Get the ferry to Serifos or Sifnos. 4 hours or so. Nice beaches, budget friendly, easy to get about on buses, interesting villages.

Hi Gertie, Are there ferries that late in the day to those islands? That's what I'm running into mainly, trying to get transport that will not have me staying in Athens that first night.

Neither of those islands have airports. Don't know if there are ferries that late. I think I got one around 1pm. But ferries are basically for the local people so keep going through the night. You might find one going to Milos or Naxos that stops. Look at Greek Travel Pages http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp

Try Hydra. Easy ferry from Piraeus.

Hi Yipper, thanks so much. I have been to Hydra many years ago. I thought about that but, there are no budget accommodations I can find. Are you familiar with any?

Try Naxos or Paros, both of which offer everything you're looking for. There are only a few flights each day though from Athens, so if you're interested, you need to book ASAP.

Thank you Weadles. I've also been to both those islands and love them, however, there aren't any flights that are late enough in the day. I would have to stay in Athens that first night. I Was Hoping someone knows of a late ferry or option to get out of Athens later in the day and make it to my destination. Maybe I will up just have to rent a car and drive somewhere.

I am not personally familiar, but if you google B and B on Hydra there appears to be a few, especially on trip advisor. good luck. Also look at Aegina.

Seems that you have been everywhere, have you been to the Southern Peloponnese? (The Messinian Mani is very beautiful, with sea side villages like Stoupa or Kardamylli, or Foinikounta, Koroni and Methoni on the other side of Kalamata, which is a nice city with nightlife. !!

Another option would be Pilion, with nice beaches and amazing mountaineous villages.

Both can be reached easily with a car, and you won't be depended on ferries and weather conditions

Pilion/Pelion is absolutely stunning, it's quite different to other areas of Greece as it is very green, it's mountainous with several beautiful villages and gorgeous beaches. Parts of Mama Mia was filmed around Damouchari, if you've seen the film, it will give you an idea of the terrain. The local architecture is interesting, with overhanging balconies and Pelion stone roofs and you can stay in a mansion house (archontika.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1270762/Despite-Greeces-debt-crisis-Pelion-Peninsula-holiday-proves-charm.html#axzz2K1RY923d

http://www.karagiannopoulou.com/index.html

Villages to check out: Makrinitsa, Vizitsa, Tsangarada, Portaria.

Beaches: Milopotamos on the north coast of the Pelion.

It's about 3 hours driving from Athens to Volos, the gateway to Pelion.

But ferries are basically for the local people so keep going through the night.

Not so! You would be hard pressed to find a ferry to any island (bar Saronic Gulf) leaving late enough in the afternoon for your requirements. You may be able to find a direct flight from Paris to one of the more popular Greek islands in early September, but you didn't mention what time of the month you are travelling.

I like clausar's idea of southern Peloponnese. You could rent a car at the airport and drive down the motorway, which I believe has been completed all the way to Kalamata now. I have been to the Koroni/ Methoni area, and it is absolutely stunning, with beautiful seaside villages and beaches the equal to any on the islands. It will be blissfully quiet in September, but unlike the islands everything will still be open.

Thank you Heimdall, Clauser and Odin. I'm going to look into the Pillion area and southern Peloponnese. I like the idea of gorgeous beaches and mountains. I love to hike and also love the idea of beaches close by too. I've been to the Peloponnese once but it was over 25 years ago and it was really more visiting the ancient sites.

Hi wug,
The southern Peloponnese sounds like a good choice for your escape. Or, you could try to make a connection to Kythira. The flight is only 50 minutes, but I don't think you can make one on the evening of your arrival. Another idea would be to find a direct flight from Paris to Crete, relax there for your break and fly back to Athens. Lots of countryside where you can find inexpensive lodging.

Thank you parosblue. I'm going to look for those flights to Crete. I've been to Crete about four times but, three were with work and it was wonderful, however, there is sooooo much I haven't seen. I'm thinking either that or the Peloponnese. Luckily I have plenty of time to figure it out.

Why Islands? Why don't you try mainland. Check Kalamata - there might be some flights there. Then KTEL bus to some village - or rent a car.

Islands - to Crete there are night boats from Piraeus - there is a direct bus from Athens airport to Piraeus harbor.

Rgds
Pulla

I agree that you should look into the Kalamata area -Koroni, Methoni and Pylos are beautiful little towns and I enjoyed a couple of days visit to Kalamata, which has a great food market. Ancient Messene and Hector's Palace are close by if you want to visit archaeological sites.