More questions.. 5) How about Rhodes, has anyone use this as an island hopping base, like going to Tilos and Symi? How about transportation? Reliable or not? What is an advisable timeframe for seeing this island? 6) I'm almost overwhelmed with the island options. If I went to a region like the Saronic Islands or the Evia and Sporades islands, what is the big difference between the Cyclades? Has anyone gone to Skopelos? Is Hydra just very beautiful or what? 7) Does anyone know a travel agency and actual person that could get inter greek travel airfare and perhaps some hydroplane/ferry tickets for us (maybe hotels). Fantasy travel did not respond to 2 emails, Rick Steves doesn't do this. I'm worried about just winging it because I want to maximize our time. We are 3 star travelers that prefer more locally owned hotels. 8) Does anyone know a good travel book that goes into this kind of detail? My best resource has been a Greek Island map with some commentary (Mapeasy guidemap). 9) Is the trip to Meteora awesome? Any advise on a good touring company to arrange this from Athens? Besides looking at the massive rock, can anyone describe what type of experience you get doing this detour? Thank you!!
Jeanne
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2126 posts
More answers: 5) We used Rhodes as an island hopping base last fall. After a few days on Rhodes, we went to Kastellorizo for a few days (you can also visit Kastellorizo as a day trip via catamarran .... long day but it's so gorgeous that I'd recommend it if it's available when you're in Rhodes). Day trips to Symi were available from Rhodes; we took a day trip to Lindos instead and regretted it (not impressed with Lindos). Then we went to Nisyros for 2 nights ... highly recommend. It has an active, but not erupting, volcano that you can walk around inside. Tiny, beautiful island. Rent a car and see the whole thing in a few hours! Then we went to Tilos for a few days ... lovely, peaceful, inexpensive. Lots of birdwatchers there. Then back to Rhodes, flew to Athens, flew to Lesvos. We spent almost 2 weeks in the Rhodes area. You could scale it back by doing Kastellorizo as a day trip and skipping Tilos. I'd really recommend Nisyros; we had about 36 hours there... arrived on a midnight ferry from Rhodes and left the following day on a 7 am ferry that went to Tilos, then Rhodes. This is the big Blue Star ferry that makes 2 weekly runs from Athens to the Dodecanese. Very reliable. http://www.bluestarferries.com/ 6) I've not seen any of these 7) You can buy the airline tickets online (Aegean or Olympic airlines), and in September you can buy ferry tickets as you go. You can look up hotels on Trip Advisor. 8) Again, Thomas Cook's Greek Island Hopping or Lonely Planet's Greece book. 9) I've not been to Meteora. You're welcome! Have fun!
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Try www.dolphin-hellas.gr This is one of the most widely-used and reliable of the travel agents in Athens that help visitors to Greece with their travel needs.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
11 posts
great input! Thanks for taking the time.