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JMF
Citizen
Username: Jmf
Post Number: 212
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 7:55 pm: |     |
The wife and I are planning our next vacation, and as of right now we are thinking it will be to Greece. We will probably have 1 week, and I would guess that we will stay in Athens (but if you have a better idea... I am all ears!)
Has anyone here been there? If you have... I just have a few quick questions.
Is it easy enought to get around there on your own? We were in Italy a year ago, and we found someone who could speak english pretty much everywhere that we needed that.
We really don't eat seafood. My wife is worried that whever we go, we will be extremely limited because of that. Should we pack a lot of peanut buter?
Any sights you can recommend? anything to avoid?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 723
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 8:28 pm: | |
I was there a number of years ago...I was happy to see the big sites in Athens, but found it to be pretty congested. I'd get to the islands - I went to Mykonos & Santorini & loved them. I thought the food was fresh & wonderful(& not all seafood at all).
Have a great trip! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 724
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 8:29 pm: | |
Oh, Mr. Doula spent several summers on Crete & loved it as well - got around on Vespa (though he already knew how to ride). |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3726
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 9:49 pm: | |
We spent 2 weeks there on our honeymoon 10.5 years ago, so here is my insight.
Athens is kind of cool to see but you really only need a couple of days, maybe one when you fly in and one before you leave. The architectural ruins throughout the city are incredible, but other than that, it's a stinky congested city. We explored on our own, public transportation is easy. We took buses without a hitch.
The islands are good for relaxing, beach going, bar hopping, sunset watching, eating. We went to Mykonos, Paros and Santorini. We rented mopeds to get around some areas, I think Paros especially, but walked and took buses elsewhere. We did a few tours, we toured a winery and ruins on Santorini which was costly and the tour guide was not so great. We decided to tour the volcano off Santorini with a cheaper tour and it was even worse, they basically dumped us off on the volcanic island and said see you back at the boat in 3 hours. It was frightening, but amazing! Then we visited the sulfur springs, but the rocks were so slippery and treacherous I was terrified I'd get impaled on the way back to the boat. I was the last one back on and I was terrified! (No help from the guide!)
We did it on the cheap, staying mostly at pensions and rooms for rent. The most expensive hotel we booked was in the city of Athens, our first night, and though the hotel was decent (a Best Western) those gigantic cockroach like bugs were all over. The rest of our trip we got rooms as we arrived on our destinations. I think we took boats from island to island and then flew back from Santorini to Athens at the end. (That we booked ahead as well.)
The seafood was delicious, but lamb and other meats were prevalent as well.
Beware...perhaps much of Europe is like this, but smoking is everywhere. It ruined a few meals until we decided to just join in...hey we were young. Don't know if that has changed.
Have fun! |
Amateur Night
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1732
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 10:03 pm: | |
I've spent quite a few months in Greece, and wanted to put in a word for the mainland. If I only had a week, I would spend a day or two in Athens and then rent a car and explore the Peloponese peninsula, including Nafplio (gorgeous seaside town), Corinth, then head around to Olympia, Delphi, etc. Don't miss a couple of AMAZING old preserved-in-amber towns -- Monemvasia and the Mani. Skip Kalamata and Sparta (nothing there).
I'd then take a second week and head out to a couple of islands -- Mykonos too touristy for my taste these days, why not try a couple of off-beat choices. Will give this more thought.
I LOVE Greece and am sooo envious. |
JonSel
Citizen
Username: Jonsel
Post Number: 47
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 10:35 pm: | |
I second (third? fourth?) the notion to get thee to the islands. Santorini is spectacular. You must stay in a hotel with caldera views, though. What a way to wake up. Hope you like cats. They are everywhere! We had furry visitors for breakfast every morning on the patio. My wife wanted to take them all home. I stopped her.
For only a week, you probably don't want to spend too much time traveling. The initial flight – NY to Athens to Santorini (or any island) – is a shlep, but then it's over and you can relax. I have heard the boat trips between islands are long and the seas can be rough at times, but I haven't done it myself.
We stayed in the Hotel Astra in Santorini. Check out their website– www.astra.gr.
The Acropolis in Athens is, obviously, amazing. Spend a day in Athens and see it.
If you find yourself on Mykonos, take the day trip over to the island of Delos. The island is an uninhabited ruin. You'll feel like you discovered it yourself. |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1423
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 11:28 pm: | |
Don't spend more then a day or two in Athens. Peloponese is awesome, the islands are great, but at the same time touristy.
I went there twice, with our gymnastics group camping on the very cheap. We always had fun in Olympia, and other historic sites.
You don't wan't a car in Athens, just cabs but make sure you fix the rate before the ride or you'll get ripped off worse then with the slickest cabby in NYC.
Car is great for all the other sites, and just driving around the countryside on some dirt road is beautifull, that's how we found some of the most beautifull spots.
One island that I remember as a lot of camping fun was Kyrgos (sp?)
As far as food goes, it's not all about seafood. Lot's of lamb, (I'm salivating as a I write this) great, great salads. FETA Ouzo 
Just make sure to stay away from goat guts and the like, I have some bad bathroom memories (or was it the combination of Ouzo, Bira and Metaxa?)
Oh, and don't start any wildfires, not even by accidents, Greek prisons are now fun (I speak from experience).
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JMF
Citizen
Username: Jmf
Post Number: 213
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 11:47 am: | |
Thanks for all of your help!
That is some great information! I love this board...
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connied76
Citizen
Username: Connied76
Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 11:07 am: | |
We went for almost two weeks in late June/early July 2005. Stayed at Athens Imperial Hotel. Right in center of Athens- it had a great view of the Acropolis and a wonderful rooftop pool/bar deck. Rooms were small but nice. Service and amenities were great. Location was wonderful- simple to get a taxi (which were very reasonable- no more than $10-$15 EURo to almost anywhere in city or immediate outskirts). Hotel was also really close to a subway station which we rode often. It was very clean and we found it really easy to use. It was crowded though at rush hours- probably even more so than NYC subways. We never felt unsafe. Anyone in service will speak English-we found eating in restaurants, shopping and taking transportation to be very simple. A few times, we stopped a person on the street to ask for directions and they did not speak English. The Acropolis was amazing- a must. Get there about 30 minutes prior to opening to beat the crowds. There was also a really great street market with block snd blocks of crafts.
From Athens we took ferries to some of the islands which was also really simple. The ferry port is close to Athens (can take a 25 minute subway or $20Euro taxi). Ferries were a weird experience. They came and left anywhere within 45 minutes of scheduled departure & arrival time (usually 30 minutes late but a few times left 15-20 minutes early). They were high-speed and very gentle in the water. You can buy tickets when you get to Athens unless it is very peak season (July & August)- then, you may want to book earlier to make sure you get the ones you want. They were well-kept-had food and drink on-board. I would highly recommend paying the extra $ ($25-40 pp) for business or VIP class so you have a spacious seat. Regular class was extremely crowded and uncomfortable looking. Make sure you book the high-speed boats if you go. They are newer and more comfortable and cut travel time in half.
We went to Mykonos first which was amazing. I think Mykonos was about 3 hours by high-speed ferry from Athens. The most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. A really hip downtown with bars and restaurants. Here we stayed at a beach location which was beautiful about 15 minutes from downtown. There was a bus that stopped right in front of the hotel to go downtonw for $1 Euro- it came every 30 minutes or so and ran all day through 2am. Again, no language problems- everyone in restaurants, hotels, etc spoke English. Dat trip to island of Delos (about 30 minute ride) is a must. This island has the most extensive ruins- it was incredible. Also, an undergound city (sort of like a mini-Pomei) is located here. I forget the name of it now- that was also really interesting. Buses ran there easily too. Taxis on Mykonos were laso very reasonable.
From there we went to Santorini which is about 4-5 hrs from Athens and about 2 from Mykonos. It was also amazing. Beaches weren't great but this is the island with the amazing cliffside photos you always see fo Greece with sunsets that will haunt your dreams (No kidding!)
They serve lots of beef, lamb and chicken in restaurants. Of course, plenty of seafood but plenty of other items too. Lamb & chicken are a staple! Potatoes are out of this world- you'll be amazed.
I don't think you want to spend a whole week in Athens. It was a really cool, hip, energetic city with lots of restaurants. I think 3 days there would be enough. (We stayed 2 and saw everything we wanted to see but would have been happy with another day or two). I would get to at least one of the islands via ferry for 3 days or so. Mykonos would be my recommendation because of failry decent travel time and beauty of the beaches.
I can offer more help if you tell me more about what you like to do.
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Charles Yuen
Citizen
Username: Serviceberryfan
Post Number: 284
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 10:36 pm: | |
If you are going to sensuous Santorini you should check out the hotels that are carved out of the white cliffsides high on the cliffs. They are basically caves. The views are spectacular. And they typically have pools. And the sunsets off the tip of Santorini cause applause. Really. Do not miss it.
Mykonos is very nice also -- but it has been commercialized for the tourists.
Rhodes is a sandy desert-oriented island which has many beaches and is a favorite of Europeans. It is a nice getaway -- but we would substitute Crete with its culture and ruins.
When you see Athens or any major European city, try to avoid having Mondays being one of the visiting days. Museums and cultural attractions are closed, and these are the main reasons for going to the city. Somehow I've always managed to be in Paris on Mondays and the Louvre has been closed.
Charles |
AntoninaKC
Citizen
Username: Antoninakc
Post Number: 154
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 11:44 pm: | |
Earlster- tell us the story of exactly why you know greek prisons are not fun... |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1005
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 4:22 pm: | |
1 week for Greece , to short & Athens is not worth it. Paris , London or Dublin. If you need a summer city with beach & 1 week ,then the place you ought to go is Barcelona . |
Tobie
Citizen
Username: Tobie
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 2:50 pm: | |
You should definitely hit one of the islands for a couple of days...we preferred Santorini for relaxation and beauty. Mykonos was more for partying. We were in Athens for 2 days and that was enough for us. We saw the Acropolis, ate at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Acropolis and then walked around. You could find parts of NYC just like Athens. When we left our beautiful hotel on the islands we took the public bus. Very easy to figure out.
It was a blast...have a great time!!!! |
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