Family Athens trip - various questions

We spent 4 nights in Athens and had plenty of time to see all of the sites and still enjoy just walking around and enjoy the city. We didn’t take any public transportation. We just walked everywhere. I can’t answer your question about the islands.

ISLAND STAy-OVEr ... of course you can find a place, it's waaay off season.

METRO PASS ... No, you will mostly walk. Metro to Piraeus is i think €1.8 for adults, probably half for kids. If you want to make sure before the day, just duck into any Metro station that has a manned window and ASK.

DELPHI DAY-TRIP -- good luck on that one. Frustrating part of 1=day bus tour is that they pick up at a number of hotels, so don't get out of town fast ... get there about 10:30, all the bus groups rush into the ruins site, and then all at the same time rush into the museum and pack it full. And, although you want to spend longer at the Museum... or walk downhill to the Athena temple (that round ruin that's on all the brochures), the leader of SOME groups sometimes rounds up its passengers and COMPELS them to leave about 1. Is this in order to go to further ruins?? No! THey go to a mediocre restaurant where 30 people sit down and eat, when many would rather still be at the Delphi site. And YOU pay for the lunch (I seriouslty think there's a kickback in here somewhere). Then you're back on the bus, but are you going to another sight? No, you're being herded into a souvenir shop!! (again, I think kickbacks involved). Then off u go to Athen, and drive around delivering people to hotels.

This MAY not happen to you, maybe I was just unlucky ... but it put me off Delphi for years. Finally, I went on my own in May... took a PUBLIC bus up about 1 pm got there 4:30, checked into hotel, went to museum from 6 -7 it was EMPTY (I realize that museum will not be open t hat late in March-April). Then next am at 8 AM I entered the ruins site, EMPTY for 2.5 hours, wonderful. Of course, I did have to "bone up" on site & take interpretive materials (and I've taken many courses in Greek arch & history). However, there are several licensed guides in Delphi who can give u a marvelous experience (min. 2 hours I think, €60 per hour).
And with/without a guide you could take the 7 AM public Intercity KTEL bus , and come back on the 6:30pm one.

If the group bus tour is still your choice, I think you could inquire VERY pointedly via e-mail about several matters -- such as, do you HAVE to leave for a group lunch (not included in price). Can you instead stay on site (bring a picnic lunch) and be picked up afterwards by bus?? Also does this tour stop at souvenir shop (indicate NOT interested). Forewarned is fore-armed ...

I would agree with four nights, especially with kids. We had three nights (2.5 days) and could have used more time.

Thanks, all! Good to know I'm kind of on the right track.

Janet - I had heard that some of the Delphi trips were really hit or miss, so I booked one that's semiprivate and geared towards the kids' ages.
So late April is a safe time to fly by the seat of our pants in terms of island accommodations? That's awesome!

Can anyone tell me the proportion of cc vs cash establishments? I need to figure out the best way to get Euros, and that we have enough. (I don't want to pay exorbitant transaction fees if I don't have to.)

We always bring about 150 Euros in cash with us on a Greek trip. You can purchase euros at your bank.
Greece used to be a cash society ( best way to avoid paying taxes) however almost all the establishments in the tourist business now take credit cards. Be sure to confirm that with any hotels or tavernas before you commit.
There are ATM machines all over the place so it is very easy to get cash when you need it. There's a small fee for using the ATM's but Greek banks don't charge commission on the euros ( as long as you choose the euro option when you make the withdrawal) Dynamic currency conversion option will make the transaction more expensive. The exchange rate will be determined by your own bank not the Greek banks.

Greek hotels will have just gone through a 5 month period with no revenue so they are hungry for early season business. Just walking into a small hotel and ask to see a room will probably get you a large discount on the rack rate. We don't negotiate, we just say we want to see outer nearby options. That almost always gets a discount.

The whole of central Athens is easily walk able particularly if you are staying in Plaka.

There is now an express bus to Piraeus which departs from Syntagma square. The Metro is inexpensive and quite convenient but is riddled with pickpockets. I now use a private transfer company called city cab. They will pick you up where you want and charge the same price as a taxi but you get an English speaking driver and an agreed on price before you get into the car. [email protected] if this option appeals to you.
I wouldn't give up on Nafplio.
Nafplio and Peloponnese http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/

And here is Athens
Athens http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632121475515/

Stanbr: Those pictures are GORGEOUS. Goodness, I would love that - I'm just not sure when we could squeeze that in...because I'd definitely want to stay an overnight there, for the sunset alone.

I'll have to ask at the bank. We are in a rural area, I wonder if I can exchange for Euros. I'd hate to do it at the airport or something. It's good to know ATMs are available. We had to do that in Canada, and that was fairly painless.

I just got Euros at the airport ATMs after I arrived in Greece. There are lots of ATMs everywhere but those not associated with a bank charge fees.

Be sure to tell your bank that you are going overseas (mine is a form online). And consider raising your daily withdrawal amount.

We paid credit card at hotels and some restaurants but used cash a lot more than we do at home.

MONEY STUFF:

BEth's right... do NOT get Euros beforehand in US or Canada, Very costly. Minute you get thru passport control & pick up you r bags at the carousel, you walk into a hallway with numorous ATMS. As others have said, when there's a place to type how many Euros you want and the macine asks if y ou want conversion into YOUR currency JUST SAY NO. You can do the math, and figure out that to get 400 Euros may withdraw ???> 450$$ from y our bank account. You took math in grammar school, u don't need to pay EXTRa fee for "dynamic conversion" (rip-off).

What will you be charged? Most Greek bank ATMS charge a €2-3 transaction fee, but that's it ... any additional charges you must blame on your OWN bank. Major US/Canada banks have been indulging in highway robbery, but a few have backed off because of uproar. People with plain ordinary accts at Chase, Wells Fargo Bank america etc, have had to pay a $5 transaction fee PLUS 3% of the amount withdrawn. Thus to draw $300 worth of Euros, you'd pay $5 + 9 = $14. As I said, highway robbery!!! The good news is, local non-chains often have better deals, Credit Unions typically have only a $2 fee, no percentage -- and online Banks like Alli & Charles Schwab charge nothing nada zippo. I have a Phila. Credit Union acct I keep active ONLY for foreign travel.

Who should you Alert? - You MUST inform your bank you'll be withdrawing money in Europe, or at the first attempt your account will be frozen (anti-theft measure). Also, all banks have a daily maximum... like $250. You dont want to have to go every day, so ask the bank to raise it to $500 for length of your trip. If theygive you a hassle, change banks! Also, do it in person & watch the clerk enter the info in the computer; the safest way. In addition, phone yur credit cards too, informing them u may charge stuff abroad - or the same Freeze-up will occur.