CHINMUM

hello, i am planning to go to greece on the 5th of may, but just cant decide the places o visit. its a short trip of 5 days, out of which i am planning to keep 2 for athens. i really want to go to the places where mama mia was filmed - skopelos n skiathos, but just cant decide an itenary, keeping in mind i have a 2 year old toddler travelling with me. i know skopelos is not very well connected with athens...can someone pls help me make an itenary......

lanejohann

oooh
the toddler bit is a little bit of a worry
a lot of the sites you visit like olympia and delphi are pretty rugged - not for lil tods to be toddling roung
i had a tumble and i know that a lot of older people were fearing for their safety round the acropolis
it is so slippery

i loved kalambaka and meteora but again there are so many stairs to climb up to the monasteries

so i guess you just pick some islands that have some good beaches
im not sure that santorini would suit either ( thats the only greek island ive been on apart from the minor islands round santorini)

CHINMUM

thanks a ton, i did really want to go to skopelos..but it seems like eternity to get to from athens...so maybe day trips from athens is what i will end up doing... does anyone know any good apartments?

Maria_H

Where are you travelling from and have you already booked flights to Athens? Do you intend to drive in Greece? Personally I wouldn't take a 2 year old to Athens either, they are going to be more happy toddling around on the beach. As mentioned before, the ancient sites are full of trip and fall hazards and have little to keep a small child amused. If you are already booked on flights to Athens, I'd consider flying or driving to somewhere with some nice beaches for a few days. There are many places in Greece equally as beautiful as those used in Mama Mia.

Nikki

If you are staying in Athens and want a day trip to an island, Aegina is close and easy to get to by ferry. There is a gorgeous, well preserved temple there (that is much more accessible than the Acropolis).

CHINMUM

thanks maria, i havent booked my flights yet, but need to do so definitely today..after reading these suggestions, i am now thinking of mykonos. i am coming in from london. where should we stay in mykonos? we will be able to do santorini as well then..

Maria_H

If you are coming from London, you should be able to find charter flights directly to most islands - though usually you would need a week's duration for your trip. You may be able to get more flexible dates on the better served islands like Crete. A quick google found flights to Skiathos for 1 week from 5th May for £210. I'm afraid I haven't been to Myknonos though. You should be able to visit Santorini from there but again I wouldn't think it was an ideal place for a little one.

billbarr

Chinmum

easyJet fly from London Gatwick direct to Mykonos. The closest I can get to your itinerary is their flight departing London 6th May (Wednesday) returning 10th May (Sunday).

What's your accommodation budget for Mykonos per night?

Bill

CHINMUM

hi bill, i did do easyjet for mykonos. i have booked myself on the 10th and also looked at rania apartments as thy had good reviews at trip advisor - i will probably book that. what are the best places to go in mykonos, i defibitely want to do santorini as well - any suggestions?

billbarr

Hi Chinmum

Can I get the basics confirmed? Are you arriving Mykonos Sunday 10th May and departing Thursday 14th or Friday 15th? If that is the case then you therefore won't be spending 2 days in Athens as originally planned.

The Rania apartments are a great choice. A very good location in Mykonos town, elevated with great views. From the apartments after a few minutes stroll down, you exit from the narrow street right onto the harbour area with the cafes and small colourful shops.

You will have a difficult (indeed, almost impossible!) time to do justice to Mykonos and Santorini due to your few days in Greece.

For example, if you arrive on Sunday early afternoon you can easily spend most of that day exploring the town itself. That's great fun and lots to see and do. Get lost in the narrow lanes, have coffee and relax after your journey. Even in early May the shops will be open in the evening. Take a light jacket as it may be chilly those evenings.

You would need to use the the High Speed Hellenic Seaways service not yet approved so you cannot yet buy tickets) departing Mykonos at 2.45pm arriving Santorini 5.45pm. You will then have to return to Mykonos the next day, departing Santorini at 11.50 am (there is no Wednesday service). All in all, too few days, too much time inter-island travelling, and no time to enjoy them both.

If you decide to spend all the time on Mykonos (taking into account your travelling time from the UK) you really only have 4 days there. Let me know and I'll come up with some recommendations for things to see and do including a trip to the island of Delos.

Bill

CHINMUM

hi bill, yes now our plan is to come only to mykonos on the 10th, we reach at 1300hrs and leaving back on the 13th - i know its sad but something is better than nothing . so now can u help me with my plan with my rush rush trip !! I am glad rania is a good choice, atleast one thing in place. Bill i really want to do santorini-is it possible?hanks so much for all yr help - its much appreciated....

billbarr

The only way you will see Santorini will be to do as I suggested earlier i.e.

Monday 11th May: depart Mykonos using Hellenic Seaways at 2.45pm arriving Santorini 5.45pm.

Tuesday 12th May: depart Santorini at 11.50 arriving Mykonos about 3 hours later.

You can book tickets online. Here's the address you will need to use. They routes are now showing as available and can be booked.

http://www.hellenicseaways.gr/index.asp?a_id=219

Bill

CHINMUM

thanks bill, thts great help.anything else in particular one could do in mykonos with a toddler

CHINMUM

is there a way of doing santorini in one day from mykonos? otherwise i will loose out on my hotel booking in mykonos...

brotherleelove2004

There is no way to "do" Santorini in one day. The trip requires an overnight stay.

billbarr

Hi Chinmum

BLL has answered your question. It isn't possible.

On Mykonos at the time of year you are visiting the beaches will be quiet. The temperature should be warm but chillier in the evenings. Your toddler will love having so much sand to play in. The small beach buses are fun too.

Also, never forget that Greek people love young kids and you may have a problem getting yours back!

Pelicans wander the Mykonos streets and alleys and those can be fun to watch and photograph. There is also a toddlers play area in the Lakka district as well as other parts of town.

Sit wth your toddler at one of the cafes at the harbour front and watch the large ferries arriv3 and depart. Some are so big you feel you could reach out and touch them.

Also, occasionally I have seen a puppet show especially for kids close to the small town cinema. Easy to find - just ask a local!

Oh, and there are a few very nice toy shops too.

Bill

CHINMUM

hi bill, thanks for all yr help, we are finally off now on sunday. Can you pls suggest the best way to get to rania from the airport? also do you think its advisable to hire a car or not required. as u suggested earlier, now we are planning to go to delos. I am very excited now,. just wish had more time to get everything in place. Thanks to all of you- i have decided everything about my trip on fodors !

billbarr

Hi CHINMUM

The only way to get to town and your accommodation is by taxi. There is no bus service from the airport. When you come out of arrivals and step outside into the sun, opposite is the taxi rank. Just join the line and you will not have too much time to wait. The drivers know the arrival times for all flights. (You can call a local taxi at anytime on the island using the number 23700).

Please don't consider a private transfer. Those can cost up to 50 euro against a taxi fare of about 8 euro.

I personally don't think a car is necessary on Mykonos. The little local buses will take you to most parts of the island, are very cheap at only a few euros per ticket and they are fun to ride. However, many do rent a car. It’s something only you can decide on but wait until you get there and then make your decision.

Delos is fantastic. The small boats depart from the harbourfront at 9am, 10am and 11am and you will have a little over three hours to explore. Take a hat and a good guidebook. Water can now be purchased from a very small outlet on the island itself. Last summer the cost for the boat was 12 euro and entrance fee 5 euro. There is no service on a Monday.

I hope you all have a fantastic time!

Bill

arch_di

hello..
it seems that you have already decided your destination, but anyway i would recommend Lefkas, which is an island (one of the 7 Ionian islands - west coast of Greece) that is connected by bridge with the mainland, so you don't have to worry about ferry tickets and timetables... It is a 5-6 hour drive from Athens and has also good connections by bus.I
was there last year and had a great time with my husband. I highly recommend the place we stayed (Diodati Villas Lefkada)http://www.diodati.gr/ and if I remember well there was a couple with a baby there at the same time and they didn't seem to have any problem.

Anyways, I hope you have a great time in Mykonos, it is wonderful too!Make sure to go to Delos and see the ancient ruins!

Diana

CHINMUM

thanks everyone !!! specially bill- we had an awesome time...dont think one can ever ever have enough of the greek islands...mykonos was beautiful- loved the beaches. thanks for all your help...made me plan a great deal better !!! Rania apats were amazing, in face the owner came and picked us up from the airport...would recommend it highly.