globetrottingmom

Here's the thing: I have wanderlust. I have always had wanderlust. And until my second son was born I continued to travel the world.

It's been a few dry years travel wise thanks to having small children, a weak dollar and a husband who can't or won't take much time off of work.

So I am planning a trip to Greece for summer 2009. Yes, I know summer is the worst time to visit Greece, but I am a prisoner of the school calendar so be it.

The insane thing is, I am planning to go alone with my two kids as my husband may or may not be able to join us.

I'd rather have this be a family trip, but as that probably isn't in the cards I am steeling myself to go at it alone. My 9 year old has wanderlust like me and my 6 year old homebody will develop it by force.

The thing that is giving me worry about planning a Greece itinerary is the anxiety about hopping around from here to there with two kids and luggage in tow.

I'd love some advice. We'd like to spend around 3 weeks in Greece. I'd ideally like to plunk myself in one place for half the trip and spend the other half running around.

We'd like to visit Athens, the Peloponnese and maybe a solid week on one island. I would prefer an island or a choice of islands that are not party central (i.e not Mykonos). I would LOVE to hear any suggestions.

We would prefer not to spend one night here one night there as that is tricky with little kids.

Can someone suggest a nice base from which to explore Peloponnese-- something within range of sea and history? Is there an area where we might stay for a week?

Can someone suggest a few islands to focus on during the island portion of our trip. It need not be the most obvious ones, just ones that we can access.

I would so appreciate any direction. This is not an easy trip to plan!

VirginiaC

Perhaps you could rent a villa somewhere in the Pelopponese like Ermioni. From there you can travel by boat to such islands as Hydra and Spetses and use a rental car for exploring the mainland and to get to the beaches.
Be prepared to find playgrounds built on concrete and few barriers to keep children from falling from the sea walls into the harbors.

travelerjan

You can do it! Greeks love children and if you don't get overly ambitious you all can have a great time.

FIRSTLY, TIMING! -- I know school goes into JUne, but leave the VERY DAY it ends! Water will be swimmable, everything will be open, weather will be warm but not HOT (as in july) and -- most importantly-- the European package-holiday throngs won't have arrived yet! SO much more relaxing, and the locals will have more time to joke and jollify with your kids.

SEQUENCE -- if your flight arrives in AM, go straight to Peloponnese. If not, one night in Athens to recupe, then to Peloponese. Next, Island. Finally, Athens -- by that time, your kids will be "old GReek Hands" and can handle a bustling city. PS; kids under 18 get in FREE at almost all sites.

PELOPONNESE -- Take a KTEL bus or drive from Airport (choice? to be discussed) to Nafplio area in the Argolid. Best Base for you. Stay in Tolo, right on its small sandy beach. Easy to get into Nafplio for its sights (10-minute bus ride or 5 minute drive; vast free parking at seafront). Day trips? Easiest by car. If you bussed to Argolid, rent car locally for seeing ancient ruins. Kids will like Palamidi high fortress in Nafplio (taxi UP, walk DOWN) Nemea (an Olympia-type place), Tiryns and Theatre at Epidaurus. DO short stops, 1-2 max per day then go to beach.

ISLAND - For families, I favor NAXOS and its St. George/Ag.Giorgios Beach, which is shallow,great for kids, directly adjacent to Naxos Town a 5-minute walk. Get "studio" right on sand w. kitchenette so u can feed the boys on THEIR schedule. Others say Antiparos which also is kid-friendly but requires ferry to get back/forth to Paros for any sightseeing.

PLUSSES--if u haven't seen Santorini, Naxos has a day excursion there that will suit kid-schedule; leaves @ 7:30 returns by 7:30pm, & includes a bus on the island to take u around. ALSO a day excursion to Delos/Mykonos but I don't know if the 6 yr old would have the stamina for it.

ATHENS--most important, get a very convenient hotel in Plaka. Take them and a sight-seeing swoop around the Plaka area on the "happy Train" (an open-air amustement-park choo=choo that is only 5E and loads of fun).

Many more suggestions, too numerous to keyboard; e-mail me for details.

zeppole

>>My 9 year old has wanderlust like me and my 6 year old homebody will develop it by force. <<

That's the only statement in your post that worries me -- ok, maybe along with "I'm steeling myself."

Some people really are homebodies, by nature, and it runs pretty deep in them. The trait usually does show itself in childhood. I'm not suggesting you not take your six year old, but I am suggesting you not try to force him to be somebody other than he is. He might not like this trip. Allow him his feelings, just like everybody else is allowing you to indulge yours.

As for "steeling myself," I realize that going to a foreign country with a different alphabet is a big deal when you've got two kids, but moms have been taking kids to summer homes without dad for eons, so I think you can calm down a bit. I think you might have more fun if you planned two weeks of easy, no-pressure plopping and just one of running around.

Anyway, hope it all works out for you!

abram

How about a cruise for some of the the moving around island to island part--then you wouldn't have to unpack and repack or deal with trains, planes and automobiles.

Proenza_Preschooler

Island that is NOT party central: Rodos (Rhodes).

What is your budget?

Thingorjus

gruezi

gtm

I'm sure you will do fine - pack light - couple shorts, couple swimsuits for the kids. Sundress and a couple of shorts for you... that sort of thing.

Maybe a rental apt is best for you esp. one with washing and cooking facilities. Plus, your homebody will feel more at home. I have a homebody as well and she was quite happy in Greece plopped in one beautiful place for a week. It was Santorini, which actually I don't recommend for little ones your children's age, as there are better beaches and antiquities elsewhere.

I liked Rhodes very much as well as Lindos. I hear Crete is interesting but I haven't been.

A cruise is a nice way to see the islands but lots of the excursions may be tiring for your age children.

Also, something I learned somewhat late and regret a bit... Grade school is not that hard to make up. A trip to Greece will be a lot more educational than a week or two in 4th grade. Take your kids out of school now while you still can. In high school it's not as easy (but sometimes still worth it).

Enjoy your travels!

BTW, I have been traveling with my children and without my husband for years. He likes to work, I like to travel, and we do fine.

gruezi

29north

I would do a trafalgar or another travel trip company three in a room can probably be accomodated, no it is not a great solution for doing it on your own,but in the summer long hot unknown situations are hard to swallow with kids that age. Not really cheap, but easy, just like the comment on take a cruise, not really my style but sometimes very effective way to travel in place that are new.

globetrottingmom

Thanks so much for the replies and suggestions!

A few replies to your replies:

travelerjan:

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply and suggestions. I sent you an email. I really appreciate your input!

zeppoli:
Why such a nasty response? My husband and I had a chuckle over how I asked a legitimate travel question in earnest on Fodors.com and got flamed for it.

My original post was written with a sense of humor. Don't worry so much about us. We're a fun loving family and we accept each other for who we are.

Proenza:
Clever monniker Rhodes seems interesting. As for the budget, I was hoping to be able to rent something for around $2000 a week-- I haven't yet researched what that sum can get you though. Is this a viable budget?

Gruezi:
You and I are on the same page. I love to travel, he loves to work. It works out somehow.

I also routinely advocate for travel over elementary school, but my husband is a big proponent of perfect attendance. Grrr.

Can't fathom a cruise though.I know it would be an interesting was to see a lot while not making a company move each time-- still I'd prefer to maybe see less in general and spend my time intensely in one place.

Thanks all...

zeppole

Whoa. Gee, sorry for my well intended response. Didn't think you'd react that way. Guess writing doesn't always come across as one intends, huh?

dmlove

I guess it's all in your audience. I also didn't see zep's response as anything other than thoughtful.

grapes

I suggest one week on Lesvos Island at the Aphrodite HOtel on Vatera Beach. This is a family run hotel with frequent return quests. With a rental car from the hotel, you will be able to fill an entire week as Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece. There are beaches, pine forests, olive orchards, donkeys, cats, pottery, food, sunshine, and very nice people. Google Matt Barrett's website on Greece as he has great information and recommendations.

P.S. zeppole, there are times when none of us like to see our true character noted on the written page. Bristling to your honest response would be a good indicator of this truth.

Momliz

my kids got really, really sick of tours on our trip to Egypt. So, next trips I will try to schedule unscheduled things, or down time.

I just admire you for doing this. My DH has very little wanderlust, and I have LOTS, and so far have felt too guilty going off and leaving him. Now, one child is getting ready to leave the nest (yay, I think) but I can still travel with the younger ones. Which I will do, and let the DH have his "staycation".

Plunking yourself sounds like a great idea. Have fun, the kids are just the right ages, I think.