Looking for Suggestions for Greece and Serbia

[ktmrider]

I am on a 90 day trip through Europe with my daughter and no fixed itinerary. We have been traveling through Scotland, Portugal, Spain and are now in Istanbul. I think we will be here about a week and have decided to go to Athens next vice Bulgaria.

Now my daughter was a Classics major and is drooling so we will keep busy but suggestions are always good. After Greece, we will probably be traveling overland to Venice and Rome, thus Serbia is a likely destination as well. Am looking for any hints or suggestions for either country.

Thanks, Rich

 

[Sparrow]

Ithaca (brave Ulysses and all that) up the coast is Kefalonia (as in Captain Corelli's Mandolin) and then Corfu/Kerkyra my favourite place in the whole world ...

LINK to my book on ipernity ... it's on Blurb too

 

[Gareth Rees]

Stewart, I found your book on Corfu excellent.
Off to Corfu next month.

Regards
Gareth

 

[apostasiometritis]

If you do visit Athens, just go straight to the acropolis. Just unique.

However, the real jewel is Mycynae, maybe an hour and a half south, going into the peloponese. Unbelievably interesting, nearly 4000 years of history staring back at you in defiance.

If you stay on the mainland, Meteora is also on of a kind destination. Just google it.

But ultimately, I would also finish my trip in Corfu!

 

[Sparrow]

Stewart, I found your book on Corfu excellent.
Off to Corfu next month.

Regards
Gareth

Glad you liked it, the history is just so layered ... from WWII back to way beyond Homer

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for the Pelopponese, especially the theatre at Megalopolis. There's not much else there, but the theatre is incredible.

DO NOT try to do too much, though, and ask yourself what you are trying to do: tick off "sights" or get a feeling for the countries in question. In 2009 my daughter was in her "gap year" between school and studying Applied Foreign Languages at university. She and my wife and I made a long trip in my Series III Land Rover from France (where we live) through Italy to Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Kosova, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland and home again. We saw few if any "sights" that many have heard of -- but we had a wonderful time. We also visited quite a number of spas: not the sort of overpriced places you find in most countries, but 10€ a head or less. My wife and daughter can (and do) spend hours soaking in hot water! There is a bit about some of them at http://www.semiadventuroustraveler.com/semi spa.html -- we celebrated her 19th birthday, my 59th (we were born on the same day) at a spa in Hungary.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Sparrow]

... yep I'd agree with that, sightseeing is overrated ... to really understand Greece one has to sit in a cafe drinking coffee at the same speed the Greeks do

 

[ktmrider]

Well, I would say we have not tried to see to many sights as we spent three weeks in Scotland including seven days hiking 150+ kilometers on the West Highland Way and then time in Skye and Edinburgh. Similiarly, seven days hiking the 120 km on the Camino de Santiago then time in Madrid and Granada. We will be spending a week in Istanbul before continueinfg to Athens.

We still have 43 days before returning to the US from Rome (only hard deadline in terms of time and location). Originally, this trip included Morocco and Malta but for various reasons we have changed goals. Heard Bulgaria was not that good (from several different people we have met while traveling) thus going to Greece instead for at least seven days.

So seeking information.

 

[ktmrider]

Serbia Info?

Serbia Info?

We just returned to Athens after spending five days on Santorini. It was great. We will be in Serbia in a few days so seeking information on Belgrade. Thanks

 

[varchs]

Nice adventure!
+1 for Meteora!!! Unique formations!!!

Are you going to drive to Belgrade?
If you do, and as I can see you enjoy hiking, you can always stop and hike Mt. Olympus!!! It is a special mountain.

As for Belgrade... I think that you have to find a Hotel at Kalemengdan area, and definitely visit Tesla museum and Tito's Gardens!!!
Have a great trip! ;-)