Travel Agent or Not?
 

My wife and I plan first trip to Greece, arriving Athens 11 May and departing Athens 24 May, 2002.<BR><BR>Rough itinerary: Two nights Athens, Plaka, overnight Ferry to Crete, Chania, 2 nights/3days Chania and overnight Ferry back to Piraeus. Rental Car and off to Peloponnese for balance, ranging from Nafplio to Monemvasia.<BR><BR>Researched itinerary like crazy and have lists of preferred hotels everywhere.<BR><BR>Having trouble getting it all done, conveniently, through a single Travel Agent. Without naming names, one of Matt Barrett's suggested agencies bombed on the assignment, and another Greek Agent, recommended by my own business associates in Athens, has been very slow to respond. Our departure date fast approaching. Anyone know of a dependable, one-stop, travel agent, whether in USA or Greece? Should I give up and do it on my own (looks like one can get it done over the Web and/or fax, etc., but I haven't tried, yet, wishing an Agent to do it and/or just because I haven't attempted to book anything this remote and/or extensive on my own before)?<BR><BR>All suggestions/tips welcome, and thank you.<BR><BR>Jim

&lt;&lt;getting it all done, conveniently, through a single Travel Agent&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>what is the "it"? more than just hotels? car rental? ferries? air travel?<BR><BR>I am having trouble understanding what you want a travel agent to do? Are you just uncomfortable overall being your own "general contractor"?<BR><BR>A common "motus operandi" for those (of "us") who seek to travel "independently" - - is just tackle each thing, one thing at a time - - by fax, e-mail or phone. There is no "getting it all done" - - just getting individual pieces done.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Rex, you don't know as much Latin as you'd like us all to think.<BR><BR>"Modus operandi".

Jim, It is pretty easy to do yourself especially since you have already done the time consuming part of researching. Start by e-mailing all the hotels you are interested in and ask for rates and availability for the dates you will be there. They will usually respond back within a day, then you e-mail them your credit card info to reserve. Make sure they e-mail you back a confirmation and you should print that out and take it with you on your trip. The ferry should be able to be arranged when you arrive in Athens and you can reserve the rental car from here. Good luck.

Oh my gosh, you're right.<BR><BR>We pedants always appreciate correction.<BR><BR>But maybe not corrections, as in department of...<BR><BR>The department of redundancy department is okay thought.<BR>

upping<BR>

My husband and I did a similar itinerary to yours on an April trip, except that we drove through the Pel first, then did Crete. We realized right away that Crete deserved as much time as the Pel, so the very next year we returned and spent a week on Crete, and the other week split between Athens,the Mani and Monemvassia area.<BR>Our modus operendi is to book the first and last nights in Athens, book the rental car through Eurocar and then pick up our hotels as we go (with the help of some of those good guide books). Trouble with travel agents is that they rarely know the out of the way places that are the most fun. They just have books of chain hotels. Live it up--book as you go.<BR>Vera

If you decide to arrange it yourself, have a look at <BR><BR>http://www.i-escape.com/destination_guide_results.php?country=Greece<BR><B R>before finalising plans. They have itineraries, suggested hotels (which you can book at no extra cost) and also will reply to e-mailed queries very fully and promptly.<BR><BR>Good luck!

Jim,<BR><BR>I had the same problem recently. Planning for June trip and the agents on Matt's site are terrible. They're slow to respond and only want to sell certain things. Though it's a lot of work, I'd try to do it step by step on your own. Good luck and try getting the Lonely Planet guide to the Greek Islands-they've got some good contacts for boats, etc.