So, I have now qualified for the free ticket on AA to any place they fly. My two friends and I are planning on going away together and want to go to one location and stay put; in a beach town or on an island. We have narrowed it down to either Sardinia or Santorini and maybe one other greek island.

Things we have in mind while we are there: days on the beach or boat excursions, nice dinners, maybe a night or two out. Would like to stay in smaller towns.

Having never been to either location, I was wondering if anyone would recommend one location over the other.

Thanks!

Kelly

One important thing: when are you planning to go? This summer there will be Olympics in Greece, and I strongly fear that it will be extremely crowded. So if yo are planning you holiday for that pèeriod, I would go to Sardinia. Having said this, Santorini? Not my piece of cake, but if you are after nights out it may be fine. If it were up to me, I would rather go back to Patmos.

Alice Twain
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ItinIt

I love Santorini -- never been to sardinia (yet) -- but nothing could drag me there this year with the Olympics coming, unless you don't mind crowds everywhere. Late in the fall is actually very nice on Santorini for sunsets over the caldera and simple relaxation.

Santorini is very very beautiful, unfortunately it is full of tourists. Makes enjoying Santorini a bit difficult. I've been there twice, and always island hopped to other less touristy cycladic islands such as Naxos one of my favorites with miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Paros is very nice as well. If you go try going to Mykonos for a day, its a fun and happening island.
MariaNYC

Thanks so much for the input. We do not have specific plans yet. Just in the thinking stages.

Unfortunately, we are going in August. My friends both work at a school and have the month of August off, so our choices are restricted by that timeline.

I was afraid of going to Greece because of the Olympics. I thought I would look into hotel prices and then decide. Figured they would start inflating the prices. Which I think will end up in us choosing Sardinia. That said,I looked at Alghero because of the statements on the board. We are thinking of going there and to one other town. Any suggestions?

quote:

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Originally posted by KellyC:
I was afraid of going to Greece because of the Olympics. I thought I would look into hotel prices and then decide.

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Actually, proices started to inflate a few yeras ago. On my last two holidays in Greece I found proices that were no more Astonishingly cheaper than in Italy: they had become just cheaper... Also, I fear that for August in Santorini you may be already a bit late for booking. I have always travelled to Greece without booking ahead, but in August I happened to have to stick with unpleasant accomodations (even though for just one night) even in far less touristy places (I mean places like this) and in early September.

Alice Twain
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ItinIt

La Maddelena is a small island off the NE coast of Sardegna. A short ferry ride to Corse(Corsica)I've been there 4 times and like it very much. Crete I like better than the other Greek islands because of the archaeology there plus it has great food and beaches. I like the western end because you can hike the Sumarian gorge which is breath-takingly beautiful.

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like Greece will not end up working.

"La Maddelena is a small island off the NE coast of Sardegna."

Breedoni: Did you stay there or just go for the day? I could not tell from guide books what was possible. If you stayed on the main island near there, what town were you in and did you like it?

I second La Maddelena -- it is STUNNING! I am guessing it will be crowded in August, but any beach in the Med. will be. I think there is also a beautiful Club Med there too. I actually wasn't crazy about Alghero. My mom got a bit nostalgic - she said it reminded her of Miami Beach in the 50s.

Re: Greece - I believe the Olympics are mid to late August - so you might be able to find something in early August. I was in Lefkada, an island near Corfu, in Sept. Some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

My 2 cents.

Kathy McCabe
Dream of Italy

You will never be dissapointed in Sardegna. I am going for the fourth time in June

KellyC,
I've stayed in Palau which is where you can take a 20 minute ferry to La Maddalena and I have stayed on La Madd. Small hotels of medium quality but there are more exp. ones that I'm not familiar with. Usually my stays were only 2-3 days. But I never was there in Aug. Make reservations early. Caprera is another small island that is connected to La Madd buy a short road/bridge. The wind has carved the rocks into some amazing shapes, the water is turquoise.

Su Meri, where have you stayed on Sardegna? Any specific hotel recommendations? I plan on staying there 3-4 days during my honeymoon in July, but haven't had any luck finding the right place to stay. We'd like to stay within walking distance of the beach (and snorkeling) if possible.

Thanks!
Elizabeth

www.lanielizabeth.com

quote:

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Originally posted by dreamofitaly.com:
I was in Lefkada, an island near Corfu, in Sept. Some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

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Where exactly? I spent a holiday (my second in Greece) a lot of years ago in Lefkada. I stayed in Agios Nikolao, on the west coast of the island. Lovely place, as far as I can remember.

Alice Twain
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ItinIt

Alice-

I am looking at my souvenir book of Lefkada to tell you where I stayed -- our hotel was in Nikiana. We went to the windsurfing beach at Vassiliki. We had a wonderful dinner in Syvota. We cruised alongside Skorpios - the Onaissis island. The most stunning beaches were Porto Kassiki (which often makes it on the world's top ten list) and Poros. Very reasonable especially compared to Italy, but Italy remains my greatest love.

Kathy