All knowing board, seeking Greece travel tips....

[scottpsurules]

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[sluggo72]

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

everything you need to know in 9 mins...

 

[Nitwit]

Do 2 or 3 days in Athens and then head for the islands. Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, or one of the less touristy ones. You will be in the most beautiful place in the world.

 

[jp3272]

If Russia invaded Turkey from the rear, would Greece help?

 

[CLWBT]

Do 2 or 3 days in Athens and then head for the islands. Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, or one of the less touristy ones. You will be in the most beautiful place in the world.

Santorini may be the most beautiful spot on earth.

 

[doctornick]

Crete is an island with a great mix of beaches, historical sites (ranging from ancient Minoan, to classical Greek, to medieval) and even some distinct food and drink.

If you go to Mykonos, a good "day trip" is to ferry over the Delos to see the archaeological sites there.

Santorini is truly beautiful. Stay in Oia and watch the sunset.

 

[Frabjous]

If Russia invaded Turkey from the rear, would Greece help?

I see what you did there.

 

[bhs31smz]

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

We did Santorini, Mykonos and Athens in October 2015. 3 nights in each.

Flew into Athens on American and then took Aegean to Santorini. Long travel day, but it's better than taking the ferry from Athens to the islands. Spend the money and stay in a hotel that's on the side of the cliff. We had a suite with a hot tub on the balcony. Can't beat the sunset on Santorini and its only made better with a glass of wine while in the hot tub. We stayed in Fira, but take a day and go to Oia, or vice versa. Beaches are different than what you've seen in the caribbean. Most are small pebbles and no sand. Take your pick of the many beaches, they're all about the same.


We loved Mykonos. Great food, great beaches, party central. Very open lifestyle (LGBT and nudity) so if that makes you uncomfortable, plan accordingly. We stayed at the Belvedere. Great luxury hotel in town. Short walk to the bus station for a quick trip to Paradise Beach and into town for shopping and dinner. As far as beaches, I recommend Psarou Beach. Bus drops you off at the top of the hill and you walk a path down to the beach.


Not sure what to say about Athens. If you've even been to Rome, Athens is Rome on Steroids. So much history. Take a "citysightseeing" bus for easy access to all the must do/see places.

Aegean Air is part of the Star Alliance. Modern Airbus planes. No puddle jumpers like you sometimes take between islands in the caribbean.

The people were wonderful. Didn't run into a single person that wasn't fluent in English. Very helpful for directions and tips on what to see and do. Wife is Gluten free and most restaurants have a great selection of Gluten free items.

I can give a lot more detail if you want to message me. Enjoy!

 

[Detective_MackDaddy]

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[DavidM]

Santorini--especially Oia--it doesn't get any better than that. Mykonos can be pretty freaky in high season--but Delos is great if you do visit Mykonos. On the mainland, you've gotta see the Athens museums--but if you want to see the Acropolis, go early. Crowds and big heat if you go later. Delphi is a nice day trip from Athens.

Naxos is a nice place to stop over at if you're staying in Mykonos and then Santorini. It's good to try a less-hyped location, and it's right between the other two islands.

My wife made sure we planned our entire trip around staying at Perivolas, a stunning but pricy hotel in Oia--it was worth it. Rooms carved out of the cliff. If you stay there, plan to have at least one dinner at the hotel--it'll feel like you are the only guests that evening.

End your trip in Santorini, and then fly back to Athens airport. Trust me. Best vacation of our lives.

 

[Parf]

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

For the most part, I would agree with the comments made by the other posters. Just a few words of caution, if your boys are teenagers or younger I would think again about this destination. If your sons are older they would be enjoy this country much more IMHO.

 

[flavorguy]

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

.. we also did 9 nights - 3 in Mykonos, 4 in Oia, 2 in Athens ... We used this travel agent and they took care of everything (except for air arrangements between Newark and Athens) - everything from Hotel, Tours, Transfers (flight between Athens and Mykonos), Ferry (between Mykonos and Santorini) and return air to Athens) ...

http://www.truegreece.com

 

[Nitwit]

We did Santorini, Mykonos and Athens in October 2015. 3 nights in each.

Flew into Athens on American and then took Aegean to Santorini. Long travel day, but it's better than taking the ferry from Athens to the islands. Spend the money and stay in a hotel that's on the side of the cliff. We had a suite with a hot tub on the balcony. Can't beat the sunset on Santorini and its only made better with a glass of wine while in the hot tub. We stayed in Fira, but take a day and go to Oia, or vice versa. Beaches are different than what you've seen in the caribbean. Most are small pebbles and no sand. Take your pick of the many beaches, they're all about the same.


We loved Mykonos. Great food, great beaches, party central. Very open lifestyle (LGBT and nudity) so if that makes you uncomfortable, plan accordingly. We stayed at the Belvedere. Great luxury hotel in town. Short walk to the bus station for a quick trip to Paradise Beach and into town for shopping and dinner. As far as beaches, I recommend Psarou Beach. Bus drops you off at the top of the hill and you walk a path down to the beach.


Not sure what to say about Athens. If you've even been to Rome, Athens is Rome on Steroids. So much history. Take a "citysightseeing" bus for easy access to all the must do/see places.

Aegean Air is part of the Star Alliance. Modern Airbus planes. No puddle jumpers like you sometimes take between islands in the caribbean.

The people were wonderful. Didn't run into a single person that wasn't fluent in English. Very helpful for directions and tips on what to see and do. Wife is Gluten free and most restaurants have a great selection of Gluten free items.

I can give a lot more detail if you want to message me. Enjoy!

You can rent one of the historic homes in Oia which are like caves built into the side of the mountain (cliffs). They are terraced so you can walk the narrow paths around the town. It's truly remarkable. I remember when we stayed there you could literally hear footsteps overhead because of the way the homes were configured. I also recall going to dinner there at 11 pm - I don't think the restaurants even open until about 9. Food is grilled over coals from the grape vines. The food is wonderful and the locals eat goat heads, and a Greek salad has no lettuce, just feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, oregano, and olive oil! Dogs will wander in and out of restaurants and young children are playing nearby in the street until late at night. The local wine is cheaper than soft drinks. It's a different life.

 

[psu00]

Agree with what everyone has posted. Definitely spend a few days in Athens. Tons of history and sights to see. The Plaka area around the Acropolis is great to shop/ eat and Syntagma square next to Parliament may be busy depending when you're there (sight of the yearly protests when the EU demands Greece tighten their economic belts ).

Santorini/ Oia is a must IMO. Greatest vacation spot- even years later we talk about it and would go back in an instant.

Meteora is interesting with monasteries on the tops of cliffs that are open to tour. (You may remember 1 from an old James Bond movie).

Olympia and Delphi are interesting for the ruins and history-

Crete and Rhodes were interesting as well (I love ancient history of Greece and Rome). You'll have a great time. Wish I was going- I'd go back there in a minute.

 

[scottpsurules]

We did Santorini, Mykonos and Athens in October 2015. 3 nights in each.

Flew into Athens on American and then took Aegean to Santorini. Long travel day, but it's better than taking the ferry from Athens to the islands. Spend the money and stay in a hotel that's on the side of the cliff. We had a suite with a hot tub on the balcony. Can't beat the sunset on Santorini and its only made better with a glass of wine while in the hot tub. We stayed in Fira, but take a day and go to Oia, or vice versa. Beaches are different than what you've seen in the caribbean. Most are small pebbles and no sand. Take your pick of the many beaches, they're all about the same.


We loved Mykonos. Great food, great beaches, party central. Very open lifestyle (LGBT and nudity) so if that makes you uncomfortable, plan accordingly. We stayed at the Belvedere. Great luxury hotel in town. Short walk to the bus station for a quick trip to Paradise Beach and into town for shopping and dinner. As far as beaches, I recommend Psarou Beach. Bus drops you off at the top of the hill and you walk a path down to the beach.


Not sure what to say about Athens. If you've even been to Rome, Athens is Rome on Steroids. So much history. Take a "citysightseeing" bus for easy access to all the must do/see places.

Aegean Air is part of the Star Alliance. Modern Airbus planes. No puddle jumpers like you sometimes take between islands in the caribbean.

The people were wonderful. Didn't run into a single person that wasn't fluent in English. Very helpful for directions and tips on what to see and do. Wife is Gluten free and most restaurants have a great selection of Gluten free items.

I can give a lot more detail if you want to message me. Enjoy!

Awesome info, and thanks so much for the offer to send a message for more, I will take you up on it!!

 

[scottpsurules]

For the most part, I would agree with the comments made by the other posters. Just a few words of caution, if your boys are teenagers or younger I would think again about this destination. If your sons are older they would be enjoy this country much more IMHO.

Sons are 18+20, the trip is their idea. Curious why you are cautioning on it?

 

[scottpsurules]

.. we also did 9 nights - 3 in Mykonos, 4 in Oia, 2 in Athens ... We used this travel agent and they took care of everything (except for air arrangements between Newark and Athens) - everything from Hotel, Tours, Transfers (flight between Athens and Mykonos), Ferry (between Mykonos and Santorini) and return air to Athens) ...

http://www.truegreece.com

Thanks for the travel agent. I have started corresponding with Fantasy Travel, and they make all the same arrangements you have described. Maybe one we have a better idea on an itinerary I will reach out to truegreece and compare...

 

[scottpsurules]

Agree with what everyone has posted. Definitely spend a few days in Athens. Tons of history and sights to see. The Plaka area around the Acropolis is great to shop/ eat and Syntagma square next to Parliament may be busy depending when you're there (sight of the yearly protests when the EU demands Greece tighten their economic belts ).

Santorini/ Oia is a must IMO. Greatest vacation spot- even years later we talk about it and would go back in an instant.

Meteora is interesting with monasteries on the tops of cliffs that are open to tour. (You may remember 1 from an old James Bond movie).

Olympia and Delphi are interesting for the ruins and history-

Crete and Rhodes were interesting as well (I love ancient history of Greece and Rome). You'll have a great time. Wish I was going- I'd go back there in a minute.

End of July soon enough, looks and sounds like we only be able to make a small dent in many incredible options. Thanks so much for posting all those pics and a few visions out of my future....

 

[mcruny42]

We did Naxos and Santorini. Beaches were amazing in Naxos, and it was more affordable than Santorini. We loved both islands, Santorini is incredibly beautiful w/ its caldera views and is a cannot miss. Pick Santorini and decide on another island in the Cylcades as the ferry schedule for those islands makes it very convenient to get to Santorini.

We stayed in the town of Imerovigli in Santorini. Much less crowded than Thira/Fira and Oia, with sunsets as good if not better than in Oia (due to less crowds) but easily reachable to all the main spots. Loved renting an ATV and cruising around the island, checking out the black sand beach and even the red sand beach too. I have good restaurant recommendations and what not if need be. I'd do 3-4 nights in Santorini and 3-4 on another island. Athens 1 night (maybe 2) unless your kids are really into ruins, history, etc.

 

[NedFromYork]

The people are the best, the best people who know what is important in life.

 

[jimarnp]

For many years we have taken a summer Caribbean trip, this year my sons want to go to a different continent. We have pretty much settled on Greece, combining history and beach. Going to do 9 nites end of July. Will be flying in and out of Athens.
Any and all tips on things to do and see, beaches, places to stay and foods to try would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Lived in Greece for 4 years in the late 80's and early 90's. Still know several people over there. Things have changed a bit, but much has remained the same ( well, almost). ---Unless you're really into archeology ,history or shopping, one day in Athens is enough. Other than the Parthenon/Acropolis, Athens is like many big cities.......loud, dirty, and Overcrowded. If you're going to find unfriendly people in Greece, you will find them here......slam dunk. If you stay on the mainland for any length of time, a trip to Sunion ( Temple of Poseidon))in the south, or inland to Delphi can be accomplished in an afternoon. -- Best tourist sites are Mykonos and Santorini. ---there are many, many islands. I always liked the those that were not so "touristy"---Islands of Poros, Spetses, Aegina, Hydra can be reached by hydrofoil in an hour or 2 from the port of Piraeus. They are good for short day trips or an overnight at a mom-pop owned hotel/taverna. Some others to consider are Paros, Naxos, Milos,Kea, Ios (a couple of these are just a bunch of rocks, beaches, discos and naked people..........if you're into that kind of thing ,lol) --Crete is the biggest island, and a good place to visit. Large coastline, many beaches lots of good tavernas/discos. Crete used to be ( probably still is)the summer destination for the Swiss , the Brits and the Swedes among many others. ---Best advice is to pick 2 or 3 places and really enjoy the experience. Hit as many beaches , tavernas and discos as you possibly can. I caution you from spreading yourself "too thin" by visiting a dozen different places........you'll have a bunch of cool pictures, but not too many awesome memories. --Also definitely a good idea to stay away from the eastern Mediterranean ( side opposite Turkey)......islands like Lesbos, Evia . Beautiful islands but having a horrible time with massive immigration and very large uptick in violent crime. ---good luck, and have a great time!

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Not as enamored of Greece as some others - spent a total of about 3 weeks on 2 backpacking trips in my 20s in the 90s. Certainly some beautiful places - Santorini, Rhodes and Crete were favorites, but many places were overtouristed and the natives seemed to economically prey on the tourists. That happens everywhere, but it was pretty bad in Greece. I much preferred Turkey - better food, better ruins, friendlier people, but that was before the Islamic hardliners took over.

Anyway, several good posts here - sunset on Oia is truly magical. If you go to Crete, the Samaria gorge is a great hike with a nice beachside restaurant at the end of the hike. I seem to remember the National Museum in Athens being pretty amazing.

 

[Parf]

Sons are 18+20, the trip is their idea. Curious why you are cautioning on it?

I only say that based on some experiences with my teenage kids. A trip focusing on history and scenery would not have cut it at that time in their lives. Obviously, your kids may be different.

 

[doctornick]

I seem to remember the National Museum in Athens being pretty amazing.

The National Archeological Museum is great if one is interesting in a thorough compilation of ancient Greek art over the various centuries. But I would also give a shout out to the relatively new Acropolis Museum which is beautiful -- well laid out, full of important pieces from the Acropolis (and casts of missing ones like those in the British Museums to see how they looked) and is very reasonable. After the requisite visit to the Acropolis itself (and I'd agree with the idea of going in the morning there), I would definitely hit this nearby museum to gain a full appreciation.

 

[DavidM]

The National Archaeological Museum is a no-frills but huge collection of Aegean artifacts, and the Acropolis Museum is much more "modern" and attractive. I'd recommend both.

My wife and I sent to Greece in late September and early October, and it was a fabulous time to go. Much less tourista crowding--although visiting the Acropolis still involved a long line to get in. And the weather was much milder than during the summer months.

However, if summer is the only option, arrange things now, take sunscreen, and make sure you have credit cards and debit cards with chips.