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[ecs87]

Hi! My friend and I (2 females) are planning either a 12-day or 14-day trip to Greece this July. We won't a car, public transportation only. We have a rough plan and would like to get some advice on them:

14day:

July 6 (Fri) - arrives Athens at 13:30, spend the day in Athens

July 7 (Sat) - Athens -> Delphi, day in Delphi

July 8 (Sun) - Leave Delphi --> Kalambaka (Meteora)

July 9 (Mon) - Day in Meteora

July 10 (Tue) - 1/2 day in Meteora, Kalambaka --> Athens late afternoon and gets in Athens at night

July 11 (Weds) - Athens --> Santorini

July 12 (Thur) - Santorini

July 13 (Fri) - Santorini

July 14 (Sat) - 1/2 day in Santorini; off to another island (choosing between Milos, Naxos, or Sifnos)

July 15 (Sun) - day on island

July 16 (Mon) day on island

July 17 (Tues) Athens or maybe a trip to Olympia/Corinth

July 18 (Weds) Athens

July 19 (Thur) Athens

July 20 (Fri) - Depart for home 15:20

12day:

we will only go to Santorini

our questions are:

1. would it be easier or make more sense to go Delphi --> Kalambaka or Kalambaka --> Delphi from Athens

2. we thought about joining local tour for Delphi and Kalambaka, but not sure if we will have enough time to really explore both places. we understand tours have fixed schedules but still want to take the time and enjoy. any feedback on local tours? are they sort of "rush" ?

3. we would like to go to another smaller island other than Santorini and not sure how to pick between Milos, Naxos, and Sifnos. what would you guys suggest?

4. Possible to do Olympia and Corinth in 2days/1night? would it be too rush if we add that on the itinerary?

5. we did some research but haven't got much luck on finding websites for Bus / Ferries / Train schedule. any suggestions?

6. general safety - any protests or strikes going on or areas that we should avoid?

this is our first time to Greece. we are excited about Greece but overwhelmed at the same time! any help / suggestions / idea will e VERY helpful and much much appreciated!!! Thanks!!!

[greekcypriot]

Too many questions, but I hope I can help you a bit.

Concerning your first question. There is no means of transport from Delphi to go to Kalambaka. You have to return to Athens after the tour to Delphi, take your time there and return to Athens and get the bus to Kalabaka the next day.
http://www.ktel.org/index.php?pathID=1_2767_2813

http://www.holidayshop.gr/textsEn.asp?ElementId=6797

The other alternative is to get the train from Livadia to go to Larissa, and from there you can easily pick a bus for Kalambaka. Larisa –Kalambaka is approximately 2 hours.

I think it would be better to get a tour than go on your own because you might find difficulty in the bus schedule and time of departure from each destination.
No, if you pick a good tour there is no rush at all and you will surely enjoy it. Don’t worry about this.

As for the islands, Naxos I believe you can have a faster access from Santorini to Naxos but you can always see and plan going to the other trip when you are there.
http://www.greecelogue.com/ferries-from-sa...and-return.html
Sifnos is another interesting island for sure!

It is good that you spend one or two days in Olympia and just see the sites in Corinth and come to Athens. Take your time in Olympia there is much to see there.

Have in mind that you just need a day to Meteora and don’t stay that much in Kalambaka. There is nothing special to see in Kalambaka other than take photos of the Meteora from a distance. You can save these days and spend it somewhere else.
You can spend one night at Kalambaka and take the bus for Trikala. It is a nice place to visit.

Don’t pre-book tickets for ferries or for buses!
I hope there won’t be any protesting in Athens those days.
If you are in Athens take the bus from the same bus station (Lyosion) and in an hour’s time you will be driven to Chalkida.
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entr...12036/tpod.html

http://livingingreece.gr/2008/06/13/ktel-buses-of-greece/
(Buses)

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thre...hreadID=1906822
(Trains)