Once again, no one in my family has made any plans for Thanksgiving. This year, rather than pay top dollar for an ever-increasingly miserable plane ride to LA, so we can all sit around and drink, We’re thinking of taking the money and going somewhere fun…by ourselves if necessary (although all are invited to join us).
The plan in simple. Everyone in the Bizzwire household is charged with presenting the case for their favorite destination, which must include aproximate cost of airfare and lodging and activities and attractions. The target travel date is the last week in December.
I’ thinking Greece. Why? Dunno. Never been. One of my co-workers (who is Greek) recommended it, and that’s good enough for me.
So, how bout it, world travellers? Greece: Bestest place in the world for a family of four, or Donner party redux? Where would you go? What would you do? What little, out-of-the way locales, restaurants or sights stand out in your memories?
I did a search and, from what I’ve read, it’s sounding better all the time…
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Greece but when I was there it was a 4 week trip.
One week is really not enough to see much more than Athens and the environs. If you want to get to the islands, I suggest one of two options… an Aegian sea cruise that hits all the highlights for a day at a time (Rhodes, Lesvos, Ios, Mikonos and Crete). The food is cruise ship standard fair - which is nothing special but you’re not there to eat. The islands are well worth the cruise dining, accomodations and night time entertainment attempts.
On the other hand, you can stay mainland bound and visit Athens, and take a bus tour around the country. My opinion is that it would be an absolute shame to drive around dusty mainland and clamber over ruins that all look the same after the third stop when you’re on the Aegian with all the islands at your beck and port of call. There is plenty of historic sites and ruins on the islands as well.
Spend a day or two in Athens to see the big sites and then head for the sea lad.
I was in Greece for a few day in the summer of 2001 with a tour group. I loved it. We stayed in a really nice hotel near the American embassy, I think to make up for the really, ah, Spartan might be charitable, word for the other places we stayed. Go to Corinth, it’s really cool. As are the Islands. Athens isn’t bad, either.
We loved Greece as well. Spent two weeks, didn’t see everything we wanted but we did enjoy the Greeks and their country.
Just remember, Greece is not a tropical country and the weather in December will be cold.
Hallgirl 2 spent a year in Istanbul, Turkey and absolutely loved it. She said that many people (who lived there, and had visited there) said it was better than Greece. The dollar goes a looooonnnnnggggg way in Istanbul, plus you have the culture, sights, etc. that are similiar to that of Greece.
I’ll second Turkey in general*, not just Istanbul. It is (or at least was ten years ago) a gorgeous, comfortable, diverse country full of beautiful, friendly people, great food, and amazing history. The trains and long-distances buses are fine. A family reunion in, say, Bodrum (ion the Aegean Sea), or Cappadocia (in central Turkey – it will blow your mind) would be phenomenal.
I was in Greece ages ago, but still remember it as if it were last week.
What is not to like? Great people, great food, tons of things to see - from historical sites to shopping plazas.
I would have to agree, however, that December might not be as tropical as you might envision. It should be sunny and nice, but don’t plan on lounging by the pool.
Also, a week is kind of short - but better a week in Greece than two weeks in LA!
