kja

@ yiassas: That’s always an important distinction between trains and buses, isn’t it! I must admit that I’m a sucker for scenery, and so am inclined to prefer ground transportation to flying, but again, I greatly appreciate this information. If I do fly, I’ll definitely look into Aegean rather than Ryan and do so for the leg from Thessaloniki to Athens.

yiassas

No worries, have fun planning & most of all enjoy your trip!
Feel free to explore the rest of my photos, tons on the Peloponnese, spanning about 6 years out of the 7 I lived there (didn't have a digital camera prior to that, loved my SLR too much!). Also some I think of Naxos, Delos, Delphi, Meteora etc, not 100% sure which ones I've uploaded now, but have a nose around anyway

yiassas

BTW, if you choose the train to go tp Thessaloniki you can just take the one as far as Meteora first, stay over, then continue by train to Thessaloniki.

kja

@ yiassas: Again, thanks! On the way to Thessaloniki, I’d like to see Hosios Loukas, Delphi, Meteora, and Vergina, so I’m thinking of renting a car for that part of my trip – and maybe for some of my time in the Peloponnese, too. So many options, so many decisions! I'll definitely take advantage of your offer to browse more of your pics....

yiassas

If you do have a car Athens to Thessaloniki so you can do everything in between, then fly back, check the main car hire companies that would have outlets in both cities to reduce any one way drop off fee, it can be quite hefty!
Alternative is to train to Meteora, continue to Thessaloniki, do Vergina by bus (or a days car hire), fly back to Athens & rent a car to go to Delphi & continue to the Peloponnese.

kja

@ yiassas: Thanks, yes, I’ll be sure to make sure to avoid a drop off fee! I usually work with gemut.com, which arranges cars through Autoeurope, and it looks like they have offices in many places that could serve my needs. Of course, I could always plan on driving from Thessaloniki to Athens….

yiassas

Decisions, decisions! Too much Greece & too little time

kja

@ yiassas: Yes, indeed! Deciding what NOT to visit is, for me, always the hardest part of planning a trip. But I am thrilled that I'll be able to see as much as I will, and I'm very fortunate to be able to do so with your input and the input of so many people who have spent time in Greece -- Fodorites ROCK!

joannyc

Hi kja,

You have received so much valuable advice on this thread that I'm afraid I have nothing to add.

I only spent about a week in Greece quite a few years ago now. Only saw Athens, Meteora and did Hydra as a daytrip from Athens then took a boat to Poros where we took a boat taxi across to the Pelopenesse where we hired a taxi driver to be our guide up through the area with a stop in Epidaurus before ending in Corinth. From Corinth, we took a bus back to Athens. Then went to Turkey for another week or so. Not enough time in either place!

So sorry that I can not add any value to your planning!

Looks like a wonderful trip!!! Enjoy!

Fyi, my pics from this past Fall's trip to eastern France are out there if you are interested.

kja

@ joannyc: Thanks so much for weighing in! And you are right: I've already gotten a LOT of very valuable advice. I am always awed by the generosity of Fodorites!

I must admit that I would have expected, from you, a recommendation for where to best enjoy a sunrise mimosa, or a sunset glass of sparkling wine ;-) ... but I promise to raise my glass (even if of flat wine) to you wherever I choose for those experiences.

Again, thanks so much for checking in! Going to look for your pics now....

joannyc

Well, a mimosa or two on top of one of the Meteora formations at sunrise would surely not be a mistake!

joannyc

Or a beach on one of the islands at sunrise! ....Or both! Why not? Multiple mimosas are not a bad thing!

kja

@ joannyc: BYH! ;-) Somehow, I don't see myself climbing the stairs to any one of those towering rock formation in the predawn dark! And if I did, and had a mimosa, you might toast me when you read about that stupid tourist who fell off.

But to be serious, I hadn't considered greeting the day at sunrise while in Meteora -- but I think one of the monasteries, maybe Ayios Stefanos (which I think is actually a nunnery) -- is accessible without stairs. And I think it is supposed to offer some wonderful views.... You may have just given me a plan! Thank you so much!

joannyc

Will you have a car in Meteora? If so, that would be so cool to welcome the new day from high above with the spectacular views! Just be careful driving down!

I don't know if you could arrange a taxi to take you up to a monestary at that time of the morning. But, maybe you could!

Sounds like a good time!

joannyc

We were posting at the same time!

God bless you if you can walk up to any of those monastaries! I surely could not!!! And I walk about 3-4 miles a day, but not uphill!!!!

I did visit that nunnery during my visit.... Knock loud and long for them to answer the door!

yiassas

None of the monasteries will be open that early, but there are some excellent viewing points to watch the sunrise. I would take a taxi up there, arrange it the night before, then either get them to wait for you, or take a leisurely walk back down

joannyc

<< or take a leisurely walk back down . >>

It might be a VERY leisurely walk down after a few mimosas!

kja

@ joannyc: Although I've made no commitments to any part of my plan, I expect to have a car while in Meteora,. That said, if I'm reading correctly, I should be able to get to Ayios Stefanos without driving. If so, it seems a perfect place for a sunrise mimosa! And then I will bang and knock and wait (patiently, of course ;-) ) until I run out of bubbly. I have much to learn! Or, if there is an even better place to see this incredible area, hiring a taxi is a GREAT idea -- thanks so much!

So: I really have benefitted from your input. Thanks!

Unfortunately, I'm not sure I will be able to walk up to any of the monasteries -- I'm only slowly recovering from a recent thigh injury. But I'm being optimistic!

I'm not an early morning person, but I am plotting out some sunset options -- maybe Santorini, maybe the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.... As you say, no reason to restrict my options!

Again, many thanks for weighing in!

ANUJ

You have lots of great advice here already.

We visited Greece for 2 weeks (primarily some Cyclades + Athens only) in June a few years ago, end-May would certainly be cooler and less busy. I only want to add that the Cyclades, touristy or not, merit sufficient time.

I am not a party animal by any measure but enjoyed Mykonos (and its beaches)- <i>and it's also a great base for Delos</i>. Naxos is hugely underrated, we spent 3 nights there (rented a car as well) and wished we had more time, <i>I hope to return some day to visit the Small Cyclades from there</i>. Santorini is a slice of heaven - we stayed in Imerovigli where you can enjoy calderra views <b>and</b> sunsets both from your own balcony in private, given its position on the island. With a car we covered extensive ground - Akrotiri, Pyrgos, the Yellow Donkey Brewery, Santo Wines etc. Without a car, we enjoyed the hikes - Skaros rock, to Oia along the water's edge ... I could go on but you get the drift!

joannyc

I may be wrong but while there are no steps to get to that monastery (you cross a bridge), it is pretty high up there! I think you need to get a taxi or drive. Or is it really walkable from town? I don't remember.

Sunrise, sunset.... There is no wrong time to toast to your day! You can even do it on both ends!

Hope you recover quickly from the surgery! You are such an active traveler, you need to heal before leaving!