joopachops

Celebrating hubs-to-be's 40th in Greece!

Flexible 10-14 days in Greece
Any recommendations on which islands to stay on? We do not plan to swim on the beach, more lay out in the sun kind of couple. A private pool in hotel or apt would be amazing overlooking the water.

Considering Santorini & either Mykonos or Naxos with 2-3 days in Athens.

Any suggestions on how to arrange this logistically? Also restaurants?

I'd like to take him to a beautiful restaurant with amazing food and jaw dropphing views for dinner for his birthday but open to all suggestions for the remaining days even without the criteria above as long as food is great.

Neither of us has been to Greece and just started reading guidebooks so any help is appreciated on restaurants, logistic, tips, etc.

But more importantly , I will be in Paris alone before meeting him in Greece. He has to work so I'm on my own for first 10 days. Any suggestions on restaurants? I've been to Paris so this will be more of an eat well and rejuvenate type of 10 days versus running around seeing tourist sites. I'm sure there will still be some of that but planning for a more relaxed trip with a few meal splurges - maybe 3 fabulous lunches and another 3 on dinner. Budget open. Staying either in Marais or St Germain area. Thank you!

Heimdall

<i>"Considering Santorini & either Mykonos or Naxos with 2-3 days in Athens."</i>

That looks good to me! Santorini will give you the jaw-dropping views, so try to arrange your itinerary so you will be there for his birthday. Naxos and Mykonos both have excellent connections with Santorini, so either would be a good choice.

Mykonos is a cosmopolitan island with lots of upmarket hotels and restaurants. The chora (main town) of Mykonos is beautiful, a joy to explore the little passageways with their many interesting shops. There are many good beaches on Mykonos, most of them developed with rows of beach chairs and umbrellas. The trump card for Mykonos is its easy access to the archeological site on Delos Island.

Naxos is a more economical choice, and has fine sandy beaches, some where you can find a spot of sand to yourself. Naxos has a mountainous interior with several interesting villages, a chance to see the more traditional side of Greece. When I want a change from my favourite island, I like to visit Naxos.

You itinerary will be partly determined by two things: where you will meet up with your husband, and where you wish to be on his birthday. The usual advice is to fly straight to Santorini upon arrival in Athens, then move on to Naxos or Mykonos, winding up your trip with 2-3 days in Athens. You may have to do it in a different order to fit in with your plans.

suze

http://www.bouillon-racine.com/en/home/index.html
I'm no expert on Paris but I thought this restaurant was really sweet and special.

joopachops

Thank you for all that info, Heimdall. I'm second guessing Mykonos and Naxos now after reading more and considering Santorini (5 days), Crete (6), Athens (3). You mentioned a favorite island, may I ask which one it is and why? Thanks again.

Thank you for resto suggestion in Paris, looks lovely!

Heimdall

Hi, my favourite island is Antiparos. It's a place where people often end up when they are tired of island hopping. I don't often recommend it for first-timers to Greece, because it doesn't have much in the way of sightseeing, but has an intimate atmosphere that draws people back year after year. Here is my Flickr album of Antiparos and its bigger neighbour, Paros: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...7627739415280/

Santorini, Crete, and Athens is a good combination too — go for it!