lmavolio

Hi All - I am getting so overwhelmed with my Greece trip planning! Here is my latest dilemma. I am hearing from everyone that Santorini will be THE highlight of our trip and that I really should try to spend 1 extra day there if I can. My current itinerary includes 1 night Athens, 4 nights Chania, 3 nights Santorini, 3 nights Mykonos, 1 night Athens (to be in Athens before my return flight home).

Question - should I cut a day in Chania to give myself an extra day in Santorini?

Alternatively, I could consider not staying my 1st night in Athens and just go directly to Chania. This would still give me 4 nights in Chania, but the connecting flight from Athens into Chania upon my arrival won't get me into Chania until early evening anyway...So, it won't give me that much extra time, but it will give me some.

Decisions, decisions!! What do you think?

P.S. My plans for Chania were to spend some time exploring the old town and maybe take a day trip to one of the beaches. Maybe I could still do this in 2 1/2 - 3 days??

NeoPatrick

While I think Santorini is one of the most beautiful spots in the world, three nights there is more than ample in my book, unless you're one of those people who can contently sit and stare into the beauty day after day. In my opinion there is a whole lot MORE to actually DO in Chania or at least going about Western Crete -- even going further in Crete. I would not add a fourth night to Santorini over Chania.
It's up to you about cutting the one night in Athens. Do I understand correctly that you're only going to be there one night on return as well?-- If so, no I wouldn't cut the night in Athens on arrival.

lmavolio

Thanks NeoPatrick! As of now, I haven't booked anything yet, but the flights I am targeting into Athens have me arriving somewhere around 10:30-12PM, so I will have a half to 3/4 of a day in Athens upon arrival. Then, on the return trip, I would have an early flight out of Mykonos back to Athens the day before my flight home. So that would also give me almost a full day on the backend.

At this point, I think it would be easier for me to cut the day on the front end if I were to consider cutting one of the 2 days I have in Athens. Although cutting it on the front end doesn't give me all that much more time in Chania either, as the connecting flights from Athens would arrive in Chania at either 4PM or 7PM, depending on which flight I book.

As I said, decisions, decisions

P.S. My ferry to Santorini would get me in around mid-day, so I will have 3 nights, 2 1/2 days there.

samtraveler

Having never been to Chania, I can only speak to Santorini. We spent 3 nights there last June. While I do feel we had adequate time there, only just, I found myself wishing I had one more day. I think this decision depends on what you're wanting to do in each place. Are you planning just to hang in Oia, or scour the whole island? I don't know enough about Mykonos, but why are you allocating the same time in Mykonos as in Santorini? Just curious. Have you settled on your Oia lodging choice yet? Good luck!

Weadles

I agree with NeoPatrick. Santorini is magnificent, but three days there should be enough. Chania is an incredible spot- rich in history, lovely harbor and tavernas, and within easy distance of some incredible beaches and ruins. I would definitely spend as much time there as possible.

Weadles

Didn't realize you were going to Mykonos. Maybe it's my age ( late 40s), but of all the islands we've visited, it was by far my least favorite.

HappyTrvlr

Chania deserves more time than Santorini and was a favorite place on our trip to Greece.. We also enjoyed Mykonos and Paros much more than Santorini, fewer crowds, less touristy.

travelerjan

Agree with Weadles. If you are not a honeymooner and wanting to sit on your balcony all day staring at caldera, there's so much more to the Chania area .... Check out Vamos (traditional village) ... has great beaches nearby, like Khalives and Almirida... you can get there via scooter if you take side roads, not main hi-way.

Too many posts about Santorini are by people who went there on a honeymoon or "special occasion" and never went anywhere else. They rave about Santorini (which has a great view yes) but they have no basis for comparison. You should weigh this against advice by people who've been to maybe a dozen islands or who have been to Greece a number of times.

And if you want to make room for more time in Crete, consider cutting out Mykonos altogether... or cutting it back to 2 nights, unless you are a total party animal.

lmavolio

Thanks so much for the advice! I guess I don't know as much about Chania since Santorini seems to be a much more popular tourist destination. We are pretty active travellers, so while it would be nice to relax for awhile, I can't see myself just sitting on my balcony every day in Oia. I'd feel the urge to get out and really see the island and do as much as we can while there. With this in mind, was wondering if an extra day might be nice to relax.

In Chania, I was planning to see the Old Harbor area, maybe take a day trip to a beach - probably will NOT go to Knossos because I don't think I'll have the time...

I am in my early 30's and also NOT a big partier, so while I'm excited to see Mykonos, I have a feeling I will enjoy Santorini much more. And I'm not really sure what to expect in Chania which I guess is the only reason I thought of cutting a day there...

I have much to think about!! Maybe I should cut a day in Mykonos?? I wish I could just add an extra day to the trip and all of my problems would be solved!! But I can't unfortunately...

WTnow

It is a hard choice with such little time and do you have to consider jet lag as well?

When are going? That will impact your decision as well..I hope not July and August when the crowds can overwhelm.

We spent months in Greece last summer and saw both Chania and Santorini. I see the points others have made, but we spent a month in Santorini and loved it. I would have felt deprived with only 3 days, so each person is different.

We rented a car several times and the island is fun to explore, don't miss a vineyard and some of the beaches. Go to the little fishing port too and hike away from the crowds.

We enjoyed Chania very much & it would be a shame to miss a private our of Knossos while so close.

I might leave out Mykonos...especially if you are traveling in the summer as the cruise boat crowds really invade there.

Maybe our travelogue on our website could help with your decisions:

http:www.soultravelers3.com

Go to blog archives and look for Greece posts.

You have to take in the transportation times and sometimes they also get screwed up...like one ferry we took got canceled.

You will have a blast!

Weadles

If you're really active travelers, you could hike the Samaria Gorge, which is only 26 miles from Chania. It's been called one of Europe's natural splendors, and has a beautiful trail full of wildflowers, geological formations, and a few chapels along the way. Really a nice way to spend a day in the area if you're in shape to do it. There are many travel agencies in Chania that can make the arrangements for your transfers there and back. Just be warned that it gets crazy busy in the summer months and can be very hot!

Friends of mine also arranged a guided bike trip from a mountain village near Chania. Apparently a van picks you up at your hotel, then you drive to the village, have a wonderful Greek lunch at a taverna in town, and pedal downhill about ten miles or so. I have notes on who to contact somewhere or another if you're interested!

Lastly, about Mykonos: In the summer months, it is party central for young tourists and young Greeks. My daughter, 17, at the time of our visit, was actually groped on the way to dinner. I know that incident colored our perception of the island, which I'm sure is much nicer and calmer in other months. But it was a complete zoo in July, and we literally had to shuffle our way through a crowd every night to get to dinner in town. Not my idea of fun. In defense of Mykonos, I admit that we never got to the other side of the island, which I've heard is very beautiful. We were mostly in town for our 3-day stay, and couldn't wait to leave.

cindyj

Weadles - we will be in Chania in late Sept and I read about the guided biking tours in the Lonely Planet Crete book. I love cycling and think that it is one of the best ways to see a new place, but was afraid of the narrow island roads and traffic. I wouldn't venture out alone, but on a tour it sounds interesting. Also, late Sept is not going to be as hot as July or Aug. If you have more info on that tour I would definitely appreciate it! I have read other posts about hiking the Gorge on this forum, but nothing about cycling.

Weadles

cindyj,

I can't believe I actually found the info, but here it is! My friends got in touch w/ Maria Mylonaki at DIKTYNNA TRAVEL, 6 Archontaki in Chania. Her e-mail address is: www.diktynna-travel.gr. They found out about her through a short description of a bike adventure to Zourva (mountain village) featured on Frommers ( sorry, Fodors!). Have fun! Please post back if you go. My friends said this trip and the Samaria Gorge were some of the best experiences they had in Greece! I remember that there were lots of other travel agencies in Chania, too, so if this one doesn't work out, you might try those and mention what you'd like to do.

SuQue

I also highly recommend Maria Mylonaki at Diktynna Travel in Chania. She is a Crete incoming tourist specialist and we rented a house and car through her. She also arranged travel to other areas of Crete for us and is very professional.

lmavolio

Hi All - Thanks for your advice!! By the way, I am travelling from June 5 - June 18 (so basically early to mid June).

I will let everyone know what I decide Thanks again! Honestly, I don't know what I would do without this board!!

travelerjan

Actually, you don't have to walk down a gorge to have a perfectly gorgeous walking outing VERY near Chania! The Village of Vamos a hill village about 15 miles from Chania, has a lot of traditional handcrafts and food-making products -- AND daily walks in the lovely landscapes surrounding. Many are 3-4 hours, some up slight hills others near the sea. Here are descriptions:
http://www.vamossa.gr/content/view/15/12/lang,english/
Also in the same area, Faragi Tours -- some of the walks are same as Vamos walks, some different -- good pictures and descriptions of length/difficulty
http://groen.maakum.nl/~faragito/hom....php?page_id=3

lmavolio

Thanks travelerjan!! I have thought of doing the Samarian Gorge, but quite frankly, I am a little intimidated by it and I'm also not sure I have enough time.

With this in mind, it's great to know that there are other options for similarly gorgeous views and hopefully a bit less strenuous! Thanks!!

hdjane

My 23 yr. old daughter and I are travelling to Greece in Sept. for her college graduation present. In between Athens, Mykonos, and Crete, (and beach) that she wants to visit, I am trying to include some less touristy, off the beaten track type sites. Travelerjan, you mentioned the Village of Vamos near Chania. I'm thinking of flying there directly from our arrival in Athens--I went on the Vamos website--have you been there, are the walks and cooking classes as described? It sounded very nice but don't know if it's like a Greek version of Williamsburg, Va. i.e. reconstructed, restored houses, etc.--not that that's bad, just wondering. We can only be there 2 nights and then bus to Iraklio and Knossos.
Also, if our US flight arrives in Athens at 9:25 in the AM and the Chania flight leaves at 2:35pm, is there enough time to check our luggage at the airport, take a taxi (which from reading the Greek posts, are difficult to come by) or bus for a quick tour around Athens to get a little overview before we return for a few days at the end of the trip and back for our Chania flight? As I was typing this, I was "doing the math" which would please my husband, and I guess we'd only have at most 3 hrs. which probably wouldn't be worth it, being jet lagged and such. We're arriving Sept. 11 if that has a bearing on traffic.

travelerjan

hdjane --
What a nice graduation present you are giving your daughter! We could give you better advice if you would share a bit more (sigh; this is what I'm always begging newcomers for!!).

How many days total do you have?? Not counting departure day? and how are you splitting them up?? Are these the stops that your daughter has listed as her "musts?" Which stop has that beach "must."?

Why are you limited to 2 nights (3?) in crete? And what are your transport plans between Crete and Mykonos?? There's only one ferry now on the schedule, tentatively, 8:15 arr 1:45, 5.5 hrs & 3 stops before Mykonos. Be aware it's a small Seajet catamaran, which can be cancelled or delayed due to sea conditions or can be "bumpy."

I hope & trust you hve not made hotel bookings before solving transport challenges, and adjusting your overall intinerary in light of realities.

When I get more info I can help you about planning your crete time; you can also e-mail me.

tableronde

Hi folks, I landed on this forum while reviewing the Fodor Guides for a ten day trip planned to the Cyclades and Crete in the fall.
My last trip to Greece was with a backpack at age 30, now returning, … like hdjane, with a graduating son. Which means two people with different interests: one old-timer globetrotter with cultural and linguistic experiences and interests, and a young engineer having grown up without Homer and Plato, interested more in socializing in noisy crowds.
So we’ll take in some Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, then head away from the madding crowds to western Crete and the Samaria Gorge.
In reading some of the accounts, I wonder if those of you folks who wanted to see everything in a short time considered an itinerary building up to some climax like the setting sun from Oia. Currently we’re planning to spend some time at the end of Sept in Paros, Naxos before Mykonos and Santorini, then head to Iraklion, Rethymno, Chania (Hania).
Then we’d like to take the ferry from Chania to Kalamata or Ghytios at the southern tip of the Peloponnese (if one is still running) and catch a train along the remote Western coast to Olympia and Patras (hopefully no major earthquakes at that time). Finally another ferry to see some lush vegetation in Corfu.
No car; we’re traveling mainly on water, port to port like the ancient Greeks. On land we’ll use public transport, do our part for the energy crisis.
I am looking forward to meeting the real Greeks in small villages, to culinary experiences, to their music and dances.
But I am concerned that my son may not see that much excitement in ruins and desolate beaches, that between lectures in the origins of Western civilization I have to offer some social excitement. Maybe to team up, to join a group here and there. We’ve been to other places before, and language has been no problem. Hoping that the Greek’s openness catches on with the tourists.

Any relevant comments are welcome.