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Long Weekend for Greek Islands

Posted by (Paris, France) on

Hello,

My friend and I (college students) are trying to plan a long weekend in late May to one or two Greek Islands. We are looking to fly oit of our respective cities (Paris and Berlin) on a Thursday and return to our cities on a Monday. Neither one of us have been to Greece and don't know much about the islands.

We are more insterested in beaches/relaxing and exploring picturesque towns then nightlife activities. Without Rick Steves having a Greek Islands book and limited travel books in Englsih available in our countries, planning has been a little difficult.

Suggestions of any type would be most helpful!

Kate

Posted by
3122 posts

If your budget allows for flights from Athens to the islands you can fly to Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Naxos, Paros and Crete as well as many others, but these provide a good mix of activities.

Check the websites for Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air for pricing.

Posted by
3320 posts

The weekend of may 22-23-24 is "Holy Spirit Weekend" (Pentecost), which is the first big "getaway" weekend for Greeks... so THOUSANDS will be flocking to the islands. THat means the popular islands will be crowded, but also, will be very lively. I was once in Mykonos on Pentecost weekend, and All the Gilded Youth of Athens were there... dancing onthe beach, zooming around on Scooters, staying up all night, clubbing .. I gather that is what you are after, right?? The same action will be taking place on Paros & Santorini.

There is also a big weekend in may when all the Greek college students go to these islands and also Naxos. I don't know if this year it is May 29-30-31 or if it's earlier. YOu might go on TRIP Advisor and say "Greek Collee Student Weekend" and see if anybody knows. THey won't know on this forum.

My advice to you: Both of you find out which Islands (Mykonos, Santorini are best bets) have DIRECT round trip flilghts (Aegean air??). Book tickets. After that -- Go to Trip Advisor forum and query "Rooms on XXXX for May xx-xx" and see what suggestion u get. BTW, if you want people to help, tell them what your budget is per room per night in Euros. Don't make them GUess.

Posted by
290 posts

Kate, with such a limited amount of time you might consider picking one island instead of hopping around. For relaxing/exploring, Hydra is a great choice. For scenic beauty you can't beat Santorini, although it will be flocked with tourists. Mykonos will likely be jammed, but the town is interesting and you can take a day trip to Delos to see the ruins there. You can reach Hydra by hydrofoil from Pireaus in about 2 hours; if you pick Santorini you should fly as it is a long ferry ride. Don't wait too long to decide; you need to make your reservations early.

Posted by
655 posts

Kate.....For one weekend, best to pick one island. Study the flight schedules for direct connections. Aegean Airlines is great but I don't know about Paris and Berlin. Santorini is a wonderful island to explore but it does not have beaches. It does have some of the most beautiful pools in the most beautiful settings in the world.

Posted by
115 posts

I thought Paros was a great island quaint towns, with beautiful beaches, along with Antiparos just ten minute ferry ride away. Have fun!!

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