Tavelling Sept/Oct How does one get around on Hydra? Flights Santorini to Rhodes???--how long by hydrofoil? Quickest and/or scenic way Rhodes-Kusadasi. Flights Kusadasi or Izmir to Athens?? Is car insurance compulsory?? Recommended eating places Lindos, Nafplion, Rethymno?? Car rentals Athens locale with easy exit-Delphi.

hi, Olympic Airlines has flight schedules on the internet just put in olympic airlines under your search and they will have domestic flights and time. I took a hydrofoil once in greece and did not find it a good experience. they were also unreliable.

When we were there in the summer of 98 there were 4 night (8:30pm) turboprop flights from Santorini to Rhodes per week (an Olympic Airways subsidasry co.). Flight duration was one hour. Check <BR>http://www.olympic-airways.gr/ <BR> <BR>There are no direct boat connections between Santorini and Rhodes (eventually you may find a ferry but it would take a whole night/day). <BR> <BR>We crossed to Marmaris by hydrofoil, picked our rental and drove to Kusadasi (with a detour to Pamukkale). You may also take an hydrofoil to Samos (with a change in Kos depending on day of week) and from there to Kusadasi (I guess you'll have to sleep in Samos, though) <BR> <BR>In continental Greece, we rented through Auto Europe. Liability and fire insurances were mandatory. CDW and theft were optional (which we took). In Santorini and Rhodes we rented small cars for a couple of days each. It were standard (relatively cheap) rentals and I don't remember which insurances were included. In Turkey we asked for all insurances, so I don't know if they would rent without. <BR> <BR>I don't remember the place we had a snack lunch in Lindos. We just stopped to a place that seemed right and sat down. In Nauplio it's hard to go wrong. We picked restaurants at chance and were not disapointed. One was at the water front, another one on a parallel street more to the inside and the last one on Syntagua Square: Ta Fanaria, Hellas and Karamanlis are the names but I don't remember which's which. <BR> <BR>If you're getting a car for 5 days or more, you may get the best deal with AutoEurope. They delivered the car at the hotel (Amalia in our case, near Sintagma square) and we didn't have any problems whatsoever driving out ... <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Hi there! When we went Greece we rented a car for 2 weeks. We didn't want or need insurance and they were so upset that they charged the whole car ($3500.00) on our credit card. When we returned it, they credited the account (another good reason to have a spare credit card!!!

Thanks Paulo. What were the roads like from Marmaris to Kusadasi? How long would it take to drive directly?? Were you able to drop off the car at Kusadasi without any charges?? What about air travel between Kusadasi and Athens?? Notice that Lindos is a pedestrian city only--how does one get from Lindos to Rhodes and other towns on the island??

I only drove the Marmasis-Kusadasi route in two smaller pieces (going from Marmaris to Bodrum and visiting Priene, Miletus and Didima out from Kusadasi). We drove to Pamukkale, spent the night, and from there to Kusadasi. The route is a two-way highway all the way. In the pieces we drove it was very well maintained and well marked. Relatively low traffic. No problems whatsoever. The driving distance from Marmaris to Kusadasi is about 200km and you should be able to do it in 3 hours nonstop (from Pamukkale to Kusadasi it's about the same and we did it under 3 hours). <BR> <BR>We rented in Marmaris and returned it in Istanbul without charges. I would guess that the same would hold by returning either in Kusadasi or Izmir's airport. <BR> <BR>Don't know about air travel between Izmir (Kusadasi doesn't have an airport) and Athens. Being the 2nd largest city in Turkey, I would guess that there should be quite a few daily flights. <BR> <BR>Once you have visited Rhodes city (one full day), the best way to explore Lindos and the island is by car. Though we were 4 adults, since we didn't carry any luggage and stuff in the island, we rented a minicar (easier to park). We did the same in Santorini. If you don't feel like driving in Rhodes, there's public transportation and there are also organized tours. <BR> <BR>In Rhodes, we stayed at the hotel Plaza. This is not what one would call a hotel with a Greek ambience ... but it's a very good value Best Western 4-star (we payed about US$ 70/double/night). Attached to the hotel there's a travel agency (I may get you their tel/fax numbers) that owns an hydrofoil that operates the Rhodes-Marmaris crossing (lowest rate), may rent you a car in Rhodes and may also eventually rent you a car in Marmaris, should you decide so. The hotel page is at <BR>http://www.rodos.com/plaza/index.html <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Hydra is lovely if you keep away from the overcommercialed port and go into the backroads and up the mountain to the monestary. You get around by walking, maybe bikes and perhaps, if you are lucky, donkey rides. There is a fabulous bar near Hyrda port, off to the right a bit if you are looking at the harbor which used to feature a big parachute hanging from the door or ceiling. Definitely worth a stop for a sunset cocktail.

Ron....All of these posts concerning your trip are right on the money. Paulo went by rental car from Marmaris to Istanbul. I did it in just the reverse and I too stopped at Bodrum and then over to Kusadasi. I recently checked with Auto Europe, who will be renting me a car during my upcoming trip in April/May, and they had a real good price on a small economy car from Marmaris to Kusadasi with no drop charges and taxes/insurance are included. Work with them on their 1-800-233-5555 number. I found them to be the cheapest and have used them before on my other trips. By the way, the pleasant ferryboat trip from Rhodes to Marmaris was only 2 or 3 hours and not particularly expensive. I found a little pension in the small narrow back alley, directly behind all the restaurants that line the harbor at the east end of town. It was recommended by lonely planet and it was one of the best stops we made during our visit. Small clean, very bare and simple place to spend the evening but it had a beautiful litlle flower filled courtyard with fountain and the most wonderful breakfast food offered to us throughout the vacation. I wish I could remember the name, but it's been a few years. You might want to ask around. Try a night of dining at the harbor with the turkish sailing boats that you can rent lined up 10 feet away from your table is something I think you'll enjoy. Stroll around the sea wall and you'll eventually find a British bar. They may be able to give you directions to this little place in that narrow side street. If you travel along that alley way from east to west it will eventually bring you into the bazzar and the nearby rental car office. Hope this helps. If you need some more tips on good deals on great hotels in Kusadasi send me an e-mail and I'll see if I can find website that gives you a picture and the low rates that you'll find in Turkey. If you exchange ten bucks into Turkish Lira you'll end up with about 5,500,000 lira in your pocket. good luck

What gives?? Mike, how are you dropping the car in Kusadasi. I am renting a car in May in Keyseri from Auto Europe and wanted to drop it in Kusadasi, but they told me there is no drop off point there. I have to drop it in Izmir and take a bus or something back to Kusadasi? I thought that was strange since even Avis has a location in Kusadasi, but I first did the Auto Europe thing on their web site, and when it came out Izmir, I called them and they confirmed that there was no location in Kusadasi?? What do you know that I don't???

OOOps!!!Mike, you listed Auto Europe's number wrong above. I just called it and got quite a shock!!! I thought maybe they were offering a new service!! Auto Europe is 1-800-223-5555 (not 233). Try your number and you'll see what I mean. Meanwhile, Auto Europe now tells me that within a week or so, they will be able to give me a drop location in Kusadasi, they just haven't loaded that into the computer yet. So I guess all will be well.

Ron....Things may have changed since my phone call with the guy at auto Europe. It was about 5 weeks ago, and I subsequently changed my plans and we decided to drive the Peleponnese instead. I'd look around for another agency to rent from if Auto Europe can't negotiate a drop in Kusadasi. Izmir is a long haul on the bus. I find it hard to believe that with all the Brit tourists that take their vacations there, that you couldn't find a good rate with one of their rental companies. Kusadasi has their own web site on what to see and where to stay. You might try them for some suggestions. I'm not sure but you might want to try this site www.kusadasihotel.com you will either get the site for the rental car options or a great hotel that I would highly recommend you check out. It's the Koru Mar Hotel right on the water with a great pool with a swim up bar and wonderful restaraunt and a great price. If I can find that other web site I'll get back to you.

OPPs....My last post was supposed to be for Patrick. By the way, that Korumar Hotel is now $60 a night for a five star hotel that rates right up there with the best I've seen in Turkey. Check it out.Glad to see that Auto Europe can fix you up. Sorry about the mix up on the phone number...Have a great trip and don't forget to check out Ephesis while you still have the rental car. It's a great site to visit before or after the tour buses leave. If the Korumar is full try the Karavansary hotel in the center of town. I think you'll like it and the location is great if you turn in the car....adios

Quite a quick thread we've got going here. Hmm. We have booked to stay three nights at the Hotel Kismet in Kusadasi. Were told it is not only beautiful, but much more "character" than the other 5 star hotels. Have a rate of about $90 the end of May. What do you think, or do you know the hotel??

Patrick... I'm not familiar with the kismet but you may find it if you browse around on www.kusadasihotels.com or another site www.kusadasi/net In any case the Hotel I mentioned is great but that $60 a night rate is only good thru the 1st of May. However, I just saw that the Club Caravanserail, the other one I like in the center of town has a rate of $80 per night with a 20% dicount if you book it on line. This is a 4 star hotel across the street from the water and it also has a night club/restaraunt. Check their pictures out on those web sites and don't be afraid to look at renting a house/condo. Their weekly rates will be close to what you'll pay for 3 or 4 days in the 5 star hotel. There are also a couple of hotels with 1/2 board for the week as low as $135 per person, but they are on the water a few miles to the north and you'll need a car. Whereever you stay it will be a good deal, but for my money, I'd check on prices at the Korumare during your visit. You can use the web to e-mail them and ask about prices/availability. When you see the great pictures of their hotel that they have on their site, let me just say that the view of the Turquoise Sea below their pool looks better in person than it does in the picture. If you don't agree with me when you return, I'll buy you a beer...adios