We just found out today that we have 2 spots of the Sept 15-28, 2022 RS Greece Tour. We have less that 24 hours to decide between these dates and the other dates we have confirmed, June 11-24, 2022. It seems that the weather would be more pleasant in later September. But we would appreciate any input that seasoned Greek travelers might have. And we want to visit an island or 2 on our own. If we do the RS tour in September, would it be better to visit the islands as a pre-tour or post -tour option (weather wise, shops,restaurants still being open, etc)?
Thanks for any guidance you can offer.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3561 posts
We did that tour in October of 2019. The weather was very pleasant and at times, was even a tad too hot (we live in Alaska though so anything above 75 degrees feels too hot). You will have several chances to be in the water! We did not have time for any of the other islands, so I can’t advise you on that. If it was me, I would pick the September date.
Posted by
Davis CA
759 posts
We all thought Covid would be a dead subject by this summer...it wasn't. Go for the better weather and time distance with September 2022.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4256 posts
We have many Greek friends and they are leaving the end of the month for their Greece vacation. They always travel end of august.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
June will be hotter and longer daylight hours.
Early October can be warm and pleasant in Greece, but I have also had thunderstorms, gale force winds and torrential rain on several occasions. Some cafes and restaurants close around 20 September in some places on the islands. If you opt for September, I would do your own thing before the tour.
I would also do your own thing first for the June date, so places won’t be as busy or a hot.
My choice would be for June, as I prefer going to places at the start of the season, when the tourist industry workers are fresh. Going late September and October, they will be jaded and some places may have a dead end of season feel.
Covid wise - no one knows, but this year, June would have been a better time to visit than September, if the current infection rates continue to soar. The Greek government is likely to want tourists to return so will do their utmost to get things open early, but by September when the summer season is over and schools have returned, they may introduce more restrictions.
Posted by
Texas
531 posts
I went end of August to early September to the islands ….weather was perfect…hot -yes but not unreasonable and great to be on the water. I’ve been to the islands in late September as well and we had to cut our trip short due to ferries from Crete to Santorini cancelled due to weather. Our only option was to fly back to Athens ….we did not have enough time left to visit Santorini.