Just starting to plan a 2 week trip to Greece the last week in September thru first week in October. Athens and 2-3 islands is what we are thinking (Santorini, recommendations?). Wide open for some itinerary suggestions. We prefer 3 night minimums in each location. Also, since Rick doesn't write about the islands, what is the next best travel guide for selecting hotels/sights. We've done both Italy and Spain using Rick's recommendations and it's been great. Sorry for the open ended questions but trying to get the lay of the land before digging in to the planning. Thanks much.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
T. Cook's "Greek Island Hopping" is probably the best source for island info.
If Santorini is a 'must' then another island close by makes the best sense so you don't waste too much time in transit. Check out info for Milos, Naxos, Paros, Crete, Folegandros and Sikinos.
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Hi Jeff - As a part time resident of Santorini I would definitely say - Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu.
All incredible!! In Corfu I would suggest renting either motorcycles or a car and going up into the mountains - really something to see - And, in Corfu there are great Restaurants and a multitude of shops right off the main square.
Santorini is obviously my favorite Island with views that are amazing - especially at night sitting at The Galina Cafe as sun sets and having a beverage.
Mykonos was designed to thwart the pirates in Mykonos Town , and, as you walk around you'll see why. A great island - three wheelers are availabel to rent for 10 euros per day and it's fun to go over to Paradise Beach and check out the action.
Of course there are a couple of hundred other greek Islands, however, these three are on almost every ship's itinerary for a reason - they are Great!!!
Greg
Posted by
Milwaukee
194 posts
Hi Jeff,
My husband and I had our honeymooon in Greece in late September 2006. We spent 10 days in Greece and we covered Athens and three islands--Paros, Mykonos and Santorini--and then back to Athens. We only got to spend 2 nights on each islands--I think 3 nights each is a better way to go. I recommend all of the islands we saw, but our least favorite was Mykonos--more crowded than the others and more expensive, but I'm glad I saw it because it's beautiful. We used Lonely Planet for our trip. It worked well for our sightseeing planning. Since it was our honeymoon, we took the easy way out and worked with a travel agent to book our flights, ferries and hotels, so unfortunately, I can't help you much there. If you're looking for specific hotel recommendations, I'd be glad to give them.
Posted by
OP
Buffalo Grove, IL, USA
27 posts
Thanks everyone for the info so far. I assume ferry is the best way to get from island to island. Is there a website where schedule and pricing is available? How about interisland flights? Locking in our flight arrangements to/from Greece tomorrow.
Jeff
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
You won't find ferry schedules for next September published until sometime next Summer, but when they are you can see them at www.gtp.gr and www.openseas.gr/OPENSEAS/index_en.vm. Prices can be accessed through the booking functions on gtp.gr. Blue Star Ferries at www.bluestarferries.com does show schedules for 2010 already.
There are only a few interisland flights. Most require a return to Athens for a plane change. www.skyexpress.gr is one company that does offer a few but their planes are small, the routes limited and the baggage allowances are very strict.