Hi all

My girls and I will be in Greece for about a week this Summer and really have no idea where to go other than Athens (flying in and out of there and seeing the sites a couple of days).

Maybe one of the islands near Athens (looks like they are all accessible by ferry..is this true?) and ideally find an Air BnB. Naxos?

Thinking not Mykonos...

Thanks !

JB

Watch your wallet. Pick pockets are everywhere, and especially keep an eye on kids

There is a high speed ferry port in downtown Athens so you can do island day trips. Be sure to visit the ancient historical hill at night. Eat at one of the restaurants up there. Super cool. Love Greece. It’s always a great trip.

Did a Mediterranean trip in 2006: Greece, Turkey, some islands. Photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157600960852061/.

I also spent a couple of weeks in Greece in 1970 (on leave from Iran). Photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157632241919804/. The hotel in Glyfada I stayed at (Perla) was right under the takeoff point of the airport--super views of the bottom of planes!

flashguy

Go the the horse rack track and get seats down by the rail. Meet some nice people who kept me well hydrated with Ouzo. They felt sorry for me as I could never pick a winner as I tried every race.

Also, visit the islands. I went to Aegina and Hydra. Hydra very pretty. Go to the the yacht basin and walk around on the dock and look at all the $$$$$ yachts. Once again, met some nice people who invited my aboard for drinks and dinner.

Also, while on the island, walk around the town center and see all the restaurants that are cooking octopus on the grill at the entrance to the restaurant. Keep trying different entrees for dinner. Items that I never heard of or did not want to eat I ordered and liked. Before I ordered, the pleasant waiters told me if I did not like it, he would take take it back at no charge and I could try again. The key was asking the waiter what was good.

When in Athens, go to the Regency Casino Mont Parnes. Walk around the base of the hill and the casino itself. Great views at night. Dress code required a jacket at night. Also fun to gamble, but watch your money.

The best part was the vending machines in the hotel (think bottled Coke machine) were selling Heineken beer!

English was a small problem, but I managed. And remember, when trying to figure out where you are on a map.........it is all greek to me.

We did an eastern Mediterranean cruise last year. I absolutely hated Mykanos. I've never had a problem with crowds and feeling closed in except for there. Very narrow winding streets packed with people. And then there's the aggressive gay community. After having my ass grabbed on 3 separate occasions, I told the wife she was welcome to stay and explore but I was going back to the ship.

That said, the island of Delos is across the channel from Mykonos and I absolutely loved it. Delos is ruins and the mythical birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. We spent half of the day there and I easily could've spent the full day there.

Rhodes is absolutely phenomenal! Walled medieval city built by the Knights of St. John. Walking down the Avenue of the Knights one can literally feel the history. We did a walking tour of the city and had a phenomenal tour guide who was an archeologist for the museum. He also recommended a restaurant right off the main square that was one of the best meals I've ever had. We nicknamed it the platter of meat and oh my God was it good.

Athens is an education. The Acropolis is amazing, wish we had more time there. The old airport was a refugee camp and it looks like an absolute war zone. The city is pretty much covered in graffiti. Talking with the locals I learned a lot about why the Greek economy is in such shambles. Taking trip out to Sounion Bay and the Temple of Poseidon is definitely worth it. It doesn't have the large crowds that the Acropolis does.

Walking around Santorini made me feel extremely poor. The ruins at Akrotiri are interesting. As an Architect in my former life I was almost as interested in the structure protecting the ruins as I was the ruins themselves.

Have fun and enjoy.

I lived in Greece for a year while I was in the Navy. Santorini is very nice and worthy of consideration. The ferries from Piraeus are plentiful, and you can get to any of the islands that way. Crete is really cool, especially if you like old school. It's a nice country. Enjoy!

Avoid the isle Lesbos.

Check out the Electra Palace Hotel in Athens for accommodation. It is on the edge of the Plaka, has a roof deck pool and fantastic views of the Parthenon. I found Santorini to be a bit overrated. Naxos and Paros are nice. Mykonos is a party island but the day trip to Delos is amazing.

My wife lived in Greece(Glyfada) when she was in her early teens. She just returned from Athens after 10 days there. As a student at the American school, with fond memories of that time in her life, she was shocked by the condition of down town Athens.

Empty buildings, taggers and their mess everywhere. The cabbie/guide she used was a fine person, he went all out to help them see the sights and stay safe. Google Michael's Amazing Tours and Trip advisor will show the rating. The fellow they used for airport shuttle and going to Corinth is George, a 35 yr old accountant. With 45% unemployment, they do whatever to take care of the family. If one uses that company, ask for George and tell him Miss Jen from Montana sends her greetings.

Went to Greece on Eastern Mediterranean trip in 1985, so my info is dated. I went in and out of Athens and saw the usual stuff. My main interest was the Peloponnesos and some of the islands. I went to Naxos, Paros, and Santorini. Loved the islands. Traveled by ferry.

I went in 1966, so you might say my info is a little dated, but hey, it’s Ancient Greece so what’s a few years?
We concentrated on historic sites: Olympus, Delphi, Mycenae, Epidauros, and Athens.
Having read some Greek history, and plays pertinent to those sights, it was very cool.
Didn’t do the islands.

Beautiful and interesting for sure,Take a lot of money.

Greece is high on my list of destinations to visit, just got back from visiting Spain so, the travel bug is coursing through me pretty hot right now. In my early research, there's a couple of things that have stood out:

a) Like the rest of S.Europe, July-August is very hot. High winds are a reality in Spring & Fall resulting in travel delays when traveling by ferry.
b) Don't spend more than 3-days in Athens, it's full of history that is relatable for Westerners however the intense traffic, city noise, pollution, tourist traps and gritty areas can be overwhelming and take away from 'your vacation experience'. Residents of Athens look forward to escaping Athens.
c) Spend the majority of your time on the islands. Pick an island group (Ionans, Cyclades, Argo Saraonic, Sporades, Dodecanese etc..) and focus your trip island hopping between just that area.
d) Each island within each group, is geared for certain tourist types or a combination thereof: Greek vacationers, history buffs, affluent, hippies, gay, budget, party all night, cliche tourist traps, ergo, be wise and do some homework before visiting islands.
e) The Greek salad that you're thinking of, is just a regular or, traditional salad. If a menu says Greek salad, they'll tack on 20% to the price and serve a slightly larger version of the traditional salad. Big clue that you're in a tourist restaurant.

When I was there in 2006, the Greeks were not very friendly to Americans--there was quite a large anti-American contingent operating.

flashguy

I went in 2011 as part of a RCL cruise which I highly recommend to hit a bunch of places to sample. I loved Rhodes and Athens. Rhodes was fun to walk around and just see things where as I hit the Acropolis museum and actual Acropolis and Agora in Athens. Gyro and a beer for about $1.50 was awesome.

I got a private cab from the port to Athens in a new Mercedes with a good driver for cheaper than the public cab I took back which was an older car with no seatbelts for more money. Just something to think about.

I didnt pick up on anti american sentiment in 2011 but things change so always good to keep an eye on these things and monitor events in the areas before you go.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
When I was there in 2006, the Greeks were not very friendly to Americans--there was quite a large anti-American contingent operating.

flashguy

Greek communists are alive and active, with anything associated with the US a target, #1 being the statue of Harry Truman; seems to be a tradition of any grievance the commies have, lets get a rope/paint/explosive and target our 33rd President.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
When I was there in 2006, the Greeks were not very friendly to Americans--there was quite a large anti-American contingent operating.

flashguy

Greek communists are alive and active, with anything associated with the US a target, #1 being the statue of Harry Truman; seems to be a tradition of any grievance the commies have, lets get a rope/paint/explosive and target our 33rd President.

What does any of this have to do with Jimbo enjoying a vacation in Greece with his girls? Why does everything have to be about politics?

quote:

Originally posted by PD:

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
When I was there in 2006, the Greeks were not very friendly to Americans--there was quite a large anti-American contingent operating.

flashguy

Greek communists are alive and active, with anything associated with the US a target, #1 being the statue of Harry Truman; seems to be a tradition of any grievance the commies have, lets get a rope/paint/explosive and target our 33rd President.

What does any of this have to do with Jimbo enjoying a vacation in Greece with his girls? Why does everything have to be about politics?

It's a simple trivia factoid. Greece is a by all accounts a very enjoyable place to visit and not everyone is a raging commie. Italy, France and Spain all have their share of Yanqui Go Home graffiti.

Santorini is amazing, but very busy. Mikinos is not recommended. I love Corfu, the old european charm and cobblestones.