Please sign in to post.

Hydra or Zakynthos or ...?

Posted by (Seattle WA) on

My family and I (2 teens, 2 parents and 1 grandma) are travelling to Greece for the winter holiday (late Dec/early Jan). We are flying in/out of Athens from Seattle, renting a car and planning to spend most of our time driving around the Peloponnese (first up to Meteora, then Delphi, Olympia, Kardamyli, Nafplio and back to Athens. We have 14 days, not include our flying days.

We'd like to see at least one island, but don't want to spend too much time on a ferry or an additional flight. Rick recommends Hydra, but I also saw Zakynthos on the western side and it looked intriguing (blue caves, Shipwreak beach). Does anyone have experience with both and could recommend one over the other? Or a different one that's charming, quaint and easy to reach? Zakynthos seems a bit easier with the car rental/Ferry but we also like a laid back environment.

Also, any recommendations on the best place to be for Christmas Day? Right now we are booked in Meteora, but if there's something better I can always change.

Thanks in advance! And yes, I know the weather isn't going to be great, but I figure that cuts down on the tourists too.

Posted by
3320 posts

Meteora and Delphi are in SKI country so the hotels that are running may be filled with skiers; check ahead Zakynthos in winter is a terrible idea. Hydra would be empty except for a few waterfront shops. No isle will be "charming" at end of December ... how about "rainy" and "windy" and "closed".

I am mystified as to why you've chosen Greece at the worst time of year for sightseeing .... I clicked on your previous threads and see that you traveled in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, but in summer. Why could you not wait and schedule Greece for summer or at least for Spring?? Italy is better in winter than greece, yet you saved it for summer. Why not go skiing, or go to S. America? It's summer there in december & no more $$ airfare than Seattle - Athens. Of course, you may have some business reason for this choice ... but I always despair when people pick the wrong season, and then come back feeling a letdown. Some countries are just made for the sun, and Greece is one.

I would advise you spending a considerable amount of time in Athens, which will be vibrant with cultural activities, and also a number of days in Nafplio, which is never "closed" and has much to explore, both Old Town and surrounding historical areas. http://www.visitnafplio.com

If you insist on an island, and have a nice sunny day, think about a ferry to one that's just about the closest -- Aegina. Check the schedule ahead of time (gtp.gr) to see if there's a "conventional" ferry (open decks) running. The other ferries are hydrofoils (all enclosed, no deck, no views at all). on a good day, sitting on the deck, you could enjoy the seascape and all the vessels for an hour. The port town is interesting, people will be around (this is so close, that people live there year-round & commute to work in athens)... you can rent a car, and go to center island, high hill, most perfectly preserved ancient temple on ANY greek isle ... here's a photo album of a June day-trip https://www.flickr.com/photos/36264706@N03/sets/72157621604646139/detail/ - you won't have the flowers, but you will have a nice ferry trip & interesting sights.... half as far as Hydra.

Posted by
21 posts

Thank you for your thoughts. We are limited to the winter season due to work/school schedules, so summer was not an option this year. I realize it might not be optimal, but we are never disappointed in travel, regardless of weather. There's so much more to a country than weather. But it sounds like it might be a good idea to skip those islands and broaden our time in Nafplio. Thanks.

Posted by
11152 posts

We took a small boat over to Spetses which we enjoyed a lot. It was so green, a contradt to the Cyclades which we had just left.

Posted by
3320 posts

Spetses is a favorite "getaway" island for Athenians in summer... but I'd guess that by Christmas it will be very closed down. Aegina still has town life because of all those Greeks who live there year-round & commute to Athens daily.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.