Hi. I'm in the early planning stages for a trip to Greece next summer. It's been at the top of my European wish list for years but I seem to keep going other places. Now I really want to go there, and a friend and I have agreed to go. But I am not sure my friends plans won't change between now and then (nothing against her, I just know her life) and I will be in the situation of deciding to skip it yet again or go alone.

I have read that the Greek people do everything in pairs or groups and don't understand solo travelers. I also wonder about the logistics of getting around. So I'd like to hear opinions from anyone who has gone solo, or even if you haven't been there alone, having been there do you think it's a good idea.

I think you should go and I'm not sure about the Greeks "not understanding" solo travelers.

What is your overall concept of the place? I ask because if you are thinking "Italy" (for example) you may be somewhat disappointed ("In Greece there are ruins, in Italy, they're still here.&quot

Greece is a wonderful country IMO and that includes both the islands as well as the rest (depending on your interests if you could cram in the west coast of Turkey as well all the better).

Getting around..may depend on where you want to visit. The rail network isn't nearly as dense as it is in some other European countries although some of the major sites such as Naphlion, Corinth, Delphi, and Olympia can be visited on organized "classical" tours. If that doesn't work for you then a hire car might be better. Cannot comment on the bus network.

Don't put it off any longer as you'll never regret going.

Why not, but rent SHIRLEY VALENTINE first. Take your camera.

I am sure Murphy will chime in. Please do a search and read her wonderful solo trip report throughout Greece and see her absolutely fantastic photos. Although we will be traveling to Greece next year as a family her input has been invaluable. I cannot tell you how many opportunities I did not take when I was yound and single because I was always waiting for my friends. In hindsight I regret having done that. Start reading, plan and go.

Hi Isabel, I have not gone on a solo trip, but I did go to Greece last year with my daughter. We took a four day classical tour to avoid the logistics of public transportation or renting a car, and although I hadn't been on a tour since I was a teenager, I really enjoyed it. We also spent a few days in Athens and took a day trip to Aegina. All of what we did would have been possible as a solo traveler. You might be interested in my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34589254

Photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-b9k6sz

I travelled in Greece as a solo woman. No problems. I don't drive, so I did take bus tours to the classical sites.

One word of warning - don't use the hop on/hop off bus in Athens. They charge exorbitant prices and don't always provide the promised tour.

I wouldn't hesitate. They lived through the hippy sixties and saw it all. They are probably the most welcoming people in the world (after the Scots.

If you are in deep rural, I would suggest you behave with propriety in terms of dress etc. On the beaches, they expect bikinis, and not a lot else, but in the hills, you need a tee shirt and shorts at least. The buses are fantastic- in all senses of the word- and ferries are pretty much day to day in the islands.

Personally, even at my age, I'd love to do it.

If you like antiquities, history, and islands with beautiful sunsets, if you like friendly people and fair prices, and if you like a very nice climate, you really should go.

Thanks for the replys. I found Murphy's report about her solo trip. And of course I've been reading lots of other reports too (non solo ones that is) - Nikki, yours was great as are all of your reports. They are all inspirational.

I've done quite a bit of travel in Europe, even been to a number of places solo (Florence, Venice, Prague, Copenhagen, Stockholm, London and Paris). But the places I've been to alone were very "user friendly". Lots of English spoken, an alphabet I could read, trains and buses went everywhere and there wasn't much in the way of "guessing' if you were on the right one. That kind of thing. That's why I was concerned about Greece. I have no doubt that I want to go there, I just don't want to have to work so hard at getting from one place to another, and being in situations where I might be lost. With another person that kind of thing doesn't bother me, but when alone I need the security of knowing where I am and where I'm going.

I still hope my friend will go with me but maybe I'll start working on an itineray that doesn't go too far off the beaten path for this trip, one where transportation options are good. And maybe a lot of day trips from a few central locations so I'm not changing hotels and lugging luggage all the time. Any suggestions for that type of itinerary.

What ever you do, spend at least 3 days on Santorini and take your camera. The most beautiful spot I have found so far. Stay at Oia.

bob - don't worry, I am definitly planning on more than 3 days in Santorini, and of course I'll be bringing the cameras. I fact, Greece looks so amazing I may need to get a new one!

I've been reading all the trip reports - Murphy, Nikki, Lauren, etc. Now that I've started the research I want to go even more than I did. This is what I was afraid would happen. So I'm going with or without a companion. Any more tips on what would make it easier/safer (in terms of being lost) for a solo traveler?

and here is my favourite website of all:

http://www.santorini.net/caldera.html

That's the sunset in Santorini (just happened). Oia is the town on the right hand tip...

I have been to Greece 3 times solo, (twice for 3 to 4 weeks and once for 2 months). I have been to Greece 10 times in total. Going solo has its advantages. You meet allot of people and you travel at your own speed. The disadvantage for me was eating evening dinner alone sometimes, so I would often get a studio with a kitchen and eat in. I found shopping for the food was fun and cooking with the Greek foods part of the experience. I discovered I love avocados mixed with feta, olive oil and oregano on bread. I rarely went more than a day without meeting another female tourist to hang around with or a couple. You meet people on the bus going to the beach, at the beach or at a site, in a restaurant, walking around a mountain village, on the ferry, anywhere and everywhere and you will be more open to meet people because you will want to talk. You will be more attentive to language and recognizing where others are from. It is easy to start a conversation. My experience with the Greek hotel owners is all positive and they often paid special attention to you as a woman to make sure you were ok. Getting around was easy and most hotels would charge a single hotel rate so you were not penalized for staying in a double room. It is best to go in May or June when it is not crowded. It is very safe in Greece and women are treated with respect. I hiked alone (small hikes on Folegandros, Amorgos, Naxos,etc.) and went jogging around islands and never had a problem. I found that it was at times easier to meet other tourists on small islands although I met many on Crete. Mykonos was the most awkward as there were allot of couples and it was crowded. Milos was difficult to get around unless you rented a car (buses don't run except in July/Aug. when I was there) which I didn't like doing by myself. Learn a few words and phrases in Greek and you will be welcomed with smiles. (Learn how to say "excuse me or pardon me"..comes in very handy = Signomi. Mistakes are ok and lots of fun. I once walked into a hotel and said Yamis instead of Yasus. I said "to your health" instead of "hello" and yes I was a little hung over. I once asked in Greek in a hotel for a large tomatoe instead of a large (double) bed! Some of my best and funniest memories are from my travels solo in Greece.