Thinking of going to Greece - (If they allows US citizens) Anyone been there?

[scho63]

I'm strongly looking at a 12-13 day vacation to Greece, staying on the islands of Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos during late September/early October.

It's always been a place I've wanted to visit but recently I'm getting more and more inspired.

I have no problem bopping around to see ruins in Athens for a full day or two, then take on the lovely beaches across these three great islands in western Greece in the Mediterranean.

Not sure how COVID could or will screw this up but I've been really digging deep at airfares, ferries and hotel pricing.

Anyone been to Greece in the last 5 years who can give some overview and ideas?

The weather at this time?
The good?
The bad?
The surprising?
The overrated?
The underrated?
Problems?
Ease of getting around?
How you were treated?
Overcrowded places?
Quiet places?
Overall quality of food?
Prices in general?
Taking taxis, buses or ferries?

Any help is greatly appreciated. :thumb:

[Mahomes_Is_God]

You should come vacation in Iowa. We welcome every body, Chiefs fans especially!

[BryanBusby]

You might want to push those plans back. Pretty sure US citizens aren't allowed in Greece.

[Bearcat]

I've been to Athens twice, both times in September. Most recently, stayed close to Acropolis

The weather at this time?
Still pretty warm in mid-late September, 80s/low 90s. Recommended to do touristy things early in the day, and you'll also beat the crowds.

The good?
Outside of a trip to the Temple of Poseidon, I've stuck around the ruins and it's hard to go wrong. I've done the Acropolis Hill alone and on a tour, and the only downside to the latter is they all start at the same time, so it's much more crowded. Go alone early, and you'll beat the huge crowds. The Acropolis Museum is very interesting.

I'm not huge on tours, but did a Mythological Tour that hit several things, and enjoyed it.

The bad?
The aforementioned crowds... possibly better in October.

The surprising?
Look for performances at Odeon of Herodes Atticus the days you're planning on being in Athens. I saw a performance from the Athens State Orchestra and Prague Philharmonic, performing classic rock, and I was seriously in awe the entire time... sitting in a 2000 year old outdoor theater at the base of Acropolis Hill in freakin' Athens, listening to Pink Floyd and AC/DC performed by an orchestra.
It was pure luck while planning the last trip, but I'd seriously plan another trip around attending another performance like that.

Problems?
I've heard of the typical European scams happening in Athens, but the only one I've encountered was some douchebag grabbing my hand off guard, tying a bracelet around my wrist, and then wanting money for it.... then after coming out of the attraction, they literally walked after me for several minutes wanting their bracelet back. Just the typical safety precautions of traveling abroad, and needing to be direct with idiots trying to sell you something.

Ease of getting around?
Public transportation is pretty easy. I'd say it's good, not great. I've taken the subway/light rail line from the main port to the Acropolis area and it was inexpensive and easy. Once you're in that area, it's very walkable.

How you were treated?
Treated well, no issues. Restaurants are very laid back, to the point where I assume a lot of Americans think it's bad service. Generally fast service when you sit down, but once you get your food, they leave you the hell alone. If you're used to being checked on constantly or you're in a hurry, I could see it as annoying... but, if you've got all day (you're on vacation, after all), just remember you'll probably have to flag someone down once you want your check.

Quiet places?
There are several ruins around Acropolis Hill that are quieter, albeit not terribly interesting unless you're into Greek history. Went to the Temple of Poseidon on a tour and it was quiet, and is quite a ways off the beaten path outside of Athens.

Overall quality of food?
Some of the best food I've had abroad. Chocolat Royal (with some amazing views) and Kuzina are excellent. iFeel Brunch, despite its hokey name, is very good for breakfast.

Prices in general?
No surprises, that I can remember... getting into Athens isn't amazing, since the airport is so far away from everything. No issues with taxis or their light rail though.

[Frazod]

I've been to Greece. For about 10 minutes.

My ship docked at a pier in a desolate harbor surrounded by barren, rocky hills in Crete long enough to take on fuel. There were only a couple of buildings, and a road that disappeared around a hill. On the other side of that hill might have been a beautiful, idyllic Mediterranean village, but I never saw it. I dumped a couple of bags of trash in a dumpster, had a smoke, stood there for a few minutes and then went back aboard the ship. That was it. Hell, at the time I didn't even realize I was in Greece; I thought Crete was an independent country. Only years later, looking at a map, I realized it was Greek territory.

So yes, I've been there.

I realize my input isn't very helpful. :D

[Rain Man]

You might want to push those plans back. Pretty sure US citizens aren't allowed in Greece.

That's what I thought as well. If an American tries to go, the Greeks will block you at a narrow pass and not let you through.

[BigRedChief]

That's what I thought as well. If an American tries to go, the Greeks will block you at a narrow pass and not let you through.
LMAO

Officially official site:

https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

[frozenchief]

Spent several days there a couple of years ago. Wife has extended family there. We were in Athens for a couple of days in June. It was warm but not hot. Great food. Prices were really reasonable. Plan on eating late. Our family normally starts dinner around 8. This was actually early for many places in Greece.

We went to Naphthleon (sp?) and spent some time there. Her family lives close. We went through a lot of ruins, old temples and ampitheatres that are a bit off the beaten path. We also went to Santorini, which is truly gorgeous. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and I live in Alaska.

Not sure you can get there now but I would go back in a heart beat.

[Bearcat]

I realize my input isn't very helpful. :D

LMAO

[Prison Bitch]

No never been

[Kiimo]

Rick Steve's Europe has several episodes on individual islands.


It looks dreamy which is appropriate because keep dreaming that you're going anytime soon

[PHOG]

Try not to drink any antifreeze on the way or get hung up in an aids tree.

[Imon Yourside]

Say Hi to Tom Hanx while you're there.

[Monticore]

I'm strongly looking at a 12-13 day vacation to Greece, staying on the islands of Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos during late September/early October.

It's always been a place I've wanted to visit but recently I'm getting more and more inspired.

I have no problem bopping around to see ruins in Athens for a full day or two, then take on the lovely beaches across these three great islands in western Greece in the Mediterranean.

Not sure how COVID could or will screw this up but I've been really digging deep at airfares, ferries and hotel pricing.

Anyone been to Greece in the last 5 years who can give some overview and ideas?

The weather at this time?
The good?
The bad?
The surprising?
The overrated?
The underrated?
Problems?
Ease of getting around?
How you were treated?
Overcrowded places?
Quiet places?
Overall quality of food?
Prices in general?
Taking taxis, buses or ferries?

Any help is greatly appreciated. :thumb:

Some islands close up a lot of shops restaurants, tourist stuff in October I think it is their offseason and gets cool we were there in September .

I preferred Crete over Athens , We hiked the Samaria gorge which was beautiful but the walk is kind of hard mostly do to rocky path shitty footing, Santorini was great but I would avoid the Volcano hike nothing much to see.

[Easy 6]

#1 on my list would be Thermopylae, I’d love to take in the view of that ancient battleground

[Frazod]

#1 on my list would be Thermopylae, I’d love to take in the view of that ancient battleground

You might be disappointed. It looks nothing like the way it's portrayed in movies, and very little like it did during the battle.

From Wikipedia:

View of the Thermopylae pass from the area of the Phocian Wall. In ancient times, the coastline would have been much closer to the mountain, near the road to the right. This is a result of sedimentary deposition.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Thermopylae_ancient_coastline_large.jpg/1920px-Thermopylae_ancient_coastline_large.jpg

[Easy 6]

Right you are, Fraz... I’ve googled it in years past, but I’d still love to stand there and let my imagination run wild

On another note for scho, I’d also wanna do what I watched Tony Bourdain do in Greece... have an oceanside grill out with fresh octopus, fish and several hot Greek women

[MahiMike]

When I lived in Austria, we vacationed in Molivos on the island of Lesbos (lesbians).

It was really cool at the time. On one side of the coast, there was the main town and the family beach. Typical greek streets with nice, cheap restaurants and great atmosphere. There was even a concert in the castle on the hill.

On the other side was the adult topless beach. Water was much colder and you could see Turkey in the distance.

Sadly, this island was listed in several documentaries about the migrant trafficking going on. It's the entry point for Muslims entering Europe.

https://www.voanews.com/arts-culture/oscar-nominated-documentaries-highlight-refugee-crisis

If you do go to an island, know that they might not have air conditioning and temps get to around 100 in the summer. Was tough sleeping at night.

[FD]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeaPFpsXsAAP817?format=png&name=small

Yes, Greece like almost every country has a ban on U.S. citizens entering right now.

[Coochie liquor]

Just book Jamaica with us for New Years. Weather will be good, and they are allowing us on their beautiful island. Water temp is still in the mid 80’s then, and temps are too.

[backinblack]

I've been to Greece. For about 10 minutes.

My ship docked at a pier in a desolate harbor surrounded by barren, rocky hills in Crete long enough to take on fuel. There were only a couple of buildings, and a road that disappeared around a hill. On the other side of that hill might have been a beautiful, idyllic Mediterranean village, but I never saw it. I dumped a couple of bags of trash in a dumpster, had a smoke, stood there for a few minutes and then went back aboard the ship. That was it. Hell, at the time I didn't even realize I was in Greece; I thought Crete was an independent country. Only years later, looking at a map, I realized it was Greek territory.

So yes, I've been there.

I realize my input isn't very helpful. :D

Souda Bay? Been there many times, that white building across from the pier maybe a 100 feet away from the ships has a bar/lounge in it that was really popular with us while docking there. Hell you only have to walk 100 feet to go get fucked up on Millers.

There's some really nice beaches not far from the base, and the town(I forget it's name)across the bay from the base is pretty nice.

[Frazod]

Souda Bay? Been there many times, that white building across from the pier maybe a 100 feet away from the ships has a bar/lounge in it that was really popular with us while docking there. Hell you only have to walk 100 feet to go get fucked up on Millers.

There's some really nice beaches not far from the base, and the town(I forget it's name)across the bay from the base is pretty nice.

Honest to God I have no idea. All I knew was we were in Crete. It wasn't a liberty port, and we were only docked for about an hour. If I ever knew the name of the nearest town, I've long since forgotten it.

Actually, I just looked at some pictures of Souda Bay, and that might well be it. I think you just solved a personal mystery dating back to 1986. Thanks! :thumb:

[DanT]

My first transoceanic trip was to Greece, in 2007. Loved it. My wife and I spent time in Athens, Crete, and Santorini. The only advice I would give is that if you take a ferry to an island and are planning to take a bus from the port, be lively off of the ferry and grab a bus seat fast, because they really pack in the passengers...or at least they did in Santorini's port (Athinios) back in 2006. It may be different where and when you are going!

[scho63]

Just book Jamaica with us for New Years. Weather will be good, and they are allowing us on their beautiful island. Water temp is still in the mid 80’s then, and temps are too.

Hedonism III ??? ;)

[scho63]

Greece looking like it might be a struggle to get in

I may just go back to the Cayman Islands for the 3rd time.