Folks,
I have another question. I'll be spending two weeks in Europe (air travel included) at the end of July. I'll be going to Greece and Paris, France. In which country/city would you spend the bulk of your time and why?
Thanks.
Mark

Hello Mark
And what countries and cities would you like to spend the bulk of your time and why?
Why are you going to Paris?
Why are you going to Greece?
Are you visiting Athens and Paris only or other areas in France and Greece?

You said you will have two weeks including travel there. How much time are you going to spend traveling? If you have only twelve days availabe I suggest you stay in two-three places. Are you traveling alone or with others?

What guidebooks are you using?

Wildflower,
Good cross-exam. We are a family of 3 going to Europe for the first time (wife and I and 12 year old daughter). Paris is the lead for the culture, language, history, etc. We do not plan to venture outside of Paris in the short amount of time we have beyond Versaille or Giverny. We then added Greece because we always wanted to see the Greek Islands. Athens should be hot in July so I basically will use it for lodging the night before flying to Paris. I may add a night to see some of the sights. I'm flexible at this point. We did book a few nights in Santorini, but I'm having trouble deciding on another destination within Greece, hence the question: Which is another cool island? I'd love to add Rhodes, but it may be a bit far. We're not strapped for euros, but I'd like to keep it reasonable. Finally, including overnight travel from Wash., DC, we'll be spending 8 nights Greece, 5 for Paris.
I wonder if I'm cheating myself a little on Paris, the lead magnet. Overall, I'm open to suggestions from those who've been to these places.
I've purchased Rick Steve's Paris, and I've been looking at Fodors and Frommers and rough guide for Greece.
Mark

You probably won't like my answer, but I wouldn't split my trip that way at all if I only had two weeks--I'd choose one or the other. I love both Paris and Greece, but I don't know how tolerable Greece would be in July (I was there early October when it was very nice), although it's true the islands may be better.

I just wouldn't do it because that's just too much time on the airplane for a short trip. I think you add on hours to come back through Paris, but if not, it seems more reasonable. It is rather expensive to get to Greece, and lots more hours on the plane, so I would spend more time there, though. It is much easier and cheaper for you to get back to Paris than Greece.

I haven't been to that many islands, but I did like Rhodes a lot--I just enjoyed seeing some of the old town area for historical reasons (I'm not a big beach person). I haven't been to either of these, but have heard that both Paros and Naxos have things to recommend in the general direction of Santorini, which sounds wonderful. Paros is a stop on the ferry circuit but has some more quaint areas away from the ferry stop and a famous marble quarry. Naxos sounds a little more appealing to me if you get away from the waterfront -- there is a medieval town and Venetrian fortress, and good scenery because of the agricultural industry, including olives.

Hi Mark,

Considering your 12-yeqr old, I think splitting it is a good idea. Two weeks in Paris might be too much for her.

Of course, you could do 2 weeks in France, with one week in Paris.

Mark I'm on expert on Greece, but I think You might consider it for another holiday, and just concentrate on France, you could go to Provence and the French Riveria, spend some time at the beach.
It seems a bit much to do both countires in 12 days.Its just a thought if your dead set on the two you'll find a way.
Best of luck
Fluffy

Mark, there are several islands close to Santorini including Crete, Naxos and Paros. There is an express boat to Crete that only takes about 2 hours.

Thanks for the replies. I'm set on the split, but I think we'll be ok in the short amount of time since we hopped three Hawaiian islands last year in the same amount of time. Once we do reach a particular destination, we cool it and don't try to hit every tourist attraction. As for air costs, I'm using UAL miles (before they liquidate). I am thinking of adding Crete, too. Hania sounds like a place to go if you're already in Santorini.
I'd cut into Athens time since its supposed to be a smoky 100 degrees in summer.
Mark

You could also add Paros. I have spent alot of time in Naousa, which is a cute fishing village with nice beaches and good restaurants. I would go to Santorini first and then take the boat to Paros. From Paros there was a pretty fast boat back to Athens. Athens could be very hot...but if you have time see the Acropolis. Crete isn't a bad option also...You can fly back from either islands also.

I just have a few thoughts, having done Crete/Athens/Paris in 2001 over 18 days. First 5 days in Paris is not that much time, especially if you are planning on Versaille and Giverny. Secondly, travel to Greece tends to require a fair amount of transit time and if you only have 14 days you will lose one day each coming and going to Europe and another day going from the Greek Islands (a stop in Athens) to Paris. (I use United alot and am in the same postion you are in and am trying to use up 400k by going to New Zealand and Australia.) You are probably also using other airlines on your trip as United or it's partners do not fly via Paris to Athens. Open jaw with another airline Athens to Paris with added cost? Flights to/from Greece tend to be significantly more expensive from the US than flights to/from Paris so would it not make more sense given your limited time to just go to Greece this visit? It is probably what we should have done although we love Paris.
If however you are set on Paris/Greece I would add a few days to Paris and a day extra in Athens on your way to/from Paris from Santorini.
I have 6 guidebooks to Greece and 16 to Paris/France so I am probably not the best person to talk to about guide books as I do too much research before a trip. Having said that I liked the Lonely Planet guides best for Greece. Frommers was also useful. Paris is alittle more complicated. I liked Rick Steve's for touring suggestions and practical info but not for places to stay or eat.
I also found the Unofficial Guide to Paris useful for practical information. Food/eating info best with a combo of Michelin guide/ Patricia Wells and Zagat. Sandra Gustafson's book on places to eat was ok but her book on places to stay is quite good. Have a good time.

I hope that whatever you decide, that you have a great trip..Through my experience, it is up to each individual how many things/countries they would like to do in a given amount of time and whatever you feel comfortable with, that is what you should do..If you like one or the other, you can always go back and stay longer...We do that all the time..Good luck.

Mark, I'm not sure if you've already bought your tickets, but if not, have you considered doing your trip the other way around - i.e. Paris first?

The only reason I suggest this, is that, living in Europe, we tend to do cities and beaches as separate trips, but when we do a long haul holiday to Asia, we try and do the city part first and then head to a beach resort for some relaxation. We find that after a week or so of hoofing around and trying to fit as many different sights as possible into our schedule, we really appreciate just being able to veg out on a beach or by a pool for the next few days! On our last trip two years ago, we did a full week in Hong Kong and when we arrived on Langkawi, I flatly refused to move from the hotel grounds for the first 3 days! After that I was raring to go again and we hired a car and explored the island, took a boat trip, and did all the usual tourist stuff. I think if we had done it the other way around, we would have been ready for another holiday by the time we arrived home!

I suspect you're a bit younger than us and so probably have more stamina but I still think a more pleasant itinerary would be to do Paris first, then head for Greece and spend some time relaxing on one or two islands, after which you'll be thoroughly refreshed and ready to take on Athens for your last day or two, rather than just treating it as a stop-over. Yes, Athens will be hot in August, but after a few days on the islands, you should be getting acclimatised to the heat (and the Greek culture!)

People, thanks for the excellent advice. As for our trip, Paris was the driving force, for lack of a better expression. So, as a result, we figured we'd save the best for last. As native NY'ers living in Washington, DC, we're looking forward to a funky city that uses a different language. I think we'll be more in our element. We then added Greece. I'm learning that travel throughout Greece can be a
b%$#ch, so we've cut it to Santorini
for about 5 days, Athens 2. Certainly not enough, but maybe we'll return. Then we'll see Paris and from I've read, we'll be looking forward to the history, culture, cuisine, etc. My girls will love the shopping, I'm sure. I guess it sounds better to do the hustle, bustle of a major city first, but the travel to get to the islands seems somewhat stressful, too. Even with that, I may add an island, at the expense of a night in Santorini and a night in Athens. Frankly, the heat in Athens sounds like a turnoff, but I'd be remiss, to say the least, if I didn't plan for the family to see a few of the great sights.
It'll work out, I hope.
Thanks again folks.
Mark

If this is likely to be a once in a lifetime trip then go wherever your heart says. We are going to Greece in two days and considered adding time in London, Paris or Rome ( mostly because of airfare) but then I decided if time was to be added somewhere it should be at the farthest location from our starting point because we paid the largest part of our expenses to get there. There are many other things to consider when deciding where to spend your time and our decision takes into account that we will be going back to europe soon. Just another point of view. Have a great trip!

Doug,
Have a great trip as well. Seems the more we read and research these countries, the more we want to add them.
Maybe its like being in a great bakery-you want to try various pastries when you should only eat one or two. My rule of thumb for vacationing with a family is to stay no less than 3 nights in any one spot. We'll see how it works in europe. Good luck.
Mark