We are planning a trip in Greece in April 2011. The cities we want to see are Santorini, Kardamyli, monemvasia, Nafplio, Hydra and Athens. I'm having a hard time orginizing these cities in order. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3401 posts
Tina, have you looked at a good map of Greece & the islands? You really need to! AND be prepared for some travel time! I would suggest, immediately on arrival walk down hall & take Aegean Air to Santorini. Take ferry back to Athens Port of Pireaus (an o'nite 1 if u are lucky). Don't leave Port! Catch ferry to Hydra. Next, Bus to Nafplio. Next, rent car, drive to Monemvasia RH Tip of Lakonia. Next go to Sparta-Kalamata-south to Kardamyli. Back to Nafplio fastest way, to return car. Bus (2.5 hours) to Athens for final days of your stay. If you want details, PM me.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
Also be aware that the weather can still be quite unstable that early in April.
Posted by
London
3 posts
Hi Tina, and excuse my English (I am half Greek). The "difficult" part in your trip is flying to Santorini (Aegean air will be the airline you need to contact). When u get back to Athens, rent a car to do the rest of the trip in Peloponesse. You need a good base. Some friends stayed in a very nice self catering house (need to find it if you are interested) not far from Nafplio city. Then you get to see Hydra, Spetses, Poros islands (all very nice and easy to access), also Epidavros ancient theater, Naflio, Mykynes. Then, still using the same base, u can travel south of Pelopenesse for monemvasia, mystras, mani, kardamili, etc) spending a night or 2 there and come back towards Nafplio. The drive is nice by the coast and would take about 5 hours but with lots of great views all the way. Alternatively, via the motorway after Naflio will reduce the total time to 4 hours.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
There are 3 airlines that fly from Athens to Santorini, Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Athens Airways. Aegean has an email newsletter you can sign up for that will notify you a couple of months beforehand about saver fares for April. The domestic fares will probably be €39, all taxes included,as they have been in the past.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
I also recommend using Nafplio as a base for several days. You can take several long and short day trips from there by car. You'll need to make a loop down the southern Peloponnese to Monemvasia and back up to Kardamyli spending a few days doing that. Rent your car in Athens and return it there. Athens will be your first and last base as you'll fly into and out of Greece from there. Flights or ferries to the islands will be from Athens.