Planning to fly into Istanbul and take the overnight train to Athens. From there we will island hop. After much thought I have narrowed it down to Naxos, Santorini, and Chania, Crete. Would plan to spend 2 nights in Naxos, 3 in Santorini and 4 in Crete. My question is, are all three worthwhile to go to for first-timers to Greece? Would it be better to eliminate one? We are also spending time in the Cinque Terre in Italy. I am not one to get 'beached out' but do people think all this would be too much 'redundancy'? I have thought a lot about this, but would like some outside opinions. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
We did almost the identical trip in '08 and IMO your itinerary is totally OK. I wouldn't change a thing. (Although I hope you're spending a few days in Istanbul and not just passing through - Istanbul is awesome.) I think you will really like Chania.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
Is Istanbul your only stop in Turkey? If by chance you plan to go to Ephesus you should know that you can take a ferry from nearby Kusadasi to Samos, and from Samos there's a ferry to Naxos.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis/St. Paul
24 posts
Good to know Tom. We are spending 4-5 days in Istanbul (& looking forward to it :)
Do you think Naxos is worth fitting in?
I guess I am asking if you had to drop one place, which would you have chosen?
Lee- I had thought about that route. We sort of nixed going outside Istanbul for time's sake.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
473 posts
Ashley, it sounds like a great trip. The only concern I have is that it can take longer than you think to travel between Greek island to the next. Check out www.ferries.gr for timetables of the ferries. This may help you plan your itinerary. We also purchased our ferry tickets from them several years ago and had great service from them.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Ashley, we did not go to Naxos. Our itinerary was identical to yours except that instead of Naxos, we spent 2 days at Nafplion, in the Peloponnese peninsula. We liked Nafplion a lot.
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Hi Ashley - In my view you've done a very good job in planning your trip. One of my best friends is a diamond broker in Istanbul so, if you need a new ring - lol - let me know and Ofer can help!!
The rest of your stops will make you wonder if you really want to leave - Cinque Terre is amazing and I actually live on Santorini several months a year - It is truly breathtaking!!
Have an Amazing trip, Greg
Posted by
Valatie
1 posts
The trip sounds fantastic!
We plan on traveling in October, but skipping Cinque Terra (been there-fantastic).
With that in mind is there anything anyone would change.