Greece in May

[brett]

I would caution you to keep your schedule of those few open days very flexible. Don't make any hard, non refundable accommodation reservations. You will easily get good accommodation. Good time to go, tourist season opening up. Better than Oct. inasmuch as some in the hospitality industry are tired of tourists by October!

 

[Luvdogs]

We did Greece early May 2023 on our own. It was a little cool and rainy the first few days but the rest was great. Minimal crowds and I checked the cruise port timetables to try to dodge the crowds--and we did. It was probably the best vacation I planned. I even took one of my favorite pics, a cat in front of the Acropolis with only a few people there!

 

[Koolau]

I would caution you to keep your schedule of those few open days very flexible. Don't make any hard, non refundable accommodation reservations. You will easily get good accommodation. Good time to go, tourist season opening up. Better than Oct. inasmuch as some in the hospitality industry are tired of tourists by October!

Tired of tourists in the tourist industry? Isn't that like getting tired of following a gold seam in a gold mine?

 

[BlueberryPie]

I would caution you to keep your schedule of those few open days very flexible.

Good advice I think I hear you want to reserve the Parthenon/Acropolis in advance, but at that season it might mean the night before.

 

[BlueberryPie]

Our Greek friends are kinda busy and will definitely be right around the wedding, but I'm sure they can give us some advice between now and then.

 

[explanade]

One thing to realize is that the transit times between the islands can be long. I flew from Athens to Mykonos, then took a ferry to Santorini and then to Crete, from which I flew back to Athens.

There are hydrofoils which cut the travel time but it's still long. There are direct flights between some of the larger islands but many of them requires flying to Athens and then flying back out to the destination island.

It depends on whether you want to spend time at Athens airport or on a long boat ride. I've heard seasickness can be a problem, though my two ferry trips didn't have rough seas.

But it sound like the OP will be on a cruise between the islands.

 

[BlueberryPie]

That's why we ended up booking a cruise to see the islands. Travel is overnight while you eat and sleep, no unpacking every night.

 

[brett]

Good advice I think I hear you want to reserve the Parthenon/Acropolis in advance, but at that season it might mean the night before.

We have been spending time in Greece, May and Sept/Oct for too many years to count. We also find something new to experience. After all, there are 200 plus islands! Other than Athens arrival or departure the about the only hard reservations we have made have been rental cars. Cannnot count the number of times of travels have changed at the last minute. But...that tends to be our travel style.

 

[BlueberryPie]

$5K for airfare + cruise for 2 people. The cruise is no frills (no internet, no drink package, inside cabin...), it's effectively transport and lodging and as many meals as we want for 1/2 the trip.
We're getting a great deal at the wedding venue and hotels in Athens seem reasonable, and there should be minimal additional expenses (bus/can/souvenirs...)
Flights to Europe sure have gone up since the pandemic, but we're within the (loose) budget target.

Credit card cash back for this year will take care of one of the flights too. It's psychologically less satisfying to use cash back than to uses points/miles and see a big fat 0 for the code of the flight, but the result is the same.

 

[JoeWras]

Can confirm: flight prices are nUtZ!

 

[brett]

We have seen some very good prices on flights to Europe lately. It very much depends on the the departure and arrival cities. Especially Paris, Rome, and Lisbon.

Athens always seems to be a more expensive air destination for us. I cannot ever remember flying home from Athens.

 

[BlueberryPie]

I'm going to France in August, so hopefully the prices are better. I don't know my dates yet so I haven't really looked seriously.

 

[JoeWras]

One thing to realize is that the transit times between the islands can be long. I flew from Athens to Mykonos, then took a ferry to Santorini and then to Crete, from which I flew back to Athens.

There are hydrofoils which cut the travel time but it's still long. There are direct flights between some of the larger islands but many of them requires flying to Athens and then flying back out to the destination island.

It depends on whether you want to spend time at Athens airport or on a long boat ride. I've heard seasickness can be a problem, though my two ferry trips didn't have rough seas.

But it sound like the OP will be on a cruise between the islands.

I'm currently on Andros and am immersed in the culture. So far, it has been wonderful. Our first nights were in a tiny village with almost no tourists. We were the only ones at the 12 room pension. More on that later. Today, we're in a more tourist area, with majority of them being Greek tourists.

As for the ferry, relax! There's always a nice coffee bar and beautiful sights from the deck. It's Greek time. No rush. The time from Rafina to Gavrio, Andros is only 2 hours. This ferry continues to Mikonos.

Our hotelier today was out when we arrived. No problem, we call her, she tells us our room, and the door is unlocked and room ready. All good.

We took the public bus on Andros, and as usual, the locals were so helpful in helping us properly make our transfer. It was quite an interesting ride!

I'll have more to say some day, but for now...

Καληνύχτα! (Good night)

 

[BlueberryPie]

This sounds wonderful for a multi week trip, we'll have a week to do the isles. Maybe get a taste of it for a future self-catered trip.

 

[Koolau]

I'm currently on Andros and am immersed in the culture. So far, it has been wonderful. Our first nights were in a tiny village with almost no tourists. We were the only ones at the 12 room pension. More on that later. Today, we're in a more tourist area, with majority of them being Greek tourists.

As for the ferry, relax! There's always a nice coffee bar and beautiful sights from the deck. It's Greek time. No rush. The time from Rafina to Gavrio, Andros is only 2 hours. This ferry continues to Mikonos.

Our hotelier today was out when we arrived. No problem, we call her, she tells us our room, and the door is unlocked and room ready. All good.

We took the public bus on Andros, and as usual, the locals were so helpful in helping us properly make our transfer. It was quite an interesting ride!

I'll have more to say some day, but for now...

Καληνύχτα! (Good night)

Cool story! Looking forward to your trip report. Thanks.

 

[brett]

On our last trip we spent time on Naxos. When we were walking about it started to rain. An older gentleman was painting the outside trim on his home. He nodded...then said and motioned to us come it out of the rain and into his home.

He took us upstairs. His wife did coffee and desserts and we conversed for 90 minutes or so. Some French, some English, some smiles and some gestures. Looked at photos of his family. They wanted to know about Canada and of course knew people in Toronto. Did we know them?

Wonderful hospitality that we have experienced time after time in Greece. It is one of the reasons we keep going back. And the scenery of course. We are both very much partial to the ocean!

 

[JoeWras]

Kalimera!

Brett's story rings true. Our help from locals hasn't been as dramatic, but still memorable.

Now off to our hike for today!

 

[brett]

Over the years we have had similar experiences while traveling in in Thailand and in Turkey.

 

[meleana]

Most people who I know who’ve visited Greece have done a cruise.

 

[wearefinishedworking]

Our trip was for 2 weeks, and we spent 4 days in Nafplio... it was glorious! It was September, and we took day trips from there to Tolo beach, the theater at Epidaurus, and just meandered that beautiful town with the fortress above. Took a sunset boat ride to see the city with fort above and it was breathtaking! We want to go back!

 

[Gumby]

Most people who I know who’ve visited Greece have done a cruise.

We stayed on the mainland and had a very good time.

 

[JoeWras]

We stayed on Andros island and had a very good time.

I will say our previous trip was mainland and then a cruise. That was great, and I think it is what OP is going to do. It was a good overview and covered all the stuff you "have to do." We had the luxury of going on a less popular island this time since we saw the big stuff last time. OP: your trip is gonna be great no matter what!

Andros is popular with mainland Greek tourists, and Europeans, especially Germans. We were one of the few Americans. We did meet a few, and most were there visiting close family or for a cousin's wedding. The wedding industry is big everywhere in Greece and Andros is no different. This is OP's situation.

I could talk about this for pages, but I won't bore you. I'll start a different thread about the hiking. I'll just say we really felt like we saw the "real Greece" as a few of our small pension/hotel hosts said. This is especially true when you hike to remote villages. I also came to like waking up by the rooster's crow, and the kids (goats) baying. I loved it.

I came for the hiking, but secretly for the food. I was blown away. I really wish we could get tomatoes like that. I'll leave you with a few pictures:

 

[brett]

^That salad is what we generally have for lunch every day when we are in Greece (or Turkey)!