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Rather than do too much on the 1st trip, my husband, John (that was for you, travelerjan), and I will focus on Sifnos and sample Milos for a night. Athens is a must JUST IN CASE we don't make it back. But I have a feeling that wug is correct. Everything I read about Greece makes me feel at home.
We will sail into Santorini on the next trip.
I'm waiting to hear from NikolettaG. No word yet, and I have my fingers crossed that she will have a room for us.
$1100 is the best airfare I've found. Even at that, I'm still in budget.
Thanks to everyone for input, suggestions and admonitions. Y'all are the best!
MW

My post took too long to type! I meant I had not heard from Nikoletta (but I was elated to hear from Eleni, aka NikolettaG).
But y'all are all STILL the best!
MW
p.s., I can be lured into walking with someone who knows the territory for miles and miles.

marathonwoman: Have you actually tried retsina? (Maybe I just didn't get the good stuff, but I'm thinking it's an acquired taste. The beer and regular wine was good though!)

Fwiw, I agree that "DH" can be annoying when used a lot, but it's not a "Fodors cutesy" thing. It's a general internet acronym, same as LOL or WTF, although not as common, granted, but still widely used in chatrooms and message boards. It probably started on a listserv way back in the dark ages of the net (meaning the early 90s).

cheryllj, retsina is on my Greece 'must do' list. My husband believes you must drink 5 gallons of beer before you like it. Retsina might also follow that rule.
My computer skills began with fortran and apl, if that says anything about me. 'DH' became a habit on another board that saved my life in a difficult period. So I celebrate all boards that buoy life.
γιορτάσουμε αλλαγή
celebrate change!

OOh – this is such fun! Acronyms – my favourite is ROFLMAO, ha ha ha! (Learned on Trip Advisor!) Marathonwoman – I'll be delighted to walk with you, any time you like – we're in the same age bracket, which you mentioned in your first post. The walk Travellerjan mentioned (I must admit, I'd forgotten just how far it was!) was to a ruined church, which has some amazing wall paintings, centuries old, just sitting in a field, exposed to the elements, rotting away. It's such a pity – I want them to be seen, before it's too late. I wouldn't be too worried about not hearing from Nikoleta (her name only has 1 't' – you don't really get double consonants in Greek) – people here don't have the same sense of urgency if it's off season! But if you like, I can phone her - just let me know – [email protected]. These posts make the summer seem closer, don't they? We had 34 degrees (can you believe it??) in Crete last week, but now it's 11 degrees here in Athens. But still no need for scarf or gloves!! Imagine what it's like in May!

M-woman, NikolettaG is doing her weather-gloating in Celsius; 34° in Crete was 93F (!!), and even her paltry 11°C today is 51.8°F ... boohoo Eleni I feel for you Today we're happy it has gone above 0°C (32F) after llingering 10-15° below that for 3 weeks. BTW, M-Woman, here's a conversion table to print & stick into your pocket notebook for your trip. http://www.albireo.ch/temperatureconverter/table.htm

Yasou Mar/woman,
I so enjoy reading threads like this. Would love to visit the isles in May, but until I retire from teaching, a nice long stay remains in summer. Yet we love the heat and beaches and despite what people say, we have only been dismayed by the crowds on the two most talked about islands (M and S). Everywhere else is blissful. My husband and I are in the same age range (range meaning a little older). I recommend at least one night (I like 2-3) in Athens after flying over to recover and take in the thrill of walking with the ancients. On my first trip, I arrived in the am and caught an afternoon ferry, arriving on Paros close to midnight, dripping with exhaustion. I enjoy the ferries, the many islands rising like whales in the distance, and prefer the approach to harbor in daylight. Also, although Santorini is an island to see, I didn't get there my first trip. There are so many places to visit in Greece but to stay in one place will give you such a rich local experience. All this is nothing new, but I just can't resist adding a note onto this thread of Hellas-lovers. P.S. I must request permission to keep Nicoleta's on my important trip list for future reference.

Thank you dear parosblue ... always glad to hear from another hopelessly addicted Graecoholic. About the ferries ... on my first trip in 99, a month of ferrying here and there at will, my vision suddenly clicked, and I saw the islands for what they actually are.. the tops of "drowned mountains"... and see them as such ever since.

Please do keep that link for the future... (only it's Nikoleta with a K)... my first morning there I was wakened by a rooster. Stepped on to my patio to look downhill to farms and sea, and just 10 feet below me (the hill-edge is terraced) were people watering their small vegetable gardens before going off to jobs.
The next morning, after the rooster crowed, I was boiling some water in my brika for coffee when pretty Nikoleta knocked on my screen door, and handed me two small perfect eggs, still warm from the hen, waved her hand and got into her car. So the water went for 2 perfect boiled eggs instead... I daresay the freshest Eggs I have ever eaten.