Greece: advice for limited mobility traveler

Lisa, Santorini is certainly one possibility. If you arrive in the "old port", there's a Cable Car up to Fira or for the adventurous you could consider a Burro ride! If you arrive in the new port, a Taxi or Bus is the best method. Hydra is another island to consider. It's easily reached by Hydrofoil from Athens and the main port area is fairly easy for walking. When visiting either of these islands, some walking and stairs will be involved. If you're getting to the Island by Ferry or by air to Santorini, stairs will be involved there also. The airport in Santorini is very small, so they don't have "jetways" to access the aircraft. To get a good idea of the character of most of the Greek Islands, you might find it helpful to have a look at Matt Barrett's website. It provides excellent information on travelling in Greece. Good luck with your planning!

Lisa Sifnos has a run of nice restaurants right by the sea, and an easily accessible beach. This link about access to the Acropolis might also be of interest. http://www.athensguide.com/disabled/index.htm Hope you make it and have a great time. Alan

As beautiful and unique as it is, Santorini is the last island I would recommend to someone with serious mobility issues. It is necessary to walk long distances over uneven surfaces to reach the best part of the villages that overlook the sea. Nothing is flat and there are some steep inclines as well. That said, there are a few exceptions. The Atlantis Hotel in Fira overlooks the caldera and a taxi can drive right up to the hotel. There is a pedestrian walkway that extends from the hotel along the cliff for several hundred yards and you can find some shops and restaurants in that area. There's a lot more to Fira than that one area but that would at least give her the opportunity to experience some of it. Be advised that there are no rooms on the ground floor of this hotel and there are no elevators. If you take a taxi to the most beautiful village of Oia, to the "town hall" building under the archway near the post office, you will avoid the need to walk up any steep inclines to get into the heart of the village, as long as the taxi takes you right to the archway and not downslope from it. The main pedestrian pathway in that area is basically flat, and there are lots of shops and restaurants nearby. "Old Oia Houses" offers one house with easy access (no steps) located near the clock tower in that same area. If you do choose to go to Santorini, please DO NOT ride the poor abused donkeys!!

The main port village of Parikia on the island of Paros would be a good choice. It's flat, easy to get around and there are lots of small hotels, shops and restaurants all along the waterfront. You can get to Paros by ferry from Athens or by plane (Olympic Air). I think you mean how close to the Parthenon can you get? A taxi can bring you right to the main entrance but from there she'll have to walk uphill to get to the structures. Once inside the compound there are some steps that she'll need to climb and some uneven surfaces on the pathways. There is a wheelchair elevator at the Acropolis Museum but once at the top the same challenges I've already mentioned still apply.

I'm not sure, if I've understood the post rightly, that Lee's right about the Acropolis. There is a wheelchair lift close to the north entrance, and once at the top the paths are supposedly wheelchair friendly, allowing a tour of the monuments. I've not done it myself (although I have seen the lift in action) but the details half way down this page seem convincing http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtsacrop.htm Alan

Thanks for the good ideas everyone--I appreciate you spending time trying to assist me!