SWMBO And I are heading to the Aegean Sea this fall, or is that the Ionian Sea?
I have researched, online, the library, and the bookstore, in depth and have a pretty good itinerary for our three days on each island but I would like to hear form anyone who may have already been there and have some other good ideas!
We are not vacation shoppers, and we enjoy walking/hiking, and history.
I am planning a visit to the various sites at Santorini, such as The ancient Thira site above Kamari, and Akrotiri, the other open air museum/arch dig.
On Mykonos we will be visiting Delos, (birth place of Apollo) but other than party at night and drinking I am having trouble finding other fun activities on Mykonos.
We are not late night partiers so I am unsure how to handle Mykonos! Although I hear that the white wines are vey good 🙂 I am practicing with Ouzo but that's a hard taste to learn to enjoy. I prefer whiskey!
Thanks for any ideas.
Oh, I am renting a car for one day in Santorini and on day is taken up with the Caldera Cruise/tour.
Dtp
When one travels to a foreign country such as the one that you're about to embark to, you have to be really careful of pickpocketers and such. Now if you just send your wallet to me, I'll gladly guard it for you....:-D
Beware of Rowkey (sp)....it's their version of "Moonshine"....
Some of the restaurants will give you a tumbler full as you review the menu; it's actually good stuff.
If you don't speak Greek......bring an old Calculus book...everything looks like math equations...
Also, don't look so obviously AMERICAN.
Leave your Boston Red Sox hat home; no born in the USA tee-shirts.
Also, you'll need an adapter for going from 110ac to 220ac. It's a simple plug that has the correct prongs for 220, but also has the 110 outlet style so you can plug in your cell phone or laptop for recharging.
Most newer laptops and cell phones can detect the change to 220; but items like hair dryers, electric razors, portable DVD players can not be used overseas; unless you get a "converter". Those aren't too expensive, so you may want to get one before you leave.
Also, if you plan on using your Debit or Credit card over there, call the bank prior to leaving to let them know you may be using it in Greece. If you don't call first, and they see activity on the card, they'll shut it off (thinking it's been stolen)
I'm still in the Air Force Reserves and travel oversea a lot; it's awesome....
Hope you have a great time.
Hey, that is all Greek to me. too obvious, lol
I am the kind of traveler that carries my own toilet paper and soap and stuff and buys local clothes.
Download a few of the translation apps
Google Translate
RightNow Translate
Word Lens
Notify your cell phone carrier about overseas usage.
Check out a few early James Bond movies, they were on location in many of those places.
Enjoy
B-)
Friends of mine just returned from Greece.
Don't worry too much about looking American.
Just make sure you don't look Russian or German.
Lawrence Durrell wrote a very good 'travel book called the Greek Isles besides the novels (Alexandria Quartet etc.. it was his adopted homeland.
>Also, don't look so obviously AMERICAN.
I know a guy from the midwest USA who figures he can't look like a local when he travels abroad so he pins a Canadian flag on his clothes. It's probably safer.
I myself would be ashamed to venture anywhere that I don't speak their language. How humiliating to ask everybody else to speak English because of my ignorance. It seems that most other places in the world any educated person speaks several languages.
> I know a guy from the midwest USA who figures he can't look like a local when he travels abroad so he pins a Canadian flag on his clothes. It's probably safer.
I've felt more threatened in Washington DC than in Algiers or Istanbul
> I myself would be ashamed to venture anywhere that I don't speak their language. How humiliating to ask everybody else to speak English because of my ignorance. It seems that most other places in the world any educated person speaks several languages.
My experience is that most people jump at the opportunity to try their english out on a native speaker...except, of course, in France.
Russians
A friend of mine just got back from a memory lane trip to Crete. In the 1970s he was stationed at Iraklion Air Station. He was dumbstruck by the number of Russian tourist on the island. 40 years ago he was easedropping on their radio traffic. Last month he was drinking ouzo with them in the bars.
Uh, thanks for the hints. I guess that n o one has been or has been and doesn't have any local interesting places to see.
I have traveled overseas previously and I am aware of the hazards, the credit card notification etc. I was just hoping that someone would have something interesting to share.
I will, once I return!!
And thank you for the author, I will be checking that book out, was that Robert Hill that made that recommendation?
Dtp
yes, let me see if I still have it in my library and I will send it to you.
It is a travel book but Durrell blends the history and myth of Greece.
Tim Severin
I have recommended this author's books through the years here.
The Jason Voyage is my favorite book of his writings. As a sailor, you should really get into it.
The best thing to do is to NOT preplan too much.
Hitting the Greek Isles to see the sights will lead you to all of the tourist traps. Hit the smaller villages, or stroll out on the beaches and hob-nob with the locals.
Ask the local fishermen about what they catch. They may offer to take you out with them.
The people and their history and customs is what it's really about. Treated with dignity and respect, these guys will really warm up to you. The Greeks are very hospitable folks if you respect them. AND talking to them is the best way to learn their history.
That is the way I like to travel, too. I like to hang at the local spots, eat with the locals. This how I get the pulse of the places I visit. Typically there are a few "must see" sites.
As for Santorini I have found a neat hike that goes the back way to ancient Thera. Much better sounding than the road!
Dtp
Definitely beware of pickpockets. My daughter had her cell phone stolen out of her purse while it was on her lap on the Metro in Rome last fall. Seems impossible to me but others I know who have been there say its possible.
