Feedback for Itinerary - First Timers

Looks doable ... except DO be aware that it may be hellishly hot, and this will affect sightseeing... you'll need to do most of your sightseeing before lunch, and lie low all afternoon under beach umbrella or in A/C (save museums for 1 -5). Also, I think you'll regret if you shortchange Athens. even if you get an 8 AM flight from Milos, you wont be checked into hotel until after 11. Consider looking for afternoon flight On Aug 27... you can check in, browse the Plaka, dine, and start your Athens activities bright & earlyAUg 28.

Great feedback! Thank you! Dates are set in stone. We could definitely push into September. I was mainly trying to take advantage of Labor Day as part of recoup from jetlag and not having to use another day of PTO lol

Do you think early-mid September would be more tolerable?

Your itinerary is completely doable and reasonable.

As Janet mentioned, in August expect heat waves that are sometimes difficult to bear during the day, particularly in Athens (100°F for several days in a row), in August you will also have the usual crowds and the highest prices.

Regarding your two ferry trips Naxos→Santorini and Santorini→Milos you can check the August 2023 schedule on openseas.gr

This will give you a good idea of ​​those for 2024 (schedules do not change much from one year to the next)

For Naxos→Santorini:

http://www.openseas.gr/JNX/JTR/2023-08-23/2023-08-23/itineraries

Santorini→Milos:

http://www.openseas.gr/JTR/MLO/2023-08-23/2023-08-23/itineraries

Ferry timetables are established on a weekly basis, so refer to the day of the week you will be traveling on, not the date

Really appreciate the feedback from both of you! And their ferry resources! I think we will push to September, as based on some research, does not appear to be as hot during this month? Not trying to melt while there :)

It is impossible to predict what the weather will be like in a year, but if you postpone your trip by 3 weeks you will have fewer crowds and slightly cheaper accommodation prices.

Works for us!

Absolutely September! Either Fri Sept 6 or Sept 13 -- a world of difference, in both crowds & temperature! You might not get to save a day of vacation via US Labor Day... but you may save $$ on lodgings, because many hotels/apts/pensions move from high-season to shoulder-season rents Sept 10 or 15th. And ferry schedules don't cut back until Oct. usually.

We've been to Athens a few times in early to mid-September. Warm but not intolerable weather. Enjoy your trip

I’m all about saving money. We generally really like visiting places in the shoulder seasons (Spain, out west in USA, Costa Rica). So sounds like September will be a good fit for us.

You are wise to change your trip to September. We were in Greece in May 2022, and the weather was pleasant until we arrived in Athens, our last stop, in late May. It was already hot in Athens by late May, temps in the 90’s. After touring the Acropolis in the morning, we needed a cold drink and shade. I can’t imagine being there during the summer months.