Your favorite memories of Greece
 

I'm pondering my first ever trip to Greece. It's been on my wish list for quite a while and think I may actually go next year. I've read threads off and on in the past. What I'm thinking about is flying over to Italy first and then heading over to Greece. A couple of days in Athens, probably staying in a Hilton using Hilton points. Then over to Santorini and staying in Oia. I have a splurge hotel already picked out but that may have to be adjusted. The friend who wants to go with me would love to charter a boat for a few days, but I doubt the budget would allow that, but I would love to get out on the water for at least a day.

Those are the images playing around in my head. But I get so many great ideas from Fodorites when they have shared their favorite memories and experiences. I'm hopeful that some will be willing to share favorites about Greece. Thanks so much!

Starrs, I have taken two trips to Greece and I can't wait to return again. We like to stay in small Greek family owned hotels but on the islands mixed them up with a few resort hotels. We love the Greek hospitality, the antiquities, the foods, the sea and sunshine with bright blue skies. There was only one disappointment and it was Santorini as , although it looked Greek, it didn't feel Greek. We stayed in Oia. Over run with cruise ship crowds and most everyone we saw was from the US, hotel was staffed with non-Greeks, the total opposite of every other place we stayed in Greece.The view is beautiful, no comparison, but we much preferred the rest of the country- Athens, Paros and Antiparos, Naxos, Chania, Crete and the Peloponnese. On the Peloponnesian Peninsula we stayed in Napflion, Sparta and Olympia, then north to Delphi. All wonderful. Visit Santorini as you might the Grand Canyon, to see the view, definitely visit ancient Akrotiri and Amoudi Harbor, but go to another island for your Greek experience. We only returned there a second time to visit Akrotiri which had been closed during our first visit due to a roof collapse that killed tourists. So, go see Santorini for a few days but also visit another island for a much more enjoyable Greek experience.
Favorite memories- Visiting the antiquities which gave me goosebumps.The Mycenae in near Napflion are as far apart in time from Socartes as Socrates is from today. Awesome. Incredible.
Sitting by the water in Paros, octopuses strung along the roof edge's, watching fishermen repair their nets. Or, driving through the mountains in Crete, watching goatherds walking with a staff, sea views beyond.
Taking a ferry along the southern coast of Crete to a small village, Loutro, where we spent two nights, eating dinner with waves splashing at our feet. Poster kja has an excellent trip report on Greece which you may find helpful.

Starrs, I am delighted you are thinking about visiting Greece. I have so many favourite memories.

One of best happened on my first ever trip, over 60 years ago now. There were five of us, all students, and we landed in Athens well after midnight. Coming into the city I scanned the dark horizon looking for the Acropolis and Parthenon but saw nothing. We couldn't afford much in those days so knew the hotel might be more like a hostel. It was as we thought and all, apart from me, crashed straight into their beds. Not being used to the stifling heat, I said I'd open the balcony doors and sit outside for a while. I couldn't believe what I saw because right above me was the Parthenon. There was some light on it but not as much as they use these days. I never got to bed and sat through the hours eventually seeing the purest early morning glow rise above it. Even as a child Greece fascinated me and I'd read all I could about the ancient sites so this was a very special moment.

Another was an evening performance at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. Being there as the sun set was magical.

Finally, sitting in a tiny taverna many miles from anywhere, around 20 years ago now, watching a young dad play with his little boy outside a small house across from where we were. Suddenly the wee one came running over and handed both of us an orange. It was one of those sweet and innocent acts of kindness I've never forgotten.

Bill

Highly recommend a night or two in Meteora!

Visit Santorini as you might the Grand Canyon, to see the view, definitely visit ancient Akrotiri and Amoudi Harbor, but go to another island for your Greek experience. ... So, go see Santorini for a few days but also visit another island for a much more enjoyable Greek experience."

Excellent advice! I will do this.


Taking a ferry along the southern coast of Crete to a small village, Loutro, where we spent two nights, eating dinner with waves splashing at our feet"

This may be the "water" approach I'm looking for. Thank you!

"Poster kja has an excellent trip report on Greece which you may find helpful."

I'll look for it!

"I couldn't believe what I saw because right above me was the Parthenon."
Truly magical!

Thanks for the other memories. Wonderful!

Not an interaction that included me, but I remember being awoken by a very irritating noise in an old hotel in Avignon. I went to the window in a grouchy mood...and watched a mother with baby walking behind the other son who was bouncing his ball (the source of the irritating sound) and jabbering with excitement about his day. My mood immediately switched from grouchiness to enchanted. When I think "Avignon", I hear that little boy. I wish I could draw so I could sketch the scene that's in my mind's eye.

These are wonderful. I am already re-designing this trip. I usually enjoy countryside over cities/ tourist areas.

Thank you, joann!

I spent two weeks in Greece a number of years ago. We spent a few days in Athens and I agree, sitting in a cafe in the Plaka or on a rooftop bar watching the lights go on the Acropolis is one of those things... magic. We took a two night trip to Delphi and Meteora. I loved them both. But the best of the trip was a one week chartered sail boat. It was a lot less expensive than you might expect. It was just us and our skipper. He knew exactly where to tie up in the afternoons so that we got good docking places and explored the ports and enjoyed great waterside dinners. It wasn't that windy so we ended up motoring a lot but that was ok. We didn't have to know how to sail, Spiro took care of everything. I'll never forget that week.

After that we flew to Naples and went to Sorrento for another week. It was a fabulous vacation.

" But the best of the trip was a one week chartered sail boat. It was a lot less expensive than you might expect."

This is what Paul wants to do. I have very mixed feelings. I'm not sure he'll be able to go but thanks for the confirmation that it's a very good idea. I'll reconsider.

HappyTrvlr, I found it!
Adding the link to kjr's TR here -
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...reece-1460735/

Starrs I have a friend who lives near Athens. She would be more than happy help you with some connections if you like. She's on my facebook page.

Wonderful!
I'm just in the VERY beginning stages but I'd love the connection. A few years ago, we talked about this trip but not much more than talked. If all goes well, I think it will be my 2019 trip, but so many factors to consider. Thanks for the offer to connect with your friend.

We've been to Greece 4 or 5 times. We always land in Athens and fly to our farthest island destination first and then work our way back to Athens by ferry. I agree to spend a short time in Santorini for the view. I would then go to Folegandros and Paros. I have used Matt Barrett's website for planning in the past.

Sometimes logistics can be difficult but so very well worth the effort!

One of my favorite memories of Greece happened many years ago in Corfu. We were on a sailboat in the harbor and I walked up the hill to a bakery for some bread for the family lunch. When I walked into the shop I was overwhelmed by the incredible mix or delicious aromas that nearly knocked me over. Instead of bread, there was an astounding display of flat baking tins spread on every flat surface. Each was filled with an astounding assortment of carefully arranged foods displayed in wonderful patterns and fresh from baking in the ovens.

I was bowled over and tried to order some of the contents. What a surprise this would be to the wife and kids, I thought.

Sadly, that was not to be. I was told that the dishes were not for sale, but belonged to the neighbors. It seems that when bread was baked in the mornings the bakers would keep the ovens hot and the nearby housewives would each prepare a baking pan for their family's lunch and bring that to the bakery for cooking. Each would vie with the others to see who could make the most attractive dish. I stood there, salivating, as the ladies came to pick up their mid day meal, and had to settle for a couple loaves of crusty bread.

Many homes did not have large ovens, I was told, and fuel was scarce on many of the islands so this sort of communal cooking and culinary competition was traditional in many places.

Memories of those aromas are making me hungry. I think I'll have lunch a bit early today, and remember Greece.

We have only been to Greece once. We spent one night in Athens coming in and going out; then 5 nights on Santorini.

Athens did not excite us, but we stayed in a gorgeous hotel there, the Hotel Grand Bretagne: Hotel in Addis Ababa | Sheraton Addis, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Addis Ababa

It has the most beautiful rooftop patio, with a fantastic breakfast buffet.

I read the negative reviews of Santorini, but that was not our experience at all-- perhaps because we were there at the end of the season, in mid-September, when the crowds had died down. We stayed at The Gold Suites, in Imerovigli, which I highly recommend. Gold Suites Santorini | Santorini Caldera View Suites
We were not charmed by Fira, as it's so tourist tacky.
Oia is pretty, more expensive tourist tacky and crowded at sunset. We had a better view from Imerovigli, actually.

Best memories: walking that gorgeous caldera path from our hotel. It is light up at night, and is magical. Restaurants and bars along the way. We especially liked La Maison, which is quite small, with beautiful views, great service and an amazing menu. Reservations advised: La Maison Restaurant Santorini | Restaurant Imerovigli Santorini

We felt we were in heaven in the mornings, having our breakfast served on our patio directly overlooking the caldera, above the clouds.

This was a slight splurge trip for us, made on relatively short notice. So I took the easy route and booked the hotels and ground transportation through CostcoTravel.com. It gives you a local concierge, which was a godsend to us, because she let us know about a ferry strike that was coming which would have made us miss our flight home from Athens. She booked us on a flight, before it sold out. Many people got stuck on the islands during the two-day strike, but we were lucky she knew about it in advance.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1f8e09a46c.jpg

Along the pathway
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The caldera pathway is magical at night
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From our patio at Gold Suites

PS. Our hotel recommended a company for a day-trip to snorkel and enjoy a fabulous grilled lunch onboard. I forget the name of the company, though. It only took about 14 customers, so it was nicer than a big boat. They picked us up at the hotel, and took us to the boat. Gold Suites would probably still have the name of that tour company.

I will add, we landed in Athens at night, went up to hotel’s roof deck for some food and tnere was a view of the lighted Parthenon,unexpected, a magical travel memory for us!