Greece was always in my bucket list. While planning this itinerary we were wondering if it would be better to club it with other countries like most of my friends suggested or not.
This time we kept it simple and did not clubbed it with other neighbouring countries like Turkey or Italy. There are so many places in Greece that deserve a visit.
We visited Athens ->Meteora -> Mykonos -> Santorini -> Athens.
Flight Information:
If you are planning 3 months in advance, then check out deals like we got one with Oman Airways. It costed us around 33000 for round trip from New Delhi - Athens which otherwise costs 45000.
Hotels Informations:
If you are travelling in group or with children consider booking apartments with great views. We booked them almost everywhere and they were better than hotels. Booking.com is best site for same.
Athens : Athens Central Apt with Parthenon View (https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/athens-central-apt-with-parthenon-view.en-gb.html)
Mykonos: Merchia Bay Villas (https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/merchia-bay-villas-mykonos.en-gb.html)
Santorini:
Fira: Gianna Suites (https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/villa-gianna.en-gb.html)
Oia: Residence Suits (https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/residence-suites.en-gb.html)
Meteora: Chrysorama Rooms (https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/chrysorama-rooms.en-gb.html)
Vegetarian must try dishes:
Spinach Pie, Onion Pie, Mushroom Pie, Baklava, Stuffed Vine Leaves, Falafel, Pasta with red sauce, Pizza
Day 1: Flight from New Delhi to Athens. Transfer to hotel and relax
Travel Tip: Take a metro from Airport for Syntgama Square (blue line) that will cost 10 euro pp. From Syntgama Square, our apartment was 8 mins walking distance. Or you can pre book airport taxi that will cost 40 euro.
Day 2: Start your day with visit to Syntgama Square and see changing of guard ceremony. Next head towards Plaka and have breakfast there. From there walk towards Acropolis museum and parthenon. There is no entry fee for Acropolis on Sunday but its too crowded at that time.
It will take around 2-3 hours there and move back towards Plaka for lunch. There are few restaurants that offer happy hours from 3.30 to 9.30 like Byzantino Taverna. Next head towards Monastiraki Square and Ermou Street for some shopping. You can aso Psiri neighbourhood to get some nice graphiti pictures. Have dinner in Ermou Street.
Travel Tip: Carry your water bottles and get them refilled with Tap Water in Athens.
Day 2: Meteora
There are 3 ways to travel Meteora. By Car, By train and or by Bus. We hired a car by Global Rentals and it was best way to explore Meteora. Remeber to buy insurance if you plan to hire one.
Total Distance: 350 km, travel time: 4-5 hours
Approximate Cost - 210 Euros (including car rental, petrol, and tolls)
By Train or Bus (40 euros per person)
Stay in Kamlambaka or Kastraki as these are nice traditional villages and offer great views of Meteora and town. Watch sunset in meteora and in evening stroll in market and lanes of Kalambaka. This is very cheap town and great for shopping (wines, beer, bakery, clothes)
Day 3: Meteora
In morning, head towards monastries. We visited St. Stephen and Great Meteora Monastry. Views from these monastries were breathtaking. In Afternoon have lunch in Kamlambaka and head towards Athens. Overnight in Athens.
Day 4: Mykonos
In morning take a ferry to Mykonos from Athens Port. We took Blue Star Ferry which is fast and best among all. Enjoy scenery from ship as it is 4-5 hours journey.
Cost: 38 Euro per person.
Travel Tip: Prebook your ferries in advance and do not rely on local tours and travels as they take 5 euro comission. Reach 15 minutes early to get your tickets from port.
In afternoon, checkin to your hotel. Prebook car hire from your hotel as it is best way to explore Mykonos since it is very small town. Avoid staying near center or paradise beach if you want to experience peace. We stayed near Merchia beach which is little far from center but views are amazing. If you have car then everything seems near. In afternoon, enjoy in your private pool villas or visit nearby beach. In our case it was Merchia Beach.
In evening go to Little Venice to watch Sunset and get lost in alleys of Chora. Its great place for shopping and pictures. Haven sunset drinks in cafes there though they are bit costly. Visit Captains as it less costly as compared to others.
Travel back to your hotel.
Day 5: Mykonos
Relax in morning and head to nearby sand beach for swimming and some fun. We visited Kalo Livadi beach. On your way back, take a stoppage at Ano Mera for Lunch as it has many options or you can cook your own meal in apartment as we did. There are many supermarkets in Ano Mera like Flora where you will get everything.
In evening again head towards Little Venice to watch 5 windmills. In night, get ready for some party and ead towards paradise beach. Its most happening place of Mykonos. We visited Tropicana Beach Club that is considered best among all clubs there. Music and food both were amazing.
Day 6: Santorini - Oia
Take a morning ferry to Santorini by Blue Star and head towards Santorini. There is one more option avaialble for afternoon if you are lazy to take morning ferry. That is golden Star but it takes 5 hours and is not that comfortable as compared to Blue Star that takes just 2 hours.
Head straight to Oia. There are regular buses that run from Fira bus stop to Oia bus stop and take 1.80 Euro per person. This is cheapest way to travel in Santorini.
Book your hotel near Blue dome church since that is most picturesque location there. Enjoy beautiful alleys of Oia and watch Sunset and Sunrise from your hotel balcony. All cafes are beautiful there. Do visit cafe 218 for beautiful views and amazing local wine. Visit Oia castle and blue domed churches.
Day 7: Santorini - Fira
After checkout head straight to Fira. Checkin in your hotel and get ready for Sailing experience.
This is must do if you are in Santorini. Prebook your sailing cruise if you want to go for sunset cruise. We chose Spiridakilos which costs 95 euro per person. They offer BBQ and other onboard services. It is semi private yatch with maximum 15 ppl.
Day 8: Santorini - Fira
In morning, visit Kamari or Perissa Beach, have breakfast there and then checkout from Hotel. Most of the hotels offer free luggage servive or you can keep your luggage in cloak room near bus stop (J&K luggage services). In afternoon, take a bus to Megalchori or Pyrgos. These are little traditional villages in Santorini which are very peaceful and exceptionally beautiful.
Visit Fira Central to enjoy nightlife. Do visit 2BrothersBar. If you are purely vegetarian then eat at FalafeLand for some amazing Wraps.
Day 9: Athens
Take early morning ferry back to Athens and visit Omnia Square and Panthaneic Stadium.
Fly Back to Delhi
Travel Tips:
1. Do try local wines when in Greece. (White, Red and Rose wine) and Beer - Fix
3. When in Athens, be very careful with your bags as pickpocketing is quite common there.
4. Use as much local transport you can when in Athens and Santorini. It is cheap and reliable though you may find bus conductors a bit rude.
5. Carry light jackets as it gets cold in night.
6. Late Septemeber - Early October is considered off season in Greece, you can get discounts and its not too cold even.
7. Prefer take away for food if you are on tight budget instead of dining in.
8. Carry readymade food packets as they can act saviours during odd time travelling.
9. Late night checkin is costly is Athens and some hotels may charge extra for same.
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