I would like to plan a trip for my family to go to Greece, with a few days in Paris. Boys are aged 17 and 13. Main trip will be Greece but I’d love to stop in Paris just to see what we can in a short period of time! Would love to visit Greek islands but don’t know much about them at all. Do not want to hotel hop too much if possible. Timing for early August. Thank you for any advice/suggestions!

Welcome to the Fodor's Forums. We removed the Trip Report flag and added tags for France and Greece

It will be extremely hot in Greece in August. Last year authorities had to close the Acropolis because of extreme heat with both staff and tourists passing out so bear that in mind. Paris should be fine although as it is traditional vacation time for Parisians it will be quieter and some shops and restaurants might have limited hours or are closed but all of the popular tourist destinations will be available

I have difficulty envisioning a trip that would be enjoyable at this time of year that would include both Paris and Greece. As Madam397 has noted, August is not an ideal time for places in Greece that many people choose to include in a first trip there.

Do you have good guidebooks? The Michelin Green and Rough Guide are, IMO, excellent for each of these destinations.

I think it would help us help you if you would tell us a bit about your interests and why you have chosen these particular destinations.

If you accept you aren't going to see Greece but maybe you'll get a glimpse of Athens then it can work.

If you're thinking about the islands the problem is you won't have a direct flight home. That means you'll waste one of your days getting back to Athens for the flight home. What makes it worse is you might lose a day getting to the island. That means out of your ten days you'll waste four days on travel at least.

Don't under estimate how hot Greece can be. 40C on many of the islands isn't unusual.

Last thing. I know August sounds like a long way off but if budget is even slightly an issue many of the more affordable places in Greece may be filling up.

Welcome - If you actually mean '10 days' home-to-home** there isn't enough time (even if it was a good time to visit Greece - which it isn't). Ten days nets you 7.5 days free on the ground, and then you' lose another day moving from Paris to Greece. Plus more time is needed for transit from Athens to an island(s) and back. Visiting Paris, Athens, and an island or two in in the 6-ish usable days you'd have is a non starter.

If it was my trip - I'd forget about Greece in August and focus on cooler regions.

** if you really meant 10 days on the ground, i.e. a total of 12 or 13 days all together -- That would be OK for JUST Greece (maybe including one day/night in transit in Paris though that isn't optimal) - but its still the wrong time of year for Greece.

There are direct flights from Paris to the following Greek Islands:
Corfu, Lefkas, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Skiathos, Mykonos, Santorini,Kos, Rhodos, Iraklio and Chania.
It would be a nonsense to waste your time by flying via Athens.
Of course, it's not cold in August, but at least on Cycladic Islands there are often heavy winds (Meltemi).
But what do you plan to do on a Geek Island in such short a time (4 full days or so)?
For a somewhat serious visit of Greece, you should count AT LEAST 2 weeks

As others have commented, 10 days is not that long if it includes your trip from wherever home is, and back. If you are set on these two places, how about half the time in each? A suggestion is to fly to Naxos, if you can get a decent connection, have time there, fly to Paris, and home from there. Or reverse.

Santorini is stunning but a zoo in August (been there then, not a good idea) and it will be extremely hot. Find accommodation with a pool, especially with kids. In Paris, places like art galleries or museums should be cooler inside but not that appealing to children.

Does the 10 days include your departure and return dates? There are only a few areas I would visit in Europe in the July time frame and they do not include either Paris or Greece. You should aim for June or late May if possible. You are planning for peak tourist season with high prices and crowds and hot weather, possibly very uncomfortable weather if you have a heat wave. If you have never been to Paris you need a bare minimum of 3 nights and preferably 4 nights. Flying directly to a Greek island is possible by a variety of airlines. You might also be able to fly via Athens back home. So its possible but I would not do it in July and not if I only had 10 days including transatlantic flights

Good to know thank you!

Thank you Nick! The heat is not a big concern for us - we live in Tampa. But 40C is very hot! We are somewhat flexible on travel dates. Could travel in July if that is better. We have never been to Greece or France so I was trying to at least see on Greek island as well as Paris.

Thank you!

Thanks for the info! Trying to plan a trip to Greece as my family has never been there and was hoping to see France briefly. I have two teenage boys who haven't been to Europe yet. Our dates are somewhat flexible but would need to be within the July-Aug timeframe.

As you adjust your plans, you might consult weatherspark.com for some excellent climate data.

And sorry, but I remain confused about your interests. So far, you've basically said that you've chosen Paris and a Greek Island because your've never been there ... that's the only thing that draws you to these places?

Go to Greece whenever you can. You will deal with the heat, and your vacation will still be fantastic. Not everyone can just take off whenever they like.

in terms of timing, It's easier to plan (and give advice) as lodging nights. So that first night on an airplane doesn't count. If you have nine nights, I can imagine 4 nights in Paris and 5 nights on a Greek island. Or divide it up however you like.

Greece has approx. 277 inhabited islands. I would start looking into one of those. Start investing in sunscreen. You will have a blast.

Only about 60 of these Islands are of somewhat easy reach and touristic interest.

August in Greece is going to be incredibly hot, especially for the kids. I’d suggest sticking to just one or two islands near Athens to avoid spending half your trip on ferries.