dobs

My husband and I (his first time) and sister-in law and husband (first time) are going to Greece second week of Oct. Where are must sees!?

tjhsu

My suggestions:

-Don't spend much time in Athens. (1 full day is plenty)
-Go to Crete! the western side of that island (e.g. chania) is nice and i've heard good things about the eastern side as well. you could spend your whole trip there.
-most people like to go to santorini b/c of the stunning views. but it is very touristy and crowded - I think in october it would be bearable though (I would never go there in the summer)

brotherleelove2004

If it's your first visit to Greece you'll need at least 3 days to see everything in Athens. One day only gives you enough time to glance at the highlights. Of course it really depends on your interest in Ancient Greece, Archaeology and Architecture.

How long will you be there? The island tourist infrastructures begin to close down for the winter by mid-October, so you'll miss a lot of the crowds and high prices and you'll also enjoy the peace and quiet that remains. Choose one island group for the most efficient use of your time.

On the mainland Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Nafplio and Monemvasia are some of the more popular destinations.

travelerjan

dobs, you say you are "going to greece " in second week of Oct.

How can we give you good advice if you don't say how many days you have? If it is 14, the advice will be very different than if you only have 5 or 6 days.

Please share more... also "must sees" will differ; some people love history and ancient sites and museums, other people want shopping and night life. Tell us WHY you are going to greece and we can give youtips for your particular enthusiasm!

zeppole

Oh my god. I can't imagine taking the advice that "1 full day is plenty in Athens." I can spend a whole day in Athens just sitting in a cafe in the Kolonaki.

And I've been dreading going to Crete because of the party scene, the family camping and the "renovated" monuments.

So obviously people have wildly different ideas about what a "must see" is.

How did you end up picking Greece to go to? Do you have any plans? Your post suggests at least one of you has been to Greece before.

dobs

Thanks for the input, so it sounds like I need to be a little more specific! Rookie on the forum here!Yes I have been to Greece in the summer and in November (1996), yeah everyone there was wondering the same thing, why are you here in Nov. but we (girlfriend and I) were! I went to Athens, Paros, Naxos, Ios. We know that in Oct. lots might be closed. We too don't want tourists, more of where will the day take us on the islands. I'm really looking for any secret spots, getaways, etc. We are starting in Italy (Rome) and staying in Europe for 16 days.

zeppole

How many of those days in Greece? Do you only want to visit islands this trip?

zeppole

How are you getting to Greece?

dobs

We have nothing planned, we are in trouble! Less time in Greece, so we'll probably shoot for 5 days. I think we will take a ferry from Italy to Greece. I think we are getting to aggresive with too much in too little time. Are you a veteran traveler?

zeppole

Enough to wonder if your return plane ticket is booked, and from where. Is someone in your group insisting on Greece for some reason?

Were you thinking of including another country in Europe during the 16 days, or is the only idea thus far "Rome and Greece." --?

dobs

oh not just Rome, we plan on hitting Florence, the Riveria and who knows what else! It's me who wants my husband to see Greece, we are kind of the insistant ones, but I'm starting to doubt it this time around. The last two times I was in Europe it was go go go...some relaxing this time but be in order.

grapes

I am limited in my knowledge and experience of Greece; but if I had only 5 days, I would station myself in Athens. I spent a couple days there and would love a few more days to see the museums I missed, experience restaurants and foods I did not have time for, explore the Central Market, and on and on. You might also enjoy a day trip to Napflion/Epidavros/Mycanea, Delphi, or a one day island cruise.

If you have 5 full days and choose to skip Athens, you might want to consider Lesvos Island with a rental car. Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece, is less touristed, and has so much to see and do you will never experience it all in 5 days. There are mountains, forests, hiking trails, beaches, hotsprings, pottery and wood working, olive groves and more. (lk up Matt Barrett's website-Lesvos Not Just Another Greek Island). I am dreaming of a return visit. You will most likely enjoy yoursleves no matter where you choose to visit.

zeppole

"Hitting" -- ? Four different destinations plus "who knows where else" --- ?

tableronde

Having traveled considerably in Italy, and this time planning a duration similar to yours, but 2 weeks earlier, mainly in Greece (after a long absence), I may have some useful comments:
- I can already see the Greece experts saying: not another traveler cramming a checklist of destinations, with too short a time to deserve what the various locations have to offer
- I wonder whether, after the hustle-bustle and large expense of a few days in Rome, you want more big city, or quiet country; culture vs nature vs beaches vs all night parties on Mykonos
- I get the impression that the weather in October may be better the further south you go
- in our case we booked our flight into Greece and out of Italy;
- unless you want to spend a considerable time just getting to Greece and back, you may wish to look into a flight from Rome to Athens or Crete; we're giving ourselves extra days reserve just in case of ferry cancellation
- is there a theme to your trip? for example you may concentrate on big city life, or compare the poor and traditional Mezzogiorno (southern Italy) vs Crete; or get an understanding of Greek civilization having been a "Waterworld", including prosperous colonial cities in Campagna, Apulia, Basilicata, Sicilia
- one of the bottlenecks in our plans: almost no post-season ferries between Crete, the Cyclades, and the Peloponnese.

Weadles

If you really only have five days, you could easily spend three in Athens, then take day trips to Hydra ( an island about 1.30 by hydrofoil from the port) and Delphi. But like the other posters, I'm wondering why you want to go all that way for only five days. It might make more sense to go when you can spend at least a few weeks.