Any one ever been Greek Island hopping?

[Portofino]

I am thinking of this for next year as dd wants to see the Acropolis and the photos of the various islands look so gorgeous. I have no idea where to start though....Any tips?

Hully that sounds absolutely lovely! It is making this year's trip to France seem very dull in comparison. I shall have to print this thread and go looky on Google Maps.

Oh lovely lovely old Greece...

What do you reckon the theCaique Cruise ? It would work out very expensive but looks fun. There are lots of flotilla holidays but I don't want to be entrusted with sailing my own boat....

You're not Hully Onassis are you Hully?

Fuck, my only previous visit to Greece was Kavos in Corfu when I was 20. Tis not the kind of holiday experience I am planning for my pfb! She is really interested in history at the moment, so I am planning to grab the moment - before the hormone hit and she turns into a sulky teenager.

It looks really nice, my caveat would be that it only pootles round Evia, but I can see the attraction of it, deffo.

If you wanted to do that, miss out the western Pelops, but you MUST go to Nauplion, Mystras, Monenvassia and the Mani (all the best places begin with M). You could also add in Epidauras and Mycenae if history is a big thing.

There is a summer prog at Epidauras every year, a mix of music/plays (we have had Helen Mirren/Kevin Spacey) so have a look and maybe see a cultural thing which is a much more interesting way to experience it than looking at the empty theatre (and cooler in the evening). There is also little Epidauas which has events too.

That route looks amazing......I'm putting that in the diary. Might prefer it without children....

Quick question: In theory we could also do 2 weeks at Easter vs 3 in the summer. Next year that is 7th April onwards. Would it still be too cold for swimming then?

Bloody FREEZING

Good time to do driving round and visiting places, sea is bitter.

I dit it when I was aged 7, almost 40 years ago and can still taste my first ever stuffed pepper, and feel the wind in my hair waiting for the very early morning ferry to take us to our first island. Such a great experience.

I love hully's itinerary for the mainland. I am going to base my research round doing that for a week and doing an island or 2 and spending some days in Athens. Naxos/Poros sound popular choices but I might also look at getting to Santorini, or the mamma Mia islands of Skopelos and Skiathos. Any suggestions of lovely places very welcome. Especially places where there other kids.

Poros beaches aren't much cop and it is packed in summer. Naxos is nice and much bigger. And it has (or had) a nudist beach...

well I have not been there for years but remember Anti-Paros a tiny island off Paros as being lovely which might fit in with Santorini quite well.

but if i were you i would choose one main island group and stick to it, i mean Skiathos/Skopelos might not fit in that well with Santorini which as u know is in the Cyclades.

Oh I wouldn't do both. I would go for one area. Nudist beach, Hully? Do tell me more....

I bookmarked some of the ferry companies going out of Piraeus earlier.

When I should have been working.

Skopelos and Skiathos are lovely (or they were about 20 years ago!) - Skopelos much quieter, but Skiathos definitely has/had a nudist beach

Skiathos is much more developed, because it has an airport. Basically, if you want lively, tourists etc, pick an island with an airport, if you want quieter, pick one without.

Did it a long time ago. Was so easy. You just get on a ferry, at the other end there was usually touts selling accommodation (all nice ensuite rooms)and will arrange any transfers. Would imagine this still goes on. We did Corfu, Paros, IOS, Santorini, Athens - that I can remember.

About 3 years ago I took the ferry (overnight) from Italy to Patras and then drove down to Athens via some of the archaeological sites.

Had 3 very hot das in Athens (Acropolis, Parliament, Olympic stadia etc). However Athens was a very disturbing place to wander around - admittedly I was a solo traveller. Many of the streets in the centre had drug addicts lying on mattresses on the pavement. I had one come up and grab my shoulder to beg money, as I was waiting to cross the road. Was very glad to leave Athens as I did not feel safe there.

Then went to Tolo a small resort on the Peleponese and an hour or so's drive from Athens. As Hully said, Nafplio is a lovely little town to visit. Corinth and the canal also do-able from Tolo. In Tolo harbour large motor yachts can take you up the Corinth canal or south to visit Spetsas and Hydra. I did the Hydra trip from Tolo and the moment we left the harbour and set out into the bay we were surrounded by leaping dolphins and rainbows of spray - out of this world!

You can also visit Poros, Aegina and Hydra in a day from Piraeus (the port for Athens).

It's also possible to plan in trips to greek theatres (along with amphitheatres these are my favourite things to visit).

Sorry - ferry from Italy was to Igoumenista? Patras was the return journey as stayed in Olympia on the way back.

Epidaurus was the highlight of the trip - an incredible theatre.

Yes - but it was about the same time Noah was busy with the Ark, so other than saying 'It was FABBBBBB' I'm no use at all

I hope you have a brilliant time.

ChippingInWiredOnCoffee

I'm sorry you didnt feel safe in Athens Plenty. The financial crisis does mean there are beggars but I haven't seen drug addicts in the way you describe on my recent visits. It generally feels very safe to me. Of course you have to be careful, as you would in London or any large city.

The Athens metro is really good, if you have a buggy there are lifts, much better than London.

Other random factoid. The National Archaeological Museum is fantastic. It has lots of stairs outside though. There is disabled/buggy access though. Go to the left, go up onto a bridge and knock on the back door.

Can you tell I'm pushing a buggy on all my visits!