Greece - input on some options appreciated

Jean,

I agree that destinations are excellent but you do need to consider pace. Both Paris and Naxos are good island destinations but you have only 2 nights in each. If you were going on your own, I would certainly suggest consolidating your stay into one island.

The Rick Steve’s tour goes deeper into the Mani Peninsula than the Gate 1 tour. That is a trade off I think for the visits to Paros and Naxos.

Greece is more challenging than Italy to travel with public transportation. The trains are very limited and bus schedules are not always convenient for tourists. For that reason, it is a good place to take a tour if you do not want to drive. Greece is wonderful so I think no matter which trip you take you will enjoy it.

Thank you, BethFL! I do wish the Gate1 was moving slightly slower. Since the zero cost single supplement is expiring in two days, I decided to go for it. I will arrange my own flights and arrive a few days early. I am also tentatively planning to stay an extra week to spend more time on some islands. The tour’s last day is taking the ferry back to Athens, so I will omit that ferry and stay on the islands.

Time to begin learning some Greek language! ; )

Just like BethFL I recommend that you stay longer on the islands. 2 nights on Paros or Naxos is just one full day, which is too short. Over the years I stayed several weeks on Paros and Naxos and have not fully explored them.

So for you I don't see the point in traveling thousands of kilometers and spending money to stay on an island for such a short time. Taking a few extra days is the best thing you can do. Make sure to return to Athens at least the day before your return flight.

For learning basic Greek, check out my old friends at Easy Greek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYtqqfJdeIs&ab

Look at the text in Greek and note that the important thing is to pronounce the tonic accent where there is the accented letter.

For example:

Kalispéra (good morning)

The tonic accent is on the é

So where does the tour end? On Naxos or Paros? Both are worth more time so I would start by spending more time on whichever you end on.

And where does the tour start? Athens? How many nights does the tour spend there? You can see the highlights with three or four nights but of course there are many more things to see.

Since you don’t wish to drive, I think a tour for the mainland and visiting an island or two independently gives you the most bang for your buck.

Hello Jean,

We leave on Wednesday, 9/18/24, on the Gate1 tour you speak of. We have traveled with Rick, and on Gate 1 many times, and I like them both. I can let you know when we get back how we liked the tour, but you will have had to make your decision by then.
I do wish we had more time on the islands, but I am looking at it as an intro to Greece tour, and there are thousands of Greek islands to visit......

Cathy

Cathy, I would love to hear how you like this tour after you’re finished and back home again! I went ahead last night and booked it. I have the tight time restrictions and didn’t want to take a chance on the May RS tour not opening for a single supplement traveler.

JoLui, thank you for your reply! Very helpful!

The tour begins in Athens. I will plan to arrive at least two days early - both for jet lag and also just in case any flights have delays. …and to try out my Greek tourist language words. : ). I will have a buffer day or two there at the end for logistics.

The tour’s last island is Naxos, and then the group takes a long ferry back to Athens for the finale dinner. I will have to skip the final dinner because it makes much more sense to stay on Naxos island longer and then ferry to another island, adding an extra week to my trip. Knowing I have a week of complete freedom at the end will also reduce any frustration of too little non-group time, if the tour itinerary is run pretty tight.

This is exciting! 1st time in Greece!

Jean — I think you’ve made a great decision. You have several options from Naxos. Definitely stay on Naxos for 3-4 more nights, and use one of those days for a daytrip to Mykonos & Delos. And maybe another day for a daytrip to Santorini. Check the cruise ship schedules to see how many ships are in port in both places before booking.

Then ferry to nearby Amorgos for 2-3 nights, for a totally different experience. There are two ports to choose from — we went to Katapola & loved it. We stayed at Porto Katapola hotel, right on the port, with a huge balcony overseeing the water. Wonderful personable owner. And very inexpensive. Little tavernas lining the port. The impressive Hozoviotissa monastery to visit.

The day before your flight home, take an early morning ferry back to Naxos & then ferry or fly back to Athens. We like staying in Rafina at the Avra hotel. There’s a free shuttle to & from airport that you need to reserve in advance. It’s a nice little port with tavernas to enjoy your last night in Greece. I can pretty much guarantee you will be returning.

Like Charlene, I had also thought of Amorgos. But I wouldn’t do it after spending more time on Naxos but before. Ever since we had ferries cancelled because of a strike, I have been paranoid to count on a ferry close to time for an international flight. I would also fly back to Athens instead of taking the ferry. Storms can also disrupt ferries.

I have stayed at same hotel as Charlene and also liked it because you can walk around and get a last meal by the sea.

Personally, I wouldn’t spend my Naxos time taking day trips to other islands as there is much to see on Naxos. We spent four nights there and really would have liked more time.

Another way to do it is to stay on Naxos first and then move to another island with an airport for a second island stay. Amorgos does not have an airport. You would need to stay within the Cyclades island group.