We are booked for an autumn Dalmation Coast cruise that ends in with two nights in Athens (our first time in Greece.) Next we fly to Santorini for three nights in Oia, and fly back to Athens.
Our dilemma is what to do with our next five nights (October 15 – 20) before heading home. We considered staying in Athens and taking day trips to Nafplio, Hydra, more? Or we could bus to Nafplio from the airport after Santorini and stay for a couple nights.
Another idea would be to book the five nights in Athens, leave most of our stuff and take one overnight stay into Nafplio? Might that time in October be easy to arrange closer to our trip dates? But we noticed that many of Rick’s hotels are already booked for some of them!
Any suggestions would be appreciated, especially logistics about transportation times, etc. We are two seniors and happy to use public transportation, but want to avoid too much stress.
Posted by
104 posts
I would take 2 of those nights and spend it in Meteora - it is an amazing place and reachable by train from Athens.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1408 posts
Meteora (as previously suggested) is amazing, but you really need a car to get there efficiently (3 1/2 hours to drive. At least 6 hours by train IF your connection works out - Greek trains are not anything like as reliable as Western European trains - and then you are still stuck in Kalambaka with no public transport to the monasteries).
If I were you, I would go to Hydra but not as a daytrip. Go for two nights.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1663 posts
Here is another thought. Since you are going to be in Santorini why not take a ferry to the island of Naxos. Its no more than a two hour sailing. Naxos is a great companion island to pair with Santorini. It is an authentic Greek Island. It has a main town with a waterfront promenade with a maze of back alleys leading up to the Venetian era Kastro.
You can stay in the town or choose to stay at St George beach just a 10 minute stroll along the headland from Naxos town.
Naxos also has mountain top villages to explore.
Four nights in Naxos then ferry or fly to Athens for your last night before your flight home.
Here are some images of Naxos from 2025 visit.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720329571437/
Trip around Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634605629689
Posted by
OP
41 posts
Thanks for all for your advice. We do feel that Meteora is too far away. But visiting another island sounds great. Hydra is well covered in Rick's videos and definitely one to consider. Also thanks to stanbr for the lovely photos of Naxos which seems idylic! (By the way, we love Nanaimo and all BC!, many travels there!) What time of year was your visit? I think I see apricots at the market... What I do not see are crowds, wonderful. We have lots to think about. Thanks again.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1663 posts
We visit Naxos in early May to mid June or September to mid October. On our last visit 2025 by mid June there were more people around but not so many that Naxos town or St George beach would be considered overrun One thing we realized if you want to be sure to get a table at your chosen taverna you need to make a reservation during the day.