Greece Travel Answers

I am not familiar with Turkey, but I understand that Pamukkale is quite inland in the country, a long way from Bordrum or Marmaris that could be your entry points coming from Rhodes. I can not comment on that one. Is Athens your entry point in Greece coming from Rome or somewhere else? On my opinion even getting a direct flight to the islands (for example Rome to Santorini), still 4 islands are too much for your time frame. Especially the particular destinations. I would pick up only Rhodes or Crete, not both. They are large islands and even choosing only one part of Crete to explore, 5 nights/4 full days is a bare minimum on my opinion. Santorini and Naxos are smaller but with much to see and do, rushing it you might be fine with 4 nights/3 full days in each. Rhodes is the more far away destination to combine with Cyclades, Crete is connected in season with Santorini on quick ferry rides. It would be easier to advice what to cut if you mention your interests and why you choose those destinations in the first place, but on my opinion I see no reasoning adding a distant Turkey destination on a Greek trip, so I would definitely skip this Pamukkale for this trip, and then I would focus on 1 large island and 2 smaller islands at most.

I would have to agree, but I don't know what research you have already done and it would be silly to re-do it. What precisely are the problems, after starting to work out a detailed itinerary, where people might be able to advise whether it would be better reversed, for example? Where will you be flying into and out of? You probably know that from Rhodes you can reach Bodrum, Fethiye and Marmaris by ferry/hydrofoil, the easiest would be Marmaris as service is daily whereas for Fethiye it's 4 days a week in July, and for Bodrum, Mon and Sat only. It is also best on grounds of distance to Pamukkale, which is 300 km, 250 km and 200 km respectively - although in all 3 cases it takes roughly 4 hrs to drive. Depending on what time you arrive, you may have to "budget" for a night in Marmaris, a night in Pamukkale - and I don't know where you are headed after that. Or, you could take an organised tour from Marmaris.

With only 15 days total you really only have time for Athens and 2 islands if you want to relax along the way. The time will fly by, and you need to realize that you'll lose at least half a day for every 'hop' you make in the islands when you consider the time it takes to check out of your hotel, make your way to the ferry port, travel to the next island, find your next hotel and settle in. You definitely will waste a lot of time if you try to include one destination in Turkey not easily reached from Greece. Turkey is a wonderful country and deserves at least 2 weeks by itself.

I think that there is too much on the plate for 15 days because half of it will be travel times and the ferries lanch out on weird hours sometimes. If you never been to Greece before, You have to tour Athens for a day and then move on to the islands. just getting the ferry times and schedule will be enough work if you do not know the area and how to proceed. Boats come in and go out daily and catching the right one with a mass of island hoppers is a chore. I would follow the ferries from a couple of island until you hit Rhodes, then i fly out of rhodos and that will save you a day. flight time 45 mins+ferries 24 hrs. Three days at least per island and move on? good luck in your travels and enjoy Greece. cheers tommy x

Thank you guys, that's what we were thinking and you all made it very clear that adding Turkey to this trip is a non-sense. We'll keep Turkey for a future trip!! We'll probably concentrate on visiting Athens a day or two since we'll be landing there from Rome, and then head out to 2 islandes, yet to be determined. Thanks again for your input!! Marc

The Meltemi Winds are at their strongest in July, so there's a chance that a ferry could be delayed or cancelled for a day or two if the wind is strong enough. I recommend that you save Athens for the end of your trip so you have those extra days to get back to the mainland in case your ferry can't leave the island. Nothing will ruin your holiday faster than the prospect of missing your flight home, and you'll experience the "pleasure" of having to pay for another ticket on the next plane.