Planning Greece Trip: Need Itinerary & Travel Advice (12 Days)!

I would do some version of Option 4. You only have 10 days in Greece since two are taken up with traveling. The first day will not be great as you will be jet lagged. It takes a half day at least to move (and it seemed to take us more than that) so I would not go more than three places. It is better to go to Athens at end.

We went to Santorini as soon as we arrived and then ferried to Naxos and flew back to Athens. They were very different from each other and I think were good together. Someone else can comment on Milos (which we heard in Greece was many people's favorite island, although I don't think it has as much variety as Naxos).

If you fly back from Milos (or another island) on day 9 in the morning, you won't likely be at your hotel until noon (it is hour into athens). That would give you 2.5 days in Athens. We had about that much time and didn't see all what we wanted to see. I would not try to do a day trip to Delphi or Nafplio. We went to Nafplio and it is lovely too but is 2.5 hours from Athens. You could substitute Nafplio for a second island if you wanted. But if you want to give up one of your days in Athens for a side trip, I would do Delphi rather than Nafplio as you can see Delphi more adequately in a day.

Beth

I agree to do a version of Option 4. It's much better to save Athens for the end of your trip, when you'll be rested and can fully appreciate it. I'd spend 3 nights on Santorini.

Instead of Milos, then ferry to Naxos. I've been to both, and I think Naxos has much more to do and is easier to navigate. Stay on St. George beach and rent a car (or take buses) one day to see the island. Spend 4 nights on Naxos.

Then fly or ferry back to Athens. It's easier when planning your trip to think in terms of nights rather than days. I think you'd have 3 nights left for Athens?

The water will be a little cool for swimming but this is a lovely time of year to visit Greece.

I second Charlene's thoughts -- along with shortening your Santorini Stay & adding that amount to Naxos. Santorini is all about the Famous View -- so snag a flight ASAP after you land, try to get a hotel for TWO nights (not 3) right on the caldera, or nearby.... I recommend FIROSTEPHANI for affordable hotels like this. Enjoy the view that night.

On 2nd day AM, jump on the 8:30 bus to OIA, spend a couple hours wandering around taking photos & enjoying ... if its a weekday, about 10 AM cruise mobs invade, so get out QUICK... take bus back to FIRA town, wander around, check the good small Museum (closes at 3) by the cathedral, walk back to hotel. On the way, go up to top terrace of STANI restaurant, if you like view, reserve a table for 6 (sunset is about 7pm).

On 3rd Day, take the 10:45 Ferry (ChampionJet) to NAXOS (arr noon) ... it has a back deck where u can stand to enjoy (and photograph) the view on departure. True it will cost about 2x as much as the 3:30 large Conventional Blue Star ferry, which arrives 5:30 -- but when you are short on time u must spend a little $ to buy yourself an extra half-day.

you say "Would love to explore beautiful towns, go to the beach, visit historic sites, eat lots of amazing food, romantic walks in small towns, snorkeling, " 4 nights in Naxos would allow you to do ALL that ... then FLY back to ATHENS (this Flight you should try to book PRONTO, small modern turbojets seat 38 fill up many weeks ahead). This plan will maximize your time ON the ground enjoying, minimize transit time.

Do you have 10 nights? If so, I would do 3 santorini, 4 naxos, and 3 Athens?

You will lose some time in santorini being jet lagged so ideally you will have 3 nights. If you like hiking (not walking), the hike from oia to Fira (or the reverse) is fabulous and is the most beautiful hike I have ever taken. Took us 4 hours with all our picture taking. And all the sunshine is a perfect way to get over jet lag. We did it our second day (with first being day of arrival from US).

Beth

If Santorini time is short, I would spend more of it sitting & gazing rather than hiking for 4 hours. Reason? Santorini has ONE trail to hike... Naxos has at least 40... the best-known resource for hikes in both is CYCLADES WALKS http://www.cycladen.be/NaxosEng.htm -- a website created by a dotty Belgian who's devoted his entire life to trekking walks on all the Cyclades, & describing each WITH photos step by step... and he says "The interior of Náxos is a paradise for hikers" More of his descriptions:
"these days, Náxos is definitely the richest and most multifaceted island of the Cyclades. The island is very fertile, especially because there are plenty of wells; the villages in the interior are really picturesque, and you can find Byzantine chapels, towers from the Venetian era and even kouros-statues everywhere."

Of course, with limited time, you'd want a short hike - I love one(#15) that takes no more than 30 minutes, goes straight up from the Harbor, past Grotta, to a high now-deserted monastery, amazing views down over town, port & sea... unforgettable near sunset.

I did respond to your post on Tripadviser and provided you with a plan. My concern with doing Naxos in October is that it is getting late in the season and beaches are closing down. However if your main interest is hiking last October was perfect for hiking. It wasn't too hot but it was sunny and clear. You would want to stay in St George so you have access to Naxos town and its bus routes out to those hikes mentioned by Janet. I have the book Janet mentioned in my hand right now planning for our next visit to Naxos.
Naxos Mountains and Villages http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632110674306/
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094558042/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157634605629689/

Of these choices I would select Option 4, mostly because it's the least-hurried and avoids Athens in the beginning of your trip.

In my mind when it comes to Greece the first rule is to get as far afield as your itinerary takes you right away. Leave Athens for the end. Thus, just bite the bullet and book your flights directly to Crete or Santorini and then make your way back towards Athens.

Personally, after a glimpse at your options and gleaning what you are interested in from those, I would fly to Chania and stay thre nights. One of those days hike the Samaria Gorge. Then, rent a car and visit some of the amazing beaches in the Chania Prefecture like Elafonisi or Balos, or both. Take a couple of days to meander through the interior on your way to Heraklion. Stay one night (it's a city, little charm), see Knossos Palace, maybe the archaeological museum before ferrying to Santorini.

Two nights is good for Santorini. Ferry to Mykonos, stay three nights. Return Athens, remaining night(s), fly home.

Weather should be grand, water warm for swimming, you'll see countless incredible restaurants wherever you go.

Just slow it down; you'll be glad you did. I am more militant in my anti-city sentiments so others will say add time for Athens but if you are ready to hit the ground running you can see enough major sights there in a day and night to make it worthwhile, two for sure.