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BIG FAT GREEK BIRTHDAY TRIP .SPRING 09.NEED HELP WITH PLANS!

Posted by (MOBILE, ALABAMA, USA) on

HI...I AM PLANNING 3 WEEK TRIP TO GREECE WITH 5 OF MY GAL PALS IN MAR,APR OR MAY 09 TO CELEBRATE "BIG" BIRTHDAY. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH ALL AREAS, MAINLAND ESPECIALLY. PLANNING TO BE ON CRETE FOR 3 OR 4 DAYS, WITH DAY TRIP TO MYRONOS OR SANTORINI. THEN TO THE PELOPS FOR MAINLAND VISIT.
-WHAT ABOUT RENTAL CAR FOR TOURING MAINLAND, WITH INDIVIDUAL TOURS AT SITES? (WE DON'T DO "MOTORCOACH" AKA BUS TOURS!) IS DRIVING SAFE, FEASIBLE?
-WOULD LIKE RECOMMENDATION OF PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE FOR VARIOUS LOCATIONS.
-WE WILL PROBABLY STAY IN 4-5 STAR HOTELS IN ATHENS, ISLANDS AND THESSOLONIKI. WANT TO STAY AT SMALL, PRIVATE INNS IN OTHER TOWNS, VILLAGES TO ENJOY LOCAL FLAVOR. COMMENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS? WOULD SPECIFIC RESERVATIONS BE NECESSARY AT SMALLER INNS?
-IS 14 TO 15 DAYS ENOUGH TIME TO ADEQUATELY SEE THE MAINLAND? I WOULD CUT BACK TIME ON CRETE, IF NOT. SINCE WE LIVE ON THE BEACH OF THE GULF COAST, THE WATER/SWIMMING ASPECT OF ISLANDS NOT THAT IMPORTANT.

THANKS, IN ADVANCE, FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP AND COMMENTS.

KATHY

Posted by
7569 posts

Wow, where to start. First, I would suggest May as the target month. Weather will be nicer, things will be gearing up for the season, but there still will not be crowds. If you get into March, weather and closed businesses may be an issue, if you get into April, Orthodox Easter can create problems (but may also be fascinating). Your Itinerary, 3-4 days on Crete is good, no less; but Santorini is not a day trip not sure about "MYRONOS", if you mean Mykonos, it is not either. For both of those destinations, I would suggest two nights on each island. On all three of these islands, there is plenty besides beach to do that is as interesting, or more so, than the mainland, so take the time to do it right. Rental Car and Driving, Feasible, yes, safe? maybe no. Consider the bus (not tour buses) and limited trains for most. Good thing about May is that very few reservations are needed. Not much time now, but I can answer questions for you on some aspects.

Posted by
44 posts

Santorini: We rented a car for the four days we were here. Originally thought we would use this island to "hop" to others but neither my husband or 2 teens wanted to leave. We loved every minute and this was one of our cherished memories from this vacation. Check out Volcanos Villas (google for link) for a FANTASTIC place to stay in Oia if you decide to stay here. Honestly..I would highly recommend it! Don't stay in Fira or the beach hotels on black beach when you could stay in Oia for just a bit more. PS: No problem driving in Santorini. We decided not to go to Mykonos, heard it was very crowded and noisy. We traveled in mid June. Also spent 3 1/2 days in Athens. Way too long! You only need 2 days max there. You may want to check out the ferry schedules distance for day trips from Crete. I think we ran into a couple that stayed there and took an overnight ferry to Santorini. I know the trip to Mykonos was not that close to Santorini either. The islands are farther apart than they appear on the maps. Of all the islands though...Santorini is not to be missed!

Posted by
5 posts

Nicole: Thanks for imput....think we have decided, as you suggested, to skip Mykonos and concentrate on Sant and Crete. Planning 6 or 7 days max on islands; rest of time on mainland. Thanks for insite re Athens...2 days it is!

Kathy

Posted by
1388 posts

Kathy

If you're traveling on the Peloponnese I highly recommend Nafplio. It's a beautiful little town in it's own right - an old pedestrian quarter and a huge venetian fortress - plus within easy distance of Mycenae, Epidavrus and Tiryns all of which are worth a visit.

I got back literally today from staying here

http://www.anthemion.gr/anthemion_nafplion.html

I found it very peaceful and comfortable (although the water pressure was a bit low at points.)

Other highlights on the peloponnese for me are mystra, a byzantine site outside of Sparta, and Monemvasia. Sparta itself is nothing much, but Monemvasia is spectacular.

Have a good trip.

Alan

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