4 Nights in the Greek Islands from Athens: Santorini, Mykonos and Syros

Nice tour, but getting to our hotels was unnecessarily hectic.

We visited Syros, Mykonos and Santorini. Trying to get from the port to our hotel on Mykonos was a nightmare as there are a small number of buses and taxis, and a large number of tourists. We discovered on the island that hotels have shuttles that they can send to pick up passengers, but this wasn't included in our trip which meant trying to get to our hotel was unnecessarily stressful. I'd rather the cost of a shuttle was added so that we could've been stress free. Trying to get to our hotel cost us a lot of time which meant we didn't get to enjoy Mykonos as much as we would've liked, particularly given that this was our favourite island. Another night here would've been better. With the benefit of experience, we rang ahead on Santorini to book a shuttle from the sea port to the hotel, but the tour provider gave us the incorrect arrival time which meant we had to, yet again, organise our own transport, which is challenging when there are hundreds of people also trying to get to their hotels. I can't remember if there's an option to book this tour with 3- or 4- star hotels, but if there is an option, then I recommend 4-star. We had complimentary upgrades to 4-star hotels on two of the islands and they were briliant, whereas I didn't feel very comfortable at all in the 3-star hotel. This tour gave us two nights on Santorini, so we booked a day tour through Viator which was well worth doing because there would've been too much spare time, otherwise. Another option is to hire a quad bike and explore the island under your own steam, but an international drivers licence is required.

Santorini,Mykonos ,Athens,Greece

it is the best, you guys must visit those places .Me and my daughter like it so much ,we had so much fun,we went to more islands the name is very hard to say

The travel agency was very slow in...

<p>The travel agency was very slow in getting specific information to us regarding where we would be staying and what times we would be taking ting ferry. We had no idea until about 4 days out what we would be expecting. The fact that we were already traveling and this was the last part of our tour made not having information until the last minute very stressful. The hotels were great 5 star but considerably out of the way from any services or access to the cities on the islands with the exception of Syros Island. We had no time to take in the night life of Mykonos because we felt very rushed and not well informed about our options for transportation. Because we got the information so late, we couldn't do any research ahead of time. I would not recommend this tour.</p>

We have recently enjoyed this tour...

<p>We have recently enjoyed this tour and on the whole, it met or exceded our expectations. The one point that fell below our expectations was the choice of hotel on Mykonos. <br/> Syros was a very beautiful island and we enjoyed exploring the old town on foot. It is quite easy to get around for anyone with average fitness, my travel companion is 69 and did not have any difficulty. There are many steps on the side streets, so this may be an issue for some. We enjoyed beers and snacks at the road side cafes and restaurants which overlook the marina. The Diogenis Hotel is ideally situated dirrectly opposite the ferry landing. The hotel is clean and staff are friendly and helpful.<br/> The Terra Maltese Nature Retreat is a beautiful rambling cluster of bungalows built in a traditional Greek manner.the pool was a welcome reprieve from the summer heat. The location would be ideal if we had stayed longer than one night. Unfortunately we did not have time to arrange a hotel transfer, so resorted to a public bus which let us out at the top of the road to the hotel.we walked for 10 minutes to the hotel, where we stayed until we departed the next morning for the ferry.<br/> TIP ensure to contact hotel for a hotel shuttle. Also consider a car rental for your stay, as without access to transport you are fairly isolated. We consider that a property closer to one of the towns on the island would have made our stay more enjoyable.<br/> the Drossos Perrissa Beach Hotel was located on the back of Santorini island, far from the famed whitewashed walls and blue domed churches. This suited us very well. Within easy walking distance from the hotel are all the amenities you require, a serviced laundry, supermarkets, a range of bars and restaurants, as well as car and scooter hire. Also within a gentle stroll is the black sand beach of Perrissa with its sellection of bars snd restaurants. <br/> The management and staff at the Drossos looked after us exceedingly well and were very friendly.<br/> We stayed for two nights choosing to hire scooters for 24 hours, this gave us the opportunity to see all that we wanted to see in our our own time.<br/> TIP ensure that all windows are shut, inclding the bathroom, before switching on the air conditioning as sensors in the windows will not allow the air conditioning to operate while windows are open.<br/> The ferry services offered comfortable and efficient service. <br/> TIP for the 8 hour trip from Santorini to Pieaus we opted to upgrade to a cabin, we were able to sleep in comfortable beds and acces the business lounge and enjoy a refreshing shower to ensure that we arrived refreshed.</p>

Syros was amazing, Mykonos was...

<p>Syros was amazing, Mykonos was horrific, Santorini was excellent, the ferry ride can be a challenge so DON'T take a lot of luggage, overall the trip was good</p>

This was an independent tour but the...

<p>This was an independent tour but the tour operator was great emailed our vouchers to our hotel in Florence and then we had them printed. Blue star ferry was ok going to Syros. but I would of thought with 5 star you would not be travelling in the cheap seats. The hotel room in Syros was beyond awful it was more like 2 star no view an old room no tv, and this is not a hotel it is a bed and breakfast. We had the worst room in the B and B. The host was in her sitting room watching tv when we arrived. We were horrified and I rang the tour operator they have put our feedback on file. However the hotels in Mykonos and Santorini were 5 star and were beautiful we were very happy. We flew back to Athens as we could not face 9 hours on the blue star. I rated this 2 stars as their is improvement needed with these 2 points of ferry and Syros hotel.</p>

It was a nice trip, the hotels were...

<p>It was a nice trip, the hotels were ok, not so much the last one in Santorini where the breakfast was disgusting, the hotel was underran, and the service there was terrible. The ferries were ok, a lit too long on the way back but fine.</p>

This is NOT a tour. They just book...

<p>This is NOT a tour. They just book the trip and then you are on your own...even to find a way to the hotel they booked. My hotel was quite a long way from the port, so I had to hire a taxi very expensive to get me to the hotel. Fortunately there is a bus that goes by the hotel so I was able to go into town, etc.</p>

PROS: The islands offers a lot of...

<p>PROS: The islands offers a lot of activities not included on the tour.</p> <p>CONS: BE AWARE --The hotels offered on the brochure by Viator are NOT the hotels booked for the local travel agency, lower quality and far locations with the same level 3 stars.</p> <p>BE AWARE-- The travel time travel from Santorini to Athens 8 hours on ferry, I had have to upgrade the economic seats reserved by the local agency to Jet Seat and Business Class. Where you can get more room and more comfort to sleep or relax.</p> <p> Be aware on the stops at the Island, I get off on the wrong Island but fortunately I realized my mistake and I had time to come back to the ferry.</p> <p> If you have time to book this do it yourself because it is the only service offered just book ferries and hotels. On this way you will save at least 40 that you pay for this tour.</p>

Everything was great except the...

<p>Everything was great except the hotel in Santorini. It was so disappointed when they gave us a closet room for three people. After some discussion they supposedly upgraded us but we were not very happy. The hotel has no free Wi-Fi and the electricity turns off when you leave the room so you come back to a very hot room. The hotel was Mathias Village. Don't stay there.....</p>

Some parts were good however I paid...

<p>Some parts were good however I paid for upgrade to 5 star hotel and the ones in Syros and Mykanos were excellent and worth the upgrade, however the one in Santorini was only a 3 star at best and in very poor location with little or no Air Conditioning. We ended up having to take the mattress off the bed and sleep outside on the patio. Very disappointing. I would suggest just booking on your own. The package added no value that I could tell.</p>

This tour was enjoyable, although...

<p>This tour was enjoyable, although the hotel in Mykonos, Alkistis was a bit far from the main centre but they offered a courier service.</p>

The ferries were amazing (specially...

<p>The ferries were amazing (specially the blue star ferries), the hotels were great. It was a little difficult for me to find the hotels at mykonos and santorini, and they weren't very recognized. But awesone experience, and great organization</p>

This holiday was great! It was...

<p>This holiday was great! It was exactly what we wanted with ferries and booked hotels and the rest of the time to explore on your own. All hotels good. Beautiful views from Syros and Mykonos hotels. Couldn't fault the service at Santorini hotel...staff were exceptionally helpful. Most beautiful scenery and it was a very relaxing holiday.</p>

every things good but these 3 Stars...

<p>every things good but these 3 Stars Hotels are 1 stare hotels I called the tour co and asked him ,then I left the hotel and I paid more than $400 to get hotel in Santorini, they called the hotel amilie of santorini but it is about 45 minutes away from the main fira and if is in farm land ,I do not wants any one go to this hotel</p>

The hotel stay was good in Syros and...

<p>The hotel stay was good in Syros and Mykonos but the hotel is Santorini was the worst hotel I have ever stayed . I do not recommend this place to any one . <br/> The overall trip was well organized by Viator's local tour operators.</p>

The best part about this package is...

<p>The best part about this package is you don't have to plan much when traveling to a new country. This tour does not include transportation to and from ports so be prepared to pay for a bus or taxi. I chose the three star option and I was fairly satisfied with my hotels. My only complaint deals with hotel Adamostos in Santorini. The hotel is far from most sites (Oia and Fira). It was also dirty. My sheets had dirt on them and the bottom of the shower curtain had mold on it. To make matters worse the owners (father and daughter) accused me of not paying the bus driver enough money. I was scammed my way out of 10 additional euros! I felt taken advantage of as a young woman. It was a horrible ending to this otherwise amazing trip! If I had to do it all again I would probably choose the 5 star option.</p>

This is a great way to see few of...

<p>This is a great way to see few of Greek Islands. This is not a guided tour. You are on your own. But it's easy to navigate through the island. You will need to pay for transportation from port to hotels in Mykonos and Santorini. That was only down side. I wish I had extra day on Mykonos. Hotels were good and staff were friendly and helpful. Boat rides are fun way to see islands from different angle. Only down side was boat ride from Santorini to Pireas. It was long 8 - 9 hours... I would not mind flying back from Santorini to Athens. These islands are beautiful and they are very unique. Must see at least once in your life time.</p>

This is one of the best place I have...

<p>This is one of the best place I have visited in Europe. The Greek Islands do not disappoint! The food is very good and for those are into Hiking... The hike from Fira to Oia is a must!</p>

A great way of explore a few Greek...

<p>A great way of explore a few Greek Islands. The 3 star hotels are fine for the purpose. <br/> Make sure to arrive in Athens the day before and collect all the Ferry tickets at the Port, and book a hotel close to Pireaus (Port). Consider to book a flight back from Santorini to Athens, since the 8 hours Ferry trip is no good.</p>

If there was a zero I would give it...

<p>If there was a zero I would give it that. Firstly, it was only 4 nights, not 5. This company did nothing but book 4 boat trips - ,0nly one was on a fast boat, and 3 hotels. Everything was left up to me... like all the transfers, entertainment, finding the hotels, finding information about sites and events and day trips (if there were any). I paid alot of money for hardly anything. Why, even the bookings were not tickets; I had to go to the boat dock very early to collect the actual tickets - they were only vouchers. When I phoned to contact agent, he was very rude and told me to go away with my boyfriend. Well, I am 60 and traveling alone - would have been nice to be with a group sometime during the 5 days. Horrible!!!</p>

Muito cara para o que é...

<p>Muito cara para o que é proporcionado - sem guia, sem acompanhamento, sem transfer. Para fazer tudo sozinha você gastaria ao menos 4 vezes mais barato. Não recomendo. O ferry Sea Jets é bem desconfortável e o Blue Star seria uma diferença de 2h e 10 euros, sendo que você estaria com uma cabine privativa com banheiro além do barco possuir tudo o que precisa.</p>