Greek Itinerary - advice

Sign up for Aegean Airlines' internet email newsletter so you get notified when they release their saver fares for May. You'll save some money and especially time. I expect these fares to be released sometime in February or March.

http://en.aegeanair.com/default.aspx

Alan is quite right... you are going to have to drive to get 'er done. And have you compared prices???? Bus fare to Delphi alone is 13.6. x 4 = 54. 40. In May (if you keep your luggage down to 1 carry-on each), you can rent a 4-door Hyundai for around 40€ per day plus 10-15 for gas ... so, it's a wash! Rent from Airport & you go straight out on highway, no Athens traffic, no stoplighs, modern 4-lane highway all the way to Delphi. Smaller roads for rest of trip, but fewer cars, too. People have found that best deals are Budget.gr (note, not budget.us), and Economy car Rental ... with each of course, it's smart to confirm by phone after you get there, and that will be possible if you do the island part first.

That looks pretty good to me, though I can not really comment on Mt Olympus since I never did that. However, climbing it would be amazing and rewarding, I am sure! You may be able to put in a sight or two more on Monday, maybe the Greek and Roman Agora areas, the Roman of which does not get the attention of the Greek one, but I found fascinating.

You will love Greece. May is a beautiful time to visit and not as crowded as later in the year. Santorini is one of my favorite islands. Make sure you get up to Oia, it is breathtaking. It can be crowded, but just like Rick says, get on the back streets and you lose the tourists quickly.

I love the idea of spontaneity, but tuck Paros in the back of your mind for a relaxing island in the Cyclades.

Sounds ambitious but do-able, if you are young and strong climbers; have you done much mountaineering?? (I grew up in Naptown, and there's only 2-3 hills even big enough for sledding!!). Good luck on that part... And I think you'd better drive, could work out cheaper. Certainly faster, more flexible. You fail to say how many in your "group." This is important! Also, doing the 3 mainland stops is ambitious, you really have only 13 days, not counting travel days.

Re your 2nd week: Be AWARE that May 21-24 is Greece's first big getaway 3-day weekend (Pentecost/Holy Spirit). Think Memorial Day+4th of July. Transport TO islands on Friday/Back on Monday will be JAMMED, and it may be hard to book desirable Santorini hotels; book early! PLUS, you don't have much time for the islands. I say, go straight to Island on Saturday A.m.

Actually, a re-think. Is Olympus a MUST for the early-returner? If not, I suggest a reversal. Day of arrival, go straight to Santorini; there may be an overnite ferry & u can all bunk in an All-F cabin. Then hop to Naxos, then back. This way u avoid island crush by holidaying Greeks.

That is very helpful advice regarding the Pentecost weekend holiday! I really like the idea of switching the two weeks - it will make it easier to recover from jet lag, and I think it actually gives us more time the second week for all our mainland adventures.

Also, there are 4 of us, and we have some hiking experience in the Appalachians - and 7 months to prepare(we've been talking about what great motivation Mt. Olympus is for working out!).

So, a revised schedule:

Sunday – arrive (Athens), Sunday night ferry to Santorini
Mon- Thurs: Santorini – maybe other islands as well depending on time/mood
Thurs night: ferry to Athens
Friday: Athens
Saturday: One person flying back, late Saturday – bus/drive to Delphi.
Sunday: Delphi – late bus/drive to Kalambaka
Monday: Meteora – Mon night @ Kalambaka
Tuesday: early bus/drive to Litohoro – climb to Refuge A on Mt. Olympus
Wednesday: Mt. Olympus, spend Wed night in Litohoro
Thursday: bus/drive back to Athens
Friday: Athens
Saturday: fly home

Please let me know what you think. And thanks again everyone for the advice!

Ann

I think you are going to need to drive to get all your mainland stuff in.

When I was in Delphi last year the last bus to Athens went at 6 in the afternoon. I don't think its possible to get a late bus from there to anywhere. In fact I'm doubtful that there is any direct bus from there to Kalambaka. My guess is that you'd need to go back to Thebes (Thiva in Greek) to make a connection. If I'm wrong I'd love to be corrected - it would certainly be a handy bus if it existed.

You might find the timetables here useful, to give you some idea of frequencies.

http://www.hri.org/infoxenios/GNTO/ktel.html

One other point. Internal flights in Greece are comparitively cheap and it might be worth considering flying to Santorini, and then coming back up on the ferry stopping as the mood takes you. This is particularly true if you can fly into Greece and then fly straight on to Santorini without having to overnight in Athens.

Either way I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Cheers
Alan

I agree with the ideas offerred above. DO NOT underestimate the amount of Greek people traveling to the islands over their holidays. Booking ahead for the rooms that you need is a given but also very important is to make your travel reservations (ferry, air, car rental, etc.) Going directly on to Santorini upon arrival in Greece may be a very good idea. I suggest that you fly to the island and then take the ferry back with a stop in a second island. Watch Aegean Air for the sale fares as suggested although even the regular fares aren't too bad. This way you can begin your rental car at the port.

You are right to be excited. Greece is wonderful.