Thread: Best Greek ports?

Based solely on my visit to various Greek Isles some 25 years ago, I'm inclined to advise:

1) care in selecting shore excursions

2) don't expect as much as may be offered

3) always have as much fun as you can!

It's a part of the world which is quite different from most American experiences, as well as from any Caribbean experience.

As always, have fun!

SWR

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

Don't do ceegars any more but Mount Gay XO is my favourite rum...in fact the "ordinary" eclipse rum is nice.

I have a picture of the Mount Gay rum distillery some were on my other PC must upload it to publish

I have upgraded to windows 7 with a touch screen, super dupper all seeing and dancing

We did two 7-night back-to-back Greek Island cruises last October. Stayed in Venice before the cruise, then went to Corfu (twice); Athens; Split, Croatia; Dubrovinik, Croatia; Kusadasi, Turkey; Mykonos; Santorini; and Katakolon (Olympia).

We don't speak a word of Greek, but it was not a problem. Everyone we talked to spoke English. They're wonderful people, great food, and very helpful.

We did not buy one excursion through the cruise line, choosing instead to do our own thing. For example, in Piraeus, which is the port for Athens, we met another couple as we were waiting for a taxi, and decided to share one. We negotiated a rate, where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do, and when we would return to the ship. It was a great way to see all the sites without the crowds and at our own pace, plus saving a great deal of money. It's a big city, but the archeological sites are amazing! The parthenon is not an easy climb for those with limited mobility.

Santorini was our favorite. You do have to get off the ship early so you don't have to wait too long in line for the gondola to the top. We chose to ride the burros up and that was a hoot! It's a beautiful place and we would love to go back there sometime to spend several days.

But all the ports were great. If you like shopping, they all had something for everyone. If you like food, we found some awesome local restaurants. And if you like exploring, there are some magnificent places to see.

A Greek Island cruise has been high on our Bucket List for many years and we couldn't wait to do it. It did not let us down.

But don't worry about the language or the money - it was never a problem.

Pete

We did a combination land (Athens)/cruise trip to the Greek Isles. We went to Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos and Kusadasi Turkey. My favorite of the Greek Isles I visited was Rhodes. Wish we would have had more time there and I'd love to go back one day!

Since they say "a picture is worth a thousand words" here are few

We loved Greece! I can read the alphabet, but once I have done that, I have no idea what I just read unless it is a place name. However, most of the places we went had people who spoke some English, and signs and menus are all available in English.

Tourism is BIG business in Greece, and they know that their language is difficult, so they learn to speak English, French, Italian, Russian, and anything else that will help them do business.

I used Matt Barrett's website to help me decide what we should do, and all his recommendations were excellent. That website is here: A Greece Travel Guide: Matt Barrett's Guide to the Greek Islands, Athens and Mainland Greece

We were there for 3 days - our cruise started in Athens - so our needs were a little different than yours. However, we opted to get a driver/guide, and I wrote to the man this site recommended. He was already booked - as it turned out with someone else from Houston - and he suggested his friend Mike. If you want, I will get you Mike's info - he was superb!

As already mentioned here, the port for Athens is Piraeus. One of my co-workers is in his 20s or 30s and had told me the nightlife there is great. I didn't check it out, but that gives you an inkling that it is not far from Athens. You can take a commuter train from there into Athens, but if you only have one day, you are probably better off with a guide or a taxi.

If you do nothing else in Athens, go to the new Acropolis museum. theacropolismuseum.gr
If for some reason it comes up in Greek, look on the upper right hand corner for a place to change the language. This is one of the best designed museums in the world, imo.

I know you can eat on the ship, but don't be afraid to eat while ashore. Right after tourism, restaurants are big business too, and I don't believe there is a bad one.

We had one day in Rhodes on our cruise, and once again, everything was easy. We did that day on foot and on our own, since the harbor is right next to the main town.

Anyway, I think you will have no problems in Greece, no matter where you dock!

Meow, MC! I put both links on my favorites list for future reference. Hopefully they have all the information I need to be convinced Greece is a good place to visit. I really have nothing against Greece, just never had any interest in the country because I don't know very much about it. I guess it is time to shake off the idea that just because I never planned to go to a certain place, I should try to avoid it.

Andrea, MC is a great one for detail! If you have any questions, just ask her.

I have to admit that we love history, and Greece has lots of it. But it has great shopping and great food as well. If you are travelling with someone who loves sports, there is the town of Olympus, but if you only go to Athens, there is the stadium where the modern Olympics started, also the site of the Panathenian games in ancient times.