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Suggestions for which Greek Isle to stay with my son ?
Posted on 2/11/20 at 11:19 am
Posted on 2/11/20 at 11:19 am
I’m taking my nineteen year old son to Athens in June on somebody else’s dime and I have about 5 or 6 days at the tail end of it to go somewhere, and obviously the Greek Isles look enticing. I want to travel as cheaply as possible since it’s with my son and he really doesn’t care -so rustic over luxury .
I’ve never been to Greece before so I only know what I hear and read. Based on what I read on line Santorini looks like a good choice. Does anybody have any suggestions or tips on maybe some other hidden gems or less ballyhooed places ? Emphasis on hiking, visiting markets, eating etc, and less on partying. I figure wherever we stay we will rent scooters or a car or something. A really picturesque village with great dining and hiking options would be great.
I’ve never been to Greece before so I only know what I hear and read. Based on what I read on line Santorini looks like a good choice. Does anybody have any suggestions or tips on maybe some other hidden gems or less ballyhooed places ? Emphasis on hiking, visiting markets, eating etc, and less on partying. I figure wherever we stay we will rent scooters or a car or something. A really picturesque village with great dining and hiking options would be great.
10
Posted on 2/11/20 at 11:38 am to Lsupimp
If you are looking for cheaper or rustic, Santorini would not be it at all.
Santorini and Mykonos are by far the two most popular islands (and for good reason), but as a result are both pretty expensive. Santorini is gorgeous and its more common for honeymooners, but if you don't mind shelling out the money to stay in one of the most beautiful places on earth, go for it.
However, if you want to spend less and go more rustic, there are 100s of islands to choose from that are still beautiful and may be a lot less touristy and a LOT less expensive. There is a dizzying amount of choices and you really need to do your research.
You're going to get a lot of answers on here.
I've heard good things about Naxos, as a middle point between the extremely crowded and expensive islands and the super rustic ones.
Santorini and Mykonos are by far the two most popular islands (and for good reason), but as a result are both pretty expensive. Santorini is gorgeous and its more common for honeymooners, but if you don't mind shelling out the money to stay in one of the most beautiful places on earth, go for it.
However, if you want to spend less and go more rustic, there are 100s of islands to choose from that are still beautiful and may be a lot less touristy and a LOT less expensive. There is a dizzying amount of choices and you really need to do your research.
You're going to get a lot of answers on here.
I've heard good things about Naxos, as a middle point between the extremely crowded and expensive islands and the super rustic ones.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 11:38 am to Lsupimp
Look into Andros. 2 hours by ferry. Large island, very agricultural, wonderful food, beautiful beaches, quiet but enough activity to keep you busy.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 2:09 pm to Lsupimp
LINK
You are welcome ^
I would also suggest to skip Santorini and Mykonos if you want cheap. Mykonos is 100% party island; Santorini as mentioned is better for couple's trip where you want to splurge. Also I will say the driving can be treacherous on some of these islands!
Have fun, it's all breathtakingly beautiful and some of the BEST food.
You are welcome ^
I would also suggest to skip Santorini and Mykonos if you want cheap. Mykonos is 100% party island; Santorini as mentioned is better for couple's trip where you want to splurge. Also I will say the driving can be treacherous on some of these islands!
Have fun, it's all breathtakingly beautiful and some of the BEST food.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 2:29 pm to PrettyBird
Thanks. Good stuff.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 3:58 pm to PrettyBird
Pics?
(You expected that, right? Didn’t want to let you down by the omission.)
(You expected that, right? Didn’t want to let you down by the omission.)
This post was edited on 2/11/20 at 4:41 pm
Posted on 2/11/20 at 4:40 pm to Lsupimp
I haven't been, but I've seen budget travelers rave about Zakynthos.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 5:50 pm to GOP_Tiger
It sounds like you and your son enjoy being active rather than the leisure if island life. Would you consider a roadtrip on the mainland instead? Greece has beautiful mountains and underrated hiking opportunities. The mainland will be less touristy and offer a more rustic and immersive experience.
To the north, check out Meteora and Mt Olympus. Meteora is possibly the most stunning setting I've ever seen with monasteries perched on top of towering rocks. Olympus is a one of the few mountains in the world that you can accessibly scale from sea to summit.
Delphi is a shorter trip from Athens. This is where the Oracle sat and you can visit the ruins. It's up in the mountains and the nearby village overlooks the Gulf of Corinth.
You could also roadtrip around the Peleponesse. Nafplio is a really nice seaside town and requires some adventurous cliffside driving to get to. There are nearby ruins at Mycenae and Epidavros as well. Further south is Monemvasia, the Gibraltar of Greece. You can hike to the top of the rock fortress surrounded by the sea. Plitra is a beautiful beach. You'll be the only pasty Americans in sight. Kardamyli is a quaint seaside village in the southern Peleponesse. To the northwest you can visit the Olympic ruins. Just getting lost on the Peleponesse would be a fun time.
With that said, the islands are amazing. Santorini is every bit as scenic as the postcards show, but it's also overrun with tourists. I haven't been to the other popular islands, but I've spent 4 months in the mainland and would recommend any of the areas I listed.
To the north, check out Meteora and Mt Olympus. Meteora is possibly the most stunning setting I've ever seen with monasteries perched on top of towering rocks. Olympus is a one of the few mountains in the world that you can accessibly scale from sea to summit.
Delphi is a shorter trip from Athens. This is where the Oracle sat and you can visit the ruins. It's up in the mountains and the nearby village overlooks the Gulf of Corinth.
You could also roadtrip around the Peleponesse. Nafplio is a really nice seaside town and requires some adventurous cliffside driving to get to. There are nearby ruins at Mycenae and Epidavros as well. Further south is Monemvasia, the Gibraltar of Greece. You can hike to the top of the rock fortress surrounded by the sea. Plitra is a beautiful beach. You'll be the only pasty Americans in sight. Kardamyli is a quaint seaside village in the southern Peleponesse. To the northwest you can visit the Olympic ruins. Just getting lost on the Peleponesse would be a fun time.
With that said, the islands are amazing. Santorini is every bit as scenic as the postcards show, but it's also overrun with tourists. I haven't been to the other popular islands, but I've spent 4 months in the mainland and would recommend any of the areas I listed.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 5:59 pm to Lsupimp
If of age Mykonos by far. Incredible night life.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 6:08 pm to Lsupimp
I brought my almost 19 year old daughter to Greece last summer. Our favorite islands were Naxos and Crete, and they were significantly less expensive than Santorini. If you go to Crete, you can hike the Samaria Gorge - one of the best hikes in Europe! From Chania, Crete you can also do a day trip to the world-famous Balos Beach. Enjoy the time with your son!
Posted on 2/11/20 at 9:10 pm to Fun Bunch
Don't overlook Crete just because it's a big island. The Sumerian gorge is a famous hike. I actually backpacked along the southwest coast of the island, sleeping on beaches and in shepherd caves at night the hiking to a village each day to have lunch, hang a bit and resupply before hiking on to the next beach and repeating that for a few days. It was a pretty amazing experience.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 11:46 pm to Lsupimp
Really enjoyed Naxos and would go back in a heartbeat. It's fairly large with plenty to do and great restaurants. We rented a side by side and tore all around the island and got a sailboat which was amazing. Took this pic with my drone there.
Posted on 2/12/20 at 1:38 pm to Lsupimp
quote:
Suggestions for which Greek Isle to stay with my son ?
For your safety, don’t take your son to Davleia.
Posted on 2/12/20 at 3:35 pm to Lsupimp
I always recommend Corfu.
Posted on 2/12/20 at 4:36 pm to RedFoxx
Nice Oedipus reference there, Mr Dennis Miller.
Thanks to all - I’m checking out all your recommendations.
Thanks to all - I’m checking out all your recommendations.
Posted on 2/14/20 at 12:01 pm to Lsupimp
I appreciate all the suggestions . I'm leaning toward Crete at this point because of The Samaria Gorge but I appreciate all advice. It's just a matter of choosing between excellent options-kind of a can't lose proposition. I think you could spend a lifetime there and not see it all properly.
This post was edited on 2/14/20 at 12:03 pm
Posted on 2/16/20 at 1:36 pm to Lsupimp
quote:
Nice Oedipus reference there, Mr Dennis Miller.
Oedipus...the original motherfricker.
As for Islands...I would say Mykonos is still tops for me. Touristy yes, but still my #1. I did all of the aforementioned islands in the thread, though, and
honestly...you can't really go wrong. Safe travels.
I also second Meteora. The monasteries are most impressive.
Posted on 2/16/20 at 2:06 pm to jimmy the leg
I think I’m going to do 5 days in Athens and five days in Chania , Crete. That gives me a nice contrast and airfare and accommodations in Crete look super cheap. Chania looks like a solid old town and lots of hiking/snorkeling etc.
Posted on 2/17/20 at 11:32 am to Lsupimp
I’ve been to Paros and Ios.
Paros was a small quiet island and Ios was a party place. But that was over 20 years ago.
Paros was a small quiet island and Ios was a party place. But that was over 20 years ago.
This post was edited on 2/17/20 at 11:33 am
Posted on 2/17/20 at 3:26 pm to Lsupimp
People told me this and I thought they were stupid and I hate that this is true, but you really dont need more than 1 day in Athens. Now you may want to spend time in other parts of mainland Greece, but not much to do in Athens outside of the obvious.
Its a weird city. On the one hand has this amazing historically significant stuff, and then basically nothing else until ugly 60s era squat housing came around.
Again I say this as someone who doesnt believe places can be boiled down to a one day visit, but Athens is the exception.
Its a weird city. On the one hand has this amazing historically significant stuff, and then basically nothing else until ugly 60s era squat housing came around.
Again I say this as someone who doesnt believe places can be boiled down to a one day visit, but Athens is the exception.
This post was edited on 2/18/20 at 9:50 am
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