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dpappas87

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I am trying to decide how long to be in Athens. I have some people to visit, I want to do some of the city walks (Lycabettus, Philopappou), and I also want to visit some of the sites. I have visited most of the sites in the past, so I am not going to go too crazy here. My goal for Greece is to relax, visit people, making go to a beach of two. I am thinking of picking a good island with beaches and spending maybe 5 nights at this island, and then possibly spending the rest of the time in Athens. I am trying to decide if I will spend 3 weeks or more in Greece this summer. I think two weeks in Athens sounds like a lot, but on the other hand, I love to just pick one or two spots and really enjoy them during my time in Greece, rather than travel all around and get exhausted. What do you think?
 
I'm biased. I spend months in Athens. So 2 weeks in Athens is fine. Lots of amazing suburbs to visit and lots of events on. Theatre, music, open air cinemas, restaurants, etc, etc. You will always have something to do. Check out the Epidavros festival for amazing events around Athens.
 
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I'm biased. I spend months in Athens. So 2 weeks in Athens is fine. Lots of amazing suburbs to visit and lots of events on. Theatre, music, open air cinemas, restaurants, etc, etc. You will always have something to do. Check out the Epidavros festival for amazing events around Athens.
I think two weeks would work, too, but I know what you mean. When staying longer you can go at a much more relaxed pace and still see a lot.
 
I agree, if you have a lot you want to do there, two weeks is more than enough. When staying with people, too, some of your days may be spent just spending time with people in their homes and your an have a nice balance between visiting with people and going out and seeing the sites.
 
Taking it slow on vacations is the meaning! Running from place to place is not! You spend valuable time on transfers and you are missing a lot. I think one week in an island and another week or two in Athens is a good decision. Besides Athens having Athens as its base is smart because you can do a lot of day trips ans explore more! In any case, enjoy your holidays in Greece!
 

Is Island Hopping Worth the Effort?

I've been thinking about trying an island-hopping trip the next time I visit Greece, but I'm wondering if it's actually worth the extra planning and travel time. In the past I've usually picked one island and stayed there for the duration of my vacation, which has been relaxing and let me really get to know the area.

Part of me loves the idea of experiencing several islands in one trip since they each seem to have their own personality, food, scenery, and traditions. On the other hand, I wonder if constantly packing, catching ferries, and checking into new accommodations takes away from the experience.

For those of you who have island-hopped, did you feel it was worth it? How many islands did you visit, and did you wish you had spent more time in fewer places? I'd love to hear your itineraries, tips, and whether you'd do it the same way again.

Ferry vs flying between islands, what’s better?

I’ve always been a ferry guy when it comes to Greece, something about pulling into a port and seeing the island come into view just feels right. But this trip is a little different because I’m traveling with someone who gets pretty motion sick, so now I’m seriously considering flying between islands instead.

Curious what you guys think, ferry vs flying, what’s actually better?

I know ferries are part of the whole island-hopping experience, and they’re usually more flexible, but I’ve also had a couple rough rides when the water wasn’t calm. On the flip side, flights seem quicker and smoother, but maybe more hassle overall.

If you’ve done both, what would you recommend, especially in a situation like this? Is flying the smarter move, or are ferries still worth it if you plan carefully?

Best Greek Destinations for History Lovers

I’m thinking about planning a Greece trip next year that is focused almost entirely on history, and I’d love some ideas for the best places to include.

Athens would obviously be part of the itinerary for the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, museums, and other archaeological sites. I’m also considering Delphi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, and maybe spending more time exploring the Peloponnese. Meteora is on my list too, although that would add a different type of historical experience.

I’m especially interested in places where you can really spend time exploring rather than just stopping briefly to see one major site.

If you were planning a history-focused trip to Greece, which destinations would you consider essential? Are there lesser-known archaeological sites, historic towns, museums, Byzantine sites, or ancient ruins that deserve more attention? I’d also love suggestions for putting together an itinerary without trying to cover too much ground.

Favorite small towns in Greece?

I realized recently that some of my favorite places in Greece haven’t actually been the major destinations everyone talks about, but smaller towns that just had a completely different atmosphere to them.

Sometimes it’s a mountain village with one main square and old stone houses, other times it’s a tiny coastal town where everyone seems to know each other and life moves slower. A few of the places I still think about most weren’t even places I had originally planned to visit.

I’m curious what small towns or villages have really stayed with people after traveling in Greece. Could be because of the scenery, the food, the people, the history, or just the overall feeling of the place.

Would love to hear everyone’s favorites, especially places that don’t always make the typical travel lists.

Is Greece easy to travel around without renting a car?

I’m trying to figure out whether it’s realistic to travel around Greece without renting a car. I’d prefer not to drive if I can avoid it, especially since I’m not familiar with the roads, parking, or driving customs there.

For those who have traveled around Greece using public transportation, how easy was it? I know there are buses, ferries, taxis, and domestic flights, but I’m wondering how practical they are once you get outside the main tourist areas. Did you ever feel limited by not having a car?

I’m also curious whether it makes sense to rely on public transportation for most of the trip and just rent a car for a day or two when needed. Are there certain types of places that are especially difficult to reach without one?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has done a Greece trip mostly or entirely without driving.
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