We have been to Europe several times- Italy, France, Germany, Belgium,Spain. etc but we would like to go to Greece next. <BR> Should we take a cruise?? We don't do tours- we always do the trips on our own - except we do enjoy cruises. Is there a best time to go to Greece? Is it too hot to go there in July??? That's when we usually travel . Any advice would be great. Thanks

Hi<BR>I think you might want to narrow things down a bit regarding Greece--there are so many choices<BR>Do a search here of Greece or Greek Islands and you will get a wealth of info. You might also want to do a similar search on the Fodors Cruise message board.<BR><BR>and here are some websites<BR><BR>www.gnto.gr Greek National Tourist Organization<BR><BR><BR>www.cycladesislands.gr Cyclades Islands<BR>www.ando.gr/eot Rhodes and the Dodecanese<BR>www.cityofathens.gr Athens<BR>www.compulink.gr/tourism<BR>www.gogreece.com endlesss links, including hotels, beaches, etc<BR>www.odysseas.com<BR>www.greektravel.com personal pages but excellent,comprehensive info and links on Athens as <BR>well as on the islands. Help with choosing itineraries.<BR>www.agn.gr good information on the individual islands, weather, currency exchange<BR>www.lonelyplanet.com<BR><BR>www.explor ecrete.com<BR><BR>www2.hyper.gr/visit_hellas/index.html<BR>http://home.sol.no/~jbergtun/engelsk/index.htm some hotels in each area or island<BR>www.travelling.gr travel agencies, tours, cruises, limited hotel info<BR><BR>www.helios.gr selected hotels on selected islands, brief summary each island, including <BR>access from other islands, current weather<BR><BR>http://www.i-escape.com/destination_guide_results.php?country=Greece<BR><B R>www.ellada.com has travel tips but there is no indication that the information is current or has been recently updated.<BR><BR>The ellada website also has a link to Aegean airlines which is current and provides inter-island travel info.<BR><BR>http://travel.to/gr links to travel agencies in Greece, tours. quite an extensive hotel index<BR><BR>www.greecead.com/gadhome/ some info on some of the islands, lots of pretty pictures<BR><BR>www.greekholidays.com on-line hotel bookings, message board<BR><BR>www.hellasguide.gr<BR><BR>www.filoxen ia.com<BR><BR>http://mysp.com/p/resort/destination/<BR>www.areianet.gr/infoxenios/<BR><BR>www.athensguide.com/schedules/ good information, sightseeing, transportation, ferries etc<BR><BR>Transportation:<BR>www.olympic-airways.gr<BR>www.aegeanair.gr domestic airline<BR><BR><BR>Ferries, watch out for inconsistencies in the posted schedules<BR>www.greekferries.gr<BR>www.gnto.gr (Greek National Tourist Office site, lots of info on transportation of all kinds)<BR>www.gtpnet.com <BR>also www.ferries.gr/domstep1.asp<BR>www.minoan.gr high speed and ferry services<BR>www.strintzis.gr ferries among the islands plus Italy-Greece<BR>www.ktel.org intercity bus companies<BR>www.ose.gr Greek railways<BR>www.yachtsgreece.com sailing and yachting<BR><BR>an article on cruising to Crete, Santorini, and Naxos:<BR>http://cgi.chicago.tribune.com/travel/destinations/locale/1,1799,ID=9712070302,00.html<BR>

We were there a few weeks ago and it was hot. Don't spend more than 2 days in Athens. You can probably see what you want to see in 1 day (we did). The locals we encountered all agree that September is the best time to visit. It is not as crowded, the temperature is not as hot and the water is much warmer. We took a small yacht cruise (Aegeotissa) which was great since it took us into the smaller ports. Only 14 people on the boat. We also drove down the coast of the Peloponnese (Nafplio, Tolo). greecetravel.com is a good place to start.

Greece is MUCH too hot in July-August. There's a day cruise to the 3 small islands in the Saronic Gulf. Also the over-night ferry boat (actually large ship) to Crete is great: eith to Heraclion or Hania. In Athens, any agent near Syntagma can help you ot booking. April and late Sept are best times

We've been to Greece/islands 2X, both in May, and the weather was lovely. If you're beach people, you might want to wait until late May/early June, but that's the latest I'd wantto go, on account of the hot weather. Fall would probably be good, too.<BR>We did not do a cruise and were glad that we didn't, just personal preference. We prefer to spend at least a few days in one spot rather than just several hours, as you would be doing on a cruise. However, to get a good overview of many ports of call, a cruise would do it. We took ferries( an experience not to be missed at least once in a lifetime!) to Mykonos and then on to Santorini, flew back. Flew both ways to Crete, having done the ferrys thing, and b/c of distance, too. Loved Greece; so much fun! Can't imagine anyone not liking it! Athens sometimes get a bad rap, but I think it's at least worth 2-3 days.

typo on ferry(s)

I don't know how far you have got in your planning but, as someone brought up in Greece and knowing it inside out, I would agree that <BR>1) May and early October are the best 2 periods (or even APril if you prefer slightly cooler weather and like spring flowers)<BR>2) Crete is a good first port of call, and you can take ferries via other islands to make an independent, cruise-style itinerary eg Santorini, Naxos, Paros etc<BR><BR>If you specify what sort of activities and accommodation you like I can give more specific advice.<BR><BR>Do check out <BR>http://www.i-escape.com/greece.php<BR>as a source of ideas.<BR>

I am Greek so I can tell you this: choose smaller(and less Known) islands like Folegandros(ask for it!),Anafi,Kimolos,Sikinos in kyklades and Paxoi in Ionio. Have a nice holiday my friends.

Does anyone know what the weather is usually like in late December to January on Mykonos and Santorini. Usually like warm weather destinations at that time of the year, so I am wondering if it is usually warm there then. Thanks.

nan<BR>december and january are not good months to visit if you like warm weather.<BR>cherie<BR> We usually go in July or August(because that is the only time I can get off) but I have been in October. If you choose October go to either Crete or Rhodes. If I could I would go in June or September. However if July is the only time you can go- GO! Michael gave you good advice. If you would like to see several islands it's far better to take ferries.elaine has given you plenty of links to get you started! Let us know what you decide!

A lot depend on your interests. If you history buff as me, you should plan at least 4 days in Athens and then rent a car and tour a country for another 10 days. If you want a pleasant summer holiday, spend 1 night in Athens and of to the cruise ship

Try to see Delphae - the setting is magnificent - it was one of the <BR>highlights of my trip.