Greece Trip Booked-Some Questions

[sayhello]

I am considering a pair of Teva shoes that are good for walking, but can get wet (like for kayaking), but then dry quickly and can be worn all day. Any thoughts on whether a shoe like this would work? An acquaintance used them heavily in the middle east for rafting, water hikes, etc. and seemed to like them.

I have a pair of Keens that I use in that same way. I like them because they are very comfortable, and have an enclosed toe.

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[WeLoveABD]

Thanks. So I guess that's part of why the post-night costs more than the pre-night? Because it includes an extra couple of transfers? I guess that makes sense. That's great about traveling with the guides. What time was your flight on Crete?

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My notes indicate there were two hotel shuttle departure times --4 am and 6 am (we were on the 6 am shuttle to the airport), with a few staying an extra night or two in Crete. I believe our Crete flight wasn't until 10 or 11, for a short flight to Athens.

 

[sayhello]

My notes indicate there were two hotel shuttle departure times --4 am and 6 am (we were on the 6 am shuttle to the airport), with a few staying an extra night or two in Crete. I believe our Crete flight wasn't until 10 or 11, for a short flight to Athens.

4am or 6am?!??!!!! Are they insane???? That's positively inhuman!

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[tufbuf]

4am or 6am?!??!!!! Are they insane???? That's positively inhuman!

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Yup, I remember getting up at 3 am to catch our shuttle. The airport is far from the hotel, about an hour or a little over without traffic. Aegean Air is also very finicky about luggage weight, just an FYI.

 

[sayhello]

OK, so it's really officially official now. I just bought my airline tickets! I bought them through ABD, because they were able to include the Aegean leg as a part of the whole ticket, which I could not do myself. So NoraG, it looks like we'll be on the same flight from Philly to Athens! The only bummer was, the only seats left (besides 2 seats in the VERY BACK CORNER of the plane) were "Preferred Seats", so I had to pay an extra $50 to get an assigned seat. If there was actually anything better about these seats (like extra leg room) it would be worth it, but I guess it's better than 10 hours in the back of the plane!

I'm only doing one post-night, though, in Athens.

Looking forward to getting to know you, NoraG!

Now I have to start thinking about what I'm going to do with my pre- and post-days.

Plus, I've been reading the book on Greek Myths that ABD sent to Insiders when they introduced this trip. Good heavens, it's complicated! I'll probably forget 75% of it, but at least it will be familiar to me!

Three and a half months!!!!

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

OK, so it's really officially official now. I just bought my airline tickets! I bought them through ABD, because they were able to include the Aegean leg as a part of the whole ticket, which I could not do myself. So NoraG, it looks like we'll be on the same flight from Philly to Athens! The only bummer was, the only seats left (besides 2 seats in the VERY BACK CORNER of the plane) were "Preferred Seats", so I had to pay an extra $50 to get an assigned seat. If there was actually anything better about these seats (like extra leg room) it would be worth it, but I guess it's better than 10 hours in the back of the plane!

I'm only doing one post-night, though, in Athens.

Looking forward to getting to know you, NoraG!

Now I have to start thinking about what I'm going to do with my pre- and post-days.

Plus, I've been reading the book on Greek Myths that ABD sent to Insiders when they introduced this trip. Good heavens, it's complicated! I'll probably forget 75% of it, but at least it will be familiar to me!

Three and a half months!!!!

Sayhello

The "Top10" Athens book was invaluable (and I went through a lot of tour books before concluding that and it proved true on the trip)

 

[sayhello]

The "Top10" Athens book was invaluable (and I went through a lot of tour books before concluding that and it proved true on the trip)

Is this the one you're talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/Top-Athens-EYEWITNESS-TRAVEL-GUIDE/dp/0756684625

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

Is this the one you're talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/Top-Athens-EYEWITNESS-TRAVEL-GUIDE/dp/0756684625

Thanks!
Sayhello

That's the one-also has info about Delphi

 

[sayhello]

That's the one-also has info about Delphi

Cool! My Barnes & Noble has this, so I'll go get it as soon as the snow goes away!

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[abdgeek]

"I am considering a pair of Teva shoes that are good for walking, but can get wet (like for kayaking), but then dry quickly and can be worn all day. Any thoughts on whether a shoe like this would work? An acquaintance used them heavily in the middle east for rafting, water hikes, etc. and seemed to like them."

Hi NoraG,

I bought Keen's(similar to Teva's) for the Greece trip and I was glad I did. I wore them everywhere I didn't have to wear sneakers. I also wore them when we kayaked, swam in the Agean and Mediterranean seas and when we hiked the volcano. As a PP said, you will get lots of dirt and pebbles in your shoes when you hike the volcano. Either wear socks with your Keen's(that's what Landon our ABD guide did) or wear sneakers. The beaches in Greece have rocks. You can always go barefoot, but they advise that you wear some sort of water shoe when you swim so that you don't cut your feet. Some people did, some didn't. At the hot springs, you either have to tread water or stand on slippery rocks as you're walking. The same thing with Kamari beach; enter and exit from the water is challenging because of the slippery rocks you're walking on.

 

[NoraG]

OK, so it's really officially official now. I just bought my airline tickets! I bought them through ABD, because they were able to include the Aegean leg as a part of the whole ticket, which I could not do myself. So NoraG, it looks like we'll be on the same flight from Philly to Athens! The only bummer was, the only seats left (besides 2 seats in the VERY BACK CORNER of the plane) were "Preferred Seats", so I had to pay an extra $50 to get an assigned seat. If there was actually anything better about these seats (like extra leg room) it would be worth it, but I guess it's better than 10 hours in the back of the plane!

I'm only doing one post-night, though, in Athens.

Looking forward to getting to know you, NoraG!

Now I have to start thinking about what I'm going to do with my pre- and post-days.

Plus, I've been reading the book on Greek Myths that ABD sent to Insiders when they introduced this trip. Good heavens, it's complicated! I'll probably forget 75% of it, but at least it will be familiar to me!

Three and a half months!!!!

Sayhello

Sayhello,

We decided to pay for seats as well rather than sit in the back of the plane. It was painful, but we concluded that it would be worth it.

We are also trying to figure out what to do with our pre and post days. We've picked up some books on Greece and are excited to start planning! It's a bit overwhelming though-and we're only trying to plan four days. I'm so glad I don't have to plan the whole trip!

What is the title of the book ABD sent? I'd like to review the Greek myths, but had trouble picking a book. I'd love to know what they recommend.

Abdgeek-I think I've settled on some Teva's. I like Keen's, but have a wide toebox and always have trouble getting a good fit, unfortunately. Glad to know that I'd get a lot of use out them. I wished I had them when I was in the Middle East, as I did a lot of water hiking and they would have been very useful then. I'll probably go with sneakers for the volcano. I'm not sure how comfortable the Teva's would be with socks, but it's good to have an alternative in case I decide sneakers aren't a good option.

 

[sayhello]

Sayhello,

We decided to pay for seats as well rather than sit in the back of the plane. It was painful, but we concluded that it would be worth it.

Did you pay for seats on the return trip as well? I was actually able to get a seat right behind the "Preferred Seats", so I should be good with that. But I'm leaving the day before you.

We are also trying to figure out what to do with our pre and post days. We've picked up some books on Greece and are excited to start planning! It's a bit overwhelming though-and we're only trying to plan four days. I'm so glad I don't have to plan the whole trip!

I know. That's so one of the reasons I love doing ABD's. It really is overwhelming, and I've always enjoyed the choices ABD made.

What is the title of the book ABD sent? I'd like to review the Greek myths, but had trouble picking a book. I'd love to know what they recommend.

I'll get you the title when I get home this evening. It's a nice, illustrated book. It's pretty good at explaining the relationships, but man, there are a billion of them!

Oh! And I was just checking out the flights I booked, and the ticket I have has gone up over $300! You can still get tickets for cheaper, but they are multi-stop itineraries. I'm glad I booked when I did!

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

What is the title of the book ABD sent? I'd like to review the Greek myths, but had trouble picking a book. I'd love to know what they recommend.

NoraG, the book ABD sent was "D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths" by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'aulaire.

http://www.amazon.com/DAulaires-Gre...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360728711&sr=1-1

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[sayhello]

Hi NoraG! I can give you a few suggestions on what to do in Athens. 2.5 days is plenty. You can check out the National Archeological Museum, download Rick Steve's app and follow it as you walk along. You can go to the Lycabettus Hill, which is the highest point in Athens and appreciate the view. If you are up to it, you can climb the stairs or take the teleferik (funicular) to the top. You can also do day trips to Corinth, which we did. The guide though highly recommended Cape Sunion, but we did not have time. I'm not sure if there are day trips to the Peloponnese but that would be a great place to see as well.

tufbuf, I had a couple of questions. First, did you like your day trip to Corinth? What company did you go with? That sounds like something I'd like to do on one of my pre-days.

Also, what did you mean by "Rick Steve's app"? Does he have an actual smart phone app that has a narration for the National Archeological Museum, or is it more of a podcast? Thanks!

Thanks for all the info abdgeek and tufbuf. Those intineraries help me get an idea of what we'll be able to accomplish. Any further info on the trip to Corinth would be appreciated. It looks like we'll be able to do everything we want and more! As the dates get closer, I'll start pulling out the travel books and maps and make a tentative intinerary. Work has been crazy, so when I have more than one day off per week, I'll work on it. Your help has been fantastic. Feel free to keep the tips coming!

NoraG, do you think you'll be doing the day trip to Corinth? It would be nice to coordinate that with you guys (if you don't mind) if you do it. Or at least meet up for some of the pre-day touring!

So, I've had a crazy few weeks (had a sensitive tooth that ended up being cracked and getting extracted! Just glad it happened well in advance of the trip! I'm still going to have some issues chewing at that point. But it could have been much worse timing-wise!) At least it's a molar, so I can still smile for those photos!

But I feel horrifically unprepared. On top of the tooth thing, I have a business trip next week, so I've been worrying about packing for that (it's Phoenix, which is totally different weather from what we're having here!) It's times like this that I am *SERIOUSLY* glad I'm doing an ABD rather than planning this myself, because the only planning I'm responsible for is packing, getting euros and an adapter, and stuff to do for my pre- and post-days. And I'm thoroughly certain that if I don't get that last one done, the ABD Guides will totally help me with that, too!

I'm re-reading last year's Reports, and hopefully will have more questions soon!

Sayhello

 

[NoraG]

tufbuf, I had a couple of questions. First, did you like your day trip to Corinth? What company did you go with? That sounds like something I'd like to do on one of my pre-days.

Also, what did you mean by "Rick Steve's app"? Does he have an actual smart phone app that has a narration for the National Archeological Museum, or is it more of a podcast? Thanks!

NoraG, do you think you'll be doing the day trip to Corinth? It would be nice to coordinate that with you guys (if you don't mind) if you do it. Or at least meet up for some of the pre-day touring!

So, I've had a crazy few weeks (had a sensitive tooth that ended up being cracked and getting extracted! Just glad it happened well in advance of the trip! I'm still going to have some issues chewing at that point. But it could have been much worse timing-wise!) At least it's a molar, so I can still smile for those photos!

But I feel horrifically unprepared. On top of the tooth thing, I have a business trip next week, so I've been worrying about packing for that (it's Phoenix, which is totally different weather from what we're having here!) It's times like this that I am *SERIOUSLY* glad I'm doing an ABD rather than planning this myself, because the only planning I'm responsible for is packing, getting euros and an adapter, and stuff to do for my pre- and post-days. And I'm thoroughly certain that if I don't get that last one done, the ABD Guides will totally help me with that, too!

I'm re-reading last year's Reports, and hopefully will have more questions soon!

Sayhello

Sayhello,

I sent you a PM regarding coordinating

So sorry that things have been stressful. When deciding what to do on our pre and post days, I was very thankful that I wasn't planning this entire trip! Planning 4 days is hard enough!

 

[abbyjt]

Rick Steves has a free app for Europe. Then you download individual walking tours, also free. We used one in the National museum in Athens. We each downloaded the same one and tried to stay in the same spot in the narration. It was really great.

We used them in Italy too.
It's called Rick Steves audio Europe

 

[sayhello]

Sayhello,

I sent you a PM regarding coordinating

So sorry that things have been stressful. When deciding what to do on our pre and post days, I was very thankful that I wasn't planning this entire trip! Planning 4 days is hard enough!

PM'd you back. Cool!

Rick Steves has a free app for Europe. Then you download individual walking tours, also free. We used one in the National museum in Athens. We each downloaded the same one and tried to stay in the same spot in the narration. It was really great.

We used them in Italy too.
It's called Rick Steves audio Europe

Thanks, abbyjt. Found it!

Sayhello

 

[tufbuf]

Hi sayhello! Sorry for the late response. Just getting back from a cruise. yes, the half- day trip to Corinth was nice. It was enough to keep us busy the day ABD started. It was not too hectic and there were interesting sights to see. I booked through Viator.

I was going to say abbyjt used the app and she can best answer your question...which she did!

The ABD book is a perfect book to get to know a few of Greek myths and I highly recommend reading before going. There are thousands of Greek gods and the names alone will get you lost on the story line.

 

[cukal6]

I have used Travel Guard for insurance in the past. You might also want to check with your credit card company to see what type of travel insurance they offer. I know that ours offers some great insurance when it comes to air.

 

[sayhello]

Five weeks from today, heading to Greece!

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