Travelling Greece

[JeffGMc]

Hey all, thinking about the Greek Islands for some diving and a honeymoon in late October, any tips?

[Bison1997]

Hey all, thinking about the Greek Islands for some diving and a honeymoon in late October, any tips?

Go to an Olympaikos match in Athens. Wear green.

Or to a Panathinaikos match and wear red.

Up to you, really.

[The Double]

Lucky for you Jeff, I've been going to Greece every other year of my life.

Aright, so if it's a honeymoon, you probably want to go to the more intimate spots rather then the tourist traps. Santorini is the way to go, my friend. Amazingly beautiful island, and very romantical and what not. Rhodes also falls under this category. If you really want to go to a touristy island, then Mykonos is for you. Or if you're really really gay, then Mykonos is for you. Syros, an island in the Kyklades, is very nice (a little partial to it, my best friend owns a hotel, restaurant and a beautiful house on the island). You can take boats that go from island to island, and if you're flying in to Athens, then you're going to be coming out of Pireaus. Flying to the islands from Athens would be quicker, but I happen to like the boat rides. Especially since it's fun to get trashed on them. PM me if you want to know any specifics.

[The Double]

http://www.villa-iason.gr/

They named a villa after me in Greece. Word.

[TheSlipperyOne]

Just because not everyone goes to the Food & Travel board I will repeat my post from there:

Definitely go to Lesbos.

[JeffGMc]

Lucky for you Jeff, I've been going to Greece every other year of my life.

Aright, so if it's a honeymoon, you probably want to go to the more intimate spots rather then the tourist traps. Santorini is the way to go, my friend. Amazingly beautiful island, and very romantical and what not. Rhodes also falls under this category. If you really want to go to a touristy island, then Mykonos is for you. Or if you're really really gay, then Mykonos is for you. Syros, an island in the Kyklades, is very nice (a little partial to it, my best friend owns a hotel, restaurant and a beautiful house on the island). You can take boats that go from island to island, and if you're flying in to Athens, then you're going to be coming out of Pireaus. Flying to the islands from Athens would be quicker, but I happen to like the boat rides. Especially since it's fun to get trashed on them. PM me if you want to know any specifics.Bitchin. We're leaning towards Santorini at this point, reportedly quiet and there is diving, but I think she and I want to capture some of the rest of the country while we're there as well.

[JeffGMc]

Just because not everyone goes to the Food & Travel board I will repeat my post from there:

Definitely go to Lesbos.How I wish I could rep you again for it.

[bojendyk]

Bitchin. We're leaning towards Santorini at this point, reportedly quiet and there is diving, but I think she and I want to capture some of the rest of the country while we're there as well.

Santorini is amazing. I'd also recommend Naxos, which is beautiful and a bit more rustic, and one of the smaller Cyclades. We spent a few days on Koufonissi (not sure about the spelling), which has a population of around 280 people. It was absolute heaven.

My advice:

A few days on Santorini, with visits to both of the larger towns. Santorini is great, but it's only industry is tourism, so a few days is plenty of time.

A few days on Naxos. This is the largest of the Cyclades, and it has a considerable non-tourism economy (fishing and farming mostly). Rent a scooter and visit in the lush, beautiful interior of the island and some of the faraway beaches.

A couple of days on Koufinissi. Bring a book or two and enjoy the lack of crowds.

When are you visiting? If you're not visiting during the tourist season, I'd recommend that you *don't* book anything on the islands in advance. You will be literally flooded with offers for accomodation at the ports on the islands.

[JeffGMc]

When are you visiting? If you're not visiting during the tourist season, I'd recommend that you *don't* book anything on the islands in advance. You will be literally flooded with offers for accomodation at the ports on the islands.End of October, beginning of November. So it's probably the very end of tourist season from what I've read, but certainly not high tourist season.

[nicodemus]

Jeff, I've never been (but am considering going soon myself), but three of my friends did a study abroad there and lived there about six months.

It sounds like you definately have your sights set on the islands (something they would agree with), but they said if you're going to go to one of the big cities, hit Thessaloniki instead of Athens unless you're just dead set on seeing the typical "I'm going to Greece and have to see this stuff type of stuff." :D

[bojendyk]

Jeff, I've never been (but am considering going soon myself), but three of my friends did a study abroad there and lived there about six months.

It sounds like you definately have your sights set on the islands (something they would agree with), but they said if you're going to go to one of the big cities, hit Thessaloniki instead of Athens unless you're just dead set on seeing the typical "I'm going to Greece and have to see this stuff type of stuff." :D

I didn't visit Thessaloniki, but I'll agree that Athens isn't worth more than a day or two. With the exception of the a handful of amazing sites, it's a faceless, crowded, polluted, uninteresting city.

[JeffGMc]

but they said if you're going to go to one of the big cities, hit Thessaloniki instead of Athens unless you're just dead set on seeing the typical "I'm going to Greece and have to see this stuff type of stuff." :DIt's more of a "I have to fly into a major airport I might as well spend a day therebefore heading out to see the beautiful islands" idea. And since Athens is closer, it's probably going to win. But I think the idea is to get over there, get on a boat and then spend the extra day there on the way back so we don't have to do any major travelling before getting on a plane the next day.

Many, many thanks for the advice so far guys.

[The Double]

Agree on Athens. Even the club scene isn't that good, save for Venue. But since I have lots of friends that live there, I have to go for a few days whenever I go to Greece. I don't like the city at all.

[fatbastard]

The only thing I've heard about Greece from people who've been (besides how beautiful the scenery is) is that actual toilets are pretty rare - so be sure R. is into dropping into holes :)

[bojendyk]

The only thing I've heard about Greece from people who've been (besides how beautiful the scenery is) is that actual toilets are pretty rare - so be sure R. is into dropping into holes :)

That wasn't my experience there, FWIW.