Such open ended, be my free travel agent questions, may not get you replies or the answers you are looking for 🙂
# Do some basic research of your own (even if people poke fun about chatgpt)
# What is your overall budget?
# How many of you?
# When are your planning to travel?
# Itinerary flexibility window?
# What's your travel style? (economy? relaxed?)
# City of departure?
# Elite status?
# What cards do you hold?
# Etc
Greece is islands, mostly. Travel is by planes or ferries.
Unless you prefer land destinations like Meteora / Ioaninna.
Athens, Mykonos & Santorini is where the first timers go (+ Crete), if they are not looking off the beaten track.
There are lots of prettier islands, if you have the time or off the beaten track mindset.
Greece is not cheap by any measure.
The islands, beer, cheese and food (veg in my case) are worth the effort.
For 7-8 days, return travel time not included, here's some broad level suggestion
# Day 1 Athens arrival and acclimatisation
# Day 2-4 Athens, Meteora
# Day 4 Athens to Santorini / Mykonos
# Day 4 - Day 7 Santorini / Mykonos
# Day 8 Santorini / Mykonos to Athens
# Day 8 Athens departure
In my first time travels in Europe, I normally do max 12 days.
# 3 destinations
# 3-4 days per destination
About Your Points & Miles Stash
# There are no direct flights yet from India to Greece
# There's news about Aegean Airlines starting flights to Delhi in March 2026 and Mumbai in May 2026 (Air India points may come handy...if you cannot book online then you should reach out to Air India customer care. I don't know about the points requirements.)
# Greece is most convenient to reach via middle east and turkey
# Hotels can be costly (revenue and redemption) irrespective of brand, even during off peak.
# 30K Amex MRP = 30K MBP in my book
# Star Alliance may be your friend here. (Read Air India, Turkish, Luftansa, Aegean etc). Meaning ME route helps one way for 1 pax using DCB points as cash.
In 2014, I part did it with a travel agent.
# Hyd - Doha - Athens
# Athens - Zaghori/Ioannia - Bus - Self
# Ioannia - Mykonos - Flight via Athens - Self
# Mykonos - Santorini - Ferry
# Santorini - Athens - Ferry
# Athens - Doha - Hyd
Spent a dear penny. (5-6L for 2 pax I guess).
# Return was business class till Doha
# Self itinerary part was last minute and costly !
Hope this helps.
#DYOR
# It'll open up options and ideas 🙂
