Looking for some recommendations - places of great natural beauty
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Aug 21, 2012 5:47 AM Last Post By: Nicolapicola
jump to
Looking for some recommendations - places of great natural beauty
Hi,I have two weeks to play with mid until late september (2 weeks). I kind of have an abstract idea of where i'd like to be but have not travelled much at all in Europe so would gratefully receive some input.
I am a seasoned backpacker so I am totally fine staying in cheap hostels or sleeping on roof tops (actually i prefer it).
I am looking for some quiet and peaceful places where I can relax. I imagine a beautiful rooftop hotel.. I imagine walks in the mountain and perhaps stay near the sea. I want to be inspired. I want to sample amazing foods and meet interesting people..... I DO NOT WANT TO MEET OTHER BRITISH TOURISTS (i.e. the places that attract loud and aggressive drunk brits or for that matter any other nationalities)
With that in mind and thinking of - Greek Islands, and maybe Turkey mainland
What recommendations are there?
Thanks!
8
I am confused by people who think that Greece is sort of an East Asian country or remains as it was on the '60s ...I do not think nowadays there is anyone, either hotel either house owner who would allow a backpacker or whoever sleeping on his roof, even if paid. Hostels is a rather uncommon concept in Greece, rooms to let is the common type of accommodation for budget travelers. Free camping is illegal in Greece although a few areas tend to be more tolerant on that one. Organized campings are not so widely available as someone would believe, and anyway, I do not think that weather is exactly ideal for sleeping in the wild at the end of September.
I can not comment on Turkey, as I haven't been there yet. But after middle September season starts to come to an end on Greek islands, to some islands earlier than others. Some ferry routes are seasonal only and they might be less frequent or simply non-existent towards the end of the season. Moving from island to island can be quite time consuming, 2 weeks is not too bad but not a great amount of time either. On my opinion 3 nights/4 full days are an absolute minimum on each island. Logistics are important, and what is your entry point in Greece is crucial too when planning your moves. You do not provide specific info to work on... What is your budget in euros and what it stands for? Have you any basic ideas your self of where you'd like to go/what you'd like to do while there?
If you decide on Turkey, here is to give you an idea of what connections are available from Greek Islands:
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/trans/Ship/GreekIslandFerries.html
10
The smaller, less developed Greek Islands seem to be the place for you, but a place that has hostels/hotels i am afraid you are going to meet tourists, including the British.And by my experience all British tourists, are not all of the 'Lager Lout' variety, and are looking solely for a place to party 24/7.
11
Last two weeks of September there won't be many tourists in Greece, drunk or otherwise. OP should consider the Peloponnese which in the more rural areas is like stepping back 20 years in time and has both sea and mountains.12
Go to the Pelion peninsula (Volos is the city to go to to get to this). Mountains, sea, wonderful walking, good food, really nice people. Mostly Greek tourists, some Germans, some Dutch and a handful of English people, most of whom have houses/live there - you probably won't meet any of them. Not as touristy as other parts of Greece and as beautiful as it gets.
