Dare I post another ferry post? We are getting to be old pros at this motorhome on a ferry business. This one is only 7 hours and is actually a slow mode from Athens to Santorini and we have already stopped at Paros and Naxos so we got to peek at them.

When we bought our ticket they said there was not internet or wifi on board,but it is not true.

It was easy to find and board our ferry in Athens and we just drove on. I don't think I would like a cruise but I am enjoying this ferry travel and think I would like to try a RTW trip in a freighter some day.

We are loving Greece!

I can't wait to see your blog updates from Greece!

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Originally posted by WT:
Dare I post another ferry post? We are getting to be old pros at this motorhome on a ferry business. This one is only 7 hours and is actually a slow mode from Athens to Santorini and we have already stopped at Paros and Naxos so we got to peek at them.

When we bought our ticket they said there was not internet or wifi on board,but it is not true.

It was easy to find and board our ferry in Athens and we just drove on. I don't think I would like a cruise but I am enjoying this ferry travel and think I would like to try a RTW trip in a freighter some day.

We are loving Greece!

Wt, you should stop at Paros on your way back it is a lovely island and beautiful beaches of course.

Aw.....
I have taken that ferry and also loved it. I recommend that everyone take the ferry to island-hop in Greece instead of flying. The port view in approach and in departure offers the height of travel thrill.
With 1st class tickets, one can also get a berth for the duration of the crossing, but one has to ask for it.
The approach to the white cliffs of Santorini, there's nothing like it.
However, try to avoid the month of August, when the infamous Meltemi wind often blows on the Cyclades.
I who grew up in a harbor city and knew boat-travel early have never ever been so sea-sick as the time we took the ferry from (the lovely indeed) Paros to Mykonos, where the sea was so rough that the 3hoursomething crossing stretched to 7. Even the sailors were sick.

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I can't wait to see your blog updates from Greece!

They are coming Kerry, I have 11 entries to upload because I have had a hard time finding a place to do it, but they are coming.

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you should stop at Paros on your way back

That does sound tempting lesfaye and we just might. We will be stopping at several Greek islands and it is hard to turn any of them down.

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The port view in approach and in departure offers the height of travel thrill.

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The approach to the white cliffs of Santorini, there's nothing like it.

That is so true Americana in Parigi and I love your take on things! I have been in some rough seas before ( once near the Bermuda triangle) so I hope we can avoid them along with the volcano not erupting while we are here.

I must say as much as it was thrilling to enter the one of the kind Santorini volcano filled waters, the endless straight up curvy ride to the top of the caldera in an RV was even more thrilling ( and scary) !

Now I understand why not too many make it to here, but we are loving our isolated swiss family robinson location with ocean view. We will definitely make it to mykonos for delos and will meet some friends in Amorgas soon and stay at an island that starts with an F that I can not remember.


We loved the ancient sites in Athens and the great food, but it is so nice and peaceful here that it will be hard to leave.This island was a must see for me as I have heard people talk about it too long and now finally see it for myself ..good and bad. Sure can't beat the view!

We will be in Santorini in early July and I am really looking forward to it. Do you know if the "cable car" up from the port is an "actual" cable car(as in swinging wildly!) or a funicular type ascent?. I am able to manage the latter, but not the former due to fear of heights

We will also be in Athens and Mykonos too on the same trip so any tips will be welcome. I will be following your blog with interest!

I am really not sure about the cable car as I have been no where near it, as I also have a fear of heights.

I love Santorini and the views are spectacular, but it can be VERY touristy in places ( we avoid) and it is one heck of a place for someone with fear of heights.

I am constantly challenged here with that and we did NOT enjoy the frightening ride up the switch back road to the top from the port in our RV. It even got to my husband and he has no fear of heights.


We recently took a ferry from here and the van down had no seat belts and it was scary and the ride up with a taxi going very fast was also very scary. Driving around can be very scary and even some of the beaches can be very scary ( red beach is gorgeous but too dangerous for us). The ride to Oia is scary, especially if you run into crazy drivers.



But even with all of that and the crazy driving we are loving it and staying much longer than planned. I hope you are staying in a peaceful place as that makes it easy to handle the more "madness" aspects. I am too fearful of heights for cable car or donkey, but the views are worth it.

We are off to more island hopping soon and Turkey, but I will be uploading lots more pics and info soon on Santorini ( and eventually Mykonos).

You will have a great time! I love Greece!!

Thanks for the info...we will not seee very much of the island as it is only a cruise stop,but we have never been to Greece so we view it as a taster of places we may choose to return to.

Do try to find a peaceful quiet place with a view of the caldera away from the crowds. If you do that , you will want to come back.

If ( like a friend of mine) you just see the endless tourists, you will miss the magic that is in the silence.

So seek that out in some way!

Now this is going back a bit...but I went to Santorini in 1969, 'backpacking' (but actually, foolishly carrying heavy suitcases around with us), and I don't even remember a proper road up from the port - just a rocky track, very steep and we rode mules to the top. I bet they are relieved there is a cable car now! It is of the Swiss Alps swinging variety.

We stayed two weeks on Paros which was my favourite island of all the Cyclades but then it was one of the least well known. We were in a lovely little fishing village called Naoussa...probably a hot tourist spot now.

I just uploaded some of our pictures and blog entries from Santorini and thought you might like them ( especially poet123 who will go soon).

We are really loving the Greek Islands and are spending MUCH more time here than expected. We are in Rhodes now and really enjoying it and we looved Chania, Crete and Knossis.

We are off to Turkey and a gulag sail trip around the Turquoise Coast to start and looking forward to that , Istanbul and the cave houses.

( We are becoming ferrty experts by now)

Felicity, I was in Santorini in the mid 80's, not the 60s. Then the cable cars and the mules coexisted for the port. I bet they still do.
I also rented a small house in Naoussa in Paros and loved it.
I used the ferry all the time. It started with my finding Olympia Airway's management impenetrable. Then I just loved the thrill of arriving and leaving a port...

Back then many of the white houses in Oia (Ia) were actually crumbled houses abandoned after the 50's earthquake. They looked eerily beautiful and spooky at night, esp under the moonlight. I wonder if they are still around.

WT, I continue to envy you. You are entering another highlight. Turkey has great landscape, great archeo ruins and great food. It really is a much underestimated destination.

Yes, they still have the donkeys and cable cars, but I am not sure about the houses in Oia.

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It really is a much underestimated destination.

Thanks again Americana in Parigi! Yes, I hear that from all that have been there and we are excited about seeing it for ourselves.

WT, really enjoyed your picture of Santorini. It is also on my "must visit" list and I'm trying to see if I can make it happen next June. I don't think you've mentioned visiting Mykonos. I've had friends tell me it's not as nice as Santorini or Crete. Any thoughts?

Carole

Thanks Carole!

Obviously, I think Santorini is well worth seeing and highly recommend the very reasonable but gorgeous viewed Volcano Villas .

The rooms are simple, the view spectacular and very peaceful with a kitchen and excellent breakfast ( Greek style).

I was worried that June would be too busy and too hot so had planned to be there in May, but it was very nice in June and not overly crowded at all. The villages can get busy during the day, but since we were away from it all, that did not affect us.

I did have friends who were disappointed in Santorini because they were looking for a quiet, typical Greek village. Stay away from the crowds and enjoy the views and I can not see how you would not love it.

Yes, Mykonos is still very much on my list and we will see before we leave Greece. It is also very commercial I hear as Santorini and Mykonos are both Cruise boat places and the most popular islands. I also hear tho that it is the prettiest island and one that DOES fit that gorgeous typical Greek white town image better than anywhere else.

We love the Greek Islands ( more than I imagined that I would) and would love to explore them all as each has different things to offer.We also really enjoyed Chania Crete and Old Town Rhodes which have unique flavors of their own.

We will hit a few more on our way back to the mainland ( we are in Cappadocia Turkey right now) but will have to return to see Amorgas, Symie and a few more that we wanted to see but must move on to Croatia.

I was pleasantly surprised that the heat or the crowds were not as bad as I expected in June. It will be interesting to see how crowded Santorini is when we return in July and their high season.

WT -- Looking forward to hearing your impression of Mykonos. I also have heard that it very much a party island. We're way past our party days so I wouldn't be interested in that scene.

I always thought Santorini was suppose to be the most beautiful of the islands but I guess it's all subjective. I'm just starting my research so I'll have to see what would be most appealing to us. We would like to stay at a quiet but beautiful hotel with a view not in the middle of the action but close enough for easy access for dining, etc. I'd also like to take a day cruise around the island for snorkeling, etc.

Carole

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I always thought Santorini was suppose to be the most beautiful of the islands but I guess it's all subjective.

Yes, I think it is subjective as there is so much beauty ( and different kinds) in the Greek Islands and different people have different favorites.

BUT absolutely nothing can compare with the outstanding views from Santorini as they are some of the best in the world and unique.

THAT is what makes it the most popular Greek Island and allows it to shine even when full of tourists.

Don't miss the museum there and a small traditional vineyard. If possible go to Athens first ( a day) to see the Acropolis and wonderful frescoes in the museum there from Santorini as it will enrich your experience.

I think all of the islands are party islands in the high season for the younger set. Ios is suppose to be the biggest party scene, but like you, our party days are long gone and we look for serenity and beauty.

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Originally posted by WT:
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I think all of the islands are party islands in the high season for the younger set. Ios is suppose to be the biggest party scene, but like you, our party days are long gone and we look for serenity and beauty.

Ios is a MAD party scene. I met my husband on Ios in 1982 (I was 21 he was 25) and it was party then but still had a lot of charm and lovely beaches. We went back for a visit in 1990 and it had changed alot for the worse in our opinion.

Such a shame, what they have allowed to happen there, the village of Ios was so lovely and I have wonderful memories of being there two years in a row for 5 months at a time.

It does sound like a shame, but you would be amazed at how many young people have told me that Ios is their favorite island of all of them.

I am wondering what Satorini will be like when we return in high season.

I keep reading that Oia has the best sunsets. How does their sunsets compare to the ones in Fira? I can't imagine there being any significant difference.

Oia sounds like a quieter area than Fira but I also have read there are many steps to get from one place to another. Not that I can't do steps but I'd rather not feel like I'm at the gym when I'm on vacation. If that's the case would Fira be a more convenient choice but not in the noisy center of the town.

Carole

There are many steps in Oia, yes, and there are many steps in Fira too.
Within the Oia village, there are not many steep stairs.
But if you want to go to the beach down the cliff, yes, quite a climb on your way back.
Oia sunset was beautiful, but Oia under a full moon is magic. It has an extremely eery spooky beauty, with the stage-like moonlight reflecting on all the whitewash houses built onto the cliff.

The full moon experience sounds magical!!

Carole

I thnk Oia is a better and quieter choice and I have seen great sunsets ( and sunrises) from both Fira and Oia.

My first sunset in Oia was quite ho hum,but we saw some spectacular ones too ( uploading a few pics as we speak).

I suggest that you go to the Greek area at Fodors as there are lots of VERY wise people there who are helpful and know a LOT about Greece. There is a guy there named "brotherleelove" that helped me find the volcanic villa and he lives in Santorini and knows it VERY well.


There is also another great guy who lives in Mykonos and others that have tons of experience ( more like the Italy and French people here).You can ask the detailed questions and gather specific info.

If you like to trek, you can actually walk on the top of the cliff from Fira to Oia.

It is the kind of place that is good to have insider information as some of the best things can be missed even tho it is a small island. Look at the pictures on Papillion website of the port under Oia..it is a must see that most miss.

Santorini is high on a cliff (caldera) so yes there will be climbing and walking.Cars are cheap to rent for a day and well worth doing to explore altho the drivers are crazy.

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Originally posted by WT:
It does sound like a shame, but you would be amazed at how many young people have told me that Ios is their favorite island of all of them.

Of course its their favorite, its party central, as it was mine at 21 years old just not at 48.