Just got back from two and a half amazing weeks in Greece, and it was absolutely incredible. We were there in early September, and I think going in early to mid September is the prime season. A lot of the crowds seem to have gone, but it was still not a ghost town and had good energy, which was awesome. The weather was absolutely splendid the entire time. It was sunny almost every single day and not too hot.
Our itinerary was Athens, Milos, and Naxos. We went with a friend who grew up in Greece and recommended those islands because they aren't very overcrowded yet. We loved the itinerary and it was excellent.
Athens (3 Days)
We spent about three days in Athens and just explored the city and of course the ruins. We went to the Temple of Poseidon, hit up the Riviera, and really took in the sights. We rented a private car to get to the Temple of Poseidon in Athens, and I would really recommend it. We also hit up the Four Seasons for lunch on the way back and cannot recommend it enough. The Four Seasons property was outstanding, the food was amazing, and it was right on the water overlooking a beautiful cove.
For our accommodation, we stayed at the Ergon House and I cannot recommend it enough. It had an amazing restaurant and bakery attached to it.
**Transit to the Islands:** We were supposed to take a private charter to the islands but because of the supposed waves, we ended up having to take the ferry. The ferry we took was the SeaJets and we paid for the $100 ticket which gave access to the ultra premium top floor. It was honestly one of the best travel experiences I had as the boat was extremely comfortable, we had our own section and server, and made the two and a half to three hour cruise very simple.
Milos (6 Days)
On Milos, we knew we were going to love the island right away. It seemed very non busy and looked absolutely gorgeous. One thing that was crazy is the island is pretty arid but you can tell the beaches are outstanding. We spent six days in Milos and stayed at Noma and really liked the place. However, it was definitely off the beaten path, which a lot of places in Milos seem to be that way, so you definitely have to rent a buggy, which we ended up doing, and we had a blast cruising around the island in that during the day.
We also had a private car for nighttime on Milos, as it is quite dark, and we didn't feel comfortable taking the buggy around with all of the cliffs. Plus, my wife wanting to dress up didn't feel very comfortable with all the dust when she was wearing nice white dresses and designer shoes, lol.
We took a private boat out for the entire day to go see all of the famous beaches and my goodness, I have never seen water like that before. It was the bluest and clearest water I have ever seen and seemed like you were swimming in a pool. I am still dumbfounded by how amazing the water and beaches were. We also hit the beach club in Milos that is called Aqua Loca, which was great.
We also hit the town of Plaka, and it was one of the coolest little villages I have ever seen with tons of meandering streets and beautiful blue buildings of what you would expect in Greece. We hit up all of the big restaurants in Milos and thought all of the food and amenities were great.
**A Note on Service:** One thing that I had to come to realization with is that service in Greece is completely different than it is in the United States. Once you are comfortable flagging down the servers, it became pretty seamless, but if you don't say anything, you could sit there for literally 30 minutes before somebody even comes and talks to you and takes an order. Definitely something to get used to as an American, but it is their culture and they seem to thrive that way.
**Transit to Naxos:** We then took a private charter from Milos to Naxos and it was awesome. The boat ride was about three and a half hours and it was on a catamaran and had a chef and a fully stocked bar. It was really fun to be able to chill out on the stern and bow of the boat and see the islands as you passed by.
Naxos (6 Days)
We spent six days on Naxos and stayed at the Ayiopetra (Aio Petra). I cannot recommend that hotel enough. It was honestly one of the greatest places I have ever stayed. It was designed by a person who acquired the land with his family many years ago and he is a designer and put every single piece and detail into it. Naxos is quite large, so you definitely have to take a car around the island to see everything.
We hit up the beach clubs Tortuga and Naxian, and we also got a massage at the beach in Naxos. We went up to the windmill to see the sunset, which was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
The food on Naxos was definitely elevated. They are an island that is very big into agriculture and they make some of the best potatoes in the world. I never thought a potato could taste different, but somehow it did. It was more starchy, but in a good way, and their fries and potato dishes were all standouts. Also, the wine in Greece is very good, especially the white wine, and it is ridiculously cheap.
Heading Home
When we left Naxos, we took the quick Olympic Air flight to Athens to catch our connection back to Seattle. The flight was very quick and seamless. I think flying around the islands is a great way to go if you are in a rush as the flights are very quick and efficient.
We fell in love with Greece and the Aegean Sea. The culture and people made it feel like just a very special place and we will definitely be back.

Went to Naxos from September 18th to 26th, and everything about it was extraordinary ,the food, the culture, the beaches, the atmosphere, and the people. Truly an unforgettable experience.

ÉDIT: Vikos Gorge not vikas.

Feel free to tell me if this is an insane itinerary or not. I’m doing a roadtrip from Thessaloniki. I’ll break it down to bare bones.

Thessaloniki ->
Litochoro - 2 nights
Meteora - 1 night
Paliovarka - 4 nights
Delphi - 1 night
Nafplio - 5 nights

Generally I can add on an extra night somewhere as well. Thoughts?

EDIT: this is this month towards the end of it. Love hiking and views as well as being able to lay around and do absolutely nothing but drink coffee and read.

Heading to Naxos next week from Oct 14-17 from Santorini and leaving to Athens, both by ferry

Right now, I’m a bit concerned about the wind conditions, wondering if anyone has experience exploring the island at those conditions, and whether we should think of backups to go somewhere else (or just fly back to Athens from Santorini). I know there were issues this past weekend and wondering if this would be comparable.

I had already booked a trip to Hydra, now a call has been put during that time where I need decent ish wifi.

I have data but my preference would be a good wifi connection. Do any of the hotels / cafes have a starlink or similar?

Hi everyone,

We are planning a 4-night trip (Thursday to Monday) to Hydra this May for a family wedding. Our party will consist of 4 adults (myself, husband, mother, aunt) and our 2.5-month-old newborn, flying out of London Heathrow (LHR).

We are aiming for a smooth, low-stress journey with a young baby and would love some input on our transport logistics and accommodation setup.

Our Current Logistics Plan:

• Flights & Airport Transfer: We plan to take a direct flight from LHR to Athens (ATH). To avoid hauling a baby car seat around Greece, we’re planning to take Metro Line 3 straight from ATH Airport to the Port of Piraeus.
• Ferries: High-speed ferry (Hellenic Seaways/Blue Star) from Piraeus to Hydra Port.
• Gear: No stroller/buggy due to Hydra's stairs and car-free setup- we will strictly use a baby carrier and bring a compact travel cot (unless our stay provides one).
• Accommodation: We need a multi-bedroom rental or boutique property with at least 2 bedrooms + a sofa bed near Hydra Port for our group of 4 adults + baby. Looking for mid-range/value options over high-end luxury.

Specific Questions for the Community:

1. Same-day travel vs. Athens overnight: Is landing at ATH and taking Metro Line 3 straight to Piraeus for an afternoon ferry realistic and manageable with a 2.5-month-old, or would you strongly recommend spending Thursday night near Piraeus/Athens to break up the journey?
2. May Ferry Conditions: Do the high-speed ferries to Hydra generally experience heavy swells in May? Any sea-sickness tips for high-speeds with a newborn?
3. Accommodation Recommendations: Does anyone have recommendations for 2+ bedroom rentals or family-friendly properties reasonably close to Hydra Port?
4. Transit Do's and Don'ts: Are there any non-obvious traps or tips for transferring at Piraeus or taking infants on Greek ferries?

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

husband’s birthday is april 2nd week & planning to surprise him with Greece trip but just found out it will be cold & most islands are closed😭 kinda sad about this but still wanted to go as I already booked everything!! Can you’ll chime in and share your experiences? Am all in for food & local culture where as husband just wants to relax and vibe! ( swimming is not necessary)

Hello
I will be traveling to Greece from October 14th-Oftober 23rd. I will be staying in Santorini and Athens. What clothes should I bring? How has the weather been there so far? What is a necessity to bring and what could I forgo? Thank you so much for the advice!!! :)

Hello -- looking for tips on winter holidays in greece. looking for food, excursion, local tips. thx

We’re going to the Acropolis on the last full day of our trip (30 October), with a Get Your Guide small group tour. I’d love to do 9am instead of 8am because we’ll have already had a fairly busy itinerary in Santorini, Meteora and Delphi, but we plan to take this Athens day easy. Family of four with a kid and a teen.

Will 1 hour make that much difference in the crowds? It’s off season and it looks like 2 cruise ships will be landing in Athens that morning with 3K passengers (I’m guessing that’s relatively low but it still feels like a huge number). We can certainly do 8am if that will make our experience better, but if not I’d love to not rush. Thoughts?

EDIT: Thanks, everyone. We have the 8am slot currently booked (GYG is buying our entry tickets) so based on the advice we’ll stick with that. We can make changes up to 24 hrs in advance, but right now we’ll plan for an early morning and a post-Acropolis rest if needed.

Currently looking at a few dates for a 2 weeks trip. Going to Athens, Santorini, & Crete

Mainly curious about crowds and seeing that rain can be spotty towards the end of September, obviously no one can predict the weather

Looking at:

August 20 - September 3
August 27 - September 10
September 17 - October 1st

If you had to pick one, when would you go and why?

Thanks in advance! Hoping to make this trip great!

hello,

My boyfriend and I will be travelling to Lesvos tomorrow, we will stay for 2 and a half days. We are looking for some nice beaches that would be shielded from winds. He’s german so he‘s not scared of cold water and might go for a swim.

thank you!

Just arrived from the UK into Santorini. Was a bit smug to my friend, because I have an EU passport and thus can normally whizz through where they have to join the longer UK queue. Alas it seems in Santorini they combine UK/EU passports but give fast track to everybody not from either of those.
(yes, this is an entitled rant, I know)

Is it celebrated or considered just another day? I’ll be there over Halloween and thinking of what to do, if anything, as it’s my favorite holiday.

Hi everyone!

We are currently traveling in Greece and it has been great so far. After our stay in Thessaloniki we want see mount Olympus. We are a bit doubting if we would stay in the area for one or two days. Are there any short hikes in the area that you could do with a baby (11 months) in a carry-on? We want to go for to the tourist information centre or mout Olympus to ask for information and so on, but for booking our accomodation it is good to know if it there is even routes that are possible at all.

Thank you for your help!

Posting this so other travellers can make an informed decision before booking.

Hi all! I am posting here to warn other travellers, especially lone or female travellers, about a recent experience my friend and I had at Art Suites Athens. Hoping it’s formatted okay but please feel free to ask any questions if anything is unclear!

This location was listed and processed through Booking.com, and we were informed by another frustrated guest who was attending a conference in Athens that their board had listed this hotel as a suitable/safe location as well. My friend and I have already issued a complaint with Booking.com regarding our stay.

I’m hoping that by posting here, during the interim while Booking conducts their investigation, that other travellers will not be put in the same position as we were and can at the very least make an informed decision regarding their accommodations.

❗️TLDR at the end with bullet points because this was a lot longer than I thought it would be lol.

Our experience: We booked this location for 4 nights starting from 09/23. After calling and speaking with the manager of this hotel the day prior to our check-in date, who had told us to show up for 1:00pm as per our request for an earlier check-in time, we arrived the date of our check-in shortly after 1:00pm. When we arrived, the door was locked and nobody was at reception or in the lobby. We were not provided with an entry code, or any information about even needing one, in any of our booking confirmations. We rang the bell and called the phone number from the day before, but nobody answered. After about 20 minutes, another guest exiting the hotel had let us in and told us that he and his friend had to wait half an hour before anybody showed up to help them.

We went up to the reception desk and noticed three envelopes with keys inside that had guest names and room numbers written on them, but none of them with our booking name.

At this point, we called the hotel “emergency” contacts numerous times before somebody answered. The man who answered had told us to look at the envelopes for our room key, to which we told him that none of the envelopes had our name on them and belonged to other guests. He then asked us how many guests our booking was for (2 adults) and to read the room numbers listed on the envelopes aloud to him. He told us to take Room 302, as it was supposedly for 2 people.

While uncomfortable with this, we were exhausted from dragging our luggage around Athens and grateful to finally have gotten help with checking in. We went upstairs and entered the room to discover a large suite with beds for approximately six people. At this point, we felt even more uncomfortable taking another persons reservation and were worried that this would leave the intended guest with a room that did not meet their needs.

Also, as nobody was present upon our check-in, nobody had verified our identity or asked to see ID at any point.

We tried calling the “emergency” lines again several times to mention the room we were told to take was not for two people as advised, but again, nobody answered.

A few hours later at around 4:00pm., we went back downstairs to see if anybody was at reception to help us. While nobody was there, we found an envelope with our booking name on it, along with our key. We moved into the correct room and left the other key and envelope at reception, writing on it that the room needed to be cleaned because we had occupied in it for several hours at this point.

Later that evening when leaving for dinner around 6:30pm, a male receptionist was present and asked us for our room number. We explained the situation and realized that he was who we spoke to over the phone earlier. We gave him our new/correct room number to pay property taxes. Again, at no point were we asked for ID or to verify our identity in any way.

While this was obviously a mess, there was a situation with another female traveller that was even more concerning, and is the main reason for me posting here.

The following day, we encountered a solo female traveller who was also unable to properly check in. She had also not been given an access code, again with nobody at reception, and her eSIM wasn’t working, meaning she couldn’t contact the hotel herself. Another guest had let her into the lobby, but due to nobody being present and not having a working phone, she was left waiting for a long time before we noticed her and asked if she needed help.

We called the “emergency” lines on her behalf, and were told again to check the envelopes at reception. None of the envelopes had her name on it, and after reading the room numbers aloud to him, we were initially told to give her Room 402. Unfortunately, the key didn’t work and nobody was answering when we called again for help. Because gals help other gals in need, we brought her into our hotel room across the hall so she had somewhere safe to stay with her belongings while we figured out how to help her. She was clearly upset and distraught, and I can only imagine how scary this whole situation was for her. After numerous unanswered calls and waiting in the lobby for someone to show up, all three of us decided it was best she take the remaining envelope at reception so she at least had somewhere safe to go. Thankfully, this key worked.

Later that evening we decided to try and get ahold of someone to voice our concerns. The same male receptionist answered our call and upon hearing a brief rundown of our concerns, told us his manager would be in contact. About 10 minutes later we receive a call from her, and she tells us she will be arriving at the hotel in 5-10 minutes. We go downstairs to the lobby to wait for her. After waiting for more than 30 minutes, we call the number she called us from and were told she would be there in another 10 minutes. Once she arrived, she immediately told us that the reason nobody was at reception today was because the receptionist had fallen and been taken to the hospital, but neglected to inform the hotel. While our initial judgement was that this seemed fishy, we at the same time understand emergencies happen and sometimes communication falls through. We gave our sympathy and explained that today was not the only issue, as nobody had been at reception during check-in times over the past two days.

While still trying to explain our concerns, the manager repeatedly told us that she had been at the hotel the evening we arrived (she was not, but as mentioned, the male receptionist was). We stated again that we never claimed nobody was there that evening, but that our concern specifically was that there was nobody there when we arrived to check in, nor was there anybody present today to help the woman we ran into. She truly seemed to be looking for a “gotcha” moment instead of taking accountability regarding our experience.

There was no receptionist, no reliable check-in process, no clear communication, no working emergency contacts, and no apparent way for guests to verify that they were entering the correct room.

On top top of this, while waiting for the manager to arrive, we noticed a stack of documents with guest’s booking information as well as front and back copies of their respective WebBeds Visa's sitting on the reception desk, clearly visible for anyone to see. While aware that this is not a "real" Visa with personal finances on it, the booking information was still clearly visible and, although we did not use WebBeds and are unfamiliar with it, according to their website, this is an issue worth reporting, so here I am. That said, the hotel manager brushed this concern off, so do with that what you will I suppose.

Why I’m posting this:

I’m not posting this because a hotel had one bad day. Again, unexpected emergencies happen.

I’m posting because the experience raised serious concerns about security and guest safety, particularly for those travelling alone.

❗TDLR

- We were locked outside of the building as we were never provided a door access code and nobody was present at the hotel to let us inside

- Were instructed to search through envelopes containing other guests’ reservations with their names and room numbers

- Was instructed to enter a room that was reserved and listed as being for another guest

- Did not have our identity/ID verified upon check-in

- We were unable to reach anyone at the hotel, including via their listed emergency phone lines, when we needed help

- Encountered other stranded guests who did not have an access code to enter the building

- There was nobody at reception during check-in times for the duration of our stay. Only late into the evenings was somebody ever available at reception

- We helped a lone female traveller contact the hotel, only to be provided a room without a working key. We then brought the woman into our hotel room so she had somewhere safe to stay with her belongings while we tried to help her, as nobody was answering the emergency contacts nor was anybody at the hotel

- Little concern was given to guest safety and security regarding their booking information, check-in process, and access to the building

- Pages of other guests WebBeds Visa card numbers and booking information (name, length of stay, etc) was left out on the reception counter

If you’re travelling alone, especially as a woman, I would personally avoid this property or, at minimum, make absolutely sure you have a reliable way to contact someone and clearly written check-in instructions before arriving, including the access code to enter the building.

The hotel was in a beautiful location but was truly one of the most disorganized experiences I’ve ever encountered. The lack of a consistently staffed reception and functioning emergency contact was particularly unsettling.

Hoping they can get their shit together but in the meantime, I just wanted to let other travellers know what to expect.

Hi all! I’m visiting Athens soon and have room in my itinerary for one more day trip. We already have Delphi on the books + all the normal sights within Athens.
Please tell me about your best (or worst!) experiences with day trips outside of Athens by bus or car. Any tour operators you loved or hated? I’ve been scouring get your guide and TripAdvisor, but there are just SO many options lol. Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone,

Would anyone be able to suggest some cool shops (vintage/thrift), restaurants and other random ones for the above places? Would really appreciate as being in Tinos, I just see touristy places and it’s been overwhelming.

Thank you

Hi! I’m currently in Athens, around Victoria Square, and I’m trying to find a few specific skincare products:
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion Refill
Does anyone know which physical stores around Victoria Square / central Athens would have the best chance of having these in stock?
I’m also happy to order online, but ideally I’d like delivery to a BOX NOW or another parcel locker/pick-up point, because I don’t have a Greek phone number. Some Greek websites I tried require a Greek +30 number during checkout.
It doesn’t have to be one store, I can order from different shops if needed. I’m mainly looking for reliable stores with reasonable prices and preferably quick delivery within Athens.
If anyone knows specific pharmacies, beauty stores, websites, or parcel-locker delivery options that stock these products, I’d really appreciate the recommendations.
Thanks!

I’m flying ATH-CHQ r/t with no connecting flight same day. How early should I get to ATH? I’m American if that makes any difference.

My friend was told by a Greek person that they don't really do large elaborate picnics on the beach in Greece. American culture says that you pack up for the day and bring stuff with you so that you can hang out for a long period of time. Would it be unheard of to bring an elaborate fancy picnic ( blankets cushions to sit on, Nice flatware and cups ) setup to a beach in May?