Trying to pick a Greek Island

Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 05:44 AM
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Trying to pick a Greek Island

I'm planning a first time trip to Greece the last week of May, and will be traveling solo. I'm going to start in Santorini because it's a bucket list place, and then I want to go to an island for some relaxation, and then I'll finish in Athens. I'm trying to decide on where to go for the second island. I only have 10 days total for the trip.

I don't like crowded beaches where I can hear people talking next to me. I like quiet, secluded beaches. I don't mind laying on a towel. I love exploring, and finding hidden gems. I love cliff views. I'd like to have the option to do some kayaking, biking, or hiking. I like using AirBnB, and don't like big resorts. I would like a few choices for dinner at night, and of course safety is a concern. I'd like to be able to walk around alone. I can rent a car, but prefer a bicycle. I was looking at Paros and Naxos, but I'm unsure if either of those are good for me. When googling images, the beaches look crowded. Any suggestions?
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 06:25 AM
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Rhodes?

Thin
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 06:41 AM
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You've already received a good reply for your identical question on TripAdvisor.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 07:08 AM
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I assume you realize Santorini is one of the most heavily touristed islands in Greece, even in May, which will not be as crowded but still have tourists.

If you looking for another island that is less "busy" I would recommend Naxos, more laid-back and traditional with lots to do and see.

We stayed in St. George Beach, close to the waterfront and town with many otpions for tavernas, shops and markets.

Excellent bus service if you don't want to rent a car but it would be better to do so to go to out-of-the-way areas on the island.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 07:49 AM
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When I read your post, I immediately thought of Paros. Like Naxos, Paros is more traditional, not over touristed, waterfront and mountain towns and villages.You can also easily visit Antiparos from Paros.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 09:20 AM
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...and May is low season anyway.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 09:37 AM
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Thank you! Yes, I know Santorini is busy, but I've always wanted to go. I want to balance it with a quiet island after though.

Between Paros and Naxos, is there one that you would recommend over the other? Which will be easier for me to explore hidden gems? I think I read that transportation on one of them is difficult.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2017, 10:07 AM
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Both Naxos and Paros have excellent bus systems, so I don't know where you read that "one of them is difficult". Paros probably has the more comprehensive bus system of the two, because there are villages and seaside resorts all around the island, while Naxos is mostly populated in the SW corner of the island, with mountain villages to the east.

Here is a map of the Paros bus routes: http://ktelparou.gr/?q=en/content
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 05:40 AM
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I can't remember where I read it. It was a blog, and it said that public transportation was difficult because it catered more to locals than tourists, so the buses ran into town in morning and out of town in afternoon. I know that not everything I read online is correct though.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 06:36 AM
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Just my thoughts. While the bus service on Naxos anyway is set up for the locals you can see the island on the bus but you may have to get up early for some of the runs. The major routes however have more frequent departures and you can get off in a village like Chalki and have up to three hours before the bus returns. Aparanthos is more like an hour and a half but thats lots of time to explore. Some places require a combination of bus and radio taxi which works as long as you have a cell plan.

While st George beach can get crowded in high season late May is still shoulder season. There will be beach beds out but many of the businesses that provide that service are not yet ready. If you really want to get away just walk down the beach and about a third of the way down the tavernas and boardwalk stop and you get to a series of low dunes with no services and hardly any people.
You cold also look at Plaka beach. If you stay in one of the hotels near the end of the bus route there are pockets of beds but for the most part there are long stretches of just sand. This are is serviced by the bus from naxos town every hour from about 6am to midnight. We go to Plaka beach when we want a full day of beaching. We use St George when we just want a n hour or two.

Having said that your description of what you are looking for immediately reminded me of the little villages on the south coast of west Crete. There are several villages only accessible by ferry. The whole coast has beaches and mountains and is a mecca for hikers. Our favorite village is Sougia. Probably no airb@b bust several decent hotels and at least three outstanding tavernas. There are more than 3 but these three are excellent.
Take a look

Ferry trip Libyan Sea https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57653434073393
Crete Libyan Sea villages https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645487373222/
Sougia https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57653311291723
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 07:23 AM
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"... public transportation was difficult because it catered more to locals than tourists, so the buses ran into town in morning and out of town in afternoon."

Yes, that is true of all islands in winter when there are no tourists around. In the last week of May you will have no problem, as the buses run more frequently than in winter, and there will be some in late morning and early afternoon. Schedules change about every two weeks during the summer season, and most bus stations will provide a current printed schedule if you ask.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 07:47 AM
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I've just found an old printed KTEL Paros bus schedule for the last half of September, when bus frequency is about the same as in the last half of May. There were buses on all the routes averaging about 1 - 2 hours apart throughout the day, from about 07:30 in the morning until after 11 pm.

The way it works on the islands is that bus frequency peaks in July and August as tourist numbers increase. In May/June and September there are more buses than in winter, but fewer than in high season.
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Old Jan 24th, 2017, 07:57 AM
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I haven't been to Paros so can't comment on it. However, I think it would fit would you are looking for.

I have been to Naxos and must say it offers and excellent combination of Old & New World Greece, has archeological/historic sites, spectacular ride from Naxos Town to Pollonus with outstanding views and vistas, hillside villages, centuries-old Byzantine Churches, the beautiful interior villages of Chalki, Apiranthos, Filoti and the far north of the island village of Pollonus.

Naxos Old Town is beautiful with the typical white washed buildings, narrow lanes, shops, markets, tavernas. The waterfront is a mix of touristy and traditional shops and tavernas.

As I said the bus service is very good if you don't want to rent a car but a rental will give you far more options on stopping anytime you want for photo ops, spending time in a certain village or area.

I've done research on Paros and feel it would offer you a real nice Greek Experience but I think Naxos offers more options.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 01:06 PM
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Thanks all!

I saw someone recommended Crete too. I looked at Crete online some, but isn't it farther away and more difficult to get to from where I will be? Since I only have 10 days, I was trying to stay in one cluster of islands to minimize travel time.

It sounds like people love both Paros and Naxos. I wish I had time to do both.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 10:58 PM
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If your starting point on the islands is Santorini, then travel time by highspeed ferry is about the same whether you next go to Paros/Naxos or Crete — about 2-3 hours. The best ferry from Santorini to Naxos and Paros is Blue Star, a conventional ferry, but it doesn't go to Crete.

I would recommend flying between Athens and Santorini or Crete because it takes so long by ferry. You can hop by ferry between islands. A flight back to Athens from Heraklion or Chania on Crete is less than an hour, the same for flights between Athens and Santorini.

Crete is the largest island in Greece and takes lots of time to cover, ideally by rental car. I am a solo traveller myself, and prefer smaller islands where I can use the local bus service or walk. That's one of the reasons I like Naxos and Paros/Antiparos so much.

Yes, there are both people who like Naxos and people who like Paros on this board, and the Naxos fans usually shout louder. I'm in the Paros camp, but that's because you have the bonus of Antiparos where I usually stay, and visit Paros on day trips. Naxos has a little more in the way of sightseeing, so probably best for a first-timer.
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Old Jan 25th, 2017, 11:54 PM
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BTW, when the archaeological site at Despotiko is officially opened by the Ministry of Culture in two or three years time, I will start saying that Paros/Antiparos has more in the way of sightseeing. In the meantime you can visit it by boat from Agios Georgios, a small settlement at the south of Antiparos. In late May the archaeologists will probably be digging, and watching them at work would be fascinating.

Despotiko will be an open museum similar to Delos on a smaller scale. I have received an email from Yiannis Kouragios, the chief archaeologist, who assures me that visitors are welcome even though the site isn't yet officially open. You can learn more about Despotiko here:
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014...n-open-museum/

Hans Huisman, a Dutchman whom I have met on Antiparos, has a website describing how to reach Despotiko:
http://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/despotico.html
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 07:19 AM
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Hello to you my friend,

I would like to suggest you Skopelos, the “Mamma Mia”island, this green paradise island in Sporades complex in Greece with the eye-catching landscapes, traditional Pelion architecture, rugged natural monuments and a pure Greek island atmosphere. Apart from being unbelievably beautiful and tranquil, Skopelos island is ideal for couples, families and everyone who enjoys nature unspoiled beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and summer sports such as swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, sea kayaking, scuba diving , stand up paddle boarding, sailing, fishing as well as hiking, bird watching, cycling, exploring and more. In Skopelos, hotels come in great variety, from standard rooms, apartments and studios to country cottages, villas and high end hotels. The island enjoyed international acclaim when Hollywood producers chose it to shoot the famous movie “Mamma Mia”, establishing the island as a holiday destination for tourists from all over the world.
I visit the island every year.
You can take more information about it at http://www.skopeloshotels.eu or in the facebook https://www.facebook.com/spyrouvasilis/?fref=ts
About the walking tours in the island you can reach more info here http://skopeloshotels.eu/en/skopelos...ls-on-skopelos

I wish you the best holidays ever
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 07:38 AM
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"I would like to suggest you Skopelos..."

Not a very good suggestion for someone who wants to start at Santorini! Are you advertising, by any chance?
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 08:26 AM
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Consider Sikinos. It's close to Santorini and is a quiet little island with very little to attract "activity-oriented" visitors, just a few beaches near the main port village, a couple of tavernas, and lots of time for relaxation, reading, naps, etc.
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Old Jan 26th, 2017, 10:02 AM
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Any time you see something mentioned in a Hollywood movie would be a place to avoid.

In addition I would be very interested in Despotiko if you have any interest in ancient Greece. Even if it's not officially open you can get a very good idea of what was there centuries ago.

We did a day trip to Delos which is one of the best and often most overlooked of the Greek Islands for a day cruise. Fantastic archeological site, no one is allowed to live there and it's almost on par with Pompei in Italy.
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