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Honeymoon: Athens, Kastraki, & Crete July 29 to Aug 12

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Fight USA to Greece

Depart Spokane, Washington: Tuesday, July 29 @ 5am

Arrive Athens, Greece: Wednesday, July 30 @ 10:30am

Flight Greece to USA

Depart Athens, Greece: Tuesday, Aug 12 @ 1:05pm

Arrive Spokane, Washington: Tuesday, August 12 @ 11:36pm

Full Disclaimer: This is our first trip to Greece

We are 2 adults that love interacting with local life, sharing stories and food. We enjoy Hiking, Paddleboading, Skin Diving, Beaches and the out of doors. We are not into parties and Big City life. We would rather experience everyday local life and more removed Historical Areas.

I have set up extended travel in England, Eastern Europe, Siberia, Asia (Thailand, Cambodia and Lived in China)... However, Greece appears to be completely different travel. So, we need some help.

Would like to start in Athens, then north to Kastraki and countryside, back to Athens/ferry to Crete and the islands. We are unsure how to do the islands. Originally thought we would stay at an island coming and going from Crete - but that seems too busy. So we are thinking we want to spend 4 nights on Crete and 4 nights on another island on our return. Or we could stop at the 2nd island on our return from Crete, depending on ferry schedule logistics. Suggestions? Should we take the rental car with us to the islands or rent there? How do we book ferries with rental car? Rental car agency suggestions?

Our Suggested Sights:

  1. A little of Athens (a taste would be nice - mostly interested in the countryside and the islands, big cities are not our go to)
  2. Kastraki (To see the countryside)
  3. Possibly MT. Olympus
  4. Islands that have been suggested, but we are not set on (Nexos, Milos, what would work well with ferry to Crete)
  5. Crete (Would like to spend several days here)

Potential Itinerary: Based on 13 actual days - after flight days

Day 1 (Wednesday)

Athens: settle in (jet-leg recovery) and see a few sights - Found a lovely apartment with a beautiful view.

Day 2 (Thursday)

Sights in Athens - Same Lovely Apartment

Day 3 (Friday)

Early departure with Rental Car and Head North to Kastraki (4-5 hr drive?)

Spend Night in Kastraki @ Beautiful BnB and see sights

Day 4 (Saturday)

Drive about countryside and maybe to MT Olympus (2.5 hrs) explore area and return to Kastraki BnB for night

Day 5 (Sunday)

Return to Athens (4-5 hrs drive), take ferry to Crete.

Should we take our rental car on the ferry ultimately to Crete and other island?

Day 6 (Monday)

Crete

Day 7 (Tuesday)

Crete

Day 8 (Wednesday)

Crete

Day 9 (Thursday)

Ferry to 2nd Island via our return to Athens

Day 10 (Friday)

2nd Island

Day 11 (Saturday)

2nd Island

Day 12 (Sunday)

2nd Island

Day 13 (Monday)

Ferry Back to Athens

Day 14 (Tuesday)

Flight out at 1:05pm

Random Questions

Rental Car options: ???

Do we want to rent a car at each island or keep it for the duration on the ferry?

Travel on Ferries with a car?

International Drivers license?

Cell phone usage? What is your experience with USA cell phones in greece?

Posted by
12025 posts

I don’t think you are allowed by the car rental company to take the car on a ferry. At least that is what happened to us.

Posted by
3132 posts

I have been to all the places you are proposing. I would suggest a different order and restricting your island visit to Crete. Crete is huge and varied and not that close to any of the other islands you mention. We didn’t 11 nights on Crete, restricted ourselves to western Crete and still wanted more time.

I would suggest flying to Chania, Crete upon your arrival in Athens. Chania is a charming town where you do not need a car. It was ruled by Venice and except for the mountains you keep expecting a canal. The southwest coast of Crete is totally different and would in mind substitute for moving to a different island. There are no roads but only ferries. We took a bus to one town- Chora Staklion then ferries, and then a bus back to Chania from a different town (Sougia). We spent three nights but would have more time. We spent one day hiking part of the Samarian trail (stayed in Agia Roumeli first night) and then moved to Sougia. Loutro is also a good place-my son and his wife stayed there as well.

You could then fly back to Athens from Chania and rent a car and go to Kastraki as you planned. Then return the car to the airport and spend your time in Athens.

3 nights Chania
3 nights southwest coast
1 night Chania
2 nights Kastriki
3 nights Athens

You might be able to get a flight late enough from Chania to do in one day. But then have getting to Kastriki so really too much for one day.

We did all I am proposing on Crete without a car.
You don’t need an IDL for Greece.
We have T-Mobile and have had good service in Greece.

Or you could do order you propose and come back to Athens night before flight. I would prefer Crete jet lagged over Athens. I had thought I could save you a night but really can’t. But I still would prefer an extra night in Chania over a night by the airport if you do islands last.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/report-on-trip-to-crete-delphi-and-meteora

Here is my trip report, in case it is helpful. We went to Athens on a different trip.

Posted by
3132 posts

If you have 13 nights and decide to stay in Crete as your island time as I proposed, I would add a night to southwest coast. I think I only allocated 12.

Posted by
513 posts

I totally agree with the suggestion above- I would fly to Crete (rather than take the ferry- it's quite far from the mainland) and spend all the island time there. It's such a beautiful and varied place. In addition to the places already mentioned, we also loved Rethymno and the archeological museum in Heraklion. The wine growing area just outside Heraklion is also beautiful. For beaches, you have some of the best in Greece, especially Elafonissi, Falasarna (huge waves), and Preveli beach. It's very easy to get around on the KTEL buses. Greece is my favourite country to visit so I am sure you will have a wonderful time whatever you do. Good luck planning your honeymoon!

Posted by
213 posts

However, Greece appears to be completely different travel.

Greece should be thought of as a collection of countries. There should be at least 5 constituent countries to consider while planing a journey there, with all other present and former Hellene territory added to one of the five; Northern Greece with Thessaloniki and the Northern Islands. Athens/The Peloponnese and the Ionian Islands. The Cyclades Islands. The Dodecanese Islands. Crete.

More on the special magic of travel in Greece:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/greece/greece-first-time-itinerary-help
(David from Seattle comment)

Posted by
11 posts

How much time???
We are flying from Crete to Athens and then catching a flight back to the US.
How much time do we need between our flights (for connections)?

With the forums help and suggestions - we have made our plans and we are indeed flying back from Crete to Athens to catch our flight home to the US.

Posted by
3536 posts

No experienced Greece travelers will recommend what you say you want to do... we all believe it's important to be on the mainland the night BEFORE your homebound flight.... unless of course you are so affluent that you don't mind buying a costly 1-way ticket home (even supposing you can get a seat, in Travel-jammed August). Just a mechanical problem, an airport problem -- and you miss your flight. If you still want to have an "island vibe" until the end, why not take an afternooon flight, get the FREE shuttle to Hotel Avra in Rafina... it overlooks the beach, you can have a final swim & then a sunset dinner in a tree-lined town square, a restful night, a morning swim, then FREE shuttle back to the airport by 11 am to be in line for your 1pm overseas flight.

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