Need help planing my Greece trip

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I am flying into Athens from Germany on Aug 11 at 12:30 pm. I have a Timeshare for the week in Rhodes checking in on Aug 12 then from Rhodes I go to Corfu on Aug 18 so I lose a day some where. I need to get a Hotel for 1 night in Athens.

My questions are which area should I lose a day at? Do I stay a full week in Rhodes and lose a day in Corfu or stay the full week in Corfu and lose a day in Rhodes. Now here is where the plot thickens. I want to see Athens and as it is now I arrive on Aug 11 at about 1pm and then have to leave for Rhodes on the 12th. Should I stay till the 13th in Athens.

Now When I check out of Corfu I check out on the 25th but my flight to home is on the 26th at 6am. Should I check out a day early and see Athens on the 24th? Keep in mind that I will be losing 1 day someplace because my Timeshares did overlap by a day.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

My wife and Soon want me to rephrase this.

How much time do I need to see Athens? Is there a lot to do here? Do I need 2, 3 or 4 full days?

How much time do I need to see Rhodes? Is there a lot to do here?

How much time do I need to see Corfu? Is there a lot to do here?

I am thinking that maybe just 5 days in Corfu might be enough. So I might arrive a day late and leave a day early.

[rklein01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rklein01]

Athens has two major attractions and one minor: The major attractions are the Acropolis and the National Museum. If you're a serious museum-goer, you'll need one day for each; otherwise you might be able to fit both in one (long) day. Check the hours the museum is open, however.

The minor attraction is the Plaka. It's a large outdoor market area, best seen in the evening so it will fit easily in your schedule.

So two nights in Athens are probably enough.

The also-ran attractions that you might visit if you were staying longer are the Benaki Museum (a very nice collection but not as comprehensive as the National Museum) and the funicular ride up Lycabettus Hill for a view of Athens below.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

I agree that Athens can be seen in a day or at most two. The ancient monuments are magnificent but after that and the museums, there is not too much to do.

There are day trips by boat from both Rhodes and Corfu that should be considered. From Rhodes you can go to the Turkish coast, and from Corfu you can go to Albania, and the trip includes a bus from Saranda to the ruins of an ancient city. On Rhodes the medieval city of Rhodes is wonderful, and riding a donkey up to the accropolis of Limnos is also very enjoyable. If you like beaches, those near the timeshares are pebble covered rather than sand, but you can go to the other side of the island for nice sand beaches.

When I went to Corfu, I drove a rental car from Athens, stopping on the way out at the ruins of Delphi and on the return at the perched monasteries at Metero. One of the latter appeared in a James Bond movie as a hideout of a bad guy that Bond scaled and took out. That trip required an overnight each way, and I stayed in interesting mountain towns each time. On the way out, it was at a small hotel the Beetles had stayed at very early in their career.

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

I agree that Athens can be experienced in a day or two. Sounds like you have a built in way to bookend your island t/s stays with a day and/or night in Athens...so do that. As for which to cut short by a day, I would suggest this...whether it's Rhodes or Corfu, whichever island is first in your itinerary is the one you should check out of a day early. That way you can check-in to your second timeshare week on time and not have to make a phone call in a foreign country to request "late check-in". Make it easy on yourself that way, with less to worry about.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Is there more to do in Corfu then in Rhodes?

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Frank

You forgot the one leg of your trip where you have to stop in Houston and pickup a friendly face and take him with you.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

If you are going to cut Corfu a couple of days short, I would really suggest driving. The island is very close to the mainland, and it is only a short ferry ride across. Some of the things you can see on the way, particularly Delphi and the perched monasteries, are well worth travelling that way. Greek drivers can be a real challenge, though! My rental car was rear-ended on Corfu.

I also recommend the day trip by boat to Albania.

BTW, which resorts did you trade into?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

BTW, which resorts did you trade into?

Govino Bay in Corfu

Sun Beach Holiday Club in Rhodes.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Frank there is more to see and do in Rhodes. Think Knights, Crusades, Castles and of course beaches, shopping, dining.

Seriously consider the day trip to Turkey.

Corfu is noted for it's beaches.

If it were me going <and you know I DO wish it were me> I would take the whole 7 days in Rhodes if possible. and lose the day in Corfu.

Athens is no more than 2 days to do the highlights.

Here is a nice guide to the greek islands:

Greece Travel: Greek Island Synopsis

[Linda74 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Linda74]

Frank, we had a week in Rhodes in October (Sun Beach). We found there was more than enough to do in Rhodes for a week. Drive to Lindos, spend at least two days in Old town Rhodes, take the day trip by boat to the island of Symi and do a day trip to Mamaris Turkey. We had 2 and a half days in Athens. Spend time walking the Plaka (try to stay in this area), give yourself at least a half day to walk the Acropolis. We were sorry not to have had enough time at the Archelogical Museum as they closed early on the day we arrived (contrary to what was printed in our guide book). It is an amazing museum. Can't speak about Corfu as our second week was in Crete...but Greece is wonderful. Enjoy the food, wine and music....

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Frank, we had a week in Rhodes in October (Sun Beach). We found there was more than enough to do in Rhodes for a week. Drive to Lindos, spend at least two days in Old town Rhodes, take the day trip by boat to the island of Symi and do a day trip to Mamaris Turkey. We had 2 and a half days in Athens. Spend time walking the Plaka (try to stay in this area), give yourself at least a half day to walk the Acropolis. We were sorry not to have had enough time at the Archelogical Museum as they closed early on the day we arrived (contrary to what was printed in our guide book). It is an amazing museum. Can't speak about Corfu as our second week was in Crete...but Greece is wonderful. Enjoy the food, wine and music....

Linda thank you for all the information you gave me. Your PM a few months back was very helpfull in my Greece planing.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

but my flight to home is on the 26th at 6am.

Frank, The Athens airport is not in Athens, and since you have a 6AM flight meaning you need to be at the airport usually no later 4AM I suggest you make a reservatiion at the Softel (sp?) at the airport. It is VERY easy to get lost in Athens and with your early departure I know I wouldn't want the stress. DH and I go to Greece often and the airport is lovely but inconvenient to the city in MHO. There is subway service to and from but we usually drive since DH is Greek and we have family in the Athens area.

You can see the highlights in 2 days...but really there is so much to do and see that even though we have been going most years since 1994 we still have not seen everything on our list.

The acropolis is a place one can spend the entire day; The National Archaeological Museum is another. You must visit the Plaka and Greek parliament where you will see the Presidential guards. Take a walk through Syntagma Square which is the heart of the city and you'll find a lovely Greek church, I think it is called Sophia or something similar. There's Hadrian's Arch and the National Gardens...beautiful.

Frank, if you want to visit our cousins let me know and I will contact them. If they are in Athens I'm sure they will welcome you (August is vacation time for much of Greece) and be thrilled to be tour director. They do speak English, having lived in Canada for many years before retiring back to Greece.

The Greek people are wonderful and the food and drink to die for.

Driving in the city can be crazy. The National Road is the main artery. If you are on a toll road when you pay the toll you are required to get a receipt. and they only accept cash. Greeks take their driving seriously and even though there are speed limits they are rarely followed. If you are a timid driver I don't recommend driving in Athens. Most rental cars are standard shift unless you reserve an automatic in advance.

Children under 10 cannot be seated in the front seat and all passengers are required to use seal belts. Cell phone usage is prohibited whilst driving and the fine is stopped can be huge! If you have AAA here in the States check with your local office as ELPA in Greece has an agreement with AAA...emergency services dial 104 and/or 154. Where we have 911, Greece uses 112 and it is multi-language.

If you have any specific questions please PM me.

You'll love Greece...I'm sure of it.


Joy

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

but my flight to home is on the 26th at 6am.

Frank, The Athens airport is not in Athens, and since you have a 6AM flight meaning you need to be at the airport usually no later 4AM I suggest you make a reservatiion at the Softel (sp?) at the airport. It is VERY easy to get lost in Athens and with your early departure I know I wouldn't want the stress. DH and I go to Greece often and the airport is lovely but inconvenient to the city in MHO. There is subway service to and from but we usually drive since DH is Greek and we have family in the Athens area.

You can see the highlights in 2 days...but really there is so much to do and see that even though we have been going most years since 1994 we still have not seen everything on our list.

The acropolis is a place one can spend the entire day; The National Archaeological Museum is another. You must visit the Plaka and Greek parliament where you will see the Presidential guards. Take a walk through Syntagma Square which is the heart of the city and you'll find a lovely Greek church, I think it is called Sophia or something similar. There's Hadrian's Arch and the National Gardens...beautiful.

Frank, if you want to visit our cousins let me know and I will contact them. If they are in Athens I'm sure they will welcome you (August is vacation time for much of Greece) and be thrilled to be tour director. They do speak English, having lived in Canada for many years before retiring back to Greece.

The Greek people are wonderful and the food and drink to die for.

Driving in the city can be crazy. The National Road is the main artery. If you are on a toll road when you pay the toll you are required to get a receipt. and they only accept cash. Greeks take their driving seriously and even though there are speed limits they are rarely followed. If you are a timid driver I don't recommend driving in Athens. Most rental cars are standard shift unless you reserve an automatic in advance.

Children under 10 cannot be seated in the front seat and all passengers are required to use seal belts. Cell phone usage is prohibited whilst driving and the fine is stopped can be huge! If you have AAA here in the States check with your local office as ELPA in Greece has an agreement with AAA...emergency services dial 104 and/or 154. Where we have 911, Greece uses 112 and it is multi-language.

If you have any specific questions please PM me.

You'll love Greece...I'm sure of it.


Joy

Joy I have an internatinal Drivers license but it expires on Aug 18, Should I renew it for the last week? Linda had also recomended the Softel and I was about to book it but I did one better. We got like a 1am flight out of Corfu so we can spend the full day there and then go right into Athens and arrive 4 hours before our flight back home. I leave for Europe on the 27th of July.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Frank, I have never bothered to get an International License, I use my Massachusetts license. DH has both US and Greek...but he speaks Greek (he's Greek LOL). You'll be fine with your "regular" license, but if you travel frequently to Europe you may as well renew it. I think AA will do that for you.

Flying from Corfu...excellent! So you should arrive about 1:55am to the International Airport. I'd see if I could check my luggage trough from Corfu to the US. What airline are you flying from ATH to JFK?