[rebekahb]

I remember a few people saying they have been in other vacation threads with pics. We are beginning to plan a trip (end of Sept/beginning of Oct) and would like some thoughts from those who have been. I think there will be 6 of us. Our other 2 friends used a travel agent and have all private tours. They are paying $14k and I think that's crazy.

I like to see historical sights but don't need to be inundated with them. I could hit the highlights and be done. I do love hikes and anything that has to do with the beach and water. I enjoy the smaller European cities where I can immerse myself in the culture. I am thinking we will be there for at least 12 days. Preliminary thoughts are Athens, Naxos, and Santorini. This is not set in stone, just thoughts at this point. We may possibly pair Croatia if we can squeeze more days off. I'm completely open to thoughts and opinions.

How many days did you go?
What did you do that you would either do again or recommend to someone else?
What did you do that was not worth it?
Did you pair any other countries with it? If so, which one and would you pair again or only pick one country?

[chassis]

$14k per person? And for how many days?

[m630]

I have friends with family all over Greece , friends that have been there on honeymoons, and friends that go every year, and my wife has been many times as it’s one of her favorite places in the world, though I have not gone yet though …so, i know a bit about the country and plan to go in a few years and see for myself.

I would still be a bit concerned about any lingering restrictions due to Covid, so I’d hesitate to travel to Europe this year (I’ve actually postponed a trip to Spain (Ibiza)this summer due to it )
Be that as it may, since you mention beaches and the islands, I’d do your research on what may be open at that time of year as it’s after the season and certain places on the islands may close down - ie if you’re going to Mykonos to hang, the beach clubs may be closed, same for Santorini. If your just going to relax - no particular issue but some beach restaurants may be closed as well.

As for how long, well 2 days are travel days back and forth, and if you’re island hopping you’ll lose more time too, so I wouldn’t think you could go anywhere else unless u extend the trip, I like to do 10days min when going abroad to be able to enjoy and not continually run around- heck I’m planning my next few trips out over then next several afters after covid( been stuck waiting for the end to travel two years now!) and I’ll be spending 2 weeks in Sicily as the first trip, then followed by two weeks in Amalfi/Napoli, then followed by two weeks in east/central and northern Italy, point being you need time to explore and relax unless you just want to pass thru to say you were some place.

Back to Greece, I’ve seen untold pix and heard so many stories and it’s all great, beautiful people, beautiful country, great food and beautiful island beaches and of course amazing history, so what’s not to love - though if you want to see the most Greek architectural history you’ll have to visit Napoli!!!

As to what to do, what I plan to do when I go for my first time is first stop in Athens and see the beautiful history and architecture for a few days(3 days max) and then get out to the islands as it’s a city, and after seeing the tourist sites I wouldn’t be spending much more time as a city is a city and I know enough about city life! Then it will be Mykonos and Santorini for say 4days each and then perhaps another island, or extend those island and do day trips to other islands, I’d certainly like to see Crete so that will be a stop for sure, and some of our close friends have family on smaller islands so we have options.

Glad to answer any questions, good luck!

[gjm120]

I've been to Greece quite a few times and usually go to Epirus (NW Greece) where I have family. It's the only place I think about going again, but it isn't on the normal tourist 'go to' list. Since you mentioned hiking and nature I'll throw out a few places in Epirus - the Pindus region, Zagori, Metsovo and the Vikos Gorge. Spectacular nature with mountains and the sea. Also, Corfu is worth visiting but only outside of tourist season.

Meteora is a short drive from that area and it is a well known sight.

Like all of Greece, the food the people and the music are special.

Good advice above about being wary of some Covid restriction that may come up and leave you stranded. Ignoring that, in normal times go out of the high tourist season.

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by chassis

$14k per person? And for how many days?

No/couple for 6.5 days. We spent 3 weeks in Japan twice and multiple weeks in Europe and never spent that.

[rebekahb]

As far as the Covid travel worries, we have insurance for that. We spent 12 days in Italy recently and the only thing that made you realize Covid was around is people were wearing masks. Rome was bustling and so were the cities on the coast.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by rebekahb

No/couple for 6.5 days. We spent 3 weeks in Japan twice and multiple weeks in Europe and never spent that.

Thanks. So about $1100 per person per day. If that is 5-star hotels every night, elegant dining and top notch touring and entertainment, that could be reasonable.

My wife and I did a Germany-Austria-Italy-Croatia trip in the past couple of years for a fraction of that cost per day per person. It included a few 5-star hotel nights and otherwise a high quality experience.

I am planning a Europe trip this year with 4 people with most of the nights in 5-star hotels, a luxury rental car and expect to spend a fraction of $1,000 per person per night, for all costs included for a high quality experience.

If a traveler is willing to spend the time and effort to plan, research and book their own arrangements, big savings are possible. Planning the trip is at least half the fun for me. For my wife, the actual travel is 99% of the fun for her!

[Joe T]

We're doing Greece in May. 4 of us wife, 20 & 19 year old daughters and me.

2 days in Athens, 3 days in Santorini and 4 days in Mykonos, I"ll let you know my suggestions in early June

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by chassis

Thanks. So about $1100 per person per day. If that is 5-star hotels every night, elegant dining and top notch touring and entertainment, that could be reasonable.

My wife and I did a Germany-Austria-Italy-Croatia trip in the past couple of years for a fraction of that cost per day per person. It included a few 5-star hotel nights and otherwise a high quality experience.

I am planning a Europe trip this year with 4 people with most of the nights in 5-star hotels, a luxury rental car and expect to spend a fraction of $1,000 per person per night, for all costs included for a high quality experience.

If a traveler is willing to spend the time and effort to plan, research and book their own arrangements, big savings are possible. Planning the trip is at least half the fun for me. For my wife, the actual travel is 99% of the fun for her!

It only includes hotels and tours. Most of the tours include lunch so it's not like they are getting an elegant dinner. Nights are on their own.

I, like you enjoy planning trips. I like the research and learning about all the different places to explore. It gets me excited for the trip. I'm not one who has every second planned out but like to have options of things to do. My husband is the equivalent to your wife I run things by him when I have narrowed down options. He basically says tell me when to show up.

I spent some time this evening looking at different Greek islands and what there is to do.

We are supposed to go to Cabo in late April for a friends birthday. We haven't been in about 11 years. While I was searching for flights to Greece I stumbled upon the fact I could fly to Croatia at the end of April RT for about $480-$523. Cabo is $550-$625. Oh how I am tempted.

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by Joe T

We're doing Greece in May. 4 of us wife, 20 & 19 year old daughters and me.

2 days in Athens, 3 days in Santorini and 4 days in Mykonos, I"ll let you know my suggestions in early June

That would be great!! Thank you so much and enjoy your trip!

[chassis]

Croatia is great. We stayed in Split and did a day trip to Korčula including a quick swim dip in the Adriatic! (middle of September, it was nice weather). Also stopped for dinner in Zadar and did some hiking in Plitvice Lakes NP. Beautiful country with interesting history, cuisine, landscape and culture.

Dubrovnik is the big tourist attraction. That is one reason we did not go. Also because our rental car agency prohibited driving through Bosnia, which is required to reach Dubrovnik by land. The boat we took to Korčula was loaded with passengers to Dubrovnik.

[Bunnny]

I went through most of Europe on a guided Trafalgar tour + some time on my own, for 3 weeks and it was $5500 CAD. It was nice doing both the guided tour, getting to see stuff places would've been too crowded to see alone, hearing the history, and being shuttled from location to location. We went thru England, France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and I went solo to Dublin, Ireland.
I've looked at travel agencies in the past, and never booked through an agent because they'd just have extra fee's for stuff I can plan myself.

[Dang3r]

I can recommend Corfu Island and Santorini as well. The greek part of Cyprus is very beautiful and there is a lot to hike and even your beach desires would be pleased.
Stay off Kos, Athens is overcrowded and for me the sightseeing of Acropolis is overrated.

[Alfisti]

Start here https://alfiimages.zenfolio.com/f911526456

We went several years ago, wife paired it with Croatia but she has family there. I'd not pair them up, there's too much to see and do in each one.

For Greece, we did Santorini, Athens and Paros. These 3 spots offered stunning scenery and photo ops (santorini), excellent relaxation (Paros) and lots of history/sightseeing (Athens). I'd avoid august anywhere in Europe, September is far better.

Santorini: Stunning, very crowded but stunning, a sort of no brainer. We stayed right on the Caldera. No need for a car. We stayed here https://www.agalihouses.gr/ , perfect location so long as you are good with walking.

Paros: I am a pragmatist so the idea was to go Santorini, another island then finish in Athens and fly back to Toronto. We chose Paros because it is this massive ferry hub, best to rent a car here but it is a hidden gen. Faragas beach is pure bliss, really is, small and quiet but busy enough, great bar, great place to chill.

We stayed here, near the very pretty capitol of Noussa https://paliomylos.com/

Athens: I just don't get the complaints, WHAT a city. Everywhere you turn there is history. There is so much to see and do, then there's the Plaka for eats and drinks, just wonderful. Gritty but wonderful. Make sure you go tot he bar at the top of the Hilton, magnificent views. Between the museums, Parthenon, agora etc...i mean ... you need 3 days MINIMUM. We rented an apartment as it was very centrally located and half the price of a hotel at the time.

The photos i posted above are the better ones for the gallery, i have a lot more I could share if you'd like.

I know Croatia well as i go often but HIGHLY recommend you see these as different trips unless you have a solid 3 weeks. And don't go in April/May, needs to be warm to enjoy either place.

[chassis]

Agree with the comments that Greece and Croatia are separate trips unless you have alot of time to spend. Because of the water aspects, warm weather is best. Sea/lake areas in cold weather are miserable in my experience.

[Alfisti]

My problem is i do so much ultra long haul that 8 to hrs to croatia or greece or whatever and i'm like ..... we're here already? That was easy.

[rebekahb]

@Alfisti thanks so much for all the info! I'm going to pull those pics up when I get on my home computer later. They look amazing and thanks for sharing.

I agree after some looking we will just stick with Greece for that trip. I'm hoping I can take advantage of the flight price and maybe go to Croatia at the end of April. Not sure my husband will go for it.

[megf]

Some of my info may be outdated, as we went for our honeymoon in 2009. Spent 3 days in Athens, 5 days in Santorini and 5 days in Mykonos. Did not pair with any other countries

Time in Athens wasn't relaxing at all. We saw the major sites, and was good for flying in and out, so at most I'd just do a few days if you haven't been there before.

Santorini- was a nice mix of site-seeing and relaxation/beaches. We did rent a car for a day or 2, which allows us to drive around the whole island, but definitely not necessary. We stayed here https://villailias.gr/interactive-model/. Fairly plain amenities, but great views and in good walking distance to restaurants. At the time it was family owned (not sure if it still is) and they cooked us a private dinner one night since we were on our honeymoon. Also very accommodating when we ran into a problem with our flight out to Mykonos.

Mykonos- was the most relaxing. We stayed here https://www.saintjohn.gr/. Beautiful hotel right on the beach, great pool and good service. We did this at the end of our vacation which was perfect as we just spent a decent amount of time by the pool relaxing. We also rented a car for our whole time in Mykonos as beaches and restaurants were a bit of a drive.

[Bonk!]

Ever consider chartering a yacht and hiring a captain? Greece would seem ideal for that.

[NEfan508]

Athens/Santorini several times

Beware of bank ATM machines, twice it ate our cards, after you get your cash you have 10 seconds to grab it or it's gone, no problem just go in the bank BUT it's closed (weird hours) closes @ 2pm?!?

Driving around is fine, decent roads with lots non functional red light cams, aggressive drivers but nothing like NORTH Jersey…

Pantheon: odd stairs going up, almost feeling dangerous without good footwear

Bring a big appetite, roasted meats, fresh vegetables and local wine is hard to match

Most restaurants had home made limoncello 🍋

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by Bonk!

Ever consider chartering a yacht and hiring a captain? Greece would seem ideal for that.

That was our original thought and the more people we talked to said being on land and taking boat excursions was the better route to go.

[rebekahb]

Originally Posted by NEfan508

Athens/Santorini several times

Beware of bank ATM machines, twice it ate our cards, after you get your cash you have 10 seconds to grab it or it's gone, no problem just go in the bank BUT it's closed (weird hours) closes @ 2pm?!?

Driving around is fine, decent roads with lots non functional red light cams, aggressive drivers but nothing like NORTH Jersey…

Pantheon: odd stairs going up, almost feeling dangerous without good footwear

Bring a big appetite, roasted meats, fresh vegetables and local wine is hard to match

Most restaurants had home made limoncello 🍋

Thanks for the heads up on the ATM. I use those all the time because my bank is waives the fees.


I'm definitely looking forward to the food and wine. My mouth is watering:-) We had a lot of great limoncello in Italy a few weeks back. I really enjoyed tasting all the homemade limoncello in the little restaurants we ate. Everyone was so proud of how they make it. I had packed bubble wrap and we brought a few bottles home.