Like any professional with limited time and a yearning for a full-time job as a travel bum, I have only a week to spare for vacation. Greece is a checklist point I've never been to and of course is a must-go but I would like to check out Croatia as well before it becomes well, another Greece. Any recommendations or preferences on which destination is the better choice? Many thanks in advance for your help!
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hi Clau. If you can be away from the U.S.A. for only seven days -- I suggest : go to only one country. Croatia would be my choice, in that limited time. If you can be in Europe seven whole days -- after the day you arrive there, and before the day you fly back to the U.S.A., you could go to both Croatia and Greece. I think the easiest way to do that would be to fly from the U.S.A. to Athens, be at Greece three nights, fly from Athens to Croatia. Fly from Croatia to the U.S.A. (a long day of travel). In a short trip like that, I would not spend any time in Athens : Fly from the U.S.A. to Athens, arrive at the Athens airport in the morning, that day fly to the island Santorini. The day you leave Santorini, fly to Athens and fly to Croatia. Try Olympic airlines for those flights. If you think you must see more of Greece than the island Santorini, well, then go to Greece only.
Posted by
OP
Denver
3 posts
Thanks Ron, I appreciate the advice. We're leaning more towards Greece and perhaps waiting for our next trip to bundle Croatia with perhaps Budapest. Any reason why you advise skipping Athens?
Cheers,
Clau
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello Clau. What I meant was : if you will have time to be at only one place in Greece, there are places in Greece that are more pleasant than Athens. Athens is a noisy and stressful city. I think the island Hydra is over rated by Rick Steves. If you have any other questions about Athens and Greece, send a Private Message to me.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
Haven't been to Greece yet but we took out kids to Croatia and Slovenia in summer 2005 ending the trip in Venice and loved it. Flew from Mpls. to London and then onto Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dubrovnik is beautiful! Spent 4 nights here and then took the bus to Split. Picked up our rental car upon leaving Split and drove to Plitvice National Park which was stunning! From here we went on to Slovenia and visited Ljublana and Lake Bled. Both are lovely places. From Lake Bled we drove to Venice for 4 nights. I think we were gone about 2 1/2 weeks but you could cut out Slovenia and just do Croatia. Started in Dubrovnik as it is easier to take a rental car from Croatia or Slovenia into Italy than vice versa.
Posted by
OP
Denver
3 posts
I appreciate the advice for both - thanks so much!