My daughter surprised me for my 50th birthday with two tickets to Greece! She knew if she bought the tickets I would do all the legwork of planning! haha! It's our first mom/daughter trip together to Europe. Anyway we leave SFO on May 3 (red eye) and arrive in Athens (via CDG) at 12:55am on May 5! (oof!). Upon arrival we will go straight to the Sofitel Athens airport hotel to sleep, with plans to hop on a late morning flight (on the 5th) to Santorini. Staying 3 nights in Santorini (already booked hotel in Thira). From there we've decided to take the ferry to Naxos for a 4 night stay (hotel not yet booked). We'll fly to Athens where we will stay 4 nights. One day booked with Viatour doing a long day trip to Meteora (she's most excited about this), so that leaves us 2 full days in Athens to site see. Flight out of Athens at 12:20pm May 16th. Does this sound okay? Any concerns with that timing/day/direction? Hotels are filling up quick so I'll take any recommendations but I'm finding the best rated ones are almost gone.
Posted by
Northern Ca.
39 posts
I think it sounds like a good itinerary! You are right though in getting hotels booked very soon. I stayed in Kalergis studios last May. ( Naxos) Loved it! You will have a wonderful trip. I absolutely fell in love with Greece!
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1373 posts
That is an exhausting schedule. Having said that I think you can't do the schedule any better.
This early in the season look for a hotel at St George beach in Naxos. You get a beach experience with all the activities of Naxos town just a 10 minute stroll along the seaside headland into Naxos town waterfront promenade.
One thing you need to know if you are looking for hotels on a third party web site the hotels do not give all their rooms to those web sites. If you really want a specific hotel, contact them directly on their own web sites. You probably will find they are not sold out.
if you can afford the Sofital then I suggest you check out Boutique hotel Glaros a top 10 hotel named by the times of London. Or right next door at Nissaki probably the most luxurious hotel at St George.
here are some images
Around Naxos town 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299959098
Back to Naxos 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299940917
St George beach hotels. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632162394787
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1603 posts
In Naxos we stayed at the HOtel Palatia which we enjoyed very much. It’s on the edge of Ag Georgios Beach so a close walk to the center of town.
In Athens we stayed at Airotel Parthenon. Right around the corner from the Plaka and a 10 minute walk to the Acropolis.
Posted by
Indiana
808 posts
We loved the Grotta Hotel in Naxos. Small, family owned, terrific hospitality, rooftop sunsets and an amazing breakfast. It is not on the beach, but that was not important to us. Naxos is beautiful!
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
Congratulations on your 50th! Greece will be a wonderful way to celebrate. As far as Naxos (our favorite) we stayed on St George Beach. Our hotel was Alkyoni Beach Hotel. It was a quiet location and a short walk to town. We had a lovely room with a patio. The complimentary breakfast selection was plentiful and delicious. The morning coffee drinks were made to order. The pool was an added bonus. Have to say their beds were the most comfortable of any in Greece! The staff were also very accommodating. We would stay there again. We also stayed at the Sofitel Athens. They have a wonderful breakfast! Enjoy Greece!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwib5qrkgfD8AhUwGDQIHayPBHYQFnoECAwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alkyonibeachhotel.gr%2F&usg=AOvVaw2MvkNlKO0TlvIKwx5AmyGi
Posted by
CO
54 posts
Will the beach be too cold for swimming in May?
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
We were there in the month of September and it was conducive to swimming in Naxos. When we were planning our tour, I had read that the water is warmer by June. This may be helpful: https://www.seatemperatu.re/europe/greece/naxos/when.html That said, there is still plenty to do in Naxos.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3320 posts
Earliest I've tried the St. George beach in Naxos has been May 10 -- but I'm used to Long Isl. Sound swims ... if u are, then the first 2 minutes are brrrrrrr and then you're OK. St. G. beach is shallow at edge... you walk out for 100 yards till it gets up to your hips, so it has better chance to warm up than the other Naxos beaches, which drop off within 6 feet of edge.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks to everyone for their feedback. Hugely helpful! So appreciative.