Santorini + Naxos + Athens - not sure where to spend an extra day
Oct 16th, 2018, 08:11 AM
#62
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Where did you book in Firostefani? We are planning a trip in September.....Checking out -Infinity and Dana Suites - Agali House - Mill House - I think its a great location for us. We are 2 couples and want a nice pool -bar and view. We plan on being out and about and only there for 3 nights.
Oct 17th, 2018, 11:11 AM
#63
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mels - we are staying in a private home, not a hotel. Sorry! Take a look at Booking.com.
One thing I did notice is that places on Santorini book way ahead of time. Some of the places I was interested in (hotels) were already booked for May 2019.
One thing I did notice is that places on Santorini book way ahead of time. Some of the places I was interested in (hotels) were already booked for May 2019.
Oct 17th, 2018, 07:41 PM
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I was on Santorini on the 9th-11th of May in 2014 and did not find it over-touristed at that time, although the evidence was everywhere that it sees a lot of tourists. I did head off to see Akrotiri and similar sights during the day, to avoid being in Oia and Fira during the hours when the cruise ships are in port. Maybe I was just lucky on that trip, as two of the three days I was on Mykonos there were NO cruise ships in port.
Oct 18th, 2018, 07:58 AM
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Buffalo girl, about the cruise ship schedules -- as probably mentioned above, the heaviest days are the weekdays & the worst of the worst are T-W-Th ... but lately, no days are "light". (Recently the Island govt. has had to impose a daily limit of cruise-persons, because of the huge impact of these throngs on island infastructure (A/C, water, sewers, roads etc) -- but the limit is 8,000. EIGHT THOUSAND. Wow. Anyway The earliest arrivals "up top" will be about 9 AM (anchoring as early as 8, but they must come to land in bunches, on ship launches, then get to top via cable car). The throngs usually then go to OIA, via tour bus or hired cars or vans or public bus, so the first wave will start pouring in to OIA around 9:30-9:45, with the full brunt by about 10:30. Since some ships will only arrive at noon, the flow (gush? tsunami?) will keep up until mid-afternoon.... then it will taper off in OIA while it peaks in FIRA town, as they line up for cable cars.
In OIA there is a slight lull from about 5 - 6 ... depending on time of sunset -- ( in May-June-early July sun sets at 8 - 9pm). Some of the cruise ships leave by dinner time, others stay until dark, but in early evening the Oia Crush is caused by people who are staying in Santorini. Somewhere way back when, Santorini promoters successfully spread the idea world-wide that the best sunset in Greece was in OIA, so the lemmings rush to the cliffside, as much as 90+ minutes beforehand. THey pack the parapet lanes so thickly that one cannot pass, and there's NO place to sit down. Here's a collection of online photos of this crowd scene: santorini crowds - Google Search The rest of us realize that the sun goes down in the west Everywhere, so we simply find seats in a cafe or a vantage point anywhere else on the western side of the island, to enjoy the sunset in relatively uncrowded comfort.
In OIA there is a slight lull from about 5 - 6 ... depending on time of sunset -- ( in May-June-early July sun sets at 8 - 9pm). Some of the cruise ships leave by dinner time, others stay until dark, but in early evening the Oia Crush is caused by people who are staying in Santorini. Somewhere way back when, Santorini promoters successfully spread the idea world-wide that the best sunset in Greece was in OIA, so the lemmings rush to the cliffside, as much as 90+ minutes beforehand. THey pack the parapet lanes so thickly that one cannot pass, and there's NO place to sit down. Here's a collection of online photos of this crowd scene: santorini crowds - Google Search The rest of us realize that the sun goes down in the west Everywhere, so we simply find seats in a cafe or a vantage point anywhere else on the western side of the island, to enjoy the sunset in relatively uncrowded comfort.
Oct 18th, 2018, 03:01 PM
#71
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Holy moly, travelerjan!!!!! Naxos is looking better and better by the minute!!!!
I am making a note to myself to to get up REALLY EARLY one day and get to OIA and walk around before the ships arrive. I would like to get down to Amoudi Bay, too. I was hoping to have lunch there, but that may be impossible if the cruise ship crowds beat us to it. And then maybe escape!!! Another day we will hire a guide to take us around to the southern part of the island. I found a private tour that would take us to some of the villages there, as well as a winery, an archaeological site, and a monastery. Maybe another day in Imerovigli. We will watch the sunset from our rental property. It has fabulous views. I just couldn't go that far without seeing Santorini.
I am making a note to myself to to get up REALLY EARLY one day and get to OIA and walk around before the ships arrive. I would like to get down to Amoudi Bay, too. I was hoping to have lunch there, but that may be impossible if the cruise ship crowds beat us to it. And then maybe escape!!! Another day we will hire a guide to take us around to the southern part of the island. I found a private tour that would take us to some of the villages there, as well as a winery, an archaeological site, and a monastery. Maybe another day in Imerovigli. We will watch the sunset from our rental property. It has fabulous views. I just couldn't go that far without seeing Santorini.
Oct 19th, 2018, 07:35 AM
#72
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The Santorini bus schedule may have changed since my last visit, but I think the earliest OIA-bound bus from the Firostephani bus stop is about 8:30; takes about 20 minutes, then a walk of 5 mins or so to reach the view areas ... write your landlord in Spring & ask for May '19 schedule. If u want to go earlier, arrange to have a taxi pick u up... u can bus back.
Oct 20th, 2018, 04:16 AM
#73
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Very early morning in Oia is blissful. When I’ve stayed there I get up early, head for the bakery for breakfast pastries, then have a walk around completely uncrowded streets. You can soon tell when the cruisers start arriving, and then it’s time to head for another less crowded part of the island, or retreat to the privacy of your balcony or terrace.
May 13th, 2019, 05:59 AM
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Heimdall - I am taking your advice and going to Oia very early on our first full day. We will try to get the earliest bus from Fira, walk around town before the crowds show up, and make our way down to Amoudi Bay for an early lunch then head out of there. I checked the cruise ship schedule and there's only one ship that day. Two ships the next day and three on our last day! On the 3rd day we are taking a private tour of the island.
May 13th, 2019, 09:38 AM
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I am considering a trip to Greece in spring 2020 and we plan on visiting Santorini, Naxos, Athens, and perhaps one other island. So I am looking forward to reading your trip report!
