Is it possible to be spontaneous in Greece?

[xmelissaa]

I don't always like to plan everything about my trips in advance. I like to leave some things up to chance. Is this possible in Greece? I plan to travel during a peak time so I am not sure what makes sense. I might have people to stay with... I have heard stories of people being spur of the moment, even in the peak of the summer season, but I also heard that this past year, it was pretty much impossible. What do you guys think?

 

[GAGEORGESON]

I don't always like to plan everything about my trips in advance. I like to leave some things up to chance. Is this possible in Greece? I plan to travel during a peak time so I am not sure what makes sense. I might have people to stay with... I have heard stories of people being spur of the moment, even in the peak of the summer season, but I also heard that this past year, it was pretty much impossible. What do you guys think?

 

[Sandyrigo]

You can be spontaneous in Greece, especially if you are willing to get out of the more touristy areas. Lots of lovely villages and seaside locations for r&r. Take a car, ferry or train and explore.

 

[Deborah]

Greece has become exceedingly popular, so if you want to have a specific type and standard of accommodation you need to book ahead…..sometimes as far as a year in advance for “rooms with a view”. However new hotels and airbnb are springing up everywhere to meet the demand. Also one used to be able to get off a ferry and be greeted by people offering rooms. This is probably still possible, but to a lesser degree. One thing to remember is «φιλότιμο»…….a Greek will never leave you stranded. Hospitality is an honor that they take quite seriously.

I would definitely make advance accommodation reservations in Athens (for your arrival and departure) and in the summer months, for any particularly “hot” tourist spots like Mykonos and Santorini. You’ll have more flexibility if you visit villages in the larger islands like Crete; the smaller islands like Paxos are usually fully-booked in July, August, and September.

Btw, the same thing applies to rental cars. If you want to explore outlying areas not readily accessible by public transportation, it’s best to book a car in advance in the cities and high-traffic tourist areas. Rental cars were not as plentiful after the COVID pandemic ‘though that might have been remedied since I last visited in 2021.

I appreciate your wish to “wander” and while it might be a little more challenging today, I cannot think of a better, safer, and more welcoming country in which to do this! Hope this helps.

 

[Hash]

Greece has become exceedingly popular, so if you want to have a specific type and standard of accommodation you need to book ahead…..sometimes as far as a year in advance for “rooms with a view”. However new hotels and airbnb are springing up everywhere to meet the demand. Also one used to be able to get off a ferry and be greeted by people offering rooms. This is probably still possible, but to a lesser degree. One thing to remember is «φιλότιμο»…….a Greek will never leave you stranded. Hospitality is an honor that they take quite seriously.

I would definitely make advance accommodation reservations in Athens (for your arrival and departure) and in the summer months, for any particularly “hot” tourist spots like Mykonos and Santorini. You’ll have more flexibility if you visit villages in the larger islands like Crete; the smaller islands like Paxos are usually fully-booked in July, August, and September.

Btw, the same thing applies to rental cars. If you want to explore outlying areas not readily accessible by public transportation, it’s best to book a car in advance in the cities and high-traffic tourist areas. Rental cars were not as plentiful after the COVID pandemic ‘though that might have been remedied since I last visited in 2021.

I appreciate your wish to “wander” and while it might be a little more challenging today, I cannot think of a better, safer, and more welcoming country in which to do this! Hope this helps.

Good advice!...
Yasou apo mena from Thailand and Monsoons!

 

[k_tsoukalas]

The last time I went to Greece it was possible, but I was traveling in October so I wonder if that makes a difference? I can imagine it would be difficult in the summer - like especially in July or August.

 

[Deborah]

Right now the month does make a huge difference; mid-October is when seasonal restaurants start to close down, the swimming season is slowly drawing to a close for most people, and accommodation becomes much easier to find. In Crete for example, locals are turning their attention to their olive and chestnut harvests. August, as said earlier, can be near impossible for accommodation/rental car on some islands because of the increase in tourism and the Greeks returning “home” for the August 15th holiday.

However the Greek National Tourism Organization is now actively promoting year-round tourism. While the more traditional Greek people most likely welcome the winter break, economically-speaking, it will benefit a lot of people if the season is extended.

 

[Deborah]

Good advice!...
Yasou apo mena from Thailand and Monsoons!

Χαχαχα…..»Γεια» από Βοστόνη!

 

[xmelissaa]

This is all good information - it seems like I should plan as much as I can, rather than rely on spontaneity. I wouldn't want my trip to be spend trying to find lodging or decide where to go... seems best to have most of that organized before we leave.

 

[Deborah]

Especially outside of the height of the season, you don’t need to be totally rigid, but if you do your research of where you’d really like to go, I think that you’re smart to do a little planning. Definitely allocate several days to Athens (both coming and going) and definitely a few islands, allowing enough time to explore some villages. In planning your itinerary, just remember that transfers take time (via ferry, plane etc.) so be sure that you’re allocating enough time-on-ground at each location…..that in itself will make your trip seem more spontaneous since you won’t feel rushed all the time to check off all the boxes of things to do! If the proposed trip takes more weeks than you originally thought, don’t worry…..airfare is likely your major expense. Honestly wherever you decide to go, Greeks are masters at spontaneity…..one more person at the table? No problem! Please keep us posted; I hope that you find that you love Greece as much as I do.