The way things stand, I have a return ticket from Barcelona - Athens - Barcelona leaving Barcelona in about 10 days time and no idea what I'm going to be doing in Greece. (19th October to 29th October).
I've come up with a few other questions:
1) Is the weather in issue in visiting the Cyclades islands in the second half of October? By problem I mean ferries getting canceled due to bad weather/storms
2) I'm a student, but not interested in doing the 'party' scene or hitting the nightclubs. I'm looking to enjoy natural beauty and the Greece that is not touristy.
3) I am from India (with the current exchange of 1 Euro = 55 Indian Rupees). I'm really traveling budget. Which means not more than 20 Euros a night for accommodation and preferably take overnight cruises (where possible) to save a night's accommodation.
4) I'm 26, male and will be able to comfortably carry all my luggage on my bagpack. So hopefully, arriving at odd times (say 4 am) at a port which is 3 km from civilisation should not be too much of a bother.
Given my constraints, I was thinking of sticking to the Cyclades. Perhaps the much traveled Athens - Milos-Sifnos - Santorini - Athens.
Would appreciate anything that you might have to say!
Thanks!
p.s. any chance of fitting in Meteora in the mix as well?
Although Santorini is touristy, it will be quiet [as it is now] when you travel, and it certainly has natural beauty. You might have some information here for budget accommodation, hostels -.
I like your choice of Milos, although much of Milos' natural beauty is emphasized on the boat tour of the island, and its magnificent beaches, and I don't know how much of this will be appreciated in October. Also consider Amorgos - less developed than Santorini, with more local influences, especially if you like hiking. Many of the recent donkey paths are now used by hikers, providing a great way to see the island's dramatic scenery. If you decide on Amorgos, choose Aegiali to stay at, and not Katapola.
Naxos is a great mixture of museums, ancient sites, picturesque villages, Byzantine + Venetian. Easy public transport, and shallow sandy beaches - easy access to Amorgos from Naxos.
I also suggest you consider Crete. But only Crete. Do some reading - there are enough diversities within the island to keep one busy for more than 10 days - the Cretan traditions are infamous and represent a distinct character in Greek culture & the archaeological sites are some of the most significant in all of Greece.
Happy travels,
Hi! I'm on Santorini right now, having just spent one month in Crete. I can second dianab's stance that Crete is an awesome experience. It is FAR less touristy and much more authentic than Santorini. We had to learn a few Greek words to get by in Crete--in Santorini all the Greeks laugh at us when we try and speak Greek, because it's so unnecessary--they all speak English! If you want a more authentic Greek experience, go to Crete. You'd also never need to leave the island as there is so much to do! Santorini, however, is breathtakingly beautiful. Unfortunately today it's chilly and windy. But just walking around Santorini is spectacular.
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