Potential Problem With Our April Trip to Greece

[brett]

Naxos is one of our favourites. We stopped going to Santorini. I has become a total zoo.

Last time we sailed past on a ferry there were several large cruise ships visiting. Awful.

Reminded us of Dubrovnik....same issue.

 

[Chuckanut]

I’ve been to Hydra which is a very small island with few cars. A guy with donkeys met our boat at the dock and loaded the passenger’s luggage on the donkeys. A few hours later, after we had walked up the hills to our hotel, our luggage showed up in the lobby.

 

[audreyh1]

I’ve been to Hydra which is a very small island with few cars. A guy with donkeys met our boat at the dock and loaded the passenger’s luggage on the donkeys. A few hours later, after we had walked up the hills to our hotel, our luggage showed up in the lobby.

I saw this on a Rick Steves program and it’s not far from Athens so a 2 hr hydrofoil ride. Looked great!

 

[JoeWras]

Oh no! More island secrets given out!

 

[audreyh1]

Oh no! More island secrets given out!

Hey that Rick Steves show was from 2008! Been out a long time.

 

[Chuckanut]

Hey that Rick Steves show was from 2008! Been out a long time.

I am always a bit amused when I read something on social media with a title such as “10 Unknown Tourist Heavens in Lower Slobovia”. Yea. Unknown. If they were, they aren’t now.

 

[audreyh1]

Well Rick Steves certainly put many European spots on the map for the tourist crowds. European countries make a lot of money off of tourism, so I’m sure the local businesses overall benefit. Locals living there may not like more tourists, and other tourists may not like more tourists, but kind of hard to avoid with so many able to travel.

I remember how packed Prague was last year. We had several places on our list, and fortunately only in two areas were the crowds overwhelming. I remember being kind of shocked because the first few places we stopped were not busy, but then boom! the crowds. But it didn’t take much to get away from them. We did a climb through some stunning terraced gardens to get up to the castle (the cathedral), and we had that part to ourselves. Leaving the castle we went through a different set of extensive gardens, very pleasant and few other people. It doesn’t get to us. And we also generally eat at odd times.

A must visit place that Rick Steves put on the map: Hallstatt. Mobbed during the day, but if you stay there a few nights the crowds are gone early and late and it’s lovely. Most hotels were booked well in advance but we found a smaller inn that fortunately was at the other end of town away from the crowds. It’s just a stunning location and great base for day trips as well. I’m so glad we went - great visit to the Austrian Alps.

 

[Scuba]

I agree with what most folks are saying about Santorini being extremely crowded, but if you’ve never been there, I would go because it is really beautiful. Akrotiri is interesting and there is also some nice wine tasting possible on Santorini.

If going to Santorini turns out to not be feasible, I have heard that Folegandros is like Santorini was 30 years ago. I haven’t been to Folegandros but I saw it from the ferry and it did look gorgeous.

We spent several days on Milos and enjoyed that very much. There is some hiking there, but it is more beach oriented but very unspoiled.

We spent a week on Naxos in 2018 and loved it. There are many hiking trails and interesting villages as well as ancient ruins. We did a food tour one day with a local guide, just the guide and DH and me. We spent the morning at a family’s cheese making kitchen, where we got to taste many homemade cheeses and “assist” in the cheese making process. I also got to hold a 6 day old lamb, and best of all, we got to chat with the owners via the guide and talk about the culture in Greece vs America. After that, we went to an organic farm where we picked fresh vegetables and the mother taught us how to make stuffed peppers. She made a feast for us and we ate with the family. Truly one of our most memorable days ever on any trip!

Enjoy your time in Greece. It’s a special place!

 

[brett]

I saw this on a Rick Steves program and it’s not far from Athens so a 2 hr hydrofoil ride. Looked great!

If you happen to be on a self driving tour of the Peloponnese you can park your car outside Ermioni in and take a very short ferry ride over to Hydra.

We found it by happenstance and decided to spend two nights on Hydra. Very different.

 

[bonvoyage]

As it happens my wife and I are also going to Greece in April and this will be our first trip there. We are skipping the islands entirely and doing a ten day road trip across the Peloponnese. I have worked with several Greek colleagues over the years from that area and highly recommended it to me.

 

[audreyh1]

As it happens my wife and I are also going to Greece in April and this will be our first trip there. We are skipping the islands entirely and doing a ten day road trip across the Peloponnese. I have worked with several Greek colleagues over the years from that area and highly recommended it to me.

That’s where the Ancient Greece civilization ruins are.

 

[bonvoyage]

That’s where the Ancient Greece civilization ruins are.

Indeed - that's the plan - to see Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Epidavros and several other historic places. My Greek friends assure me that the scenery, especially the Mani peninsula, is pretty spectacular.

 

[wearefinishedworking]

We could have stayed a week just in Nafplio. That beautiful town is close to the theatre Epidaurus, the cute town of Tolo, and several beautiful beaches. And of course the Roman fort/castle just above the town.

 

[Chuckanut]

That’s where the Ancient Greece civilization ruins are.

Yes . I’m remember running in the arena where the first Olympics were held.

 

[grasshopper]

Indeed - that's the plan - to see Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Epidavros and several other historic places. My Greek friends assure me that the scenery, especially the Mani peninsula, is pretty spectacular.

We had such a great time in the Peloponnese, taking a fall cruise of Cyclades archipelago. Veghead that loves mediterranean food.

 

[bonvoyage]

We could have stayed a week just in Nafplio. That beautiful town is close to the theatre Epidaurus, the cute town of Tolo, and several beautiful beaches. And of course the Roman fort/castle just above the town.

We will be staying a couple of nights in Nafplio. There appears to be a lot to see in the town itself (apart from the historic spots nearby)

 

[joedila]

I've been to Santorini 3 times over the last 20 years, and would recommend that you keep your original plans. Yes, it has become somewhat chaotic, mostly caused by the cruise ships. Once the cruise hordes depart, Fira and Oia become very charming. That you are going in a shoulder season also helps.

On all three visits, I have done the hike from Fira to Oia. It is one of my favorite hikes and I have hiked throughout Europe. Last time I hiked it was in 2014, and it took about 4-5 hours. Make sure you have good and comfortable hiking boots/shoes, as you will need it. Even though the cruise hordes will be gone at sunset, it is also worth it to see the sunset at Oia. It is a little overrated, but it is very lovely. Here are three photos I took at sunset last time I was there.

Another worthwhile activity would be to visit the ancient city of Akrotiri, which is on the other end of the island. This is a major excavation site of the city that was buried by the huge volcanic explosion. Last time I was there parts of it were closed due to lack of funding, but I believe it is all opened now. And if I recall correctly, there is a black sand beach not far from Akrotiri. Take one day and do both.

I have also been to Naxos twice. It is very charming, and will offer you a calmer experience than Santorini. There are some hiking trails there, and they have a vibrant Taverna scene with great seafood, pasta etc.

 

[rt-texas]

Just FYI the 20th is Orthodox Easter. Wife is Greek but we haven't been in Athens proper for Easter. Might want to check with your hotel that they have a restaurant open that day or know of someplace that is. Don't want to fly all night and wind up not finding any food easily.

 

[Global Wizzo]

We finalized our various reservations for our trip to Greece and two of the islands, Naxos and Santorini. We leave April 19 and return May 4. The first week will be spent in Athens and include a couple of day trips. The second week includes 4 nights in Naxos and three in Santorini. With recent seismic activity in Santorini, we're considering a plan change where we opt for a different island and make plans that would be completely refundable closer to the time of travel. In essence we would have plans for two different islands, Santorini and X, and make the choice of which island to actually go to much closer to the actual travel dates. We do have travel insurance. Based on available information about the seismic activity, it quite likely will have dissipated by the time we arrive - Santorini is at the very end of our trip.

Two things we have planned for Santorini are a caldera hike from Fira to Oia and an island tour ending with sunset in Oia. Is there another island that might provide similar experiences or even a preferable island with other experiences? We are also doing a hike to the summit of Mt Zeus on Naxos so we enjoy being active. We are not really into beaches/swimming nor are we seeking an exciting nightlife.

I have friends in my Greece and one who owns houses on Santorini. The news media blew the shakes they had way out of proportion. One newscaster was standing on a rock pile talking about all the fallen rocks. The pile was from several years ago.

Go, enjoy it and have fun.

 

[deserat]

I love Naxos....biggest island with lots to do...bus system that takes you all over as well as quite a few hiking trails...old Greek ruins...laid back...beautiful beaches. Two other islands that may also work are Sifos and Paros. Parts is much more developed...Silos is definitely less known and more easygoing. Santorini is great once. The hike along the caldera is nice. I really liked their Akrotiri ruins site...very interesting and well developed. It is also near a 'black beach'...the other side of the island. However, as many note, Santorini is over run now.....I also liked Crete and hiking the gorge there....did not see too much of Corfu...probably should go back and explore there more...

 

[deserat]

One last thing...Athens of course is cool but try to get the 30-60 min bus ride just outside Athens to the Temple of Poseidon. If you time it right, you will get there just as it opens and it will be mainly empty...glorious very well preserved ruin atop a hill...just magnificent. Also, there is a very small cathedral in Athens (Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, Ermou Street)-it is a little gem that has some beautiful Byzantic frescoes and paintings....don't miss it...enjoy Greece. I love that place....

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[deserat]

I love Naxos....biggest island with lots to do...bus system that takes you all over as well as quite a few hiking trails...old Greek ruins...laid back...beautiful beaches. Two other islands that may also work are Sifos and Paros. Parts is much more developed...Silos is definitely less known and more easygoing. Santorini is great once. The hike along the caldera is nice. I really liked their Akrotiri ruins site...very interesting and well developed. It is also near a 'black beach'...the other side of the island. However, as many note, Santorini is over run now.....I also liked Crete and hiking the gorge there....did not see too much of Corfu...probably should go back and explore there more...

Sorry for typos...mobile phone keyboard...Silos not Silos, Paros not Parts...also forgot can rent bike-e-bikes in Naxos and cruise along beach...

 

[Koolau]

Sorry for typos...mobile phone keyboard...Silos not Silos, Paros not Parts...also forgot can rent bike-e-bikes in Naxos and cruise along beach...

Yeah, imagine what AI will do to our ideas once it gets a chance.

 

[audreyh1]

One last thing...Athens of course is cool but try to get the 30-60 min bus ride just outside Athens to the Temple of Poseidon. If you time it right, you will get there just as it opens and it will be mainly empty...glorious very well preserved ruin atop a hill...just magnificent. Also, there is a very small cathedral in Athens (Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, Ermou Street)-it is a little gem that has some beautiful Byzantic frescoes and paintings....don't miss it...enjoy Greece. I love that place....

Yeah, we’re going to miss the Temple of Poseidon and I really wish it were on the agenda. But considering all the places we’re visiting I can’t complain.

 

[JoeWras]

I have friends in my Greece and one who owns houses on Santorini. The news media blew the shakes they had way out of proportion. One newscaster was standing on a rock pile talking about all the fallen rocks. The pile was from several years ago.

Go, enjoy it and have fun.

Reminds me of the weather forecaster TV presenter who was struggling against the alleged hurricane winds while some guys were casually walking around behind him.