Recommendations for Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, & Rhodes

[TLCOhio]

Recommendations for Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, & Rhodes? My fiance and I are sailing on an Italy and Greek Isles cruise next summer for our honeymoon. The ship departs from Rome, and we will spend one day in each of the ports above. Neither of us has ever been to Greece, so we only have the recommendations of others to go on. What are things we should know about each port? Where should we take formal excursions and where should we opt to do our own thing? What are the sites we MUST see in each place. Since Santorini and Mykonos are tender ports, should we do ship excursions here to get off the boat faster? Any advice to guide our research is appreciated. Thanks.

 

zoncom: "The Greek Islands"' date=' an Eyewitness Guide. Good info plus photos and maps. [/quote']

 

While we have not yet been to Santorini or Rhodes, I can offer lots of ideas to consider for historic Athens and charming Mykonos. Congratulations with your upcoming wedding. YES, the Eyewitness books can be excellent for visualize your many options in these areas. The Insight books also have lots of good visuals. As noted, much depends on how many other ships will be in port when you are there, how large are those ships, etc.

 

Below are more of my detailed notes and visuals for Athens. Check out this posting with many ideas, tips and exciting visuals for our visiting there and nearby. There have been over 11,163 views on this posting. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

 

For those who have not yet visited Greece and Athens, the good news is that the wonderful Plaka is right handy and next door to the famed Acropolis area. That makes things so much easier. On going up the hill, be careful as the stone steps can be slick in areas. And you will be looking up and forgetting to watch where and how you are stepping. It's well worth the effort getting there to the top. It is amazing history and architecture!! Also, we had a private guide to help us on this spectacular site. It's not cheap, but it was well worth it to know more on what you are seeing and why it is so important. Below are a few of my visual sample to get people excited about their upcoming visit and/or re-live those wonderful memories from this historic city.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 202,996 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474[/b

 

 

Enjoying a bright, sunny day in front of the famed Parthenon in Athens. Dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, considered by the people of Athens as their virgin patron, its construction began in 447 BC. That is when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC. Called the most important surviving building of classical Greece, the Parthenon was the culmination of Doric order development. Its decorative sculptures are rated as some of the high points of Greek art.:

 

 

 

This is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus outdoor stone theatre structure located on the south slope of the Acropolis in Athens. It was built in 161 AD by the Athenian power Herodes Atticus. It was originally a steep-sloped amphitheater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive, cedar of Lebanon timber. We saw an opera here during our three-day visit to Athens before starting our cruise. It is also used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000.:

 

 

 

Outdoor dining in the Plaka in the heart of Athens’ historic area. Lots of music and fun, shopping, music, plus good food. Don't miss this part of Athens!! The Plaka is clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. It is a labyrinthine of streets and neoclassical architecture. The Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many nearby archaeological sites.:

 

 

 

This harbor view in Mykonos shows one of the charming windmills. From as early as the 16th century, these are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos. The island is 33 square miles in size and has a population of 9,300, mostly in its main village.:

 

 

 

Here’s a sampling of the narrow, flowered street in Mykonos in the Greek Isles with its many shops. The streets were made so narrow in order to fend off pirate attackers. It is an island with lots of history and legend dating back thousands of years, including connections to ancient Greek mythology. Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. As Delos developed as a sacred center, Mykonos was under the influences of the different people, including Phoenicians, Macedonians and Athenians. With the rise of Alexander the Great, the fate of Mykonos became a commercial center for agriculture and maritime trade. Mykonos flourished with enormous wealth during Roman occupation during the reign of Augustus Caesar. During the Middle Ages, Mykonos fell under the Venetians and later were victimized by the Saracens and latter the Turks. Starting in the 1950’s, its unique architecture, seclusion and hospitality have made it a haven for the rich and famous.:

 

 

 

On the opposite side of the Mykonos village on the island, here's a sampling of the beachside activities. This includes Agrari, Elia and the long sweeping Kalafatis beach that has become famous to wind surfers. We got a rental car to explore this relatively small island in the afternoon after exploring around in the village in the morning.:

 

[shainky84]

While we have not yet been to Santorini or Rhodes, I can offer lots of ideas to consider for historic Athens and charming Mykonos. Congratulations with your upcoming wedding. YES, the Eyewitness books can be excellent for visualize your many options in these areas. The Insight books also have lots of good visuals. As noted, much depends on how many other ships will be in port when you are there, how large are those ships, etc.

 

Below are more of my detailed notes and visuals for Athens. Check out this posting with many ideas, tips and exciting visuals for our visiting there and nearby. There have been over 11,163 views on this posting. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

 

For those who have not yet visited Greece and Athens, the good news is that the wonderful Plaka is right handy and next door to the famed Acropolis area. That makes things so much easier. On going up the hill, be careful as the stone steps can be slick in areas. And you will be looking up and forgetting to watch where and how you are stepping. It's well worth the effort getting there to the top. It is amazing history and architecture!! Also, we had a private guide to help us on this spectacular site. It's not cheap, but it was well worth it to know more on what you are seeing and why it is so important. Below are a few of my visual sample to get people excited about their upcoming visit and/or re-live those wonderful memories from this historic city.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 202,996 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474[/b

 

 

Enjoying a bright, sunny day in front of the famed Parthenon in Athens. Dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, considered by the people of Athens as their virgin patron, its construction began in 447 BC. That is when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC. Called the most important surviving building of classical Greece, the Parthenon was the culmination of Doric order development. Its decorative sculptures are rated as some of the high points of Greek art.:

 

 

 

This is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus outdoor stone theatre structure located on the south slope of the Acropolis in Athens. It was built in 161 AD by the Athenian power Herodes Atticus. It was originally a steep-sloped amphitheater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive, cedar of Lebanon timber. We saw an opera here during our three-day visit to Athens before starting our cruise. It is also used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000.:

 

 

 

Outdoor dining in the Plaka in the heart of Athens’ historic area. Lots of music and fun, shopping, music, plus good food. Don't miss this part of Athens!! The Plaka is clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis. It is a labyrinthine of streets and neoclassical architecture. The Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many nearby archaeological sites.:

 

 

 

This harbor view in Mykonos shows one of the charming windmills. From as early as the 16th century, these are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos. The island is 33 square miles in size and has a population of 9,300, mostly in its main village.:

 

 

 

Here’s a sampling of the narrow, flowered street in Mykonos in the Greek Isles with its many shops. The streets were made so narrow in order to fend off pirate attackers. It is an island with lots of history and legend dating back thousands of years, including connections to ancient Greek mythology. Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. As Delos developed as a sacred center, Mykonos was under the influences of the different people, including Phoenicians, Macedonians and Athenians. With the rise of Alexander the Great, the fate of Mykonos became a commercial center for agriculture and maritime trade. Mykonos flourished with enormous wealth during Roman occupation during the reign of Augustus Caesar. During the Middle Ages, Mykonos fell under the Venetians and later were victimized by the Saracens and latter the Turks. Starting in the 1950’s, its unique architecture, seclusion and hospitality have made it a haven for the rich and famous.:

 

 

 

On the opposite side of the Mykonos village on the island, here's a sampling of the beachside activities. This includes Agrari, Elia and the long sweeping Kalafatis beach that has become famous to wind surfers. We got a rental car to explore this relatively small island in the afternoon after exploring around in the village in the morning.:

 

Wow, these notes are incredible. Thanks so much for sharing the notes. They are very helpful in our planning.

[TLCOhio]

Wow, these notes are incredible. Thanks so much for sharing the notes. They are very helpful in our planning.

 

Appreciate the nice follow-ups and comments from Barry. Happy to share more and answer any added questions. To make sure I catch any added info needs, you might post on the below live/blog thread and I can follow-up there.

 

Don't be shy!! The only "dumb" question is the one you don't ask. Keep researching and planning. It will be very helpful for when you do your actual trip and that experience.

 

Hope you don't mind, but below are a few more visuals and options to consider for these great areas. So much to see and do in these great areas!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 203,160 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

Ladies and generations from a family are departing a church service in main Mykonos on a Sunday morning. It was nice to see the people who live there and not have things too busy from the tourism masses!!:

 

 

 

At the fish docks in Mykonos near many outdoor dining places that overlook the harbor, there are discussions about some of the recent catches being offered to a local resident.:

 

 

 

Here is another visual on the opposite side from the Mykonos village on this scenic island. This picture is from Elia Beach.:

 

 

 

On Athens’ Acropolis hill with our very knowledgeable private guide we lined up at the site, she helped us appreciate all of the history and architectural details there at this famed site going back 700 years before Christ. Having a guide here does involve some added cost, but it made a hugely positive difference for us in understanding so much more about what is up there, why it is important, how these structures were constructed, etc.:

 

 

 

Here is one sampling from Athens’ very historic National Archaeological Museum featuring the world's largest collection of ancient Greek antiquities. We loved this great range of art, its history, evolution to the Roman periods, etc.:

 

 

 

Nearby to our hotel in the Plaka is this cute shop with a wide variety of statutes and other reproductions reflecting the great Greek artistic traditions. My wife is pictured with the shop owners. They were very helpful and had a wide selection of options. We bought a couple of nice items that are in our home daily as a reminder of our wonderful visit to Greece.:

 

[scogor]

We just returned from a great cruise on Celebrity's Reflection that visited both Santorini and Mykonos. We had a wonderful dinner at DaCosta near the funicular on Santorini and spend a very fun and unique six or seven hours on Mykonos doing a bike tour that took us to two beautiful beaches and then having lunch and a wine tasting--it's all through Yummy Pedals-and you should be able to find that online and through TripAdvisor--the reviews speak for themselves.

[scapel]

We just returned from a great cruise on Celebrity's Reflection that visited both Santorini and Mykonos. We had a wonderful dinner at DaCosta near the funicular on Santorini and spend a very fun and unique six or seven hours on Mykonos doing a bike tour that took us to two beautiful beaches and then having lunch and a wine tasting--it's all through Yummy Pedals-and you should be able to find that online and through TripAdvisor--the reviews speak for themselves.

 

Was that near the top or near the water that the restaurant was located

[scogor]

Was that near the top or near the water that the restaurant was located

 

The restaurant is at the top--a bit past the funicular--but well worth the very short walk--great views and great food!

[greathusky]

So I have seen a few posts about visiting beaches via rented cars or ATVs... are there changing rooms at most of the beaches? I was thinking of renting an ATV or moped on Santorini and visiting some beaches but then I thought of the logistics.. do I wear a bathing suit underneath or can we change at the beaches?

[shainky84]

Appreciate the nice follow-ups and comments from Barry. Happy to share more and answer any added questions. To make sure I catch any added info needs, you might post on the below live/blog thread and I can follow-up there.

 

Don't be shy!! The only "dumb" question is the one you don't ask. Keep researching and planning. It will be very helpful for when you do your actual trip and that experience.

 

Hope you don't mind, but below are a few more visuals and options to consider for these great areas. So much to see and do in these great areas!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 203,160 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

Ladies and generations from a family are departing a church service in main Mykonos on a Sunday morning. It was nice to see the people who live there and not have things too busy from the tourism masses!!:

 

 

 

At the fish docks in Mykonos near many outdoor dining places that overlook the harbor, there are discussions about some of the recent catches being offered to a local resident.:

 

 

 

Here is another visual on the opposite side from the Mykonos village on this scenic island. This picture is from Elia Beach.:

 

 

 

On Athens’ Acropolis hill with our very knowledgeable private guide we lined up at the site, she helped us appreciate all of the history and architectural details there at this famed site going back 700 years before Christ. Having a guide here does involve some added cost, but it made a hugely positive difference for us in understanding so much more about what is up there, why it is important, how these structures were constructed, etc.:

 

 

 

Here is one sampling from Athens’ very historic National Archaeological Museum featuring the world's largest collection of ancient Greek antiquities. We loved this great range of art, its history, evolution to the Roman periods, etc.:

 

 

 

Nearby to our hotel in the Plaka is this cute shop with a wide variety of statutes and other reproductions reflecting the great Greek artistic traditions. My wife is pictured with the shop owners. They were very helpful and had a wide selection of options. We bought a couple of nice items that are in our home daily as a reminder of our wonderful visit to Greece.:

 

Wow. All I can say is Wow!

[shainky84]

We just returned from a great cruise on Celebrity's Reflection that visited both Santorini and Mykonos. We had a wonderful dinner at DaCosta near the funicular on Santorini and spend a very fun and unique six or seven hours on Mykonos doing a bike tour that took us to two beautiful beaches and then having lunch and a wine tasting--it's all through Yummy Pedals-and you should be able to find that online and through TripAdvisor--the reviews speak for themselves.

Thanks, scogor, for the suggestion. I will put this on our list of possibilities and look at them a little more in depth....

[shainky84]

The restaurant is at the top--a bit past the funicular--but well worth the very short walk--great views and great food!

Just talking about this is making my mouth water....

[scapel]

http://www.tomsportguides.net/

 

This is the new link for Toms Port Guides. When the page comes up, just scroll all the way down to where the .pdf files are. The shortcut links were not working to bring you there. They are already open.

Dr. Joe