Hello everyone!
I'm new to this forum but find it fantastic reading everyone's posts! My husband and I are going to greece and italy for 3 weeks in May. We are flying into London (from canada) because it was significantly cheaper. So this is my tentative plan and any suggestions/comments/critiques would be greatly apprecitated!
1.Fly from London to venice Italy, spend a few days in Venice
2. Train from Venice to Florence, spend a few days in Florence
3. Train from Florence to Rome, spend a few more days in Rome
4. Train from Rome to Brindisi and then Ferry to Greece.
5. Undecided about staying in Athens as my husband is currently concerned about the riots that have been happening there.
6. Ferry to Santorini
7.Ferry to another island (have not decided on other islands any suggestions would be great)

This is a very general outline of our itinerary. Its in the very beginning plannign stages so ANY and ALL input and advice would be so greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

First of all, forget about the "riots". They were sensationalized in the foreign press, and didn't affect tourists at all. Greeks enjoy the freedom of expression they've had since the colonel's regime of the late 60s - early 70s.

You may wish to think about flying Rome - Athens - Santorini. It will save you two long ferry rides and an overland journey from Patras to Athens.

I've noticed several times recently since the new Fodor's format appeared that I get a double entry in my replies such as the above "press, press,". Either my proofreading skills are deteriorating (highly likely), or something else is happening.

This hasn't occurred on other websites I use. Anyone else had this problem?

You might want to consider Mykonos and Delphi. Crete is someplace else to look into. Unfortunately, I missed it on my trip.

Hi Heimdall; Katie is aware of the problem. It's happened to many of us. iris1745/dick P.S. Tammzy; sorry to take up space on your post.

I agree with Heimdall. The riots were exaggerated in the foreign press. However, as you probably realize, there's a great deal of economic unrest in Europe, particularly in Greece,so there could be more demonstrations, strikes, etc. at almost any time. We've been in Athens during some of these, and typically find our visits mostly unaffected, although it's led to some revealing and disturbing political conversations.

As for your itinerary, I would suggest flying from Rome- Athens, then connecting straight through to Santorini. There's really no need to take the ferry from Brindisi, unless you're a big fan of LONG boat rides. Same with ferry to Santorini. I'd suggest flying. It's much shorter, and saves you a lot of time ( about seven hours to be exact).

Hi Tammzy; If I were doing this trip for three weeks, this would be my starting outline. Fly into Venice for [4] days. First day you will be tired. You could take a full day trip to Verona, by train. Then two full days in Venice. To Florence by train, [3] days. That would give you 1 1/2 days for Florence and a full days tour in Tuscany. So many places to visit. Train to Rome, [5] day's. You could do a one hour train ride to Orvieto for a day. A bus tour to Hadrien's villa that might include a great 'water garden' nearby [can't remember the name on another day. Then 2 1/2/ days in Rome. The sugestion by Heimdall was a very good suggestion to fly from Rome to Athens. When arriving in Athens, I would go direct to an Island. Not sure which one first. So Santorini [3] day's; We stayed in Oia. Then Rhodes or Mykonos for [2] day's. We stayed in www.mykonosgrand.gr/ Finally, Athens for [3] day's as you will be flying home from Athens. With the Plaka and Acropolis to see, plus changing of the guard [very different marching and fun to watch], a museum, you will have plenty to do. ENJOY iris1745/dick

Just a FYI. It's not that easy to travel between Santorini and Rhodes. A few years ago, there was only one VERY tiny plane available each day ( SKY EXPRESS). I don't know if that schedule has changed.

You might consider going to Crete straight from Athens, then taking the hydrofoil to Santorini for a few days, then on again to Mykonos, or Naxos or Paros.

In Crete, we've stayed in Chania, a lovely old harbor city whose culture reflects its Venetian, Turkish, and Greek heritage. THe winding streets of the old town lead to tavernas that were reconstructed after the bombs of WW 11. It's a fascinating place to stay for a few days- or longer!

When we stayed in Mykonos two years ago, we also stayed at the Mykonos Grand, but I really can't recommend it, especially if you won't have a car. It's a good distance from town, and unless you're willing to rely on the shaky bus service, you will be stuck there. There are few taxis on the island ( a total of only about 25 or so) and they are especially hard to find after dark. I think a better choice might be Hotel Belvedere or the Tagoo, both of which would put you much closer to town.

Agree you should fly Rome-Athens-Santorini (check Aegean airlines), then on to another island, perhaps Crete. Spend the end of your trip in Athens -- I'd recommend at least 3 nights. I would stay near Syntagma Square (we liked Hotel Cypria) so you can catch the airport express bus for your flight home.

These days it's very easy to travel between Santorini and Rhodes. Blue Star Ferries has changed one of its Dodecanese services to stop at Santorini three times per week in both directions. The timetable for 2009 has already been published: http://www.bluestarferries.com/dromo...id=4&lineid=16

Actually, it's 4 times each week from mid-June to mid-September.

Right you are, Lee!

Hi; We loved the Mykonos Grand. If you look at www.tripadvisor.com most people also love the MG. They have a great pool and just below the hotel is a sandy beach. The hotel also has a 'shuttle' into town. We walked. If you considered this hotel, make sure you get a room looking at the ocean and not the garden. The other hotels mentioned are also highly rated. iris1745/dick

Whoops! We stayed at Mykonos Blu. I'm thinking that this is a different hotel than The Grand because if we could have walked into town, we would have!

WOW! Thank you all soooo much for all your suggestions and comments. I will have to look into the flights from rome-athens. Any suggestions on which islands to see besides santorini? I was thinking of perhaps skipping mykonos because I was told its similar to santorini but more of a party scene. I have so much deciding to do!

"...which islands to see besides santorini?" Depends on what you want. None of the islands will be very busy in May, except possibly Mykonos when the students take their spring break. Easiest would be Paros or Naxos, both on the main ferry route from Santorini to Piraeus.

Naxos has a good combination of beaches, inland villages, and beautiful port. Paros, although smaller, is a little more complex, with tourist centers spread around the island.

If you want somewhere laid back, where you can walk to good beaches and dine in excellent tavernas, think about Antiparos, easily reached from Parikia, the Paros port. This is where I spend about a month every year - it was love at first sight!