We are planning a trip to Greece in May/June - we plan to spend most of our time touring the mainland, the Peloponnese and Eubea. We have a few days and we want to visit an Island but can't decide which - have watched lots of DVDs and that seems to only make it harder. Any suggestions/favorites and why. Looking for something that doesn't take more than 4-6 hours to get to, not overly touristy - we are not in the bar scene - would love to rent scooters or atv - looking for quaint and interesting, maybe hiking. Help! Thanks.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Hydra is just a couple of hours by ferry from Athens and they've managed to preserve a lot of the 'old world charm' there by not allowing motorized vehicles. It's a perfect island for hiking and for a few quiet days lazing by the sea.
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1388 posts
Teri Andros is a nice and little visited island which might fit your bill and is great for walking. It's two hours by ferry from Rafina, which is only half an hour by bus from the airport. It's possible therefore to travel there without going in and out of Athens. Chora, the capital, is probably the best place to stay. There is some good information on walks here http://www.cycladen.be/AndrosEng.htm We have stayed on several occasions with these people http://www.androsrooms.gr/andros-rooms-apartments.html They have nice rooms and apartments on the sea, although the view is across at a power station, and even nicer new apartments at the back of the town. Alan
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3320 posts
Teri, have you looked at any good GUIDES?? Dvds often pick the most "popular" isles; books more helpful. I advise combo of 2 (1) Eyewitness: the Greek Isles, for pictorial view, and (2) Rough Guide to Greece, for CANDOR and Details. U can use that to judge Andros (v. few attractions for new tourists). My suggestions: SIFNOS. Daily fast-ferry (2 hrs). Superb!! for hikingflagstone paths criss-cross whole isle; its "white cube" architecture most beautiful in Cyclades. In May-June, not at all touristy .. advise staying in Appollonia or other adjoining hilltop villages ... it's center of excellent bus network, and rent scooters to visit beaches etc. Aegean-Thesaurus agency has dozens of small pensions/B & B lodgings v. cheap and cute, views down valleys to the sea. GOOD taverna food, sandy beaches... you will fall in love w. Sifnos. Check website IgoGreece/sifnos. Also go to Trip Advisor Greece forum, jump to Sifnos area tons of info. Steves site is n.g. for your interests too focused on cliche route of Mykonos-Santorini.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3320 posts
About the guidebooks ... you don't need to buy; your local library can get thru library loan & you have time; it doesn't matter if editions aren't the latest, you are researching for sightseeing not restaurant prices .. you can get THOSE on the internet (but not this site usually). If doing Mainland & Pelops, I HIGHLY recommend buying ROUGH GUIDE. You don't have to take along the whole book it's laid out so u can carefully pull out sections (i.e., Peloponnese, Athens) and "bind" with duct tape and Voila! a handy mini-guide. And it has the DETAILS you wnt to get the most from yur trip, PLUS good area maps AND city Maps, to photocopy, carry on walks around town.
Posted by
OP
Hiawatha, IA, USA
18 posts
Thank you all for your suggestions, you have given us some places/information to look at that we would not have otherwise thought of. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated. Janet, thank you on the suggestion to look at Rough Guides, I have not heard of them before, but from what I have seen online they could be very useful resource.