My Big Fat Greek Vacation (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

Surprisingly no thread on Greece for trips or vacation so let's get one started.  Planning a last minute trip there next month for 10 days.  Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, then Athens before returning home.  I've been to Santorini and Mykonos about 15 yrs ago and loved it.   This time, it'll just be my wife and 11 year old son and we're doing 2-3 days in each of those spots.  Hotels and travel between each spot already booked. 

Open to any suggestions for things to see, places to eat, and things to do in any of the above.  Will provide lady pictures upon return in this thread the quality of which is TBD.

 

[El Floppo]

Island of Skiathos was amazing.

Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, south of Athens an hour or so, also amazing.

I was last there 4 years ago- got pick-pocketed on the subway into Athens, so just a heads-up. greek friends say its a great time to go now in terms of price... the presence of the refugees appears to have scared a lot of tourists from visiting, so rates are down. 

 

[Godsbrother]

I would love to go to Greece but not in the cards for the nesr future for a number of reasons.   How is the political climate there?

 

[gianmarco]

I would love to go to Greece but not in the cards for the nesr future for a number of reasons.   How is the political climate there?

From everything I've read, it's fine.  There are no actual travel advisories.  Yes, there are demonstrations at times but they are peaceful.  Otherwise, people go to work and do their normal things and other than the potential for a strike that could affect specific commuting and travel (which is possible most anywhere in Europe at any time, to be honest), it's completely safe.  Athens is really the biggest concern and it just isn't one. 

It's our last 1 1/2 days of the trip and if there's any issues, we'll just camp out in the hotel before flying back.  I think the likelihood of that happening is almost 0, though.

 

[El Floppo]

you're not going to have a problem going to the Acropolis. and you have to go there. your kid will never forget it. or, if he's 4 at the time- he'll mostly remember you getting pick-pocketed apparently.

 

[E-Z Glider]

I did a 2 week trip across Greece 2 years ago. That's when I realized Im not really a "European Vacation / History" kind of guy. The flights were brutal, Acropolis was cool for about an hour, Athens was pretty much like any other city, and Corfu didn't hold a candle to the Caribbean islands Ive visited. For me, the coolest part of the trip was visiting the monasteries of Meteora. but it doesn't look like you'll be anywhere near that.

 

[TenTimes]

Rented ATVs on one of those islands, Santorini probably. Not sure if thats doable with an 11 y/o, whether they can ride in front of you or what not but great way to look around the island and get pics. 

 

[gianmarco]

Rented ATVs on one of those islands, Santorini probably. Not sure if thats doable with an 11 y/o, whether they can ride in front of you or what not but great way to look around the island and get pics. 

I actually did this with a scooter when I was there and it was amazing.  I plan on doing the same and will figure out best way for him to come along so he can ride with me.

 

[dickey moe]

I thought this was gonna be about that actress that keeps milking the franchise.

 

[James Daulton]

No talk of butt sex yet?  WTF?

 

[strykerpks]

Did our honeymoon there 5 years ago. Athens, Mykonos and Santorini as well. Get in and get out of Athens. I loved the old architecture and the museum at the Acropolis etc but a day would have been enough (esp since we had to sacrifice a day in Santorini for travel back). A 1/2 day guided bus tour was interesting but a bunch of Jersey girls that yapped the whole time really soured it. I second the idea of renting ATVs on the islands. Those were nice to get around in, though some of the roads are a little dicey.

I'll have to double check some of the other things we did if you want specifics. Though off the top of my head I wish Akrotiri had been open. It's a pretty large excavation going on in Santorini that was off limits to the public when we went.

 

[rail]

Was in Santorini and Athens (along with Crete) for my honeymoon 4 years ago.

You've been to Santorini, so this is probably stuff you already know, but - evening meal and sunset in Oia is fantastic.  

I loved the history of the place so nerded out on some of that - but even if you're not, I feel the Akrotiri ruins is a must-visit:  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1189834-d4126654-Reviews-Akrotiri_Archaeological_Site-Akrotiri_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html.  It's a village that was covered by volcanic ash/lava thousands of years ago.  Lots of very intact houses, steps, urns, etc. and under the cover of a large roof.  

I enjoyed the beaches on both sides of the island - one with red sand, the other with black.  Both beaches are worth it.  We enjoyed the black a bit more (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g658914-d2663198-Reviews-Kamari_Beach-Kamari_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html) - there were rentable chairs and umbrellas, plus the snorkeling up against the cliff was very pretty (really clear water).  Buy some cheap (used) aqua sox at one of the beach-side stores.  Lots of rocks in the water.  I now also remember there is another site of ruins at the top of that same cliff.  They were also very cool - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g658914-d243145-Reviews-Ancient_Thera-Kamari_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html

Your son may get more of an . . . education at the red beach.  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1189834-d641334-Reviews-Red_Beach-Akrotiri_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html  Definitely more liberated swimwear there.

Santorini is so great, even just hiking the trail between Fira and Oia is pretty spectacular.  And the museum in Thera is worth a visit.

One of the best meals we had while there was in the center of the island, away from the towns, Called Meteza Mas  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1097549-d1939380-Reviews-Metaxy_Mas_Tavern-Pyrgos_Santorini_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html  Fantastic, authentic Greek food.  The views are great during the day, but even at night the ambience is fantastic.  Highly recommended.

Athens -  we were only there for a day and half.  Loved the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum at/near its base is very well done and worth a visit.  I actually would have stayed longer there if I had a chance.  Lots of museums, ancient sites, and good restaurants.  Never had any problems there - criminal or otherwise.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[gianmarco]

Good stuff.....I'll definitely check out the restaurant and the reminder about things at Santorini is helpful.

 

[El Floppo]

I did a 2 week trip across Greece 2 years ago. That's when I realized Im not really a "European Vacation / History" kind of guy. The flights were brutal, Acropolis was cool for about an hour, Athens was pretty much like any other city, and Corfu didn't hold a candle to the Caribbean islands Ive visited. For me, the coolest part of the trip was visiting the monasteries of Meteora. but it doesn't look like you'll be anywhere near that.

meteora is amazing. IIRC, Dephi is on the way... also worth looking at if there's time.

 

[rascal]

I think Athens is over rated.  I really enjoyed Olympia.  The islands are cool, but I'd be worried about how they are doing with the immigrant flood.  I also liked Heraklion.

 

[gianmarco]

Few more days away...open to any other thoughts.

 

[saintfool]

Napflio is a good base for touring the Peloponis. Palamadi Fortress is neat and buses get you around easily enough. Nearby is Corinth and it is a pit.

I took in Andros, among the Cyclades, and found it quite charming.  Not the scene that the more well traveled islands are.