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college students in Greece for 8 days - help!

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in college and going to study in England for this spring semester - I leave in a little over two weeks. We have a four week Easter break during which my friends and I want to travel all over Europe. We've figured out most of it but are now having trouble with where to go in Greece, how to get there and other logistics like that. I know we are very interested in Athens, of course, as well as Delphi and Santorini. We think we'll be flying from Rome, into Athens, probably on April 12. Then at the end of our Greece stay, we're planning on flying out of Santorini on April 20 to Amsterdam, with a connecting flight in London. So we'll be in Greece for 8 days and 8 nights.

My questions for you are: how should we get from Athens to Delphi? How long should we stay in each place? Would it be logical to go from Athens to Delphi for 2 days/1 night, back to Athens and then take a ferry to Santorini? I've been searcing the forums and have been looking at Naxos and Paros, after reading a lot of recommendations. We're having trouble deciding where to go, when to go, how to go, where to stay, what to do - everything! Any help you could offer would be phenomenal :)

Posted by
3401 posts

DELPHI -- use public transit; v. good intercity bus system (KTEL). Here's timetable. http://www.athensguide.com/practicalinfo/busschedulesB.htm -- takes 3 hours, costs €13.6 . Get budget Athens hotel first night (try Metropolis or Phaedra: 60 per double); taxi to station for first bus (7:30). walk to site; buy lunch to picnic at Stadium at top of Delphi site. If u bone up on Delphi & Museum you can do D-I-Y tour. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/sacred-sites ... last bus back is 1800; 6pm. Then take 2 days more for Athens Major sites (your US student card will get you half-price admiss, your UK student card, maybe FREE). Naxos & Paros? Maybe too off-season? What to do since too cold for beach/swimming? Consider Nafplio -- just a 2.5 hr bus ride (11.5€) -- a gorgeous seaside town (called most beautiful town in Greece), 2 castles & a fortress, tons of history, check it out - http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/551991579dJbWvh Take early bus, stay 1 night (good night life year-round) & bus back. Then a Blue star Ferry 5 pm - midnight ferry to Santorini on 4/17 or so.
Ap 12-13-14 -- Delphi & Athens
Ap 15-16 - Nafplio
Ap 17-20 - Santorini

Posted by
8124 posts

Keep in mind that in early April the Islands will just be waking up from the off season, so while Paros and Naxos are great islands, they are a bit dull in the Off-season. Santorini of course is active earlier than most islands and the scenery and ancient site of Acrotiri make it worth the visit. As for Delphi, there are frequent KTEL buses, and you can stay in either Delphi, or my preference, Arachova. The Meteora might also be an option, best reached by Athens by Train.

As for Santorini, ferry is an option, but compare the price with flying, Aegean Air offers cheap flights in a fraction of the time.

Posted by
2 posts

Janet and Paul, thanks so much for the suggestions. I haven't even looked into the weather down there (rookie mistakes, I know!) so I guess looking to lounge on the beach isn't the brightest idea. Nafplio is GORGEOUS, definitely going to look into a visit. You all are wonderful :)

Posted by
3401 posts

Paul, of course Meteora is lovely, but I think the idea is to give REALISTIC advice; these kids don't have a car, and they only have 8 days, and I think other places would be a priority. Also, FYI, in case you haven't checked on Santorini for the last 4-5 years, Akrotiri has been closed since Nov. 2005, with no re-opening date set.