main ferry route from Paros and Naxos. Summer catamaran service kicks in around Easter, but not necessarily every day.

If you want to make your reservations early, then I would suggest sticking with Naxos and Paros, which are both on the same ferry route. Naxos has the largest permanent population in the Cyclades, even greater than Syros in the latest census, so more will be going on off season. It would be nice if you could extend your holiday by a few days so you could fully enjoy Easter, the most important holiday in the Greek calendar.

Bettina222

Thanks for the great information..............it gives me a lot to think about and take into consideration.
I wish I could be there for Easter but I don't think it's a possibility.........very limited flexibility in travel dates.

Ozarksbill

Some years ago we were on a guided tour of Greece and chose to not take the usual island cruise. Instead we spent a week in Athens and area, a week in Rhodes, a week in Crete. Part of our time on the mainland was a ferry to Aegina, Poros, Hydra, stopping off in each, which was a nice day. That gave us a taste of being aboard ship.

clausar

Bettina just keep in mind that April is still a bit early for the islands...
The weather during the day should be warm during mid April, with cooler nights.. but the island won't be in "full function" like in the summer....

During the Holy Week they should be more alive, as more Greeks will be visiting for Easter, but mainly those who are originally from the islands...

Mykonos used to be very busy with Greek travelers during Easter, but due to the crisis and the ferry tickets that are ridiculously high, people prefer to spend the Easter on the Mainland. ( it costs less for a couple or family to travel to Crete with their car than to the Cyclades).

It will be busier than the other islands though....

Bettina222

Hi Clausar,
Thanks for your post.
We have been to Greece twice in April...............Crete, Santorini, and Naphlion.
We were very lucky with the weather both times and hope that the third time is also the charm!
Our plans are not set in stone however (as far as which islands we are going to) so I am more than happy to get everyone's input and advice.
Is the current crisis affecting some islands more than others?
Bettina

Tommmo

I'd suggest you look at Rafina as the mainland port. It's only 30 min from the airport and avoids Athens (not a bad thing I reckon, if you've seen it before)
I hear it's a nice place to spend a night before heading for the airport, or on the way to the islands....

clausar

The whole of Greece is affected by the crisis, but you won't notice anything as a tourist....

This is affecting locals, but not the service in restaurants, hotels etc...
You will actually take notice only if you open a discussion with Greeks.

Crete and Nafplio in April are just fine, Santorini will be much more quiet.

Only thing that could occur , and for which you would had to blame the crisis, would be a strike.

But during Easter this is very unlikely to happen

Heimdall

Hi Tommmo,

Rafina is a good suggestion, but only if coming from Mykonos or Tinos. On Easter Saturday and Sunday this year SeaJet 2 also goes to Rafina from Paros, but I wouldn't recommend it for the day before a flight home. I speak from experience, because I've tried that twice and both times SeaJet 2 let me down.

In short, if Bettina saves Mykonos for last, Rafina would be a good choice but only with a conventional ferry. If coming from Paros or Naxos, Piraeus is the only safe option.

BTW, returning from the islands the day before your flight home is a good idea, but doesn't really give you a a cushion from cancellations when that is the last ferry to get you back before the flight.

Bettina222

So it looks like no matter what island we leave from, we should not plan to take the last ferry back into Athens. (or Rafina). That makes sense and I will definitely keep that in mind.
I really appreciate everyone's input.

Bettina222

Just realized that i was a week ahead of my self.
We will arrive in Greece on the 17th so we will be there for Easter!
We will depart on the 27th.

Heimdall

In that case book your flights or ferries to the islands early, as you will be travelling at the same time as many Greeks returning home for the holidays. To get an idea of what the Easter 2014 timetables will look like, check the timetables for this year, when Easter will be on May 5th.

Bettina222

Thanks Heimdall, I will definitely look into that!
Jayden, thanks for the idea but we're more land people!

MariliaWe

Easter for 2013 is on 5th of May. If you look forward visiting Cycladic Island Andros and Mykonos are close to Athens and accessivle via Rafina Port. (Andros is gorgeous and has an authenticity while Mykonos is a popular crowded destination).
If you are looking for other types of islands Aigina, Ydra Poros are close to Athens and accessible via Piraeus Port.