Anniversary trip to Greece planned for Oct?

[NonprofitER]

Hi all,

Last year my spouse and I travel-hacked our way to a Greek Island vacation scheduled for mid Oct 2015.  We've been very cool headed about continuing on with the trip ("our money will go even further! excellent!") - but a couple things have us wavering/ considering an alternate destination.  We're at the stage where we probably need to grab reward flights for Oct *if* we decided to do an alternate place.  So what would you do?

1) By all accounts, travel is and will continue to be safe - we are well traveled and not fearful in this regard
2) Demonstrations are likely, and likely annoying (interrupting general travel, touring, etc.)
3) Tourists are advised to arrive in country with all the cash they need for the trip (b/c of limits on bank/ATM withdrawals). While we don't mind doing this, there is a concern that tourists will be easy targets of cash theft in the coming months
4) A few friends have been to Athens in the past year and said they were disappointed by how unkempt everything has become due to protesters, graffiti, lack of public investment - this begs the question of whether or not its worth it to see historical sites if they are degrading in the political/economic tensions
5) Our trip was going to include Athens and 2 -3 islands (Santorini and some smaller/less touristy islands - likley more calm/peaceful, but also likely to have interrupted ferry schedules, potentially cash only transactions for B&B's, etc.).

Would you press on? Or get back your award miles and book a different locale to keep the trip easy/ leisurely (given that its supposed to be an easy "anniversary sans kids" vacation)?



 

[GizmoTX]

Things are likely to get worse before they get better. You don't want this "easy" trip to be the vacation from hell, or worse. Unless this is a cruise between Greek islands, I'd pass, especially since you still have time to regroup.

[thd7t]

If you've traveled a fair amount, this should not be a big deal.  I think the less touristy islands (and even Santorini) will be less impacted than the cities.  I wouldn't let it stop me.  You might consider bringing traveler's checks.  I haven't thought about those in years, but they could be a good way to go.

[partgypsy]

My cousins just returned from a trip from Greece and had no trouble. The worst will be in Athens (protests, disruption), the least issues will be the islands (which are beautiful). Often there are fall harvest festivals in Greece in the country, so if you can at all change your reservation to spend more time in the islands and country and less in Athens proper it would be better, as well as less changes in locals in case there are issues with travel.

But who knows? It will be an open question to know what to expect. Travelers checks do sound like a good idea.

[rob in cal]

  I would think that by October things will be normalized to whatever they are going to be.  The islands should be nice regardless, but ferry schedules would be my main concern.  I'm actually more interested in going to Greece now than before, especially if they introduce their own currency, as prices should go lower.  Looking at the travel forums there haven't been too many tourist horror stories so far.

[margarita]

We were in Athens and Santorini last September and did not find it unkept, etc. as noted above.  Yes, there is graffiti as there is in alot of Europe - Rome, Paris etc. but no more so in Athens. 

I actually did not expect alot from Athens (due to the media a couple of years ago and the protests) and was pleasantly surprised.  I thought it was really nice city and the people were so kind; we stopped to ask for directions and the gentleman walked us all the way.  There were many other examples the kindness of the Athens people I won't bore you with but they were wonderful.

When the protests happen, they are in the central square not ever inch of the city. 

Personally, I would go.

It will be interesting to see if the cruise ships stop landing. 

I do understand your reluctance re: tourists being targeted for cash; that did occur to me when I heard about the banking limits imposed.

P.S.  Oia in Santorini is beyond beautiful! 

[BooksAreNerdy]

Athens was dirty 15 years ago. It is surely still dirty. I'd vote that you continue on with the trip, but avoid Athens and spend most of the trip on the islands, less populated areas.have fun!!!

[GizmoTX]

Summer 2015: http://greeklandscapes.com/travel/money.html

Travelers checks are rarely accepted in Europe & you pay a commission to get them.

[thd7t]

Summer 2015: http://greeklandscapes.com/travel/money.html

Travelers checks are rarely accepted in Europe & you pay a commission to get them.

I haven't used them in 15 years (or more), because alternate methods have been more and more available, but I was not aware that there were places that they weren't accepted.  I suspect that as alternative options have become more common, they have fallen out of favor.

ETA: I read your link.  Seems to be the case, although it looks like you can use them pretty easily and they do offer greater security than cash.

[budgetjones]

I just got back from Kefalonia (an anniversary trip) a week ago. We had no problems with our travel, we just quickly transitioned through Athens and it seemed fine. On the island the Greeks could not have been more welcoming. The islands are buffered from the mainland issues a little and rely on tourists, so they extra grateful that you are there despite the problems. So I encourage you to go, in October things will have settled. We traveled with cash and paid with cash for everything except the rental car. I split the cash up into different purses and different carry on bags during our flights, but never felt any tension with safety at all during and after our flights. (unlike our cousins recently in Barcelona). We enjoyed quiet beaches, tavernas and snorkeling trips. Go....you'll love it, embrace the adventure :)

[NonprofitER]

Awesome.

Thanks for all the great feedback. We'll hold tight on our plans for Greece and if things change at the last minute, we'll consider re-arranging to a different spot then.  :)

[Josiecat]

I would go.  They will have worked this mess out by then.  Have fun.

[JoJo]

You might consider Turkey coast - very nice ruins.  Google "Blue Cruise" or "Gulets".

[LiveLean]

Good timing as wife and I have been considering a return trip; we honeymooned there in 1998.

I went to Greece a number of times in the '90s and thought Athens was an armpit on a good day even then. If we were to go now, we'd fly into Athens and take a connection to Santorini, just like Peter Gallagher and Daryl Hannah in Summer Lovers. In '96 I flew from Santorini back to Athens for about $75. I'm guessing it's more expensive now, but the Santorini airport is probably better, too.

Talk about Mustachian travel...I assume you can still get off a ferry at any Greek island and be greeted by islanders looking to rent rooms in their homes. It's always a mixed bag, but after one night you can move somewhere else. On our honeymoon one family in Antiparos that rented us a room insisted that we drink Oozo with them every afternoon.

We took our honeymoon in mid-September, which was awesome. Good weather, islands had cleared out, rooms plentiful. I'm guessing October would be a little cooler, but pretty much the same otherwise.

[Guesl982374]

I know people who live over there in both Athens and on some of the islands. Go.

[rocketpj]

Avoid the cities.  The villages have been around for millenia through a lot worse than what is currently happening, without a lot of significant changes.  Seriously, we have relatives in a village and their lives are minimally affected (they grow melons and olives, and everyone owns their home because their families passed them down).  Not that they aren't affected, but at a deep level Greeks have seen this kind of bullshit a few hundred times in the past.

Expect to pay cash and credit card for most transactions.

[climbgirl]

One thing you need to consider if you're going to hop between islands is that there are likely to be ferry strikes in the coming months as pay is impacted and companies struggle.  Tourism is 20% of Greece's GDP and bookings for this summer are a quarter of what they normally are.  Tourism related companies are going to be impacted by that, some will inevitably go bust and the ferry companies could well be part of that. They're also predicting fuel shortages that will impact ferries between islands.

So I'd think about how you plan to get around and build in some leeway to your schedule in case you're stuck somewhere for a few days!

[dude]

As said already, Athens has been a shithole for a long time now.  I was warned not to bother spending more than a day there, and it was advice well-taken.  When we went to the Greek Isles (Mykonos, Naxos, Milos) in Sept 2010, there was a lot going on then, too.  Regular strikes, etc.  None of that was noticeable whatsoever on the islands.  However, if, as is a possibility right now if the Germans don't step up, the Greek banking system collapses, all bets are off.  They will be just as hurting on the islands as on the mainland.

[2ndTimer]

I hope you will be coming back to post about your experiences.  A lot of us would be very interested.

[Daisy]

You might consider Turkey coast - very nice ruins.  Google "Blue Cruise" or "Gulets".

Nice suggestion. The southern Turkey Mediterranean coast is beautiful. And any trip to Turkey must include a visit to Cappadoccia inland. It's a magical place.

You can travel to some of the Greek islands from the Turkey side as well. Specifically, one of the towns I was at had ferry trips to Rhodes. It's possible you can get to other islands as well.

[Davids]

Go and have a good time, it is on October so by then this will have boiled over. I have never been to Athens but I have been to a couple different Greek Islands through a Mediterranean Cruise my wife and I did 4 years ago and I enjoyed them.

[Tabaxus]

You might consider Turkey coast - very nice ruins.  Google "Blue Cruise" or "Gulets".

Nice suggestion. The southern Turkey Mediterranean coast is beautiful. And any trip to Turkey must include a visit to Cappadoccia inland. It's a magical place.

You can travel to some of the Greek islands from the Turkey side as well. Specifically, one of the towns I was at had ferry trips to Rhodes. It's possible you can get to other islands as well.

Completely agree with Cappadoccia. My spouse and I did Turkey for our honeymoon.  Our biggest regret is that we spent too much time in Istanbul and not enough time in Cappadoccia.

[K-ice]

Enjoy.

Good tips above. Split up your cash. Carry what your comfortable with but I would say at least 3 days if not all. The 60€ limit does not apply to foreign accounts. But in Greece someone is always on strike. So the banks may be open but the security who fills the machines may be on strike.

There shouldn't really be any violent protest problems on the islands.

Also, ferry strikes may be an issue. I would give myself at least 24 h back in Athens before my return flight.

As a last day trip you can do a loop and check out the following.

Korinth canal (cool for a 10 min stop over the bridge)
Namea (an ancient Olympic stadium and training center)
Mycenae (Ancient castle w cool lion gate & crazy bee hive tombs)
Naphlion (beautiful Venetian, town, marble paved streets, castle uptop)
Tolo (A beach, fine sand,  calm shallow water for yards)
Epidavrous theater (largest ancient theater in Greece I think)
Back to Athens.

You will probably need to research and pick your fav 4. But I wouldn't miss Naphlion, good for lunch or dinner.

Rental car necessary or I've heard you can get a taxi for a day. No idea what that costs.

[K-ice]

Also, I hate to have to say this but get things in writing.

Ie. Reciepts should be given at all restaurants or you are not obliged to pay.

Maybe pay for the hotel the night you arrive instead of checkout. But get a reciept. The cash is maybe safer in their pillow than yours :).

Once at a hotel we paid 55€/ a night.
A couple we were kinda traveling with were told 50€ but upon checkout they tried to say that was per person. The rooms were virtually identical. Finally proved the price on the room door said per room.

Rental car company did not want to honour our reservation in July, which I booked in March online. "Sorry those were the winter rates." (I'm sure they were just over booked)
DH almost went ballistic, then the neighboring rental booth asked to see our reservation and they said they would honour it. So happy ending.

Again, I hate to say this but cover your ass & be sure things are clear.

95% of your trip will be great but you won't forget the bad points.