We are 4 women travelling to Santorini, for a week, then off to Naxos for the last leg of our trip. But now we wonder if we can try and see more islands to expand the experience. Mind you we realize you don't want to pack too much in during a 2 week stay in Greece.
We are 2 first days in Athens;
then off to Santorini for 6 nights,
5 nights in Naxos,
then back to Athens for 2 nights before leaving
Maybe a day trip or something in between all this?
Thanks
Julia
It is always helpful if you give key details -- such as, When is this delightful expedition? Makes a diff if it's in March or in July! If it's in warm weather, Naxos has an excursion company for great day-adventures -- http://visit-cyclades.com/day-cruises/naxos-cruises As you'll see, many choices: There's Delos/Mykonos (but after santorini you will have had enough of crowded & pricey) ... but instead, how about a day on a large Sailboat, visiting either Antiparos, or the "little Cyclades," tiny beach islands S. of Naxos. If you want a D-I-Y, from Naxos you can get a mid-morning ferry to Paros itself, explore its Port Town of Parikia, bus up to Naoussa to see a fishing village transformed into a Postcard ... Do a swim, sunset dinner in Paros, & take a 10 pm ferry back.
Thank you for your reply. We are travelling from 14 May - 29th. We were advised this is a good time since it's beginning of the season and not too crowded. We are spending 6 nights (as I mentioned) in Santorini. We are getting a little concerned about the daily cost of dinners out, since it's a very touristy island. Our budget is $1000 spending for two weeks in Greece, second location in Naxos. Is that enough in your opinion? A big plus is breakfast in included at our hotel in Santorini, (Cori Regas).
Thanks for any info,
Julia
from Canada :
$1000 = $18/day (€16.80) per person for 2 weeks. Is that all the spending money you'll have or is that just for food? If it's just for food it can be done, but you're going to be very limited in what you can eat regardless of which island you're on. I see a lot of gyros in your future. If it's for all your daily expenses it's not enough. It's unrealistic to think you can get by with so little. And as for a daytrip to another island, ferry tickets alone will eat into that significantly.
Thanks for your reply,
I guess I have to learn to be more clear, lol. $1000 each traveller! I was concerned because Santorini is supposed quite pricey. Have you stayed in Santorini, and have you heard of / seen the Cori Regas, looks amazing online, but it would so neat to talk to someone who actually viewed hotel.
Thanks,
Julia
You have picked a wonderful time to visit ... it's sunny, days are long, everything's open, nothing is crowded, AND hotel rates are lower than June. The water is swimmable (in Naxos, probably not off those cold rocks below Oia!! ). Exactly the time of year I've enjoyed greece during 11 of my 12 trips. However, "old hands" cannot help you with your budget question, based only on the vague information given. You have 15 nights/days, and 4 people. Here is what you leave us wondering:
• is $1,000 "spending" supposed to cover 4 people or just one?
• is it meant to cover just hotel per person/per pair ?
• Is it meant to cover Hotels AND Meals and other daily expenses? For one? (for 15 days that would be $60 per day)
• What is the cost of Costas Regas per night per double?
.... you see what I mean?? We can't possibly answer, based on information we have.
I can tell you this ... I've had a number of newcomers come with me on 9 of my "budgeteering" trips to Greece, as "travel pals" (I'm not a tour leader, I'm a retired Journalist). I've told them that, if 2 share a room, a person with me can cover ALL basic costs on about €70 a day -- including room w balcony & view, meals, entry fees, local transport (ferries, shared occasional car rental, taxis), even a sunset glass of wine. Of course, we don't splurge on hotels like Costas Regas -- (I know a budget Gem right near the caldera rim that's $45 for a balcony double w breakfast, free transfers, AND use of a pool). So --- if you want to do it on $60 per day (€56), you'd better cut back your Santorini stay to 4 nights, AND do Athens either at the beginning or the end not both. THose are the 2 most expensive places for lodgings. If you cannot do Athens only at the end, at least just come in the night before and stay at a budget place like Hotel Peris 10 mins from airport. NOTE: if you've booked Costas Rigas correctly (NOT the no-refund/ advance deposit way), you have the right to cancellation or stay-shortening without penalty, up to 2 weeks beforehand.
If you cut short your 2 higher-priced destinations, you're left with about 3 extra days, an ideal time to Experience Antiparos... and it's right on the way back to the Mainland! A 1-hr ferry to PAROS, then take a little bus 10 minutes s. of that port town of Parikia and hop a 5-minute mini-ferry across to ANTIPAROS -- to a gem of an islands most Americans never know about (because it's not on those big travel posters). Staying right in the cute tiny port area, you can walk on flagstoned trails all over, and to several splendid beaches. The BONUS? If you want to do more sightseeing, just hop that mini-ferry back to PARIKIA and spend a day there. When it's time to return to Mainland, by ferry it's an hour shorter -- or you could get a bargain Aegean plane ticket if you check website for "special offers."
Lots of options -- but we can only help you with budget tips if you're specific & detailed about what $1,000 is meant to cover.
As for Santorini dinners out, if you stay in Oia and dine there, you'll pay for the location. However, there are plenty of other places to dine -- I like the rooftop of STANI in Fira (reserve a table ahead) for superb sunset view, AND hearty fare, including wine for about €16-17 per person. In Naxos, you have to try hard ANYwhere to bust €15 including a couple glasses of house red. As for lunches, my gang in Greece usually is hiking down a lane or sitting on some ruins looking at the sea, so we picnic.
$72/day is a MUCH better budget! You shouldn't have any issues unless you spend extravagantly. Just be advised that cocktails in some bars can run close to €20 each, so be sure to pay attention.
I have heard of Cori Rigas but have never stayed there. I always stay in Oia. And by the way, not every restaurant in Oia is sky-high pricewise.
You can read reviews of Cori Rigas on tripadvisor.com and booking.com and you can also send private messages to any TA reviewer who might have the info you seek.
Agreed, Lee ... the restaurant prices decrease, usually, the farther from the view ... that's why I specified "pay for the location." And if you take a beverage & treats out to that "fort" area ... you can snack for Zero!
