wug

Hi Fodorites, My husband and I are probably going back to Greece Sept 2010. He's been twice and I've been six times. (obviously, I LOVE it!) My sister and her husband may join us. That being said, we'll definitely go to Santorini as I know she wants to take her husband there. (she and I did a Greece trip many years ago and one of the stops was Santorini)

What I'm wanting is to visit an island we've never been to. Something that makes sense as far as the other places we want to go as far as transport. Here is what I'm thinking:

1. Two weeks in Greece
2. No extended time necessary for us in Athens as I've done it many times. Probably the day before we leave so we're there for the flight out the next day.
3. Spend some time in the Peloponnese - I did this my first trip back in 1985 but haven't been back since.
4. Santorini for a few days staying in Oia

Here are the islands I've been to before:
Mykonos
Naxos
Paros
Antiparos
Corfu
Hydra
Poros
Crete
Santorini

What makes sense for us? Milos maybe? Any ideas? I'd love to hear what people enjoyed about other islands. We only spent a day on Antiparos doing a kayak trip around the island but we LOVED the feel of the island.

We enjoy beautiful beaches, hiking, exploring the villages, soaking up the local flavor of places. Thanks so much everyone!

Chania

I had difficulty getting around on Milos. Pretty well need a car and even some roads on the map were not passable. Strong winds will stop the tour boats going to see the rock formations and Sept is windy. I liked Amorgos for its sandy beaches, hiking, villages, lot's of donkeys still being used. I also liked Karpathos but it would be too difficult and time consuming to get there from Santorini and surrounding islands.

wug

Thanks Chania, is Amorgos on a ferry line with Santorini? If not, which larger island does it connect with as far as ferries?

And September is windy. Good to know. I've only been there either May, June or July. Thanks so much.

brotherleelove2004

You can determine which islands are connected by ferry just by using the "From" and "To" functions on this website, although the actual schedules for next September won't be available for several months..

http://www.openseas.gr/OPENSEAS/index_en.vm

My first trip was also in 1985. I ended up staying in Oia for 6 months!

southeastern

Kea- few Americans go there but we really enjoyed it. Be sure to see the Lion of Kea if you go.

yorkshire

I hope you won't mind my hopping on your thread. I am taking my first trip to Greece next year and curious about Andros. It might fit well in your trip if we find out good information from the fodorites! I've read there are waterfalls, which intrigues me, but I have not been able to find out much else.
I am interested in Antiparos so loved hearing about the kayaking.

jmphilly

Think about Lesbos. It has been many years since I've there, but it is a large island with many different beaches and styles of towns.

wug

Yorkshire, kayaking around Antiparos was a highlight of our trip that year. We were actually staying on Naxos and did the ferry to Paros then to Antirparos that morning and took the last ferry back that night. It was so worth it. You are going to fall in love with Greece! It's an amazing place!

Heimdall

Hi wug,

Who did you do your kayaking with? Kostas Kalpenidis, who used to do the Argonauts Blue kayak tours, tells me he has stopped the service. I understand there is a company called House of Sea Kayaking at St George which still has tours, though. I would appreciate your feedback.

Heimdall

And wug, if you wish to stick with the Cyclades, Sifnos and Milos would be good choices. I understand they have good sea kayaking at Milos too.

Another possibility would be the Blue Star ferry from Santorini to Rhodes, with a possibility of island hopping in the Dodecanese.

Judy

Folegandros....very close to Santorini and a highlight of our trip a few years ago!

wug

Heimdall, yes, it was Kostas. He mentioned he probably wasn't going to be doing the kayaking much longer as he was getting busier with the spear fishing. My husband and I had talked about wishing we could go back to Antiparos and go spear fishing with him. Kostas was great! Do you know him?

Thank you for the info about possible kayaking at Milos. I'll definitely look into it.

Heimdall

Yes, I know Kostas, but only casually. I have my breakfast every morning at Yannis Place, which he used as his point of contact for customers. He is a very nice man, so I can understand why you enjoyed your day with him so much. Kostas told me you can still arrange to use his kayaks, but he doesn't do the guided tours anymore.

Here is a page I found on the web about sea kayaking on Milos:
http://www.seakayakgreece.com/

Chania

Amorgos is in the Cyclades near Naxos so you would take a ferry probably to Naxos and then another ferry to Amorgos. I also liked Folegandros but I was there mid April and it wasn't swimming weather but I don't recall any easy access to beaches or any sandy beaches but I would be wrong.
http://www.amorgos.net/frames.htm
One thing I really liked about Amorgos is the sandy beaches within easy walk of the hotels in Aegali where most tourists stay. I did the walk from Hora to Katapola and a walk up to a couple of villages near Aegali but I think there is a longer walk from Aegali to Hora where there is a monestary. Hora has shops and restaurant/bars.

voyagefemme

Wug,
I returned from Greece a couple weeks ago. I visited Rhodes and absolutely loved it. The medieval "Old Town" part of Rhodes Town is spectacular (Street of the Knights, the Grandmaster's Palace, great flea market). Lindos was another favorite of mine in Rhodes. We climbed to the acropolis and then came back for a swim in the Mediterranean. The water was turquoise blue and felt great on a hot day.
If you go to the Peloponnese, I would recommend the Caves of Diros (unless you're claustrophobic)on the southern end of the peninsula near Areopolis. A network of underground waterways, caverns and tunnels you're guided through on a canoe. Stalactites and stalagmites everywhere....simply amazing!

stanbr

Hello Wug.
Based on your previous trips in Greece I would think that you could be considered an expert yourself. Since you are planning on bringing inexperienced people with you why are you looking for new locations to visit.
Why don't you concentrate on putting together an itinerary where you are familiar with and where you can be the guide and show off the best of Greece based on your experience.
It appears from your posts that here are places in Greece you loved, why not share them.

wug

Hi Stanbr, I understand what you're saying and you're right, I do have certain places I love, but the past couple of trips to Greece I've done that exact thing. I'm ready to see something new. Probably just one new island and repeat some of my faves, or places I've only been once. The only one of the four of us who has never been to Greece is my brother in law.

I appreciate all the suggestions and help. I LOVE hearing about what people loved about certain islands, etc.

parosblue

Hi Wug,
Have you considered going to the south coast of Crete? I highly recommend Plakias and Mirthios. Plus, I agree with voyagefemme about Rhodes (Lindos is sublime) and the Dodecanese islands. These two areas have beautiful beaches. If you spend time on the mainland - get to Nauplion with visits to Mycenae and Epidaurus. Lastly, everyone has their favorites - I can't go without staying for part of my trip on Paros. Enjoy!

mes2525

I was in Rhodes and Lindos in late October and the weather was beatiful. I took a day trip to Kos on the Dodecanese Express which about 2 hours. Rhodes offers a wide variety of interests: beach, architecture, ancient ruins, shopping, lounging, etc. I also liked Crete - I've been to Chania, Iraklion, Knossos, and the Archaeological Museum. Chania has a lovely hotel, Casa Leone that looks like an old Venetian palazzo. The hotel renovation is very nice and I got to eat on a small balcony overlooking the harbor. I stayed at the Astoria in Iraklion which is near the museum and in the center of town. I much prefer staying on one of the bigger islands where there is a choice of activity. (Also love Corfu for its lush vegetation and great scenery).

EricBentzen

Leros north of Kos and Kalymnos is a nice place. Off the beaten track, but easy to get to. We were there last year (trip report with photos at: http://sitestory.dk/rejser/leros2008/about_leros.htm) and returned this year (no trip report yet).
It is fairly small, and it is easy to get around (taxis are very cheap). It is not crowded with tourists (no airport!), idyllic, has very nice beaches, an old well preserved castle on a mountain top, lots of tiny churches, an interesting war museum and last but not least very friendly people.
One of the reasons it hasn't been "developed" for tourists is that it has a psychiatric hospital (for all Greece), which employs many, so the island doesn't depend that much on tourism as a source of income.
Worth considering before things change.