Spain or Greece????
Sep 6th, 2008 | 11:12 PM
#21
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,681
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Bryan, Greece is my favorite holiday destination, so would normally be tempted to suggest it over Spain.
I don't think the extra three hours flying time is an important factor. What worried me was your <i>" We would probably fly from Florida to Atlanta to London to Greece and then take a ferry to the islands.</i>
With layovers between connections, your actual travel time is likely to be much longer than an extra three hours. What if one of the flights is full? Will you be allowed on board as standby passengers? A direct flight from Atlanta to your final destination would be much better.
Then you want to "take a ferry to the islands." Let me give you an example: There are islands closer to Athens, but Santorini seems to be top of everyone's list. The Blue Star ferry for Santorini leaves Piraeus at 7:25am, and arrives at 3:00pm. By the time you have checked into your hotel you have used nearly a whole day just getting there, and will use another day travelling back to Athens.
In summary, your plans (for Greece) simply aren't realistic.
I don't think the extra three hours flying time is an important factor. What worried me was your <i>" We would probably fly from Florida to Atlanta to London to Greece and then take a ferry to the islands.</i>
With layovers between connections, your actual travel time is likely to be much longer than an extra three hours. What if one of the flights is full? Will you be allowed on board as standby passengers? A direct flight from Atlanta to your final destination would be much better.
Then you want to "take a ferry to the islands." Let me give you an example: There are islands closer to Athens, but Santorini seems to be top of everyone's list. The Blue Star ferry for Santorini leaves Piraeus at 7:25am, and arrives at 3:00pm. By the time you have checked into your hotel you have used nearly a whole day just getting there, and will use another day travelling back to Athens.
In summary, your plans (for Greece) simply aren't realistic.
Sep 7th, 2008 | 03:34 AM
#22
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,126
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I think Heimdall has pretty much summed it up. You do not have long enough to do the "greek island" thing. Leave it for another time. Besides, the islands will have had a long summer and by late Sept will be on the home straight for shutting down. Crete would be an exception, so if you can get a cheap flight ex London that would be a possibility.
But honestly, and I love Greece, and have been to Crete twice, I would chose Spain. For a week it offers far more variety and far more possibilities.
Madrid - Toledo - Sevilla - Madrid.
Malaga - Cordoba - Sevilla - Madrid.
These are just the bog standard option - plenty of others.
Love folk who wing it, but hope you are going to buy a good guide book at the airport and read it on the plane whatever you decide!!
Best of luck.
But honestly, and I love Greece, and have been to Crete twice, I would chose Spain. For a week it offers far more variety and far more possibilities.
Madrid - Toledo - Sevilla - Madrid.
Malaga - Cordoba - Sevilla - Madrid.
These are just the bog standard option - plenty of others.
Love folk who wing it, but hope you are going to buy a good guide book at the airport and read it on the plane whatever you decide!!
Best of luck.
Sep 7th, 2008 | 04:06 AM
#23
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,343
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Heimdall says it all. An example of what could go wrong: Two years ago, we had a 3 hour hour delay on a flight from Heathrow to Athens. Of course this threw everything off schedule. We missed our connecting flight to Crete, and had to overnight in Athens. Then the next day, the only flight we could book to Crete was in the late afternoon. So we basically gave up almost two entire days due to that first delay in Heathrow.
Sep 7th, 2008 | 05:47 AM
#24
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 29
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Very insightful..."Heidall", "afterall", and "weadles". Thanks so much.
It is great to hear the suggestions from folks that have been to Spain and/or Greece.
Okay, so the crazy flight options appear to be raising some red flags ;-)
Unfortunately, flying standby... .the flights do not look good on Saturday (the first day that we can leave), but, Sunday looks pretty good. So, I guess I could fly from Florida, connect in Atlanta, and then fly all the way to Athens, Greece. We would then obviously have to take the ferry down to an island. But, it sounds like it is a bit of a jog to the more popular islands.
On the other hand, availability does allow us to get from Atlanta to London on Saturday. Perhaps, we could take a low cost carrier directly to a Greek Island. But, as previously mentioned, that might be risky as well.
Other than that ... Spain would be the more straight forward option.
Looks like today is the decision day ;-)
Thanks a ton for all the suggestions. I think I am addicted to Fodor's, now.
--Bryan
It is great to hear the suggestions from folks that have been to Spain and/or Greece.
Okay, so the crazy flight options appear to be raising some red flags ;-)
Unfortunately, flying standby... .the flights do not look good on Saturday (the first day that we can leave), but, Sunday looks pretty good. So, I guess I could fly from Florida, connect in Atlanta, and then fly all the way to Athens, Greece. We would then obviously have to take the ferry down to an island. But, it sounds like it is a bit of a jog to the more popular islands.
On the other hand, availability does allow us to get from Atlanta to London on Saturday. Perhaps, we could take a low cost carrier directly to a Greek Island. But, as previously mentioned, that might be risky as well.
Other than that ... Spain would be the more straight forward option.
Looks like today is the decision day ;-)
Thanks a ton for all the suggestions. I think I am addicted to Fodor's, now.
--Bryan
Sep 7th, 2008 | 06:13 AM
#26
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Hey Bryan,
OK, I was intrigued by your post because they're such different areas.
I should also let you know that I'm a travel agent who's a Spain Specialist, certified by the Spain Tourism Board (and I'm on my way to Greece in a week for the first time)!
I think everyone gave you very good advice on both countries, but when I read the limited amount of time that you had, it swayed me in favor of Spain; specifically Madrid.
Use Madrid as your base, spend the first 2-3 days exploring the city -Madrid's made up of lots of distinctive neighborhoods. Then take a couple of day trips via the train to Toledo and Aranjuez and Guadalajara.
Day trips such as those are easy from Madrid, and that way, you're not spending precious time on a ferry connecting to Greek Islands, packing/unpacking, etc.
One word about pickpocks - Italy,France and Spain are known for this, and while I'm a pretty saavy traveller, my husband DID have a woman try to scam him after he'd just visited the ATM (I actually chased her down and made her empty her purse and plastic grocery bag, but she'd handed off my husbands' reading glasses (which is all she got thanks to his safety pocket) to her partner in crime!
We now use the "I've Got Your Back" method, where he's facing the ATM and my back's to his, facing anyone who might be thinking of separating us from our money!
Hope this is helpful - can't wait to see what you decide!
Regards,
Melodie
OK, I was intrigued by your post because they're such different areas.
I should also let you know that I'm a travel agent who's a Spain Specialist, certified by the Spain Tourism Board (and I'm on my way to Greece in a week for the first time)!
I think everyone gave you very good advice on both countries, but when I read the limited amount of time that you had, it swayed me in favor of Spain; specifically Madrid.
Use Madrid as your base, spend the first 2-3 days exploring the city -Madrid's made up of lots of distinctive neighborhoods. Then take a couple of day trips via the train to Toledo and Aranjuez and Guadalajara.
Day trips such as those are easy from Madrid, and that way, you're not spending precious time on a ferry connecting to Greek Islands, packing/unpacking, etc.
One word about pickpocks - Italy,France and Spain are known for this, and while I'm a pretty saavy traveller, my husband DID have a woman try to scam him after he'd just visited the ATM (I actually chased her down and made her empty her purse and plastic grocery bag, but she'd handed off my husbands' reading glasses (which is all she got thanks to his safety pocket) to her partner in crime!
We now use the "I've Got Your Back" method, where he's facing the ATM and my back's to his, facing anyone who might be thinking of separating us from our money!
Hope this is helpful - can't wait to see what you decide!
Regards,
Melodie
