Greece - Travel Since Reopening
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,QR Platinum,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold, HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,180
Also, if possible travel HBO.
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,QR Platinum,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold, HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,180
I would suggest you to pay the fare difference and fly DFW-ORD/JFK-ATH on AA and cancel the LH ticket.
It might cost a little bit extra but it would save you a lot of hassle.
You could then purchase a separate ATH-JTR ticket. Domestic flights within Greece are not expensive.
It might cost a little bit extra but it would save you a lot of hassle.
You could then purchase a separate ATH-JTR ticket. Domestic flights within Greece are not expensive.
#79
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 1
It seems from this thread that Greece is not looking particularly closely at the name on the CDC card, correct? My wife and I got married in October but wanted to honeymoon in Greece. We are arriving 6/16. Unfortunately, her passport still has her maiden name and it's too late to update. Her vaccination card has her married name. We got a letter and print out of immunization records from her Doctor stating her married and maiden names. We will also plan to bring the marriage license which also displays it. Does anyone anticipate this being an issue? I'm just not sure how strict they are being, since it states full name "must match passport or any other recognized travel document." I am having a hard time finding out what the 'other recognized travel documents' would include.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
#80
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 193
It seems from this thread that Greece is not looking particularly closely at the name on the CDC card, correct? My wife and I got married in October but wanted to honeymoon in Greece. We are arriving 6/16. Unfortunately, her passport still has her maiden name and it's too late to update. Her vaccination card has her married name. We got a letter and print out of immunization records from her Doctor stating her married and maiden names. We will also plan to bring the marriage license which also displays it. Does anyone anticipate this being an issue? I'm just not sure how strict they are being, since it states full name "must match passport or any other recognized travel document." I am having a hard time finding out what the 'other recognized travel documents' would include.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
#81
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 60,579
I'd like to add my experience. My husband and I are US citizens, fully vaccinated and arrived yesterday:
1. We transited through Amsterdam to Greece from the US (LAX-AMS-ATH) without any problem;
2. On arrival in Athens, there were separate lines for people with vaccination cards and those who only had the PCR test. The vaccinated line was significantly shorter (think five people v. a hundred) and wasn't subject to secondary health screening;
3. The person at the head of the line glanced at our cards (presumably saw they were CDC cards) and waved us through. He didn't check it against our passports.
1. We transited through Amsterdam to Greece from the US (LAX-AMS-ATH) without any problem;
2. On arrival in Athens, there were separate lines for people with vaccination cards and those who only had the PCR test. The vaccinated line was significantly shorter (think five people v. a hundred) and wasn't subject to secondary health screening;
3. The person at the head of the line glanced at our cards (presumably saw they were CDC cards) and waved us through. He didn't check it against our passports.
Hi all .... checking this forum partly for this exact reason.
mrs_dergon and I looking at a trip to the Greek Islands in July. We're both Americans on US passports, both fully vaccinated (I'm team Moderna, she's pfizer)
We are looking to fly in to Santorini. Flights looks significantly more logistically easy transiting through europe (either FRA or ZRH) then on to Santorini. Other less desirable option is EWR to Athens ... then probably spend the night and get connector to Santorini the next day.
But I was hoping to do the whole thing just on vaccine card without having to worry about testing. So .... will vaccination card do the trick in FRA or ZRH?
_____________
Now on to the more fun part --
Also looking for recommendations for hotels on Santorini.... luxury/near-luxury preferred. Also would like to think about another island or 2 since we might have 2 weeks.
Really looking forward to your advice!
Thanks!
(ps -- this will be my first flight since 2/20 ... I feel like my travel booking skills and confidence have atrophied)
#82
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 20
I have stayed here twice - http://www.anastasisapartments.com and was hoping to stay again next week, but they aren't opening until Mid June when we are back in the US, its a small place with the most amazing personal service .. So we are going to Crete and Mykonos instead this time.
#83
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,407
Also looking for recommendations for hotels on Santorini.... luxury/near-luxury preferred. Also would like to think about another island or 2 since we might have 2 weeks.
Really looking forward to your advice!
Thanks!
(ps -- this will be my first flight since 2/20 ... I feel like my travel booking skills and confidence have atrophied)
Really looking forward to your advice!
Thanks!
(ps -- this will be my first flight since 2/20 ... I feel like my travel booking skills and confidence have atrophied)
It is a struggle to remember how to do travel things after more than a year.
#84
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 60,579
I have stayed here twice - http://www.anastasisapartments.com and was hoping to stay again next week, but they aren't opening until Mid June when we are back in the US, its a small place with the most amazing personal service .. So we are going to Crete and Mykonos instead this time.
You might try asking for hotel recommendations at Luxury Hotels and Travel - FlyerTalk Forums
It is a struggle to remember how to do travel things after more than a year.
It is a struggle to remember how to do travel things after more than a year.
________
Anyway ... as a basic itinerary for a first timer:
Fly CLE-ATH
1 Night Athens
Fly Athens to Santorini
4 night Santorini
High speed ferry vs fly?? Santorini to Crete
4 nights Crete
Fly Crete to Cle (either via Athens again if I have to or transit in Europe somewhere if vax status is good enough)
I don't think it's too ambitious. Feels OK ... but would totally welcome tweaking before I pull the trigger.
______
Also -- Any comment on the Vendema on Santorini. It's Marriott ... easy enough to just click.
Last edited by dergon darkhelm; May 28, 2021 at 5:59 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,572
Rates have gone up since the last few weeks...The Imerovigli area IMO is the best in Santorini for the view...If you can get a deal like this in Imerogivli, you will be lucky...I like this hotel, stayed there.
AFROESSA HOTEL $126 ($̶1̶6̶1̶) - Prices & Reviews - Imerovigli, Greece - Tripadvisor
AFROESSA HOTEL $126 ($̶1̶6̶1̶) - Prices & Reviews - Imerovigli, Greece - Tripadvisor
#86
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Gold 0.659MM, MR LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 738
That looks really nice, thanks
Yeah. Thanks. I always *say* luxury .... then get sticker shock and go down one or two levels
________
Anyway ... as a basic itinerary for a first timer:
Fly CLE-ATH
1 Night Athens
Fly Athens to Santorini
4 night Santorini
High speed ferry vs fly?? Santorini to Crete
4 nights Crete
Fly Crete to Cle (either via Athens again if I have to or transit in Europe somewhere if vax status is good enough)
I don't think it's too ambitious. Feels OK ... but would totally welcome tweaking before I pull the trigger.
______
Also -- Any comment on the Vendema on Santorini. It's Marriott ... easy enough to just click.
Yeah. Thanks. I always *say* luxury .... then get sticker shock and go down one or two levels
________
Anyway ... as a basic itinerary for a first timer:
Fly CLE-ATH
1 Night Athens
Fly Athens to Santorini
4 night Santorini
High speed ferry vs fly?? Santorini to Crete
4 nights Crete
Fly Crete to Cle (either via Athens again if I have to or transit in Europe somewhere if vax status is good enough)
I don't think it's too ambitious. Feels OK ... but would totally welcome tweaking before I pull the trigger.
______
Also -- Any comment on the Vendema on Santorini. It's Marriott ... easy enough to just click.
Im on the Santorini > Heraklion (Crete) high-speed ferry as i type this. Based on my research, this is the most time and cost-effective way to make the trip. Didnt find any direct air service between the two islands, so youll be backtracking to ATH, and the ferry is only 2 hours.
On Santorini, we stayed the last few days at a small place called Ersi Villas, certainly not luxury, and the view is to the East rather than the caldera, but the price was right for a last minute booking and the service was great.
I cant vouch for the Vendema property but we did consider burning some MR points there. Ultimately decided against it as its a bit outside the main towns where we figured to spend a good bit of time. Looks like a lovely place though. And would make for a very quick transfer to the Crete ferry should you decide to go that route.
#88
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 60,579
Im on the Santorini > Heraklion (Crete) high-speed ferry as i type this. Based on my research, this is the most time and cost-effective way to make the trip. Didnt find any direct air service between the two islands, so youll be backtracking to ATH, and the ferry is only 2 hours.
On Santorini, we stayed the last few days at a small place called Ersi Villas, certainly not luxury, and the view is to the East rather than the caldera, but the price was right for a last minute booking and the service was great.
I cant vouch for the Vendema property but we did consider burning some MR points there. Ultimately decided against it as its a bit outside the main towns where we figured to spend a good bit of time. Looks like a lovely place though. And would make for a very quick transfer to the Crete ferry should you decide to go that route.
On Santorini, we stayed the last few days at a small place called Ersi Villas, certainly not luxury, and the view is to the East rather than the caldera, but the price was right for a last minute booking and the service was great.
I cant vouch for the Vendema property but we did consider burning some MR points there. Ultimately decided against it as its a bit outside the main towns where we figured to spend a good bit of time. Looks like a lovely place though. And would make for a very quick transfer to the Crete ferry should you decide to go that route.
High speed ferry it is .
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,572
Things got emotional today at ATH...
The first direct flight from the USA has arrived in Greece (newsbeezer.com)
The first direct flight from the USA has arrived in Greece (newsbeezer.com)
#90
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 488
I'd like to add my experience. My husband and I are US citizens, fully vaccinated and arrived yesterday:
1. We transited through Amsterdam to Greece from the US (LAX-AMS-ATH) without any problem;
2. On arrival in Athens, there were separate lines for people with vaccination cards and those who only had the PCR test. The vaccinated line was significantly shorter (think five people v. a hundred) and wasn't subject to secondary health screening;
3. The person at the head of the line glanced at our cards (presumably saw they were CDC cards) and waved us through. He didn't check it against our passports.
1. We transited through Amsterdam to Greece from the US (LAX-AMS-ATH) without any problem;
2. On arrival in Athens, there were separate lines for people with vaccination cards and those who only had the PCR test. The vaccinated line was significantly shorter (think five people v. a hundred) and wasn't subject to secondary health screening;
3. The person at the head of the line glanced at our cards (presumably saw they were CDC cards) and waved us through. He didn't check it against our passports.