We are a fairly active couple in our mid-60's. We are taking a sailing trip from September 8-15, ending in Athens. The sail will go from Athens to Ermioni or Spetses, staying within sight of land -- so we won't be near Santorini or Mykonos. We plan to spend three days prior to the sail exploring Athens, then fly to Santorini after the trip and spend four days there. We may go by ferry to Mykonos or another island from there.
We are considering staying in Firostephani. Can anyone suggest a hotel? Our budget is about $250/night.
We plan to fly from Santorini to Athens on the last day, then stay at the airport until our flight to Newark at 5:00 p.m. Is this feasible? Is Aegean Airlines dependable enough for us to be confident about making our connections.
We are still in the planning stages, with the fixed details being the sailing trip and the flight from Newark from September 5-19. We'd consider an island other than Santorini, but we do want to stay in one location for the final leg of the trip.
Thanks for your input.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Sue, I see you have snagged one of those bargain Emirates flights, congrats! Now... as to the advisability of flying back to ATH on same day of homebound flight. Aegean Air is a very dependable, modern fleet, won "Best European Airline" a number of times and now that it has "spread its wings" farther, probably will win more. However, September CAN be challenging weather-wise (wind), and flights can be delayed ... you will have to judge whether you can deal with anxiety about possibly missing that Emirates flight. If u can, then at least take an AM flight arriving about noon? that has ANOTHER following Aegean flight that still would arrive in time.
What I don't understand tho, is you saying you will have 3 days prior to sail. I don't get it. A 9/5 flight would land 9/6 @ 4:20 pm. If your vessel sails 9/8, presumably no later than 4 pm, so you can get somewhere before dark, you really just have 1.5 days. ???
Another consideration re islands: look at map - Santorini is too far from other islands to do a day trip. You might LEAVE santorini a day earlier than your schedule, and go to either Naxos or Paros for 1 night. However, they have fewer day fights back to ATH airport.
Posted by
OP
PA
52 posts
Thanks for the reply Janet. You are right; we'll only be in Athens for two nights before we board the sailboat, so 1.5 days is more accurate.
Secondly, you read my mind about the flight from Santorini. I think I would be too anxious about missing the flight home if we flew from Santorini on the same day. And we would certainly enjoy another night and day in Athens.
Can you recommend a guidebook that includes the Greek Islands? The Rick Steves Greece guide only touches on Santorini, Mykonos, and Hydra.
I've been reading this forum for a few months to help with planning and have learned a lot from your posts; I was hoping that you would respond ..... so let me ask you this: which island would you choose to spend a few days on ? (taking into consideration that we've not been to Greece before) .
Thanks Janet.