My husband and I are only able to travel to Greece mid-January for 2 weeks. I know it will be the worst time to travel there, but we are interested in architecture, ruins, and the food. I would like to go Athens, Santorini,Rhodes (and possible cross into Turkey from here for just a couple of days only), Crete, then return to Athens and side-trip to Nafpoli. I know this may be impossible given the weather and only 2 weeks. Is the town in Turkey closest to Rhodes worth a look and the time? With all of this in mind are there any side trips that I might enjoy more than trying to get to cram all of this into 2 weeks?
Thanks a BUNCH! Donna
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3123 posts
I think the only way you will accomplish all this in 2 weeks is to fly. Check with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines for cheap flights.
Aegean doesn't fly island-to island so it means going back to Athens first.
http://www.olympicairlines.com/
I believe Olympic has a direct flight from Rhodes to Crete.
From Rhodes, the closest interesting city in Turkey is Bodrum, there's a great castle from the Crusades there as well as the ruins of the famous Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
Once you're on Rhodes you'll have to check to see if the ferry to Turkey is running. It might only operate during the tourist season. Depending on how much time you have, the quaint little fishing village of Gumusluk is only a 1/2-hour busride away from Bodrum.
That being said, I recommend that instead of Rhodes, you at least consider going to Samos so you can take the ferry across to the amazing ruins at Ephesus. They are the most important ruins in the Med.
Posted by
Cincinnati, OH, USA
25 posts
I concur; Ephesus is fabulous and definitely worth your time, particularly because of your interest in architecture and ruins.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7581 posts
I would concur with flying. Many islands basically shut down from late November through March, But Crete, Santorini, and probably Rhodes have a fairly stable winter population as does Naxos. Expect that many places serving the tourist trade will still be shut down, so you may need to do a little more looking for a hotel and restaurants, many shops will be closed, those open will focus on the locals. To add to Lee's tips on Flying, while Aegean Air does not fly between islands, there is an outfit Sky Express, based in Heraklion on Crete that flies to both Santorini and Rhodes, and flies between Santorini and Rhodes. Ferries can be even more "iffy" in winter and a greater possibility of rough weather, so flying is both fast and more pleasant.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3123 posts
Sky Express is definitely an option, one I forgot to mention. These are small, twin-engine turbo-prop planes with room for 19 and 29 passengers, depending on the plane. Keep in mind when considering them that from 12.5 kg to 26.5 kg there will be a charge of 3 Euro per kilo. From 26.5 kg to 70 kg a seat will have to be booked for the price of the net fare (without taxes). From 70 kg to 140 kg two seats will have to be booked for the price of two net tickets.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3123 posts
I realize that I didn't make it clear that those charges are for your baggage.
Posted by
OP
Italy, TX, USA
3 posts
Thank you all, and a happy season to each of you!