I hope this helps you! I haven%26#39;t been frequenting the Greek boards lately, for obvious reasons, though I found their local experts to be very helpful.
REVIEWS/IMPRESSIONS:
In general, July was not a good time to go to Greece (we were hemmed in by my husband%26#39;s conference). Prices were at their peak, tourist crowds were thick, and there was very little opportunity to soak up true Greek culture (as in meeting locals). However, the heat did not bother us, as there is almost always a breeze, and the beauty of the islands, particularly Santorini, is incredible. By the way, Greece is no longer the great deal it used to be, at least when %26amp; where we went!
ATHENS:
- Plaka Hotel. Loved our room with a view (6th floor) and the rooftop bar. Fantastic view was worth the stay. Rooms were simple but clean, and I found the staff perfectly friendly. Elevator was tiny. Breakfast was fine and in a pleasant room overlooking the street. Location was great. Good value.
CRETE:
We went to Rethimno, because that%26#39;s where my husband%26#39;s conference was. Hania was interesting and charming but much bigger than Rethimno. Knossos was disappointing, as it is almost entirely reconstructed (i.e. guesses as to what it looked like). The museum in town is worth going to though.
Rethimno
- Theartemis Palace. We stayed there, because my husband%26#39;s conference was there. Run down and dated. Not great value, though our room was nice (303 - had an ocean view, but we probably got an upgrade because of the baby). We were in the main building, so I can%26#39;t comment on the annex (rooms may be newer but it%26#39;s not as convenient). The pool was lovely, and breakfast was included and pretty good (really friendly staff here in the restaurant). Front desk staff just ok. Weird, loud live music on weekend nights until midnight. Close to the town beaches (though those are overpriced and sort of dirty), but about a mile/mile and a half to old town - which was a nice walk along the beach sidewalk, but old town would be far better to stay in.
- Mythos Suites, where my sister stayed, was more central (great location), had a lovely garden, nice rooms, and a good breakfast with fresh-squeezed orange juice. Eleni is wonderful - the night staff (man) is not.
Rethimno restaurants
- Soukaki: simple but very good food, nice family-run service and very pleasant atmosphere. Recommended!
- Avli: great atmosphere, ok service, food inconsistent (great pork with prune sauce).
To Pigadi: lovely atmosphere, great appetizers (vine leaves and fried eggplant) but mediocre main dishes, bad service.
Alana: the best of the bunch, GREAT service (Alexis was the waiter), lovely atmosphere, good wine, great appetizers (mixed cooked greens and vine leaves), good main dishes (though not amazing).
Hari%26#39;s: great coffee, friendly staff, yummy food (crepes), nice location (soccer jerseys and Greek products nearby).
Rethimno activities: old town nice, rent car to go to beaches near Georgeopoulos (10km away). Nice beaches, not crowded, clean, affordable to rent umbrellas and chairs (3 of us for 7.15 euros).
SANTORINI:
Definitely stay in Oia!
- Volcano%26#39;s Villas. A bit of a walk to the main part of town, but we enjoyed the exercise, and of course, the walk was gorgeous (looking over the caldera). Very reasonable compared to the %26quot;in town%26quot; places, and the guests were incredibly friendly. Large, comfortable rooms, each with their own terrace and mini-kitchen. Incredible views. The small village across the street, Finikia, is very charming to wander through and is %26quot;original%26quot; (that is, not destroyed during the earthquake). Very family friendly - many of the guests were returning families from England, Canada, Denmark, etc. - and honeymooners were also there.
- If you want to stay more centrally in Oia, I recommend Esperas, which looked gorgeous and prices seemed reasonable, compared to some of the other, similar establishments. We talked to a very happy honeymooning couple who was staying there.
- We splurged on a dinner at Selene in Fira, known as one of the best restaurants in Greece. It was indeed lovely and good food, but I%26#39;m not sure it was worth it - good food and amazing views are in many places on the island.
- A must-do is to do the long walk down at the end of Oia to Amoudi, where there are several great seafood restaurants at the water%26#39;s edge.
- Our favorite restaurant on the whole island was the Restaurant Finikia, part of the Hotel Finikia, just before the town of Oia. You%26#39;d never guess it, but the food was out of this world and beautifully presented, with a view to the other side of the island (not the caldera but beautiful nonetheless). We went back a couple of times and still dream about that place.
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Islatch,
Wow thanks for your post ! But you know, I have been there last summer (and I really loved it, specially Santorini). I stayed in a great hotel in Imerovigli, the Imerovigli Palace. We have also been to Selene, and I totally agree with you : good food but not worth the price !
I really appreciate your post though ! That%26#39;s very kind of you.
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Ah, ok... well, it was good for me to get my notes into shape anyway ; ) ... talk about procrastination!
If you return, eating at the Restaurant Finikia (on the right hand side of the road about 2 kms? before Oia is really a treat and FAR, FAR cheaper than Selene. I don%26#39;t know why the cook is there and not %26quot;discovered%26quot; - I almost felt like his gorgeous presentation was wasted on our casual lunch! (not really, but you know what I mean).
Anyway, have a great trip!
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