We are going to Italy with another couple, all in our 70s, in May of next year. We have all been there before and just want a relaxing trip with good food and wine. About 10 years ago my husband and I went to Cinque Terre, Como, Amalfi coast (Stayed in Positano) and Tuscany (stayed in Sienna and a villa). I was tempted to do the same trip again because it was so wonderful, but I think we should make a few changes. Now I am thinking of going to Greece instead of Como and Cinque Terre. We would like to spend 11-13 days. Was going to get a travel company but am finding such great sites I am tempted to do it myself, as I have often arranged travel. I would love suggestions on everything—hotels, how to get from one place to another and suggestions on where to go first and transportation. I have a feeling that the crowd situation is a lot worse than it was when we were last there 10 years ago and would like to avoid some of it. We like private drivers as we did on the last trip and are OK spending $500-$800 a night on a hotel, but do not want to get into the thousands range. Any help you could give me would so be so greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Carole

Greece is spectacular in May, with generally lovely, warm weather and NO crowds (July and August are another story). The water is too cool for most people if you want to swim, but otherwise, it is ideal. I was in Greece for four weeks in May a few years ago and had a single day of rain and once overnight rain followed by a cloudy morning. It was chilly and windy on Mykonos, warranting a sweater and windbreaker, but otherwise the weather was shirt-sleeve warm to hot during the day in both the islands and on the mainland. Greece is a wonderful place to relax, as the country itself runs in a laid-back fashion. For $500-$800 a night (not sure if that's per couple or for the four of you, but in the case of Greece it doesn't matter) you can stay in wonderful accommodations, as it's an inexpensive country. If you want to visit the mainland sites (Nafplio/Mycenae/Epidauros, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora) and don't want to drive yourselves, there are tours but probably below your preferred price point so probably not hotels that are as nice as you are accustomed to. One possibility is to contact a reliable Greek travel agency - Dolphin Hellas and Fantasy Travel are two - and see what they can put together for you in the way of a driver. The islands would not be difficult to book on your own, although an agent can arrange transfers from the port or airport to your hotel, which can simplify your trip.

If you choose to go to both Italy and Greece, I would probably put Greece second to avoid increasing crowds in Italy and take advantage of the reliable minimal tourists in Greece. You may be able to get a flight from Italy (Rome is most likely) direct to an island, which would let you then work your way back through the islands to Athens.

I favor making my own arrangements because it's easy with the internet, as you've noticed, and because you can tailor to exactly what you want. Booking.com is my favorite hotel site, with reliable reviews because you cannot post a review unless you have stayed at the hotel with a booking.com reservation. No phony reviews, which can be a significant issue on other sites.

Only point I can make is that you remember that Greece is beautiful because of its mountains so close to the sea. So It is very hilly and to see many of the sights requires up and down walks that could be strenuous for people in their 70's ( I am over 70 myself). You already know how relaxing the Cinque Terra and Amalfi can be as well as how great the food can be. Sip some lemon-cello and stay in Italy.

Greece has a few decent train lines but generally a car is best for mainland Greece and of course the islands - air or boat - and there are overnight ferries too that could be nice. But trains can play a part - check www.seat61.com for lots on them - where to go by train and boat also www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts.

How about Athens coming and going - maybe take bus tour or bus to Delphi and back and then head for some islands. But 10-12 days ain't much - if just do mainland Greece would be fine - Corinth, Meteora Monasteries, the Peloponnese are all neat.

There are plenty of wonderful places to visit in Greece that don't require hiking up and down large hills. Lots of flat towns, or places where you take the bus up to the hilltop village, etc. You may well choose to stay in Italy, but don't let the fact that Greece has mountains (as does Italy - plenty of steep hills on the Amalfi Coast and in the Tuscan hilltowns!) keep you from visiting Greece if you have the inclination.

No need to take a tour unless you want to do for either Italy or Greece. And no need to spend that much on hotels, again, unless you want to do so.

Yes, crowds will be MUCH larger -- and in some cases, potentially unpleasant -- in some of the places you visited or might consider visiting. The Cinque Terre comes to mind, but I suspect is not the only victim to increased tourism.

With 11 - 13 days, I would strongly encourage you to consider EITHER Italy OR Greece, not both. The time it will take to travel from one to the other will cut into your time to actually see and experience anywhere you go, and there is SOOooooo much to see in each location, and such a range of places, that I can't imagine you would run out of options in either place.

And as artsnletters notes, hills are not necessarily a problem in either location, although they could be a problem in either -- you just need to choose what works for you! And May can be a delightful time to visit either country.

I haven't written trip reports on my travels in Italy, but here's a link to my very long report on a recent trip to Greece:
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece
if you "just want a relaxing trip with good food and wine", you might want to look in particular at Crete or Nafplio.

Hope that helps!

Thank you all so much for your replies. I am going to start looking at all those websites. One basic question to get me started. Trying to figure out the order and transportation here. Flying from LA I figured it would be best to go to Tuscany first. Anyone know the best way to do this—fly To Florence somehow? Then we could go to Amalfi Coast (train? Driver?) then if we keep Greece in the plans we could fly to Santorini? And go home from Athens? If we decide not to go to Greece I guess we would start in Como area and fly to Naples first?

Pisa is the main international airport for Florence but Florence has an airport for intra-European flights -that said Milan or Rome with direct flights and probably cheaper fares would be best - Milan for Como and if end in Naples area then fly out of Rome.

Thank you! That helps.

Well you have plenty of time to decide - Naples Airport may have direct flights to USA too and certainly to Greece I would think.

For your transportation options, check rome2rio.com

www.skyscanner.net and for airlines serving any two airports.