Hi there,

My wife and I are heading to Santorini from October 11th to 18th (it’s her birthday gift). I’ll admit I’m torn between spending the full 7 days on Santorini or combining it with another island (I was thinking Milos) for 2 or 3 days. Since the ferry schedules aren’t announced yet for October, it’s hard to plan ahead.

Do you think 7 days on Santorini is too much, or is splitting 7 days between 2 islands too short? Any other destinations worth considering?

Thanks in advance

hi,

I'm looking to rent a small car, not too expensive, for Crete in April. Do you have any great tips? Thanks in advance! Best regards

Hi, I’m traveling to Greece in May and landing in Athens. I need to book a rental car—could you recommend a rental agency? Also, where are the free shuttles that take you to the agency? Thanks for your help!

Hello, We’re planning a trip to Crete for Christmas week 2025 and would love advice from travelers who’ve visited the island in winter. What should we expect in terms of weather? Which sights are best to prioritize—or avoid? Is it easy to find restaurants open? Obviously, we’re not expecting to hit the beach 😉 or do long hikes. We love traveling at a relaxed pace, soaking up the local atmosphere without covering too many kilometers by car. Thanks in advance to anyone who can share tips! Best regards,

Hello,

My partner and I are heading to Crete for 17 days this summer, from July 25 to August 11, with a rental car. We’ll book the first night or the first two nights, but our plan is to explore the east—and only the east—with no set itinerary and no other reservations.

For those in the know, are we being reckless? 🤣

We’ve had some experience with this kind of travel in Greece before: 10 days in western Crete in 2021 (though that was post-Covid) and 10 days in the Peloponnese in 2024. We only booked the first night each time, and it wasn’t really an issue. Even if we didn’t always find a place in the exact spot we were aiming for, we’d just stay a little further out, a bit less touristy, and it was great!

Do you think this style of travel is still doable in Crete in August by 2026?

Thanks for any insights if you’ve had this experience!

Best,

Hi there, My partner and I are planning to visit Paros from June 4th to 11th, 2025. I’ve been reading a lot of conflicting things, so I’m a bit confused. Does Paros feel more like St. Tropez or Porto-Vecchio—overcrowded, too built-up, and has it lost its authentic charm? Are umbrella and sunbed prices on the beach still reasonable? Thanks so much for your input—we’re thinking of heading there in early June with my partner.

Hi there,

I’m landing in Athens on Sunday, July 6th at 6:30 PM, picking up my rental car at the airport, and heading straight to Nafplio to spend the night.

Do I have enough time to get there and grab dinner? Until what time can I easily find places to eat without any issues?

Another question: I’m thinking of using Waze or Google Maps for directions. Is 4G coverage well-developed, or is it optimistic to count on having service along the way?

Thanks

Hi everyone, For about twenty years now, we’ve been regularly visiting the Cyclades to enjoy some rest, sunshine, the sea, scooter rides, lovely tavernas, and the hospitality of the Greeks (around fifteen trips in total). This September, my partner and I have decided to return to Ikaria, the island where we spent a few days in Agios Kirykos and Therma. This year, we’ll be arriving in Evdilos and would love some tips on the southern coast of Evdilos and the central part of the island—places that are doable by scooter (max 20 to 30 km round trip). For those interested, we’d be happy to share our experiences from Tinos, Syros, Amorgos, Ikaria, Fourni, the Small Cyclades, and, from longer ago, Santorini, Paros, Anti-Paros, and Naxos. Happy travels to all

Hi everyone on the travel forum. We’re heading to the Cyclades on May 15th for about a month and we’re debating whether to rent a car on each of the islands we’re visiting. Naxos, Andros, Tinos, Paros, and Santorini—we’ll be staying around 5 days on each. Everything’s booked except for the potential car rental. In your opinion, is it essential, or are public transport options good enough for all or some of these islands? Which companies are the most reliable, and which ones should we avoid (we’ve already had bad experiences with companies that weren’t always very professional). Thanks for your advice!

Hi everyone, We’re thinking of spending 3 weeks in Crete between mid-August and early September, renting a car, quickly exploring a few spots in the east, and focusing on the west, southwest, and south. I’m worried about the heavy tourist crowds. Is it really more noticeable than elsewhere in Greece? Is there a way to avoid the crowds without missing out on the iconic places, which I imagine are stunning in Crete? Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!

Hi everyone, I’m planning my first trip to Greece from October 29th to November 23rd and I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the itinerary I’m considering. For a first visit, I’ll definitely cover the traditional tourist route, but I’m also open to off-the-beaten-path ideas. I’m curious and interested in history, archaeological sites, and the islands—more for culture than beaches, anyway, especially in November!

Here’s the plan: 3–4 days in Athens, 2 days in Nafplio: visiting Epidaurus and Mycenae, Stop in Olympia on the way to Delphi via Patras by bus? To avoid backtracking to Athens; 2 days in Delphi, including the site and Mount Parnassus, Explore the Ionian coast and a few islands? A few days in Corfu, 3 days in Meteora, 2–3 days in Thessaloniki, Direct flight from Thessaloniki to Heraklion, Crete, 3–4 days in Crete, November 22nd–23rd: overnight ferry back to Athens to catch my return flight to Montreal.

You’ve probably guessed I’m traveling solo. It might seem a bit scattered right now—I’ve started reading up on Greece, and there are must-see spots. What feels unclear are the 4–5 days between Delphi and Corfu. Also, mid-November in the islands might not be ideal if the weather’s bad.

Is Corfu worth it? Maybe there are other options—like a few days in Albania? Just throwing the idea out there.

Thanks for your input! I’d love to hear about your experiences to help enrich my upcoming trip.

Hello, I’m planning a trip to Corfu (Greece) and want to rent a car to explore the island. I’ve heard that you can’t rent a car after a certain age—I’m 81. What do you all think?

Hi there, we’re heading to Crete from May 8th to 15th, staying at a hotel in Agia Pelagia, 20 km from Heraklion, on half-board, so we’ll be back every evening. What daily itinerary would you recommend? We love hiking and discovering local cultures... Thanks in advance!!

Hi everyone, do you have any suggestions for a night in Santorini? I’ll be in transit at the end of June, coming from Amorgos to catch my flight back to Lyon the next morning. If possible, what are the transport options to get from the port and then to the airport the following day? Thanks in advance!

hi Are there any ferries that take cars from Turkey to the Greek islands—for example, Bodrum to Kos? Could you give me the details? Thanks

Hi there, We want to go to Greece in May. I have no idea how to plan our 10-day trip. Athens is a must, but after that, I'm lost. We're looking for unusual spots that aren't necessarily touristy but still want to hit the must-see places. We're skipping Santorini given the current events. Thanks so much in advance for your help—it was already super useful for New York!

Hi, I’m renting a car in Greece (Heraklion). Should I get extra insurance? What’s driving like with the Greeks? Thanks for any tips!

I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Acropolis at the end of April. The official site is down. What do you think of agencies like Get Your Guide? Are they reliable? It’s a lot more expensive. The audio guide option is tempting, but is that reliable too? We’re a bit older and like to take our time...

Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.

Thanks for any help!

Hi there,

I'm trying to plan a little Greek getaway in early summer, and it's a tad complicated—connections from Sitia to Rhodes via Karpathos are only twice a week (and not on the days that work for me!). I gave up on the idea of Kastelorizo, which isn’t that easy to reach either, and replaced it with Symi, which has a daily connection—even several—to Rhodes, where I’d like to spend as little time as possible. I found a boat leaving Symi at 8:15 AM and arriving in Rhodes at 9:35 AM. The ferry to Karpathos leaves the same day at 11:00 AM. That’s 1 hour and 25 minutes to switch boats. It’s tempting because it’s a perfect sequence, but I’m wondering if it’s still a bit too tight.

Do Sebeco Lines’ speedboats arrive at the same port where Blue Star ferries depart? Are they punctual?

Catherine

Hi, could you recommend a local and reliable car rental agency, not one of the big international chains, at Patras-Araxos Airport in northern Peloponnese or a bit further into town? Thanks.

Hi

Does anyone know if there’s a direct ferry from Ios to Amorgos in September?

Thanks😄

Hi there! We’re heading to Crete (Heraklion) as a couple and I’d like to rent a car. 1) Do we need an international driver’s permit? 2) Are rentals super expensive? Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Athens at the end of June. I’ve planned a day trip to the island of Aegina. That said, I’d love to hear if anyone has gotten around the island by bike or bus? What’s the traffic like there? We’re also considering a scooter, but since we’ve never ridden one before, it’s making me a bit nervous…

Thanks for your tips! 😊

Hi there, we're planning to spend a few days in Corfu and then a week in the surrounding area, and we were wondering if southern Albania is worth visiting. Could we explore it in a week from Corfu? Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:

Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth

Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages

Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras

Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene

Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon

Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)

Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni

Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?

Thanks so much for your valuable advice!

Hi there, I’m planning to wrap up my 3 weeks in Greece with 4 nights on Serifos before a final night in Athens. I’m torn between staying in Faros or near the port in Livadakia... or somewhere else! I’m looking for an authentic spot with a nice beach nearby but still with little restaurants, shops, etc. Something where my daughters and I can enjoy pleasant evenings with a bit of life around us! Any advice—or even a place to stay—that won’t break the bank, obviously! Thanks

Hi there, We’re planning to visit Crete during the second half of May and rent a car. A knee issue means we can’t do any hiking anymore, just leisurely walks. Is it realistic to explore the whole island by basing ourselves in two spots—one in the east and one in the west? Could you recommend some nice places to stay that aren’t tourist factories? Thanks in advance for your help with my questions. Best regards.

We’re a Canadian couple, both 77, and we’re already planning our vacation for fall 2027. Timeframe: mid-September to mid-October... dates are flexible, and we might stay even longer. Initially, I had planned this itinerary: Athens (3), Naxos (4), Paros (4), Santorini (4), then a flight to Istanbul (7–10 days!!). This would let us maximize our flights and experience another culture. That’s a lot of ferries, though... I’ve already cut out Milos.

Our second option would be to stay 2 x 15 days on two different islands, but I’d still keep Istanbul as our next destination... or maybe 30 days on one island that offers the chance to take day trips to other islands where the ferry ride is no more than 2 to 2.5 hours. For example, Naxos to Paros only takes 30 minutes. We could return the same evening or stay overnight.

Naxos seems like the best option!!!

For Istanbul, of course we want to do a day cruise on the Bosphorus and see Hagia Sophia. If we stay 6–7 days, what would be the other main attractions? Are there any points of interest we can reach by local bus?

What are the main sights to visit on Rhodes itself or the surrounding islands, and what’s the weather like? We’re leaving on May 18th.

Hi there,

I’m heading to Pelion with my partner and then to Chalkidiki around mid-September (from September 12th to 26th). I arrive in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening and plan to spend a day there to check out the market (though it’s marked as temporarily closed on Google??) and, most importantly, enjoy the local food scene.

After that, I’ll head toward Meteora (Sunday evening/Monday), spend a week in Pelion, and then head up to Nikiti to finish the trip (5 days in Vourvourou) and explore the beaches of Sithonia. We’ll also make a trip to Afytos since I think it’s worth the detour.

About Pelion, I’m really not sure where to stay because the distances between Volos and Afissos aren’t straightforward.

I’m looking for a quiet spot but with a little evening activity—like strolling through a village or by the sea. I’ve seen a few suggestions via ChatGPT, but I’m not convinced about the vibe (Milies, Makrinitsa).

Volos is big… but kind of ugly.

We love hiking, spending time in picturesque/typical villages, and, like everyone else, tasting local specialties. As for balancing the trip, I’m open to changes or adjustments if you’ve got any tips—I’d love to hear them, along with any other ideas.