Relax Athens and Cyclades Itinerary

I would add the night in Paris to Naxos. We spent four nights there and wished we had at least one more night. There are plenty of shops there too.

We went to Nafplio and loved it but I think it is too far for the time you have. A day trip to Delphi is a much more reasonable option.

We had three nights in Athens and saw the highlights in that time. We easily could have enjoyed another day in Athens, however.

Stay on Paros OR Naxos, but one night on Paros is not the best way to budget your time. I think Paros is a better choice. There are some excellent beaches there, and you can take the little local shuttle ferry across to Antiparos as a nice daytrip. But if you decide on Naxos, there are ferries directly from Mykonos to Naxos so you don't have to transit through Paros.

One night on an island is a waste. You probably will not get to Paros until early afternoon so you have used up half the day. Next day its likely that you will get to Naxos in the early afternoon. By the time you get to you hotel it will likely be about 3 in the afternoon before you hit the beach.
Logistics and good planning are important in island hopping.
For fun this is what you will find in Naxos.

Naxos town https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094558042
Trip around Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634605629689

Naxos 2019 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157711294807761

Thank you BethFL, Lee and Stanbr. The consensus is not to stop in Paros, and just continue to NAXOS.

QUESTION about Santorini: I noticed that hotel and apartment rooms with a "caldera view" are very expensive. I am thinking on staying in Imerovigli but the hotel I am booking (the Phaos Santorini Suites) doesn't offer "caldera view" but sea views to the Aegean and doesn't have a pool either. Is a room w/ a "caldera view" a "must"?

Thanks,

I would not do the day trips from Athens. YBy that point, you may be tired of moving around from place to place. Or at least wait until you get to Athens to decide. Naufplio is definitely too far for a day trip.

Be aware that Santorini is not known for it’s beaches. We were so relieved to depart Santorini for Paros with much more of a real Greek feel. Nice beaches too.
Why does your wife want to visit both Mykonos and Santorini?
If you don’t want to pay for a caldera view go to the center or the other side of Santorini to Kamari and/ or the other beach areas beyond it. But then you are missing why people travel to Santorini!
We preferred Mykonos to Santorini but preferred many other islands including Paros, Naxos, Crete to both of those over touristed islands.

Hi Nestor. The hotels with caldera views and very expensive. The hotels with Aegean views are high up in the villages and many offer great sea views. Almost any island that has a sea view like that are sought after however the Caldera view is the ultimate experience. We can no longer afford the caldera view but most of teh Aegean view hotels are pretty close to public areas and tavernas where you can go for the Caldera view. One tip is find a bar on the caldera and make a reservation for a table about a half hour or so before sunset. You will have an unobstructed view of the caldera at a table. There will be crowds 15 deep to meters above you all crowding for the view that you will get from the bar. Well worth the price of a few drinks.

This is a compilation of images from a few trips to Santorini but there are a bunch of them taken from the bar.
Santorini https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632154800782

Hi Everyone!

It is so great to be once again trip planning. This forum has been so helpful over the years.

I am planning a similar itinerary as Nestor with the same dictates from spouse re Santorini and Mykonos. I am voting for Naxos as the 3rd island. Finishing in Athens.

One big question: what order to visit the 3 islands is either most efficient or suggested?

Thanks!

Todd

Todd it is a better idea to start your own "thread" rather than piggybacking on this one. The reason is, your query may not be seen by persons who have decided not to follow nestor's story any longer. You'll get better results, people will be more likely to respond to you on a separate entry.