Need Itinerary Help- Greece
 

I am traveling to greek for the first time in August with my girlfriend and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or additions to our present itinerary.
As it stands, this is what we have planned:

day 1: arrive in athens around 4p,
remainder of the day in Athens
Day 2: spend the day in hydra- return to
athens at night- night in athens
Day 3: Day in Athens- explore plaka &
acropolis,that evenign taking an
overnight ferry to Chania Crete
- we are planning on getting a
private room on the ferry
Day 4: Arrive in Chania, explore the port
and old city
Day 5: walk the Samarian Gorge- night
in Chania
Day 6: take the bus to Herkalion, spend the
day seeing the old city and Palace
of Knossos- night in Herkalion
Day 7: Take high speed Ferry to Santorini-
night in Ia
Day 8/9: explore Santorini- stay in Ia
Day 10: take high speed ferry to Pireaus
spend the remainder of the day in
Athens (unless anyone has a better
idea)
Day 11: Aiport

Does anyone have any suggestions? In terms of Hyrda, does anyone recommend any good day hikes? My girlfriend and I are both fairly adventurous and atheletic. In terms of Crete, is it better to stay in Chania a 3rd night and avoid Herkalion? Finally, when should I start trying to book ferry tickets and is there a good website anyone could recommend? Thank you very much for your time and advice!

I meant to say "I am traveling to Greece..." not "I am traveling to greek"... sorry.

Don't omit Knossos from your itinerary. For that reason you definitely want to go to Heraklion the day before you leave for Santorini. The island bus system is excellent and there's an early-morning bus from Chania to Rethymnon where you will change for Heraklion.

Use this websites to keep track of the ferries. Timetables aren't usually available until a couple of months before they're needed. Be sure to check locally for any last-minute changes or cancellations.

http://www.openseas.gr/OPENSEAS/serv...amp;show=index

www.gtp.gr

Complete schedules for next August won't be available for a few months yet, but the Hellenic Seaways 'Highspeed 5' and the Seajets 'SuperJet' are the ones you want to look for if you want the fastest trip from Santorini back to Athens/Piraeus. Because August is the busiest month of the year be sure to book ahead as soon as the schedules are posted. Besides the websites above, you can go to the Hellenic Seaways website.

http://www.hellenicseaways.gr/index.asp?a_id=209

Thank you very much! Do you happen to have any recommendations for hotels in Herkalium? We are both law students, so want something safe, great location, and clean. It does not have to be incredibly fancy. Around 100dollars U.S. (give or take) would be great.

Also, does anyone else have any suggestions, additions or subtractions that I should make? If need be I could add an extra day or so. Thanks.

Sorry, I can't help with Heralklion, it's been a very long time since I was there. $100=76 Euro. That's not a lot of money in August when prices are at their highest. These websites will get you started. You can check for reviews over on www.tripadvisor.com.


http://www.greekhotel.com/crete/heraklion/home.htm

http://www.hotel-rates.com/greece/heraklion/

For Iraklion (or Heraklion, not Herkalium), try Hotel Kronos (google it, got its own website). It's 65E per double/high season, right on waterside overlooking medieval wall and fort...very handy for getting to port; also, a nice waterside cafe for the sunset. Ask for room w. sea view.