My husband and I are thinking about taking our 1st trip to Greece in late May/early June 2006. We're planning to go for about 2 weeks or so. I've done some research on places to visit, and am thinking about Athens - Crete - Santorini. I've read several posts on this board and done my due diligence for hotels and have come up with the following very basic itinerary:

3-4 nights Athens - Hotel Grande Bretagne
Fly to Chania
3 Nights Chania - Ammos Hotel
Drive to Elounda
3 nights Elounda Gulf Villas
Ferry to Santorini
4 nights Kakities Hotel
Fly back to Athens and onto US.

Questions I have:
1) Is 3/4 nights in Athens too little/much? I think the first day/night will be a wash, with jet lag from the US. We'd want to see the Acropolis, Parthenon, Nat'l Archaeological Museum. Maybe also do the hydrofoil trip to Hydra or go to Epidaurus Theater/Mycenae.
2) What about the schedule in Crete? We want to go to Samaria Gorge, Heraklion Museum, and Knossos. Figured that we could do Samaria day trip while in Chania, and then the Museum/Knossos while in Elounda.
3) Can we rent a car in Chania and then drive it to Elounda, and then return it by the ferry?
4) Alternatively, any thoughts on maybe cutting the days in Crete and adding Naxos or Paros to the itinerary?

I like the idea of ending with relaxation time at Santorini. Generally, we prefer smaller hotels when available, and preferably ones that limit the number of children (or do not allow them) at the property.

Thanks for your help in advance!!

Sun Rocks in Firostephani on Santorini is a "Couples Only" establishment.

The Aspaki Suites in Oia on Santorini are very special self-catering houses. This is not a hotel but daily maid service is provided. No swimming pool. www.artmaisons.gr

To brotherleelove2004:
You seem to be very knowledgeable
about Greece. I am planning a trip
June 7-17 for myself, two sisters,
sister-in-law, mother-in-law and my
husband, ages 38-60. A bunch
of fun people! I have an itinerary from
Fantasy Travel. May I send it to you
for your recommendations? We
want to see the Acropolis, Santorini,
Rhodes and Crete. Not sure if Mykonos
is worth fitting in our time schedule. Not sure if Fantasy has picked the best places for us to stay. We also don’t want to spend
long hours on ferries, so I think we have three flights scheduled. Any feed back you can give me is greatly appreciated. Our first time to Greece.

Thanks.
Colette

Lorib1:
My husband and I went to Greece in early June last summer. The weather was perfect, so your planning is great.
We stayed at the Grande Bretagne in Athens for two nights and three days. The location of the hotel is perfect for all sightseeing.
We arrived in the late afternoon on Saturday and after checking in and an early dinner we were exhausted from the trip. But, having all day Sunday and Monday was enough time to spend in Athens. We went to the Acropolis on Sunday - late morning, spent several hours there (took a tour that we got outside the gate and it was well worth it to learn so many interesting details that you can't get from a book)
ate a late lunch in the Plaka area and spent time at the Grande Bretagne pool.
It is so nice and the view is great.
We had worked with Uli at Dolphin Hellas Travel Agency to make most of our reservations. She was able to get us rooms at the Grande Bretagne and at the Katikies after my emailed reservations inquiry came back as totally full at both of those places.
I think I started making reservations
at this time of the year, at least 6 months early. Uli also arranged for us to have a driver on Monday. That enabled us to see a number of places in a short time and our driver was great fun. On our way to the airport to fly to Santorini, late Monday, we went to Cape Souioun (sp.) that was an unexpected treat.
Be sure to stay at the Katikies Hotel.
We never saw the other Katikies properties but know that this is absolutely a fabulous place. We originially had the least expensive room but were upgraded to a suite and
enjoyed every minute of our stay there.
Also went to Hydra for two days, thoroughly enjoyed it also. So quite with no car traffic allowed.
If you have any other question, please email me. The Greek food and people and way of life are a great experience.

Cdowden-thank you for the compliment, but my current experience is mostly limited to the Cyclades islands and Athens. It's been too long since I was in Crete to be of much use to you and I've never been to Rhodes although I'm looking into the possibility of going there in the coming year. Fantasy Travel has an excellent reputation, so I'm sure what they've set out for you will be just fine. If you want more information about Rhodes and Crete, go to the Lonely Planet Thorntree Western Europe Branch and leave a posting there. There are some regular contributors who are VERY familiar with Crete and Rhodes.

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/index.cfm

Others will disagree, but I think you can eliminate Mykonos and not miss much.

In Athens I recommend the Parthenon, the National Archaeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, shopping in the Plaka and a ride up Lycabettus Hill in the Funicular from the Kolonaki district below for a drink at sunset and a spectacular view of the city.

Flying is a good idea. I choose jets over the ferries every time except for short hops between neighboring islands. You can't beat the ferries for that. In June there's a daily fast ferry that travels between Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini-Crete. It will be much cheaper (and perhaps faster) than flying, since almost all interisland flights first return to Athens for plane changes. It's a catamaran, not small, so it's stable. This is their website:

http://www.greekislands.gr/hfd/

AKNIC - Thank you for your help. Can you please give me Uli's information at Dolphin Hellas (email address or other contact info) so that I can start the planning? I like the idea of having a driver. I will definitely need help with the reservations. So you did Athens - Santorini - Hydra? Why did you choose Hydra & what did you like best about it?

Also - was thinking about the trip to Crete. If we decide to skip Samaria Gorge, I think we could just stay in Elounda area for a few days to see the sites and relax. What other island/area do you all recommend to add?

As always, all help is greatly appreciated!!

Just wanted to add my 2 cents! Went to Greece last summer also. Stayed at GB & Katikies - AMAZING. Worth every cent. If you book at Katikies, don't forgot to ask for a room above the pool level. I got a great deal from GB directly from their website - you should check out their deals there - they are better than posted rates (and include breakfast which is 40 euro p.p. or something crazy like that!) If you enjoy beautiful beaches and water, I would highly suggest Mykonos. Psarrou beach was the best of all beaches I visited. The beaches in Santorini are very far from Katikies, and are all rocks. Mykonos was unreal. I would stay 2 or 3 nights at Petassos Beach - not like Katikies, but the rooms face the bay where the most beautiful yachts park...it is amazing. However, it may be cool in May/June for beach anyway...my brother went last May to Mykonos and they could not swim in the water. Katakies in Santorini has 3 locations now, so be very very careful when booking - ensure you book Katikies Hotel. I saw many many customers become very upset when they were not allowed entry to Katikies hotel, when they thought they booked there - the hotel is much much nicer than their other locations. You will have the best trip of your life...best of luck!

lorib1:

The travel agency is Dolphin-Hellas.gr.
On the webpage go to the bottom of the page and click on Our Team.
[email protected] is the link I believe. Normally I make my own travel arrangements but was having trouble with flights from London to Athens when I first contacted her. She
was so prompt in getting back with me and very nice. Since I was having trouble with hotel responses, I asked her to help there also. Really made my trip planning so much easier and her suggestions were excellent on other questions I had about Greece.
I am sure that the other travel agents in this office are equally as good, just happened to work with her.
You do need to do your homework about where you would like for your driver to take you. We had a list of places to see and he added a few other spots that were along the way and very interesting. Uli gave us a choice of a regular driver or one with an advanced degree in history. We didn't feel like we needed an expert and this driver knew plenty of info to help us enjoy the day trip. We planned the day to end with dropping us at the airport for our flight to Santorini so actually did not spend for an additional taxi fare to the airport.
We did take the metro in from the Athens airport when we came back from Santorini and on the way to the hydrofoil to Hydra. The train is easy to use and very clean.
If you need any other help, please let me know. Again, be sure you are getting a room at the Katikies Hotel - not the other properties unless you really don't mind staying there.
AKNIC

Your itinerary sounds fantastic. We did a similar trip in June of 2003. I think 3 nights is more than enough time in Athens-- we spend 4 nights there, and spend two of those days on trips outside the city to Delphi, and to Mycenae/Epidaurus. You really only need 1.5 days to see the major sights in Athens and get a flavor for the city. We added Hydra for 2 nights, which was very cute and relaxing. We stayed at the Bratsera, which I think is the nicest on the island. We took the hydrofoil from Piraeus and back, and then hopped on the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Athens the same night. It's not the fanciest way to travel, but it was very efficient, we had a very clean private cabin with a bathroom. We didn't do Chania, but spent 4 days at the Elounda Mare which was gorgeous, I'd definitely look into that hotel. We also took the ferry to Santorini and stayed at the Katikies Hotel which is a must. We are beach people, but stayed at the pool most days (3 out of our 4 there) because the views are so specatacular.

We are also planning a trip to Greece, April 30-May 13. We are planning to use Uli with Dolphin-Hellas, and will likely contact her next week. I will report back on how it goes.

IMO,it would be a mistake to go to Crete and not see Chania and other places in western Crete, which is much more the "pure Crete" than the eastern part where Elounda is located.

thanks for all of your replies. we are planning to contact Uli at Dolphin Hellas this week.

Grandmere - if we decide on western Crete - where do you suggest for accomodations? What is the nicest place there?

Hi Aknic and everyone else on the forum.
We are planning to arrive in athens on 6-30 and stay for 2 nights at hte grand bretagne.. 7-2 for 3 nights in mykonos and then 7-5 for 3 nights at katikies in santorini. I'm feeling like we're going to too many places and could use your help..

Aknic.. can you let me how you spent your days in santorini and athens?

Just to let you know I contacted Uli at Dolphin Hellas yesterday and her e mail says she won't be back until Jan 9.

Stanbr - thanks. Will send Uli an email over the weekend, so she'll have it on her return.

I would stay in Chania or nearby. We rented an apartment in the small village of Megala Chorafia, about 20 min. drive from Chania.

Maybe others on here could recommend some nice places actually in Chania.

Hi everyone. After doing more reading and such - I'm thinking about jumbling up our potential itinerary as I plan to send it along to Uli at Dolphin Hellas.

3 nights Athens @ Hotel Grande Bretagne (I have a corporate rate from work!)
*Fly to Chania
*3-4 nights Chania @ Ammos Hotel (is the Ammos the best accomodations in the Chania Area?)
*travel to Folegandros
*2 nights Anemomilos Apartments
*Travel to Santorini
*4 nights Kakities Hotel
*Travel to Athens
*(if necessary - another night in Athens depending on flights back to US)

My one big question to everyone is - if we stay in Chania - is it possible to do a day trip (albeit a long one) to Knossos and Heraklion museum?

If it is doable, I think that staying in Chania will be better for us, and then we have the option of doing the Samaria Gorge hike if we choose to do so.

Also - how can we travel to Folegandros from Crete? Fly? Or is there a ferry? Flight costs are not an issue if that is a possible route. Or would we have to take the ferry thru Santorini.

What do you all think? Again - thanks in advance for your help & recommendations.

basj:

In Athens we spent several hours at the Acropolis and then wandered down to the Plaka for lunch. That evening we took the funicular to the top of
Mt. Lycabettus for a great view of the city and a drink. Had dinner at Daphne's that night. It was very nice but totally full of Americans.
Monday, we met our driver at the hotel at 9:00 AM. He took us the the National Gardens, to see the Changing of the Guard, the Benaki Museum, the Olympic Stadium and by Hadrian's Arch. We had a delightful lunch by the water and ended the drive at Mt. Sonioun(spelling) on our way to the airport.
The places that you will probably want to see are not spread out in Athens.
One reason we had a driver is that I had injured my foot and was not sure how much walking I would be able to do.
If you are staying in the area of the Grande Bretagne, many of the sights are very doable on foot.
While on Santorini, we enjoyed one morning on Oia shopping and taking in the views. Do not miss having lunch at Amoundi's - it is the best.
We stayed at the Katikies and could actually have never left the pool area.
But, we did rent a jeep one day and toured the island. It was easy to drive there. We found some of the beaches but since we are from the Gulf Coast, guess we are spoiled as he beaches in Santorini are so rocky, but still the water is gorgeous.
We could have taken additional tours of the caldera or enjoyed sailing but we were really happy to relax on Santorini. Finished our trip in Hydra at the Bratsera. We were able to get some real beach time in there and enjoy the Aegean Sea.
Oia does really fill up when the cruise ships arrive. We tried to be back at our hotel when the town was full of people.
Know you will have a great trip. The people in Greece are so nice.
AKNIC

Thanks Anik..

Reporting back on contact with Uli at Dolphin-Hellas:

We received an email from Uli the day after she returned to work from vacation. She answered our questions and sent Word attachments with hotels/rates/descriptions for every city we are going to, car rental info, guided tour info, and booking terms info.

We simply selected the hotels we wish her to book for us and faxed our request to her, along with signed authorization forms and a copy of the front and back of our credit card.

We decided to go with Avis for our car rental as we get a corporate discount. We also opted out of the guided tours as they were not really what we were looking for.

Uli is very professional and knowledgeable and she does not in any way try to push other services on you.

Incidentally, we saved about $170 (US) over 13 nights by booking with her over booking with the hotels directly. Not a vast sum of money, but it will pay for a couple nice meals