Greece, Greek Islands, Turkey coast, Mediterranean Sea (MS) trip itinerary help!

[gtr6speed]

Taking future wifey for Honeymoon this July for 2 weeks. Was planning on Tahiti (BTW - thank you to everyone that made suggestions in my other thread - it won't go in vain - we will visit Tahiti within 2 years), but we just did Aruba, every Mexican beach possible, Oahu and Big Island recently. Also, we think we can get more for our money in Europe. Plane tickets alone are almost half the price. More importantly, we want a change in setting, be off far away from CA, a little adventure, history, museums, great beaches and coasts, train rides, road trips along country side, get off the beaten path, and great food. Hot list: Greece and Greek Islands Interested: Turkey coast, open to other Mediterranean locations Questions: How much time is recommended in Greece and Greek Islands Which islands are a must visit Other countries we should visit along the MS Hotel, day trip tours, restaurant, transport suggestions Thank you so much for reading my thread and adding your personal experience. J

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[gkavuk]

For turkey and greece please book internationally . Cost depends on you bro 5 Star 7 Star

[gtr6speed]

Originally Posted by gkavuk

For turkey and greece please book internationally . Cost depends on you bro 5 Star 7 Star

What do you mean book internationally?

[gkavuk]

i mean do it everything before u come . If i do it when u come it may much more expensive

[gtr6speed]

thank you. that is great advice.

[Centurion]

Athens in July can be pretty uncomfortable, heat and smog could be terrible.
See Acropolis, Plaka, Archeological Museum, do day trip to Delphi.
In Athens I stayed at the Hilton with Acropolis view room.
Peloponnese is also definitely worth it.
Greece has too many islands, islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes are great to visit and I most likely forgot numerous other islands. 2 weeks might not be enough to see Greece.

Turkey:
Istanbul is nice to visit, stayed there at the Conrad, not very convenient but it's a nice hotel.
Also many things to see. Couple of days would be enough.

Or you could go up north from Greece to Dubrovnik, Croatia. From there you can do day trips to Kotor, Montenegro and Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Fun to drive in this region.
Stayed at the Hilton in Dubrovnik.

MS is a pretty big place, you could do one country per day in 2 weeks if you'd like.
Taking a cruise would be a good idea also.

Just remember July is peak season in Europe.

[gtr6speed]

Hi Centurion - glad to see you on here. Fantastic advice as always. I'm printing off this thread as a cheat sheet as I plan my trip.

[gtr6speed]

What is the sentiment like for US Citizens in Turkey and Croatia?

Was it easy and safe to drive in all countries mentioned?

Would Athens be a great base to come back to after doing day trips to the many islands?

Any islands you recommend staying overnight?

I was hoping to have enough time to visit Barcelona and Pampalona to participate in running with the bulls. Any recommendations on how many nights in each place and means of transportation to and from?

TIA!

[8ull8ear]

I'm not sure if you can do it in 2 weeks, it's kind of far from Athens to Barcelona. I spent 2 weeks in Madrid, Costa Del Sol & Tanger, and still did not have time to go to Barcelona. Personally, I would rather go to Seville than Pamplona. Here are some pics of the Mediterranean sea that I took,

[gtr6speed]

Beautiful pics. Thanks for your input

I'm thinking you're right. I might just do 2 weeks in Greece/Turkey alone.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by gtr6speed

What is the sentiment like for US Citizens in Turkey and Croatia?

Was it easy and safe to drive in all countries mentioned?

Would Athens be a great base to come back to after doing day trips to the many islands?

Any islands you recommend staying overnight?

I was hoping to have enough time to visit Barcelona and Pampalona to participate in running with the bulls. Any recommendations on how many nights in each place and means of transportation to and from?

TIA!

It is safe for US citizens in Turkey and Croatia.
Driving in Istanbul is terrible. On the islands in Greece, a moped is the better kind of transportation.

You can't use Athens as a base for day trips to the islands, unless you're willing to fly up and down and spend little time on the islands.

I kind of like Santorini and Mykonos, but Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Paros are nice also.

Like 8ull8ear said, 2 weeks won't be enough to do Spain as well.

[gtr6speed]

Hi Centurion,

After some research and talking to a few people, I'm coming to the same conclusion as you guys and that there's not enough time to hit other countries.

I spoke to my buddy that grew up in Crete that now lives here in the US. You're right about Athens not being a good home base. Everything is spread out too far.

Besides Athens, you mentioned Delphi and Peloponnese. Do you recommend day trips via rental car or train?

Here's what I'm thinking:

Fly into Athens. Spend 3 nights.

Fly into Crete. 3 nights.

Ferry into Santorini. 3 nights.

Ferry into Mykonos. 3 nights.

Also, day trips somewhere in between Santorini and Mykonos to Naxos, Paros, and Ios.

Does this sound logistically feasible and reasonable?

TIA

[Zlatko]

Split
Pula
Herceg Novi
Tivat
Budva
Neum
Sardinia
Corsica
Sicily
Malta
Gibraltar
Monaco
Morroco

There are so many options!!! You're basically going to the most beautiful part of the earth.

[gtr6speed]

Thanks. Looks like I'll have to make a few trips back to MS.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by gtr6speed

Hi Centurion,

After some research and talking to a few people, I'm coming to the same conclusion as you guys and that there's not enough time to hit other countries.

I spoke to my buddy that grew up in Crete that now lives here in the US. You're right about Athens not being a good home base. Everything is spread out too far.

Besides Athens, you mentioned Delphi and Peloponnese. Do you recommend day trips via rental car or train?

Here's what I'm thinking:

Fly into Athens. Spend 3 nights.

Fly into Crete. 3 nights.

Ferry into Santorini. 3 nights.

Ferry into Mykonos. 3 nights.

Also, day trips somewhere in between Santorini and Mykonos to Naxos, Paros, and Ios.

Does this sound logistically feasible and reasonable?

TIA

You'll need more time in Athens, at least 3 for Athens and 2 more for Delphi and Corinth (Peloponnese, but there's a lot more in Peloponnese like Olympia, which is too far for a day's trip from Athens).

Car rental is a good idea, gives you more freedom.

The rest of your itinerary sounds good, decide about the day trips from the islands when you're there.