Which Greek Isle for a short side trip?

[Pushka]

We are doing one of those cruises in April, that calls at Santorini. Loving the photos from Pushka.

Did you check out my trip report on our med cruise this year?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

+1 to Santorini - just spectacular - we stayed at Atlantis Hotel in July 2011:



Whist it had stunning views I would not necessarily recommend it - there was another thread on here somewhere about a new Hotel that opened that just looked superb. Here was the view from our hotel window:



And here is Cruiserette kicking back enjoying view:



And here are the types of crowds you get to enjoy when the Cruise Liners are in port:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And just a few more of harbour with Cruise Liners waiting to disgorge their pax:



And:



And:



And:

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Now from the port when you disembark you have 2 choices to get from bottom up to top of Fira:

1. Cable Car:



or 2. The much more sensible and relaxing mode of transport:



And with all trips to Europe - best method to return home is on SQ:

 

[RB]

The photos of Santorini crowds remind me why we liked Paros

 

[OATEK]

Did you check out my trip report on our med cruise this year?

Sure did. We are doing a shorter 5 day cruise to/from Athens, but your report has whetted the appetite for something a bit longer next time.

 

[Jos888]

+1 to Santorini - just spectacular - we stayed at Atlantis Hotel in July

And here are the types of crowds you get to enjoy when the Cruise Liners are in port:

View attachment 36080

After seeing this photo I'm so glad I visited the Greek Islands in the 70's The one of Cruiserette is nice though.

 

[amaroo]

After seeing this photo I'm so glad I visited the Greek Islands in the 70's

+ 1 However, I was only 8 years old

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Hey the crowds come and they go - still one of the most beautiful places on earth - if you get a chance do not miss it - IMHO of course.

 

[Jos888]

+ 1 However, I was only 8 years old

I was 23, a wonderful age to visit the Greek Isles

 

[boomy]

I was 23, a wonderful age to visit the Greek Isles í*½í¸

I was there around that age and found Santorini a bit boring. It's an expensive island and more suitable for couples IMO. If you are in your 20's and single I recommend checking out Ios, Kos or Mykonos.
For people who are interested in history and sightseeing rather then just a beach holiday I highly recommend a visit to Crete.

 

[Pushka]

Ios seemed hugely popular with young things. Half the ferry (a big ferry) disembarked with sweet young things at that port. Then the return travellers got on and slept their way back to Athens. Slept as in sound asleep.

 

[vetrade]

IMHO Santorini is miles better than Mykonos, which had lots of "unloved" places outside the main town. Both are touristy but for some reason Santorini feels much more relaxed and less commercial than Mykonos. Mykonos is where you buy the cheap T shirts but Santorini is where you sit in a nice cliff-top restaurant and just absorb the vistas in near silence.

We stayed at Anastasis Apartments (really a boutique hotel) which was voted the world's most romantic hotel by Tripadvisor last year, and it was great - but really popular so need to book about 6 months in advance. Check out pics at anastasisapartments.com

Be aware that most of Santorini is open only 6 months of the year (from about April/May to Oct. I think)

Santorini has spectacular cliff top walks connecting the towns - you get the buzz of tourist crowds in Thira and Oia but walk a short distance and you can virtually have the sea views to yourself.

 

[kpc]

If you looking for accommodation in Santorini, check this hotel out:Ira Santorini Hotel
We booked a Caldera view room, and the sunset views from our balcony were sensational!

We went to Santorini in late October (the island closed the end of the week we left), and it was very quiet and peaceful bar the occasional cruiseliner that dropped in during the daytime....nighttime was great as we basically had the island to ourselves! Care with pickpockets tho. as I lost my camera here:evil:

 

[samh004]

As I've seen a donkey... don't ride them, it's cruel, they're kept in the sun and poorly treated. If you want to get to port, walk down and take the cablecar back up.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

As I've seen a donkey... don't ride them, it's cruel, they're kept in the sun and poorly treated. If you want to get to port, walk down and take the cablecar back up.

On that point we differ - if you don't ride the donkey then the donkey has no job - if the donkey has no job do you know where the donkey will end up? Certainly not a 5* donkey retirement village.

 

[samh004]

On that point we differ - if you don't ride the donkey then the donkey has no job - if the donkey has no job do you know where the donkey will end up? Certainly not a 5* donkey retirement village.

I'd rather they were all retired than have to stand out in that heat all day every day, when not being ridden up and down the path.

There are shaded spots at the top, but I found equally as many left at other points along the stairs, unshaded, with no water in sight. It's really sad to see.

 

[Pushka]

On that point we differ - if you don't ride the donkey then the donkey has no job - if the donkey has no job do you know where the donkey will end up? Certainly not a 5* donkey retirement village.

I understand what you are saying and consequently have mixed views.

By boycotting donkeys we won't save the current generation of donkeys but potentially those yet to be born.

Santorini should develop the lower ferry port. Otherwise they can't do without the donkeys as the cable car queue was horrendous. Walking down the donkey path was a bit smelly but worse, very slippery. And you know it's not nice soft earth that you land on. If you dodge the poop its a hard marble step. That's why it's slippery.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Donkey riding is not compulsory - your choice - ride or not ride - if that sentiment is held by sufficient numbers then no doubt in time the donkey express will die a natural death.

But if demand for the donkey express continues then the service will continue.

 

[kpc]

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Is the insurance for the donkey or passenger:?: