For those travelers that are willing to travel in what is referred as the “shoulder season” for the Greek Islands, there is a great package called the Mykonos Experience that offers great value. The package features a stay at the Deluxe San Marco Hotel located on Mykonos for 5 nights and a choice of either the Golden Age Hotel or Inter Continental Hotel in Athens for an additional 2 nights. There are also rates offered for this 7 night package during the High Season of July and August at a slight premium.
Rates start at only $899.00 USD per person and include Transportation to and from the island of Mykonos, Ground Transfers at all destinations, Hotel taxes and customer support while in Greece 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This package offers the best value on the market to experience Mykonos. For more information and to reserve your spot on the Mykonos Experience visit here
In Greek mythology Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Titans , and the island was named in honor of Apollo’s grandson Mykons. Today Mykonos is one of the most popular islands in Greece, mostly known for its beaches and intense nightlife. There is a great package deal to this Greek Island that will give you 5 nights in Mykonos at the Deluxe San Marco Hotel and 2 nights in Athens. The San Marco luxury hotel in Mykonosis situated in an ideal location featuring 85 rooms, in the exclusive area of Houlakia Bay, 4,5 km northwest of Mykonos town and just 1,5 km from Tourlos Port. The Mykonos Experience vacation package will give you a week of luxury in Greece at an affordable price.
According to a story I read earlier this week from Toronto Star’s travel editor Jim Byers, a study by Tripadvisor in the UK showed hotel prices in Greece have fallen as much as 20 per cent over all thus far.
The company looked at nine popular Greek Island destinations and found that all but two have seen hotel rates fall significantly in the past year. The biggest fall was in the Island of Corfu, where hotel rates have dropped on average by 20 per cent. Rates in Zakynthos dropped 12.4 per cent, while rates in Athens dropped 7.9 per cent and prices in Crete fell 7.7 per cent. However, prices on the most popular Greek Islands of Santorini and Mykonos were up slightly at 0.1 percent and 0.7 percent respectfully. “While the Greek economy has experienced a traumatic year, the silver lining for tourism could be an increase in visitors due to the lower prices in many of its popular destinations,” said Emma Shaw, a TripAdvisor spokesperson.
It is great news for the Greek Island Traveler that falling Greek Hotel prices are making the Greek Islands a greater value this season, however another great way to save more money Greek Island Hopping is to travel independently of cookie cutter tour packages. Such packages present a value to the traveler, however they are not flexible and do not allow for changes or modifications typically. Using a professional Greek Island Travel consultant however, is best if you are not an experienced traveler since they handle all the details and can can typically find better deals. It is recommended to use a Greek Island travel expert with offices in Athens and the USA who typically have great knowledge of Greek island ferry routes, itineraries, hotel values and are full of information and resources. The best thing of all is that you know they are hands on from start to finish and will handle any unforeseen issues should they arise.
Another basic tip is to book early and get the cheapest flight to Athens which typically means connecting via a European city with a small lay over. For the true travel adventurers after landing in Athens, avoid the cab or private transfer and catch the airport bus to the Port of Piraeus. Once there you can head south on a slow ferry saving money, since they are typically 50% to 70% cheaper than High Speed Ferries and air flights. Keep in mind that you must allow a couple of extra days in your schedule to accommodate for unannounced time table changes and delays or cancellations caused by high winds or strikes. It is also critical to make your last Greek Island a major ferry hub, providing multiple ferry options for your trip back to the port of Piraeus or Rafina.
I leave you with some Greek Island traveling tips from the The Ancient Greek Poem Road to Ithaca which states, “When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge.” The best way to determine which is the best way to Greek Island hop, is to ask yourself is the final destination more important to you or the road leading to it? But, “Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind. To arrive there is your ultimate goal.”
CONDE NEST GOLD LIST; Readers 2011 Best Hotels in Greece
Conde Nest Publishes a Readers Pick for best hotels around the world. This past years list included one hotel in Athens as well as one hotel on the Greek Island of Santorini. Hotels are chosen for truly personal attention, a natural sense of place by virtue of their size, and the unwavering belief that, in terms of the guest experience, smaller is always better.
“A dream place for the soul! One feels whole again after staying at this paradisiacal sanctuary.” Sitting on a cliff above the island’s famous caldera, this resort “embodies simplicity, elegance, and tranquillity.”
This 1874 stone building with marble and wood is “in the heart of things” on Constitution Square. Watch the changing of the guards or unwind with a martini at Alexander’s Bar, under an eighteenth-century tapestry of Alexander the Great. Decorated in Art Deco style, GB Corner serves Greek specialties like roasted white grouper with artichoke; its rooftop garden bar supplies views of the Acropolis.
content and photos provided by Conde Nest Traveler Magazine
For those travelers that are willing to travel in what is referred as the “shoulder season” for the Greek Islands, there is a great package called the Mykonos Experience that offers great value. The package features a stay at the Deluxe San Marco Hotel located on Mykonos for 5 nights and a choice of either the Golden Age Hotel or Inter Continental Hotel in Athens for an additional 2 nights. There are also rates offered for this 7 night package during the High Season of July and August at a slight premium.
