looking for a critique of our plans athens naxos 7 days

We did a trip last year that included Athens, Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete -- much longer than yours, of course. We loved Naxos though we flew there from Athens. It was a wonderful flight but I imagine that the ferry ride will be even more lovely. Are you planning to rent a car in Naxos? Are you staying near Naxos town? I'd say to get the ferry booked ASAP because as you say they do fill up. We tried to buy tickets for the ferry to Mykonos the day before we wanted to go and all the convenient departure times were sold out.

A three-hour direct flight to Athens . . . sigh. I'm so envious! I think you have a great plan figured out. I especially like how you've put your relaxing days right in the middle of your more ambitious days.

IF you have a teenager, Naxos definitely can be the best island for him, if not for snorkeling. Lots of kids his age, its safe to wander around, make friends, family-friendly island. People I know who had teens and took them around to 4-5 islands, they voted Naxos their favorite.

Good Hotel(s) in Athens, 1 block to Acrop museum, just off the no-cars promenade South of Acropolis -- Hotels Herodion and Phillipos, sister hotels, moderate price, nice area -- lively but not noisy.

The organized day trips by bus to Delphi are frustrating; you get on bus then they toodle around to 3-4 hotels for pickups, you don't get on the road for 45 minutes, then off 3+ hours to Dlephi all the busses arrive at once, big crowds, going up the mountain all at once, then to the museum all at once, mad crowds. Just when u want to stop & look, they yank your group out of the museum saying, time to go to lunch (of course not included in price, you pay), off to lunch wit 30-40 people you don't know ... and yo don't go back to the Delphi site, instead, bus takes u off & stops at a souvenir shop or rug shop (kickbacks?), then back to athens. Your total time in Delphi 10:30 - 1 pm.

A better option might be to drive yourself! Rent from Avanti/Swift car company which has an unique service; they bring the car to your hotel at time you state, and DRIVE you to the on-ramp of the "intercity highway" -- so YOU don't have to cope with city traffic. You could book a car for 7 AM - get to Delphi 9:30 - have plenty of time before tour mobs ... AND you can bring a picnic to eat in the ruins, instead of with 30 strangers... then drive back when YOU want. Avanti probably will let you drop car at airport, (most rental agencies will let you drop either place) thus no city driving at all.

Wow I like the car rental idea for Delphi. But not sure if I want to drive, I do like being a passenger so I can site see but I do not like bus tours that heard you around. That is why I book most of our trips on my own even if it is a little more costly, I like the independence. But a Greece travel blog recommended a company that seems to pick up from just one location in down town Greece and includes lunch so MAYBE it won't be so bad??? I will probably wait and see how I feel and book that last, maybe after we get into Greece. I do think Delphi sounds like a place worth the trip, am I correct? I am trying to include educational opportunities for my teen.

We are staying in Naxos Town on the beach. and we will not have a car. I know there is lots to see and this is a rugged island with not the best transport but I just want to sit by the sea and hopefully the reviews of this island town are true and my teen will find friends but if not at least there are wind surfing lessons available and a mountain bike tour company so that is hopeful.

With the exception of the Delphi trip I feel fairly confident now from the replies this trip is scheduled well for our first trip. Santorini will wait for a long weekend in the fall. and maybe next year south of Crete will be our next summer get away.

UGH!!!! Such the American....I can't drive a manual car! I just looked at the rentals from that company on line as the more I thought about it ....that did sound like a good idea but I do not drive stick shift. sigh

Why not contact them directly and ask about automatic??? Another work-around would be to rent an automatic from a company that has them in the fleet, and ask for the rental car to MEET you at the on-ramp to the out of town highway ... they can give y ou a specific corner. THEN take a taxi to that spot. There!! Problem solved!!

Of course a tour, even tho less satisfactory may be the way to go for you, because it is just less effort. It depends upon what kind of experience you are willing to settle for. Frankly I don't think a teeenager would like the age-demographic of most tours. However, tok get the most out of it, you'd have to do homework. Why not assign that to him? & get him involved.

"We are staying in Naxos Town on the beach. and we will not have a car. I know there is lots to see and this is a rugged island with not the best transport but I just want to sit by the sea and hopefully the reviews of this island town are true and my teen will find friends but if not at least there are wind surfing lessons available and a mountain bike tour company so that is hopeful."

I can assure you the reviews of Naxos are accurate. It was voted one of the top ten islands in the world a few years ago. The tourist infrastructure is strong but not obtrusive. The island is so big it absorbs tourists so its not crowded. The transportation system is quite good KTEL bus. Regular routes to the west coast, buses every hour or twice an hour depending on shoulder or high season. While the timing is set up for the locals getting out to some of the beautiful mountain villages ( particularly Chalki and Aparanthos) gives you ample opportunity to wander around before the bus returns. If you want a longer time then Chalki is one of the early stops thus one of the last returns. I think you get just over two hours in hours in Aparanthos and just about three in Chalki
We took ou15 and 16 year old kids to Naxos a few years ago. They still reminisce about it.
See for yourself
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094558042/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157634605629689/

Itinerary looks good. I also agree that Naxos is one of the best of the Greek Islands with an excellent combination of Old & New World Greece, more family oriented but still lots of fun for adults and party goers without going over the top aka Mykonos, Ios or Santorini.

Athens is one of the best of the European Cities, with world-class archeological sites and museums, superb food, low prices, and one of the safest cities anywhere.

If you need a recommendation for accommodations in Athens then I would suggest the Attalos Hotel on Athinas St., just a short walk to everything one goes to Athens for, including the Central Markets which is a must for anyone, even if you don't buy anything it will be a wild and crazy experience, just don't wear sandals!

I also would recommend Anafiotika on the north side of the Acropolis. With its white-washed houses, narrow lanes and lovely views, albeit of Athens, you'll feel like you are in a village on a Greek Island and never think that you are in a city of millions.

Lots to do anywhere and everywhere in Greece, one of the best bargains in all of Europe, one of the safest countries to go to, just watch out for pick pocketers and scammers in crowded areas. Other than that you'll have the time of your life!

Thank you everyone for your replies. Just the sounding board I needed, used some of the suggestions for sure. I am completely booked for everything now. flights ferries and hotels.......

fly in 10 pm transfer by taxi to A for Athens. two night stay
tour for the day.
next morning Leave on the blue star ferry for Naxos 730 am transfer by subway 630 am
Galaxy hotel three nights .
Beach days, bike days, wind surfing days. AHHHH!
6 pm blues star ferry back to Athens taxi to hotel
Phaedra hotel 2 nights arrive first night midnight
tour for the day (undecided what but definitely not leaving Athens, skipping Delphi this time my son wanted to take the evening ferry back from Naxos instead of the morning so that changed the Delphi full day trip plans)
Cine movie theater pm....son researched and wants to try it
depart 6 am taxi for 830 am flight

since we are arriving late and leaving early two hotel nights are truly just functional for early starts or late nights.

We have been touring Europe for the past 2 years....non stop it seems. I really wanted to relax and Athens is on the must visit while over here list. I think there is enough down time and site seeing time. I am a little better educated about Greece now....logistics are big for a trip for sure. I would probably do it different the next time....go in the shoulder season being the biggest change, fly directly into an island. But surfing the internet while drinking wine...can make you purchase hotels.com hot deals at the worst times! bhahahahha

Thanks again!