Turkey Greece experts!
Jan 4th, 2012, 08:26 AM
#21
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Thanx for all the responses!
otherchelebi - what if we "gave up" a day in Cappadoccia to drive from Selcuk instead? Then we could see Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Hieropolis. Sassafrass felt that two full days in Cappadoccia was enough?!
otherchelebi - what if we "gave up" a day in Cappadoccia to drive from Selcuk instead? Then we could see Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Hieropolis. Sassafrass felt that two full days in Cappadoccia was enough?!
Jan 4th, 2012, 12:34 PM
#23
The drive from Pamukkale should not take two days. However, if you wish you can take a day off Cappadocia and use it to visit Pamukkale and Aphrodisias, get back to Izmir airport and fly to Kayseri rather than continue driving.
There is little to see or visit on the route from Denizli to Goreme or Nevsehir, unless you are into Seljuki Hans of the Silk Route, and Phrygian ruins which are not that easy to locate. The coast of dropping the car at a different location will probably be more than two air tickets from izmir to Kayseri.
There is little to see or visit on the route from Denizli to Goreme or Nevsehir, unless you are into Seljuki Hans of the Silk Route, and Phrygian ruins which are not that easy to locate. The coast of dropping the car at a different location will probably be more than two air tickets from izmir to Kayseri.
Jan 4th, 2012, 12:37 PM
#24
One other thing, if you do not mind driving, you may actually prefer to use that day saved from Cappadocia to visit the Hittite ruins of Hattusas and Yazilikaya instead of pamukkale, etc., especially as you will have seen enough Greek and Roman antiquity until then.
Jan 4th, 2012, 02:37 PM
#25
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Thank you - otherchelbi!
I was actually thinking see Ephesus in the am, drive to Aphrodisias, Pamukkale in the afternoon - and then drive on to Cap. (that was the two days). I thought maybe that way we would have to deal with dropping off and re-renting a car and dealing with the airport etc. But if the road there isn't that interesting, why bother? In that case - probably easier to do bus/taxi from Izmir to Selchuk?
Also - I don't think I saw flights on any of the airlines on a Thursday so that means I have to fly wed and not go to Aphrodisias, Pamukkale
I was actually thinking see Ephesus in the am, drive to Aphrodisias, Pamukkale in the afternoon - and then drive on to Cap. (that was the two days). I thought maybe that way we would have to deal with dropping off and re-renting a car and dealing with the airport etc. But if the road there isn't that interesting, why bother? In that case - probably easier to do bus/taxi from Izmir to Selchuk?
Also - I don't think I saw flights on any of the airlines on a Thursday so that means I have to fly wed and not go to Aphrodisias, Pamukkale
Jan 4th, 2012, 03:00 PM
#26
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Never mind - I saw you earlier post about the car. The flight doesn't leave on Pegusus on Wed until 13:55 so we will have part of a day to either explore Izmir or??? (Sunexpress has no flights listed in May/June - dont know if it is too early?)
Jan 4th, 2012, 04:54 PM
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Not_Enuf_Vaca, glad you enjoyed Minneapolis. I'm biased but I truly think we're a very underrated city. So many people think that it snows here 11 months out of the year or that because we're in "flyover country" that there's nothing to do. If you make it back, a few other places you should try include Bar La Grassa (Italian. The chef/owner just won a James Beard award), The Bacheolor Farmer (nouveau Scandinavian cuisine-NOT any oxymoron)and Meritage-a fantastic French restaurant actually in St. Paul.
Jan 5th, 2012, 11:06 AM
#28
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Thanx MinnBeef - we were pleasantly surprised and Minneapolis! We especially liked the area around the lakes!
Looks like I will have close to two days in Athens now - any more suggestions?
Looks like I will have close to two days in Athens now - any more suggestions?
Jan 5th, 2012, 11:39 AM
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Athens 
Clausar, I have booked my flight from AMS to HER. We get in at around 11:30 on May 26th. I was planning on renting a car and going directly to Knossos and then spending the night in Rethymnon. The next day we want to see Rethymnon since it will be late when we arrive the night before - so I was thinking 2 nights? Then on to Chania for 2 nights and then back to HER (or somewhere more charming nearby) for the ferry in the morning to Santorini. Or do you think we should split our time and spend one of the nights somewhere else as you suggested? We have five nights and 4.5 days.
Clausar, I have booked my flight from AMS to HER. We get in at around 11:30 on May 26th. I was planning on renting a car and going directly to Knossos and then spending the night in Rethymnon. The next day we want to see Rethymnon since it will be late when we arrive the night before - so I was thinking 2 nights? Then on to Chania for 2 nights and then back to HER (or somewhere more charming nearby) for the ferry in the morning to Santorini. Or do you think we should split our time and spend one of the nights somewhere else as you suggested? We have five nights and 4.5 days.
Jan 5th, 2012, 12:32 PM
#31
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Spending 2 nights in Rethymnon and 2 nights in Chania is ok.
From Rethymnon, if you have time you can day trip to Frangokastello and Plakias.
On your way back you could overnight in Agia Pelagia a small summer resort 25 km before Heraklion.
There are a lots of places on the east side of Heraklion, like Malia and Hersonissos, i wouldn't recommend them though, as these are cheap party places , popular amongst( usually drunk) northern Europeans.
As for Athens what have you decided to do? in order to make more suggestions...
From Rethymnon, if you have time you can day trip to Frangokastello and Plakias.
On your way back you could overnight in Agia Pelagia a small summer resort 25 km before Heraklion.
There are a lots of places on the east side of Heraklion, like Malia and Hersonissos, i wouldn't recommend them though, as these are cheap party places , popular amongst( usually drunk) northern Europeans.
As for Athens what have you decided to do? in order to make more suggestions...
Jan 5th, 2012, 12:40 PM
#32
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Thanx Clausar - sounds good.
Haven't decided anything on Athens yet. We fly in from Santorini and arrive at around noon on a Saturday and then we have Saturday, all day Sunday, flying out on Monday at 1:00 pm.
Haven't decided anything on Athens yet. We fly in from Santorini and arrive at around noon on a Saturday and then we have Saturday, all day Sunday, flying out on Monday at 1:00 pm.
Jan 5th, 2012, 01:05 PM
#33
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Saturday afternoon you could dedicate to the Plaka and seeing the Panathenaic Stadion ( where the 1896 Olympics took place) Kolonaki ( posh quarter near to the parliament) and the national garden.
On Sunday climb to the Acropolis in the early morning, when it is still quiet and weather not warm, then visit the New Acropolis Museum and walk down the pedestrianized Areopagitou Street. There are some nice cafes on your way with a great view over the Acropolis.
Areopagitou Street ends at Thission, just walk up to Monastiraki, there is a Flea Market every Sunday, interesting to see.
There are many Museums that you could visit, with the National Archeological Museum being the biggest and most famous, one other idea would be to book the afternoon tour to the Poseidon Temple in Sounion, where you can see the famous sunset....
On Monday you won't have any time, as you will have to go to the airport, transfer will take max. 60 minutes.
On Sunday climb to the Acropolis in the early morning, when it is still quiet and weather not warm, then visit the New Acropolis Museum and walk down the pedestrianized Areopagitou Street. There are some nice cafes on your way with a great view over the Acropolis.
Areopagitou Street ends at Thission, just walk up to Monastiraki, there is a Flea Market every Sunday, interesting to see.
There are many Museums that you could visit, with the National Archeological Museum being the biggest and most famous, one other idea would be to book the afternoon tour to the Poseidon Temple in Sounion, where you can see the famous sunset....
On Monday you won't have any time, as you will have to go to the airport, transfer will take max. 60 minutes.
Jan 5th, 2012, 02:25 PM
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Re. Athens, I visited the National Archeological Museum, climbed the Acropolis, walked through the Ancient Agora, walked through Plaka (area where I stayed) and visited the Byzantine and Christian Museum. I enjoyed all of these, although unless I missed something, Plaka was really nothing more than cheap souvenir shops. I did have a couple of nice meals there though...first time having sea bream and it was delicious. Two days in Athens should be plenty to see the main sights.
Jan 5th, 2012, 03:07 PM
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The Plaka is much more than a place with cheap souvenir shops,
it is one of the oldest places of modern Athens dating back to 1830 and you can admire many amazing neoclassical houses build at the end of the 10th century.
It is always a great pleasure to walk around the Plaka and sit in one of the hidden cafes on the foot of the Acropolis Hill.
My absolutely favorite part of the Plaka is the Anafiotika, built from workers who came from the cycladic island of Anafi.
They started building their own houses, which is today's Anafiotika that gives you the feeling of a small cycladic village, with incredible view over Athens.
Tourists usually rush through Adrianou street of Plaka, with the souvenir shops without trying to discover this so lovely part of Athens.
Sure you can see some highlights in 1/2 day, you won't have seen but a fraction of Athens though.
Athenians usually never eat in the Plaka, as food there is overpriced and not very good. There are plenty of very good restaurants nearby....
not_enuf_vaca : dont forget to go to Keramikos at night ( same named metro station - blue line), it is a new area of old industrial Athens, with many great cafes, bars and restaurants.. full of Greeks and not touristy at all.
it is one of the oldest places of modern Athens dating back to 1830 and you can admire many amazing neoclassical houses build at the end of the 10th century.
It is always a great pleasure to walk around the Plaka and sit in one of the hidden cafes on the foot of the Acropolis Hill.
My absolutely favorite part of the Plaka is the Anafiotika, built from workers who came from the cycladic island of Anafi.
They started building their own houses, which is today's Anafiotika that gives you the feeling of a small cycladic village, with incredible view over Athens.
Tourists usually rush through Adrianou street of Plaka, with the souvenir shops without trying to discover this so lovely part of Athens.
Sure you can see some highlights in 1/2 day, you won't have seen but a fraction of Athens though.
Athenians usually never eat in the Plaka, as food there is overpriced and not very good. There are plenty of very good restaurants nearby....
not_enuf_vaca : dont forget to go to Keramikos at night ( same named metro station - blue line), it is a new area of old industrial Athens, with many great cafes, bars and restaurants.. full of Greeks and not touristy at all.
Jan 5th, 2012, 03:12 PM
#37
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correction :the neoclassical houses were build in the 19th century... not in the 10th.....
Btw speaking of centuries, not many tourists in Athens visit the Kapnikarea Church in the Plaka, build around 1050 AC, the oldest church of Athens !!
Btw speaking of centuries, not many tourists in Athens visit the Kapnikarea Church in the Plaka, build around 1050 AC, the oldest church of Athens !!
Jan 5th, 2012, 03:13 PM
#38
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Hi
I think you're trying to cram too much in. I haven't been to Crete and people that have will no doubt convince you it's a must do destination (as I'm sure it is judging by all reports). But I would still omit it from your trip. It's a holiday not a campaign! I would allow 12 days in Turkey (this still isn't enough time to do this country justice), fly to Santorini and spend say 5 days, then fly back to Athens for 2.5 days. This schedule allows for travel time and keeps BF very happy!
I think you're trying to cram too much in. I haven't been to Crete and people that have will no doubt convince you it's a must do destination (as I'm sure it is judging by all reports). But I would still omit it from your trip. It's a holiday not a campaign!
I would allow 12 days in Turkey (this still isn't enough time to do this country justice), fly to Santorini and spend say 5 days, then fly back to Athens for 2.5 days. This schedule allows for travel time and keeps BF very happy!
Jan 5th, 2012, 03:25 PM
#39
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Athens, Santorini and Crete can be combined easily, and having 4,5 days to see Western Crete is doable as well, without rushing.
10 days are not enough to see any country... unless it is Luxembourg or Monaco.....
10 days are not enough to see any country... unless it is Luxembourg or Monaco.....
Jan 5th, 2012, 05:25 PM
#40
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I appreciate your feedback worldinabag and in a perfect world, you are right. But I don't have a lot of vacation time and BF and I love variety and are pretty comfortable with how we travel (and we have traveled a lot) so I think the pace will be okay. As Clausar points out - we aren't trying to see a whole country or even all of Crete - just some appetizers. Later in life, after we have hit all the "must dos" we will know where we want to go back. Honestly, we don't travel to Europe to sit at the beach - we can go to Mexico for that
Clausar we will most certainly check-out Keramikos - sounds cool.
Funny enough, unlike a lot of people - I don't take offense at being called a tourist or even necessarily doing touristy things...
Clausar we will most certainly check-out Keramikos - sounds cool.
Funny enough, unlike a lot of people - I don't take offense at being called a tourist or even necessarily doing touristy things...
