Looking for special or "secret" places to photograph in Greece.

Sirius Glass · Mar 12, 2017

We are going to Greece in May. I have been there twice before. This time I will be visiting the Peloponnese for the first time. We will spend several days on each island rather than the quick in and out that the cruises provide. When I took a cruise, I must have used the Alpha Omega line because the ship was always the first to leave each island and the last to get to the next island.

I am looking for special or secret places that the locals know about, but most tourists never see such as Sounion near Athens.

This is the itinerary is:

Athens four days
Rent a car for two days in Nafplio [Epidavros, Mycenae], one day in Olympia, one day in Delphi and back to Athens.
Three days in Crete with a car
Two days in Thera [Santorini]
Two days Mykonos and Delos
Two days in Rhodes.

I am planning on taking the Hasselblad with the 50mm and 80mm lens, and maybe the SWC.

Suggestions? Advice?

Sirius Glass · Mar 13, 2017

The itinerary got changed:

Athens four days
Rent a car for two days in Nafplio [Epidavros, Mycenae], one day in Olympia, one day in Delphi and back to Athens.
Three days in Crete with a car
Two days in Thera [Santorini]
Two days Mykonos and Delos
Two days in Rhodes.

Suggestions? Recommendations?

Kodachromeguy · Mar 13, 2017

There aren't too many "secret" places in Greece after 200 years of tourism, but here are a couple of ideas:
1. Visit the abandoned TB sanatorium on Mt. Parnitha just north of Athens: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-tb-hospital-on-parnitha-greece.html

2. The Central Market on Athenas Street in downtown Athens is colorful (but beware of pickpockets. It's safe enough, just be cautious): https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2011/04/something-is-fishy-at-athens-central.html

3. The The Kalávryta Narrow-Gauge Rack Railroad in the Peloponnese goes up a spectacular gorge: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2012/02/kalavryta-narrow-gauge-rack-railroad.html

4. Nauplion is very nice but popular: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2012/06/nafplio-greece-lower-town.html

If I can make a suggestion: "Rent a car for two days in Nafplio [Epidavros, Mycenae], one day in Olympia, one day in Delphi and back to Athens." You will be spending a lot of time in the car. I think you will be trying to squeeze too much into two days.

Have fun.

Sirius Glass · Mar 13, 2017

Thank you. I am concerned about the amount of time in the car, but the travel agents thought we would have enough time.

I must bring lots of color and black white film.

Kodachromeguy · Mar 13, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Thank you. I am concerned about the amount of time in the car, but the travel agents thought we would have enough time.

I must bring lots of color and black white film.

Well, I think the travel agents are wrong, but what do I know? I just lived in Greece. The roads are (or were pre-economic crisis) pretty good, but it is hard to make good time in rural Greece. Many rural roads are 2-lane and wind and twist through the mountains. It just is not easy to cover a lot of kilometerage.

ReyesV · Mar 17, 2017

Hi,
i think these information will help you manage question ! https://www.slickpic.com/blog/greece-tourism-photograph-greece-greek-islands/
Have a nice rest

Alan Johnson · Mar 17, 2017

We are going to Santorini early May, I have found this guide but of course it is not exactly secret:
http://theplanetd.com/photography-guide-santorini/

jeffreyg · Mar 17, 2017

We were just in Greece in September. Athens, Rhodes and Santorini but without a car. We stayed in Oia, Santorini overlooking the caldera and were fortunate to have a full moon one night. One day we took a day cruise on a 52 foot catamaran that took only eighteen passengers and found it to be delightful. The water was COLD but after a couple of minutes it was worth going in and a crew member hosed you off with warm water when you got back on the boat. We took a local bus to Thera (more shops) but I photographed some sculpture (the Observer) outside an art gallery with an excellent result. In Rhodes the old city (more shops and restaurants) we stayed at a very nice small inn about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the old city. In Athens climb to the top of the Acropolis, go to the market as mentioned and the Evones (guards) at the parlliament. Also the Archeology Museum. For the museum you have to check "large" cameras so you might want to take a small pocket size digital? camera as well. We took the overnight ferry from Rhodes to Santorini with a cabin and nice on board restaurant although it got in after 1:00 AM we were met and driven to Oia.

Since those areas are very extensively traveled the photography secret is to come up with your personal vision. I photographed much less than I normally do but still came up with some very good images although photography was not the main interest of that trip.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Sirius Glass · Mar 17, 2017

Thank you all good suggestions. I had only been to the islands during the day time, because that is all the cruise would allow. Now I am thinking of bring a carbon fiber tripod to get the early morning and early evening photographs.

I am planning on bringing my 50mm and 80mm Hasselblad lenses. I am not so sure that it is worth the volume and weight to bring the SWC since I am limited to 50 pounds for carry on baggage and there are some health related things that I must keep in carry on bags.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2017

I am planning on taking the 50mm and 80mm Hasselblad lenses. Would it make sense to add either the 100mm lens or the SWC vis-à-vis the volume and weight considerations?

Kodachromeguy · Apr 3, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I am planning on taking the 50mm and 80mm Hasselblad lenses. Would it make sense to add either the 100mm lens or the SWC vis-à-vis the volume and weight considerations?

I think it depends if you see wide or prefer isolating details. For village scenes in tight quarters, I'd love to take a SWC. Really, it is up to you.

Eric Rose · Apr 3, 2017

Well if I told you it wouldn't be secret anymore now would it.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2017

Eric Rose said:
Well if I told you it wouldn't be secret anymore now would it.

Yes, but then I would not get caught with my pants down up the creek.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
I think it depends if you see wide or prefer isolating details. For village scenes in tight quarters, I'd love to take a SWC. Really, it is up to you.

The SWC does weigh less than the 100mm lens.

Sirius Glass · Apr 17, 2017

After talking with Aegean Airlines, I found that the carry on weight limit is 8 Kg and the Hasselblad plus the 50mm lens, 80mm lens, the SWC with several film backs in the pack is already 16 pounds without the filters and the film. So the SWC is going to stay home.

Kodachromeguy · Apr 20, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
After talking with Aegean Airlines, I found that the carry on weight limit is 8 Kg and the Hasselblad plus the 50mm lens, 80mm lens, the SWC with several film backs in the pack is already 16 pounds without the filters and the film. So the SWC is going to stay home.

I have flown on Aegean many times. I do not recall any gate agent ever checking the weight of my carry-on. Obviously if you tried to board with some giant suitcase, they might stop you, but any reasonable shoulder bag should not be a problem. 8kg? I'm sure I have carried on with me far more weight. Regardless, have a fun trip.

Sirius Glass · Apr 20, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
I have flown on Aegean many times. I do not recall any gate agent ever checking the weight of my carry-on. Obviously if you tried to board with some giant suitcase, they might stop you, but any reasonable shoulder bag should not be a problem. 8kg? I'm sure I have carried on with me far more weight. Regardless, have a fun trip.

Thank you that is great to know. That makes me think about reconsider taking the SWC, but if they gave me a hard time would the SWC be safe in the checked luggage?

cowanw · Apr 20, 2017

If you get a jacket with huge pockets, I believe you are allowed to carry on what you can on your body in addition to your pack. I am a bit ashamed to say I have a Manfrotto vest, which I only wear until I am sure I am on board (to put two medium format bodies and lenses in the pockets if necessary). a cargo vest or hunting jacket would be less embarrassing.

Kodachromeguy · Apr 20, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Thank you that is great to know. That makes me think about reconsider taking the SWC, but if they gave me a hard time would the SWC be safe in the checked luggage?

No, nothing in your checked baggage is ever safe. However, you can lock your suitcase, and I think their equivalents of the TSA bumblers won't cut the lock and leave behind a nice piece of paper explaining that they had to inspect your underwear and toothpaste. If you are traveling with a companion, ask him/her to take one of the cameras. Then you split the load.

Sirius Glass · Apr 20, 2017

Good idea! Also, I could carry the 50mm or 80mm lens when I am walking around. Generally I do not like them. I should reconsider.

mike c · Apr 21, 2017

I'd go with 50mm, 80mm and 150mm, and the SWC as optional.

zanxion72 · Apr 21, 2017

Give it some of your time spending it over the old neighborhoods of Piraeus, all the way to Microlimano through Freatida. At its best early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Sirius Glass · Apr 21, 2017

I just put the SWC back in the pack. I have rarely had the desire to have a telephoto lens in Europe, so I will leave the 150mm, 250mm and 500mm lenses at home.

Sirius Glass · May 13, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
I have flown on Aegean many times. I do not recall any gate agent ever checking the weight of my carry-on. Obviously if you tried to board with some giant suitcase, they might stop you, but any reasonable shoulder bag should not be a problem. 8kg? I'm sure I have carried on with me far more weight. Regardless, have a fun trip.

My girlfriend had a problem with her carry-on bag being 0.4 Kg too heavy and had to check it. The agent was so busy with my large check-on bag that she never looked at my backpack which was about 2 or 3 Kg over weight.

Sirius Glass · May 13, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
Well, I think the travel agents are wrong, but what do I know? I just lived in Greece. The roads are (or were pre-economic crisis) pretty good, but it is hard to make good time in rural Greece. Many rural roads are 2-lane and wind and twist through the mountains. It just is not easy to cover a lot of kilometerage.

I had plenty of time to drive. Each place took about 3 hours to get to, do we had spare time that was put to good use.

Looking for special or "secret" places to photograph in Greece.

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