Dreamer2

Rats - the Edit feature did not accept my changes to the last post!

I just wanted to add to SSARW's recommendations: check out Petros Mazarakis' van tours for your family, especially to places outside the city like Sounion, Corinth, or Napflion. He was great!

And to say, I feel certain that all of you planning trips to Greece will have a fantastic time. It's such a great place. Happy Trails!

annabelle2

I loved reading your report. I traveled often with my family when I was growing up and those trips are some of my favorite memories; I am so glad your family trip was wonderful.

I especially loved your description of the Greek Easter services and celebrations. Beautiful!

In the planning stages of a trip to Greece in 2007 with friends, including a return to Athens and first time visits to several islands including Crete and Santorini, so your tips are very useful, thank you.

One of my strongest memories of being in Athens is the smell of the orange blossoms, by the way!

Bettina222

Dreamer2,
I hope this isn't a stupid question but is Easter in Greece the same date as our Easter here?

Brian_in_Charlotte

Greek Orthodox Easter usually (maybe always?) a different date than "our" Easter.

brotherleelove2004

Greek Easter and "our" Easter are usually a week apart, but sometimes fall on the same day. In 2007 they will be on the same day.

Bettina222

Thanks brotherleelove
any idea about 2008?

brotherleelove2004

Check here: http://gogreece.about.com/cs/greekor...asterdates.htm

Vera

Wonderful report. Greece is my favorite place and I haven't been there for ten years, so I'm having serious withdrawal pains.
To Chase Chow: Three days is definitely minimal in Crete. My husband and I spent two nights there on one trip (after a week in the Pel and before three days in Santorini) and the very next year we went back for a full week of driving around Crete. April was wonderful in Crete and the Peloponnese. Wild irises and honeysuckle in bloom everywhere. Since you don't want to stay in Athens, you might want to spend some time in the Peloponnese, too.
Vera

chasechow

Vera, thanks for the suggestion. We are hoping to go over for about 10 days, so am thinking we would split it up, 5-Crete and 5-Santorini, unless you all think one place deserves more time than the other.

I feel really stupid but I have to admit that I've never heard of the Peloponnese. I'm going to look into this area as well.

Vera

Chasechow: The Peloponnesus is about half of mainland Greece. Well, not really mainland, it is a peninsula, but that's splitting hairs. It is the site of most of the important ancient sites--Olympus, Sparta, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Tyrns,for example. Also where you find the Mani peninsula with fascinating tower homes and the island medieval fillage of Monemvassia, not to mention the charming town of Nauplia. Have you guessed that it is my favorite part of Greece?
Personally, I think five days on Santorini is overkill. Three is good.
Vera

Bettina222

I'm hoping to spend 3 nights on Santorini, 3 nights on Crete and maybe the last 2 in Athens.
Does this sound doable?

Gia

Dreamer - Lovely trip report! Sounds like such a sweet vacation, and thank you for the tips - I will be putting them to use in September, so thank you in advance! Best, gia

LilyE

Wonderful trip report! My husband and I honeymooned in Greece last year and it makes me want to return! We spent 5 nights in Santorini and 3 nights in Athens.

I would echo that driving in Oia and on the island itself is not bad. Locals will tailgate you and pass you, but we didn't regret having the car for a couple of days.

I would add one restaurant not to miss in Oia - Candouni. The food was excellent and the owners were warm and friendly. They came out to our table and talked with us for awhile. They gave us many recommendations of things to do and see on the island. They are off the beaten path and can be a little hard to find, but it's worth the hunt!