Sept 25 – we fly from Boston to Athens on British Airways BA0212 and BA0640 leaving Boston at 7:10 PM and going through London to get into Athens at 2:30 PM. To get a great rate, book directly on BritishAirways.com. You can also enter your American Airlines number for frequent flier miles.

A good time to get in is anywhere from 9AM to 3PM, and remember, you will be arriving on Sept 26 if you leave on the 25th.

September 26-28 Myself and several others are staying at Athens21 which is now full. Syd and Matt are staying at Belle Epoique Suites nearby which still has rooms on booking.com.

Sept 28th – Many of us are traveling together on Aegean Air flight A3356, leaving Athens at 11:05 AM and arriving in Santorini at 11:50 AM. Make sure you buy the right ticket for the baggage you will have. It is a large plane, so you should be able to carry on if you choose. To get the best rates book on

Sept 28-Oct 3 – Syd, Matt, and several others will stay at the Agali Houses in Firostefani, https://www.agalihouses.gr. It is right on the cliff about 130 steps down from the road. Make your reservations through me or on booking.com. Call the hotel to get baggage assistance ( +30 22860 22811 or +30 22860 24043) when you get there.

Many from Matt’s family will stay at Tamarix Del Mar Suites in Kamari https://santorini-luxury-hotels.com which is very high-rated and close to the airport.

Sept 30 Event – You are all invited to go on a We will all have the opportunity to join us on a private 74 foot catamaran for a 5-hour cruise with stops for relaxing or swimming. Pickup in Kamari is at 8:30AM and pickup in Firostefani Square is at 8:40.

Oct 1 Event – Wedding Day, wedding Santo Wines followed by a reception at Pyrgos Restaurant.

Oct 2-4 This is when many are leaving Santorini for several various destinations, from other Greek islands via ferry like Paros, Milos, Mykonos, or Naxos. Others are heading home either directly or through Atens.

Several groups are spending their last night near the airport to ensure they can get to their international flight from Athens. Most are staying in Vravrona at the Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera https://www.dolceatticariviera.com, you should look at https://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/dolce-attica-riviera.html for the best rates. I recommend getting a rate that includes breakfast, it is incredible.

If you get there early enough, there is also an incredible seafood restaurant called Taverna Artemis that you can walk to in about 6 minutes.

The post Our Itinerary appeared first on Sydney and Matthew.

While looking at the hotels below please note the following

I chose mostly 4 **** and 5 ***** hotels which are almost always great. The stars correlate to the services they offer. Many times you can also find a great 3 star hotel that may not have all the conveniences of a 4 star, but could be nicer. In the recommendations below I also include the Google Rating (GR) which is a guide to how happy the people who stayed there were.

To get the best rates use https://www.google.com/travel/. If the best rate is the hotel itself, book through them. Otherwise, Booking.com and Expedia are great options.

Athens Hotels

In Athens, I would recommend staying in the Acropolis area since all the great sights are there along with many places to eat. I would also stay close to the main road as shown above by the blue area. Keep in mind that many hotels in Athens have very small rooms, but offer great access to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Two must sees in the city.

Suggested hotels in Athens

Coming soon, don’t worry, these don’t usually fill up

The post Where should I stay in Athens? appeared first on Sydney and Matthew.

If you do not have a passport valid through October 2024, it is now time to renew or apply for your passport. The expiration date needs to be after you get back to the US. It currently takes 6-8 weeks for standard requests and 2-3 weeks for expedited. Passports cost $130 and if you need to expedite, that is an additional $60. You can also pay an additional $20 to get expedited shipping which will speed things up even more.

Everything you need starts at this webpage https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

If you are applying for a new passport, you will need to fill out the forms and bring the appropriate proof of citizenship to a passport acceptance facility which includes many post offices, town halls and some libraries. To find your nearest location look here: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov

If you just need to renew, this can be done by mail, just fill out the forms and send them in with your old passport and some new passport photos. They will send your old passport back with the new one.

All applications require a passport photo, this is a specially-sized photo that is done in duplicate. You can get these photos at any CVS with a photo counter or AAA.

The post Step 1 – Passports Please appeared first on Sydney and Matthew.

Keep in mind that you will not be able to use anything high-power like a blow dryer or a curling iron unless it is made for Europe. The alternative option for curling irons is to get one that charges using a USB connection. There are plenty on Amazon, just search for cordless curling irons. As for blow dryers, most hotels have them.

Greece has both type C and type F outlets, the adapters you will need look like the ones below. There are tons on Amazon, but make sure you pick at least one up before the trip.

Type C, F and G
VINTAR International Plug Adapter $25

This set will cover all of Europe and has a standard US outlet with one USB outlet, two USBC outlets, and two US-style outlets delivering 230 volts.

https://www.amazon.com/European-VINTAR-International-American-Attachments/dp/B0BRSQR7Y6

Type C,E and F
2 Pack European Travel Adapter Plug for European Outlets $8

This basic set will cover all of Greece, just keep in mind that you can only plug in 1 device into each.

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-European-Travel-Adapter-Outlets/dp/B071GC3G9G

Power Banks
It is wise to bring along a couple of fully charged power banks. I try to bring one that I can carry during the day in case my phone dies, especially since I rely on Google Maps to get around and you may need your phone to show pre-bought virtual tickets.

The post Do I need Power Adapters? appeared first on Sydney and Matthew.

• Leave the US on Thursday, September 25th for Athens (you will arrive on the morning of September 26th).
• Spend 2 nights in Athens
• Leave for Santorini on September 28
• Spend 4 nights in Santorini. Check in on September 28 and Check out on October 2 to return to Athens or to move on to your next Greek island.

The post When should I be there? appeared first on Sydney and Matthew.

While looking at the hotels below please note the following

I chose mostly 4 **** and 5 ***** hotels which are almost always great. The stars correlate to the services they offer. Many times you can also find a great 3 star hotel that may not have all the conveniences of a 4 star, but could be nicer. In the recommendations below I also include the Google Rating (GR) which is a guide to how happy the people who stayed there were.

To get the best rates use https://www.google.com/travel/. If the best rate is the hotel itself, book through them. Otherwise, Booking.com and Expedia are great options.

Kamari (the beach)

I believe the best place for all ages, young people, families with kids etc. in Santorini Is Kamari Beach. The long and wide famous Kamari beach is within walking distance and there are tens of tavernas, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and other shops to spend your time in and have a great summer day. There are lots of amenities too, all within walking distance and it’s fully organized and provides a large number of amenities, like numerous comfy sunbeds and umbrellas. To top it all off, it is a black sand beach.

Suggested hotels in South Kamari

I would recommend staying in South Kamari since there are a lot of nice hotels and a lot of restaurants and stores.

Kastelli Resort***** https://www.kastelliresort.com GR 4.8, 6 min walk to beach 850 ft from the beach
Expedia $233 w/breakfast

Bellonis Villas**** https://www.belloniasvillas.com GR 4.7 On the Beach
Booking.com $318

Hotel Anessa**** https://www.hotelanassa.gr GR4.9, 1 minute walk to beach, Booking.com or Expedia $168 Family rooms as well

Santorini Crystal Blue **** https://www.santorinicrystalblue.com GR 4.6, On the Beach
Booking.com $222

Mountain and Sea Suites https://www.mountainandseasuites.com GR 5, 3 min walk to the beach, Expedia $220 Family Suites available

Tamarix Del Mar Suites***** https://santorini-luxury-hotels.com/kamari-santorini.html GR 4.8, 3 min walk beach
Expedia $223

Thousand Stars Suites and Rooms https://ts-santorini.gr/ GR 4.9, on the beach $200

Suggested Hotels in Mid Kamari

Makris Beach Hotel**** https://www.makrishotel.gr GR 4.6, 1 min to beach (mid Kamari)

Firostefani (on the cliff)

Firostefani lies north of Fira, with only a short distance separating it from its considerably larger neighbor. Undoubtedly, the views from this part of Santorini are spectacular, allowing visitors to admire another perspective of the volcano. One can enjoy the magnificent sight of Fira itself and the breathtaking sunset in the evening. Firastefani is a bit more quiet than Fira, but you can walk to Fira in about 10-15 minutes along the cliff walkway.

The name Firostefani is the compound of “Fira” and “Stefani” – the Greek word for the crown – and indicates its location on the edge of the region.

Many of the rooms on the cliff, are cave rooms, meaning that they are built into the cliff. They typically have on big window that looks out toward the caldera (look for a room with a caldera view). Some require some steps to get to as well.

Suggested hotels in Firostefani

Try to stay near the Firostefani Central Square as that is where transportation will drop you off and it is near the parking areas. All these places with the exception of Santorini Palac

Cliffside Suites**** https://cliffside.gr GR 4.7, On the cliff 270 ft from the main square, cave rooms
Booking.com $375 including breakfast

Agali Houses**** https://www.agalihouses.gr GR 4.8, On the cliff, be aware that there are 200 steps down to get to the hotel, they will however, carry your bags for you. But you will need to climb everytime you leave the hotel. 50 ft from the main square
Booking.com $375 including breakfast

Hotel Galini** https://hotelgalini.gr/ GR4.5, On the cliff with great views for all the rooms. Great location with smaller rooms and modest decks for each room with a sea view.
Booking.com $308

Manos Small World*** https://www.manossmallworld.gr/en/ GR4.7 On the cliff with caldera views from the small decks in from the rooms. Great location, ut requires going down about 50 steps.
Booking.com $227

Santorini Palace **** https://santorinipalace.gr GR4.5, Not on the cliff, but very close to it, looks to have parking and is in a great location. Just don’t expect to see the caldera from your room.
Booking.com $285 for no view, $350 for a sea view. all rates include breakfast

Belvedere Suites*** https://belvederesantorini.com GR4.5, On the cliff and at a great location. About a 3 minute walk from the square. Amazing views.
Direct on their website $406

Fira (Thira) (on the cliff)

Fira is the beautiful capital of the island and the biggest and most cosmopolitan settlement of Santorini. It is located in the western edge of the island, opposite the volcano and the two volcanic islands, Palaia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni that lie in the sea. Access to Fira, besides the road routes from the port and the airport, is also feasible by cable car or through a donkey path from the port, for those seeking a traditional experience.

Fira is a combination of natural beauty, social life, nightlife, and shopping, where you can feel the liveliness of the island and where all the action takes place. What makes it so ravishing is the Caldera view that leaves visitors speechless any time of the day. A walk to the scenic alleys during the daytime will fill you with harmony, while at night you can find yourself in the middle of a big party. There is a wealth of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs where you can relax and enjoy the tremendous view or have fun. It owns the greatest dining out and entertainment selection on the island and the largest shopping center, too. Moreover, there are many clothes shops, gift shops, souvenir shops, supermarkets and other facilities for every need.

An abundance of accommodation options can be found in the capital of Santorini, from luxurious hotels with an outstanding caldera view to a camping area for an alternative stay that will satisfy nature lovers.

The only issue with Fira is that it is busy and it is hard to park and pick up people in this location. I recommend Firostefani since it is a beautiful 10 minutes to get to Fira from there and it is a bit less crowded.

Suggested hotels in Fira
https://oramasantorini.com/
https://www.athinasuites.com/
https://elgreco.com.gr/
https://www.hotel-majestic.gr/
https://www.desolspahotel.com/

Imerovigli (on the cliff)

Imerovigli is a picturesque village situated in the center-west part of Santorini, only 3.5 km away from the center of Fira town, the island’s capital. It also abstains just 1 km from Firostefani village. Geographically, it comprises a continuation of Fira and is considered one of the most beautiful balconies of the Aegean. Due to its location above a cliff, it provides its guests with breathtaking views of the sea, as well as the caldera and the volcano. In fact, the name Imerovigli originates from the word vigla, which means “viewpoint”, since the location allowed villagers to see the pirate ships approaching during the old times.

Nowadays, this caldera village is one of the top locations to visit in Santorini. The village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture, with narrow alleys, whitewashed houses built on the cliff’s edge, romantic sunsets, and terrific hidden spots to discover.

Imerovigli is among the best places to stay, and it is primarily considered a romantic location with a relaxing atmosphere. Numerous luxurious accommodation facilities are available in this area, including hotels, apartments, suites, and traditional houses. The village is a brilliant choice for your accommodation, combining lovely views with well-developed tourist infrastructure and a lively atmosphere, despite the fact that there are less than 500 permanent inhabitants in the village. In addition, several regional restaurants and cafes offer stunning views of the volcanic caldera and the sea.

Suggested hotels in Imerovigli
https://www.andromeda-santorini.com/
https://www.kasimatisbylaperla.com/
https://www.katikies.com/chromatasantorini/
https://imerovigli-hotels.com/

Perivolos

The seaside village of Perivolos is quite popular, largely among young people, as it holds the liveliest beach resort. It is a small place that lies on the southeast coast of Santorini, very close to Perissa village. It is situated between Perissa and Agios Georgios. In Perivolos you can relish pleasant moments at nice restaurants that offer local specialties, warm cafes, and bustling bars with lively music. Here are the most beach bars on the island, where many happenings take place by the fancy swimming pools, such as DJ and performer appearances and other special events. Day and night Perivolos is full of life and the atmosphere at the beautiful promenade is always vibrant and cheerful.

The only consideration here is that you will be a bit further from everything due to the large mountain in the picture.

The attraction and the main reason to visit Perivolos, besides the entertaining nightlife, is the famous Perivolos Beach, a wonderful long beach with crystal-clear waters, covered in black volcanic sand. It is fully organized and provides many amenities, like numerous comfy sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and lifeguards. You can enjoy your favorite refreshments or have a meal by the sparkling sea. In addition, the beach has water sports facilities that can offer you new experiences

Suggested hotels in Perivolos, several places near the water are also very reasonable.

Santo Miramare **** https://www.santomiramare.com/ GR 4.5, 1 minute walk to the beach


Margarenia*** https://www.margarenia.gr/ GR 4.9, 20 minute walk to the beach
Booking.com $111

9 Muses***** https://www.santorini9muses.gr/ GR 4.1, 7 minute walk to the beach
Expedia $211

The post Where should I stay in Santorini? appeared first on Sydney and Matthew.

As long as you are on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile your phones will work in Greece. You may need to turn on an international plan to get data. Here is my best understanding of how they work for each carrier. This is the easiest method, but also the most expensive, generally costing about $5 to $10 per day. The less expensive option is to buy an eSIM, which is sold by the GB and only covers data. Both are outlined below.

If you do not plan to use your phone plan it is a good idea to leave your phone in Airplane mode. You will still be able to use Wifi and will not be charged for service that day. When my wife and I travel to Europe, we typically only activate one phone for data and leave the other in airplane mode.

Option 1 – Using your carrier

T-Mobile
According to the website they should just work, but to get data you need the “go 5g Plus” plan. It is best to call them before leaving to find out.

Verizon and AT&T
You will need to call them or activate international roaming online before you leave. Then when you are there you will automatically be charged $10 for each day you use the service.

Sprint
You will need to call them or activate international roaming online before you leave. Then when you are there you will automatically be charged $5 for each day you use the service.

Option 2 – Purchasing an eSIM

This is a great inexpensive way to get data in Europe. You will not have the ability to text or make calls, but most people in Europe have “Whats App” capability which runs on data. You can also use other methods like Facebook Messenger over data.

Step 1: Ensure that your carrier does not lock your phone, which is required to use an eSIM.

For iPhones: go to Settings > General > About, if “No SIM restrictions” appears next to Carrier Lock, your iPhone is unlocked.

For Android: Dial *#06# to see your IMEI number or open your settings and scroll to About Phone. You’ll find your IMEI number here.

then go to https://sickw.com and look at “Sim-Lock Status” to see whether your phone is locked or unlocked.

Step 2: Buy an eSIM, I recommend Airalo (https://www.airalo.com) and you will need to download their App to your phone and go from there. It will step you through purchasing and installing the eSIM and will tell you whether your phone is capable of installing an eSIM based on your model and locked status. For this trip, I would recommend the 2GB package for $9 which covers 15 days or the 3GB package which covers 30 days. If you are going to other countries, you will need to buy a separate eSIM for that country. Keep in mind that free wifi is also available in most hotels and restaurants.

Step 3: Once you are on your way to Greece, you should enable your eSim using the App and following the directions.

Option 3 – Use public WiFi

Public WiFi is available at most hotels and restaurants, so you can get by this way if you are going to stay near the restaurants or at your hotel. You can also download an area using Google Maps for use when you do not have a signal.

Dont forget a Power adapters

You will need a power adapter, and your cell phone charger will work with a simple adapter. Check out power adapters here.

The post Cell Phones in Greece appeared first on Sydney and Matthew.

I am here to help, so feel free to reach out and I can help plan your itinerary.

If you are going all the way to Greece, I would recommend at least two nights in Athens either on the way over or the way back. The sites there are amazing and the Acropolis is one of the top ten man-made wonders of the world. Santorini requires at least three days, but I recommend four since there is so much to do and see. If you are only planning a week, then you have time for Athens and Santorini. If you can extend it to ten days (or more) then you have time for one additional island. Another option for longer trips is a stopover in a connecting city on the way over or back. Some options for common stopovers include; London, Dublin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Munich, Lisbon and Paris.

If you want to skip Athens, there are direct flights to Santorini from Barcelona, Rome, London, Dublin, and Zurich. One option would be to go to Dublin, spend a few days and then take a flight directly to Santorini. There are also direct flights to Dublin from Hartford. This leaves many options.

What I have learned is that it is still more cost-effective to buy a round trip than two one-way tickets.   To save money you will have to pick a base city, like Athens (or another), and then buy one-way tickets.  Then you can buy island tickets for Santorini.  The best prices for airfare to Europe is around 6 months before your departure.  Inner Europe flights can be bought much later if you want, the prices are always low.

Here is an example of what you can do: 

1) Fly into Athens and spend a few days there. Don’t forget that you typically lose a day flying, if you leave in the afternoon, you will arrive in Athens the next morning.

2) Get a flight to Santorini from Athens.  I prefer Olympic Air since they have so many flights and don’t nickel and dime you a lot (as of this writing).

3) Take a ferry from Santorini to Paros, Naxos, or Mykonos.  Use https://www.ferryhopper.com to see rates and schedules.  Ferries are really easy in Greece. You show us 30 minutes before departure and get in line to board the ferry.  They are also really nice, like cruise ships vs the ferries we are used to in CT and Rhode Island.  They have several restaurants and bars on board.

4) Take a plane back to Athens and spend the night at a resort in Vravrona which is 10 minutes from the airport.  I recommend staying at the Dolce Wyndham in Vravrona (https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/dolce/vravrona-greece/dolce-athens-attica-riviera/overview), the property is gorgeous, and has a fantastic breakfast.  They also offer airport transportation.  Just be sure to use Booking.com vs making reservations directly since their prices are 1/2 the advertised rate.

5) Fly home the next day to the US.  Note that you will get back the same day only hours after you leave thanks to the time difference.

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