Hi

I've been to Paros and can highly recommend it. You can do a day trip to Antiparos, famous for its cave and for diving. I haven't been to Naxos but the island gets a big thumbs up in this forum. From Naxos you can do an easy day trip to Delos. Paros and Naxos are easily reached by ferry from Santorini.

Oh, forgot to say that the above mentioned islands are of course not a day trip from Santorini

Paros is an excellent choice as already mentioned, plus you can get to Delos from there as well on the same daytrip excursion boat the originates in Naxos, making your time at sea in this smallish boat shorter than if you were to stay on Naxos.

From a photography standpoint you shouldn't be thinking about another island at all — there will be far more photo opportunities on the mainland. From Athens you can take a day trip to Delphi, but an overnight stay would be better. With two nights you could even include Meteora, one of the most photogenic sights in Greece. Do a search on Google Images and you will see what I mean.

Alternatively, Nafplio, a coastal town in the Peloponnese is only 2-3 hours from Athens and nearby are some of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. If you don't want to drive you can check out tours from Athens with Chat and Key, two local companies that can be found in a Google search. Also recommend the food tour offered by http://www.athens-walks.com.

It wasn't clear in your post whether you have time left only for a day trip, or if you can allocate a night or two for another location. If you have time only for a day trip, recommend either Delphi or an extra day in Athens. Many people on this board think Greece is only about Athens and the islands, but travellers 'in the know' make time for the mainland.

Mykonos is a beautiful island, that i do recommend !!!
The island will be still quiet an the end of May, beginning of June, which will give you the opportunity to enjoy even more.

Mykonos has a big variety of very good hotels, many sandy beaches with crystal clear water and excellent restaurants, bars shops and nightlife....

The clubbing crowd gathers later than early June, and if you don't like clubbing and staying out till the dawn, you can have some very quiet days on Mykonos.

Mykoos Town is one of the most beautiful Choras of the Cyclades, and Delos is nearby, so if you wanted to go to Mykonos, i'd say don't skip it, you won't regret it

I think too often people focus on the islands and neglect the mainland. For me, the mainland is much more interesting but I am interested in ancient Greece.

Take Heimdall's suggestion and head for the Peloponnese. Mycenae is amazing, Tiryns is so quiet we had to wake up the ticket taker in early May and Epidaurus is a wonder. And I haven't even mentioned Nemea, ancient Corinth or Nafplion. I also love Athens... in 2 days you'll just be scratching the surface especially since day 1 you'll be tired.

Thanks for weighing in, this is quite helpful. As strange as this may sound, we're not all that interested in ancient history. The highlights will be plenty and I'm looking forward to seeing them. I should have also mentioned that we're in our 50's so clubbing isn't a priority. We will of course see the highlights in Athens and from what I've read a day or two is plenty. I hadn't even thought of Delphi but, I'll take a look at it.

I'm actually wondering if we are people who would enjoy Mykonos? Although I have nothing to base this on---I'm thinking it might be like comparing Kauai to Maui (Mykonos vs Paros or Naxos that is). I know most people LOVE Kauai for it's natural beauty. Although we like Kauai, we prefer Maui because there's more to do and mostly because it's not as quiet. I'm wondering if people don't really like Mykonos because it's more built up and touristy. That wouldn't really bother us because destinations are touristy for a reason. I may be way off base and it's hard when you have no frame of reference.

Purely from a photography standpoint, which destination would make the most sense for our trip---Delphi, Mykonos, Paros or Naxos? I'd probably pencil in 3 days and make this a 14 day trip.

Thanks again!

For photography I also recommend Delphi,and Napflion
(although we enjoyed Mykonos.)

There is only so much you can do even with 14 days.

Perhaps you would enjoy Mykonos, given what you wrote in your last post. As clausar wrote, it will still be quiet in early June, and I agree that it has probably the prettiest chora (main town) of all the Cyclades islands. You may not be all that interested in history, but Delos, only 30 minutes by boat from Mykonos harbor, offers some great photo ops. You may be interested in my photos of Delos (leading with a few from Mykonos) which reflect my interest in mosaics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heimdall_1/sets/72157627791957268/

If you want some variety, though, I suggest you consider including a few days on the mainland outside of Athens. Here is an example of the sort of tour offered by Chat and Key: http://www.chatours.gr/tours.php?exc=10&exccat=1. I'm not endorsing that particular tour or company, just showing what is available. Browse through the websites and see if something appeals. If you are willing to rent a car you could make your own itinerary.

There would be plenty to photograph in Paros. It has two ports, Parikia and Naoussa. Parikia is a busy harbor town where most of the island boats arrive, but it's got an interesting marketplace, a windmill, and the 6th century church of 100 doors.

Naoussa, on the other end of the island, used to be a quiet(er) fishing center, but now it's becoming more popular. It's beautiful, with typical whitewashed houses, winding streets, lots of stores and seafood restaurants, cafes, and a gorgeous harbor.

You could visit Golden Beach, which is one of the prettiest on the island and known for its windsurfing. Or visit the medieval hilltop village of Lefkes.

Also take a daytrip to Antiparos, as mentioned above.

We stayed just outside Naoussa two years ago, and loved the area so much we hope to go back again this summer. Anyway, I think it would a really lovely spot for a few idyllic late spring/early summer days before the crowds arrive!

BTW, we also visited Naxos two years ago. Liked it very much, but thought there was more to see and do in Paros.

And here are a few of the southern Peloponnese: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heimdall_1/sets/72157627739427148/. That's further than you would probably want to travel, but it shows a contrast with the arid, rocky Cyclades. Nafplio, also in the Peloponnese, is much nearer Athens.

I think Mykonos would be a good addition from a photography standpoint as well as an easy ferry from Santorini. We took the Fast Cat ferry and I believe it was around 2 1/2 hours (?). As it has been mentioned it has a very charming and picturesque town.

I think you can find a "kodak" moment around every corner on any island. I'm working on trip #3 to the Greek Islands and find the most difficult part is narrowing down new places to explore and also include a favorite or two from previous trips.

Another vote here for the mainland- peloponnese. So many beautiful sites, that are very photogenic, even if you don't mind the historical importance.

Top of my list photography-wise there would be Nafplio, monemvasia (esp. a little before sunset - when the island is engulfed in a crown of light and looks amazing from land), and Mystras. You can look all you potential destinations up on google images and decide which pictures are more appealing for you

Oh my, thank you all so much for sharing your ideas and especially your photos! This is now becoming so much more complicated because it makes me wish we had 3 weeks instead of 2! I'm very busy Googling images of all the destinations mentioned. I came across a Stock Photo of Naoussa Harbor and it's absolutely STUNNING. I'll post back when I have a final itinerary but in the mean time I just wanted to say thanks for all your helpful suggestions! Now I'm thinking we may drop Crete and focus more on the mainland and islands.

I don't think there is any island that would be a day trip from Santorini. One of the closer ones worth a visit would be Folegandros but you still need to make your way back to Athens. Naxos is one of my favourite islands and the nearby island of Amorgos. Both Amorgos and Folegandros would require knowing how often ferries are coming and going because in May they may not be daily. Naxos on the other hand will have daily ferries coming and going.

We much preferred Naoussa on Paros to Santorini with all it's tourists.

Oia never seemed crazy with tourists to us. Now, Fira was busy! Oia, very quiet except when the tour bus was in town. We would find a nice cafe or go back to our terrace overlooking the caldera. It was very relaxing the end of May/first of June.

This was our apartment both trips:

http://www.liveinsantorini.gr

if photos are so important for you I think that Santorini is an island that you have to put it on your plan,
then you have to make decision for the next island according to the ferry connections and not compering one island with the other. All of them have something that you can not find to the other, like Paros with Naousa or the village Lefkes witch is not so famous to the tourists but it is graphical and traditional, even Myconos to the most of the people is well know for the night life, but there are places like the small "venice" or the windmills, which you can not find in the other islands, ir Naxos island the town is much more nice from the others, Crete as you mention a lot of people they can say that you need 1 month there are so many places in Crete to visit and having wonderful photos.
In case you will add the mainland you can have the option even to go North from Athens and visit Delphi and the unique Meteora with the monasteries or to go South in Peloponnese with Nafplio, Monemvasia, Sparta, Olympia etc

I've been reading lots of threads on this forum and rather than hijack someone else's thread, I thought I'd ask here. I'm still working on our itinerary but, wanted to know--if we choose Mykonos, would it be possible to do daytrips from there to Paros and/or Naxos? Perhaps an early morning ferry and a late return? Also, are the ferries pretty reliable? For instance, if the ferry is supposed to depart at 6pm, are they typically on time? Would I need a reservation for travel in late May and early June or, could we wing it.

A lot of people seem to rave about a book called "Greek Island Hopping". The 2013 edition comes out in mid February and I understand it's a good resource for people traveling by ferry. Thoughts?

As for that book, look at it in your local library & see if i meets your needs.

As for day trips from Mykonos to Paros/Naxos... not possible. Ferries are not scheduled for that purpose. However, it IS possible to do it in reverse Visit Mykonos from Paros/Naxos. That's because those 2 islands are among the VERY few that run dedicated excursion-vessels for day trips. There are 2 companies, taking passengers from both islands... Naxos Star (doesn't start until June 15) and MV Alexandros. The latter is preferable anyway bcause it's a larger boat, smoother ride. Picks up @Naxos 8:15, at Naoussa/Paros about 9... lands Delos ?10:30 ... then about 1pm drops u on Mykonos. About 5:30 returns to Paros, thn to Naxos by 7:15 or so. Enables you to see & photograph the famous (cliched?) views of Mykonos, windmills & all, then go back for your stay on a more interesting island -- I think, Naxos for more dramatic landscapes, but others prefer Paros.

I love that book - it's my Greek bible! Buy it cheap here - http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Greek-Island-Hopping-2013-Frewin-Poffley/9781848485693

Unfortunately our library doesn't have Greek Island Hopping---I would have loved to have seen a copy but, will put my name on the pre-order list.

Any feedback on ferries? Do they general run pretty close to schedule and would we need reservations if we're traveling in early June?

Milos sounds like the place for you,cause of some geological phainomena,unique to that little island,there you will find beaches that cant be found anywhere else,look it up ex. sarakiniko beach.the architecure of the island is cycladid, meaning white houses round shepes,very greek.No airport though.Ferries are reliable and modern.If you like castles and limestone architecture maybe Rhodes would be a good choice.Dodekanese islands,quite diffrent.

Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways are usually punctual, Sea Jets Consortium not. You might be able to take a day trip from Mykonos to Paros if Sea Jets ferry SeaJet 2 does its usual 10 am run this year. It arrives on Paros at about 10:45, and Hellenic Seaways FlyingCat 4 normally goes from Paros to Mykonos at 13:55. That only gives you about 3 hrs, though, so hardly seems worth it. Much better to do a day trip from Mykonos to Tinos (and of course Delos).

Just saw socs's post about Milos.

Milos does have an airport and Olympic Air is flying from Athens to Milos

In the high season, Olympic Air will be also connecting Mykonos with Santorini, and Santorini with Heraklion.

Hi clausar,

I heard about the direct flights between Mykonos, Santorini, and Heraklion during July and August, but not between Milos and Santorini. If so, that is good news, but surely they will be limited to using the 37 pax Dash 8-100.

On a separate note, construction of the new airport at Paros has already begun, but I've heard the runway extension at Milos has been delayed. Any news on that?

Sorry, I misread your post. You did say Mykonos, Santorini, and Heraklion.

For the amount of time you have, I suggest you save Crete for another trip. Divide your time between the Athens area, Santorini, and Paros. Those choices will give you a nice variety and endless photographic possibilities.

We did end up scrapping Crete on this trip which was sad but, we didn't have enough time to do it justice. We've decided on Athens, then flight to Corfu, flight to Santorini, Blue Star Ferry to Naxos, Blue Star Ferry to Mykonos and then flight to Athens before returning home. The focus will be on the islands, not the mainland. We'll have to save Athens, the mainland, Crete and the other 50+ islands for our next trip.

Heading back in early September and doing a Windstar Cruise with a friend so I'll get my fill of this area for sure!

Syros has an upper town - medieval and with photographic interest - and a lower town of some interest.
The distance between island is about 1 hour or 2 by boat.
From Santorini to Crete is 2 to 3 hours by fast boat, usually in late afternoon.
It would be a wast to fly, as the approach to Santorini is best by sea.
Naxos has the Posidon Door, excellent for sunset shots. you can also take the bus to the towns up the mountain side, also quite interesting.

Enjoy