Itinerary feedback - thoughts for month long trip June - July 2025

Since Sougia is also one of our favorite places, I feel like you're a kindred spirit . . . so I want to mention two islands in the Dodecanese that I think you'd enjoy.

The first is Kastellorizo, a tiny island south of Rhodes. It's a little jewel of an island, with a deep water harbor (so no sandy beaches). You can walk along the harbor and find a guy with a boat to take you to an amazing blue cave. Do this on a sunny day -- it's spectacular. You can take a day trip ferry to Kas, just across the bay in Turkey. Watch an interesting video of the role of Kastellorizo in WWII -- I think it still plays free (or low cost) in the visitors center. Swim with sea turtles in the harbor (evidently they are almost always there -- we had one when we visited). There's a Lycian Tomb built into a hillside that you can walk to. Lots of tiny restaurants lining the harbor. Gorgeous little place. You don't need a car.

The second is Nisyros, another tiny island north of Rhodes. Nisyros has an active (but not erupting) volcano. When we were there, we just bought an inexpensive ticket and hiked down into the crater -- it was early in the morning and we had it to ourselves. It's like walking on the moon .... the smell of sulfur, with soft, warm areas (you can't wear sandals) and fumaroles with steam escaping. One of the most memorable experiences we've ever had. In one of the little towns on the island there's a museum with video of how Nisyros was formed by that volcano. Absolutely fascinating. We rented a car ... there's just one road circling the island so you can't get lost. When we visited, the ferry landed very late at night, so we spent two nights but just one day. That would probably be enough, although there are a couple of cute little villages on the island if you want another day.

For logistics: there's a big Blue Star ferry that makes weekly runs through the Dodecanese. With careful planning you can use this ferry to get from island to island.

For us, we flew into Rhodes, stayed a couple of nights, flew to Kastellorizo (there was no good ferry option), stayed 3 or 4 days, then took the Blue Star to Nisyros (it stops in Rhodes and Tilos on the way). From Nisyros, we ferried back to Rhodes and the airport. Even closer to Nisyros is the island of Kos, which should have day-trip ferries over to Nisyros in the summer. Kos has an airport and you might be able to fly to Crete from there.

On Crete -- another coastal town we've enjoyed is beautiful Loutro. It's accessible only by boat (no cars or buses). And also Plakias, although we've had bad luck with weather there -- the wind never seems to stop blowing. But that might just have been our timing (September both visits).

If you have a car on Crete -- you could arrive Heraklion, visit Knossos, Phaestos, Plakias, go up to Rethymnon, then Chania, down to Sougia. So many options! Have fun planning!

I don't have much information on Sky Express. Reviews are mixed

Sky Express is just as good as Aegean/Olympic, the other Greek airline.

The flight is on ATR42 or 72 Turboprop, pay attention to the maximum allowed size of cabin baggage: 55 x 40 x 23 cm

HI Charlene! if you love Sougia then YES we are kindred spirits!! We stayed at Santa Irene, the manager Michael was amazing and he gave us some home made sea salt to take home!! The Cafe that opens at 5 or 6 am. The Raki bar. The beach and frond umbrellas at Santa Irene and walking down to the beach to the east by the rocks. We took the ferry to the ancient minoan city and hiked back to Sougia. What a great hike.

Will definitely look into those two islands! thank you! Both sound perfect and we continue to realize how many more trips we need to take! I like the idea of no car and seeing everything. Glad to hear the flights worked out for you!

On Rhodes did you just stay in the old town or did you go stay elsewhere?

Loutro on Crete... StanBR posted that they did a ferry trip along the southern coast going town to town... we keep this in mind but don't think we have the time to do this....

JOLUI - thank you for the info on Sky Express. Our sizes will fit that for sure. if not I will adjust our planning to fit that sizing to be safe!! Thank you -- have you taken this flight or flown with them?

We stayed in the old town in Rhodes, at the Attiki hotel, which was great. Perfect location.
We flew on Sky Express when we left Rhodes (after visiting Nisyros) and it was fine.

You can actually visit Loutro on a day trip by ferry from Sougia. I think you get 4-5 hours in Loutro. Verify this once you arrive in Sougia. We stay at the Oceanis, right on the beach road with a big courtyard. I’m not familiar with Santa Irene — we’ll have to check that out when we return in September. For delicious grilled meats (gyros, souvlaki, lamb chops) go to Ilias Grill, a tiny place across from the ATM.

Awesome information - we are looking at flights today.

Santa Irene, drive the main road to the beach road take a right and it is on the right with the restaurant across the street on the beach. Oceanis I think is further down on the right?

yes the grill is excellent. I had many an early coffee near the ATM at the cafe that sold the bus tickets!

Thank you for the Rhodes info! Any tips are always appreciated. Personal recommendations are so much better than reviews. Plus we can book direct!

Enjoy!

Sky Express is fine. For inter-island flying it's more or less the same as Olympic/Aegean.

I think your itinerary looks good - I am super jealous!