Seeking some ideas and thoughts on what best to do enroute to Santorini from Mykonos with 9 days to play with. I was thinking Paros and Naxos (which order?) but then someone has suggested Syros. Not adverse to going to other lesser known islands however it is early May and want to go places where there is some activity! Also don't want to be travelling every day....thinking 3 nights on each or 4 nights on Paros and 4 nights on Naxos and get to Santorini a day early... I'm then travelling onto Crete for maybe 10 days post Santorini so any tips for either of those too?? Thank you!
1
travelerjan
Nomad, it looks like a good schedule to me ... 3 nights Paros, 4 nights Naxos. Since you want some activity, ,suggest in Paros you stay in Parikia (port town), or on the beach stretch (Livadia) just outside, and rent a scooter or ATV ... Paros is non- mountainous so small wheels will get u all around, to beaches not as readily accessible by bus and the evening activity will be in Parikia. Likewise, in Naxos stay at St. George Beach, plenty of small pensions right on the sand, it's directly adjacent to Naxos Town, so u can stroll in, of an evening, to whatever's going on. Good bus system gets you to farther-out beaches. Naxos inland is really worth exploring, dramatic landscapes, hill towns, ruins & major statues lying around.
As for Syros -- In my experience it's an island mainly for Greeks. In your profile you say u are Greek, but your use of English, & your syntax strongly suggest otherwise, that you're from US or Canada. Please don't play games. I went to Syros out of curiosity about its famous main-town Square ... which indeed impressive, but felt like an outsider whole time I was there; 99% of visitors are Greek, they totally ignore "outsiders." Of course that's their privilege but you should know that before going. Plus: their beaches mediocre compared w. Naxos or Paros.
Crete??? Way too much to cover in one place. Actually, you'll do better if you do a little bit of homework yourself, maybe in a guidebook instead of a swift swipe thru your cellphone, and then you can start with a basic knowledge of the island -- major towns, major sites, logistics of getting around. Then LP experts can help you choose among the places you favor (from this research) instead of having to conduct a Crete 101 class for you.
Enjoy your planning; and hurry up... if u say Early May, you're leaving in a few days. How about a quick trip to your local library, to take notes from their guidebooks. Or -- better still -- On Amazon order overnight used copy of ROUGH GUIDE to Greece, and pull out just the sections on Athens, Cyclades, Crete, Language & Practicalities. (U can bind the spines w. duct-tape & have instant pocket guide-=ettes. Answers to all your questions there!
2
nomadlmc
Thanks so much for the tips! I'm actually Australian....set up the profile this morning in Greece (so maybe it automatically pre-filled - oops - will change!). Am leaving tomorrow....typical last minute wing it travelling! Thanks for tips/advice and hope to plan on the road but will do a bit more in advance research! Thanks for advice!
3
Thorn Tree
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