Thanks to everyone for their input.

phieaglefan: I'm sorry for hijacking your post, but I figure I might as well join in a conversation already going rather than start my own. :)

And for Naxos, we are leaning towards the Galini also -- it's such a bargain. That way we can splurge a little in Santorini. I think we're going with a one-bedroom cave house at Strogili apartments in Oia, or if our budget allows, we may splurge even a little higher.

Heimdall: I do have a sense of adventure, but I'm traveling with someone who has never been outside the US before (except for one trip to Cancun years ago), so she's a bit nervous to try just "winging it." She's counting on me to find "suitable" places, so I don't want to chance it and have her blame me when things go wrong. I'd be more willing to try it if I were going solo or with a boyfriend.

Cheryllj, I totally understand why you don't want to 'wing it'. On the other hand, many travellers are apprehensive about making hotel reservations before ferry timetables are out, in case there isn't a ferry on the day they want to change islands. That is why I mentioned it is easy to find hotel rooms in May. I don't think you have much to worry about getting from Mykonos to Naxos, though, so go ahead and book.

Boinky, I agree that <i>Greek Island Hopping</i> is a wonderful resource for ferry routes (I use it myself), but 'they give a pretty accurate idea of how often boats run between any pair of ports' <i>only during high season</i>, which for ferries is roughly from the middle of June to the middle of September. In May some of those routes aren't even running. Secondly, the timetables in <i>Greek Island Hopping</i> are always a year behind, so those listed in the 2007 edition are for 2006. Therefore, if you use it for planning a 2008 trip the information will be two years old.

I appreciate all the very good advice on this board. I'm planning an anniverary trip in April to several islands. I'd like to do 3 nights in Naxos OR Paros, and then 5 or 6 nights in Santorini, with last night in Athens.

I'm looking for recommendations for special hotels. I don't mind if they are not expensve, but I don't mind if they are. I'm especially looking for a luxury place in Naxos or Paros or another island. Appreciate any suggestions.

Also, is early/mid April &quot;too early&quot; to go, or just right? Thanks.

Santorini:

All in Oia: Oia Castle, Aspaki Suites, Anemomilos Hotel, Musses Studios, Andronis Suites, Strogili Houses, Nostos Apartments, Kima Villas, La Perla Suites, Caldera Villas, Chelidonia Villas, Esperas, Fanari Villas, Ether Studios, Nikos Villas.

Hi asp10-

We were in greece at the end of August this year. We stayed 2 nights in Paros at the Stelia Mare and in Santorini at Esperas. My husband and I loved both hotels!!

The Stelia Mare is just outside of Naoussa on Paros. You can walk into town very easily - approximately 5 minutes. We walked into town every evening for dinner - returning to the hotel as late as midnight with no problems whatsoever. The ferry docks in Parikia and the cab fare was 15 euro to Naoussa.

The Stelia Mare is a lovely small hotel. We had a sea view suite for 165 euro/night including breakfast. This was my husband's favourite breakfast - they had fried eggs and bacon every day on top of the usual offerings. Calypso, their day manager is wonderful - she had lots of great suggestions on things to see and do.

The property is very new, clean and comfortable. There is a courtyard with pool and loungers - modern and upscale in feeling.

We also loved Esperas on Santorini. We had room 115 - a Superior House (or Villa- can't remember). We paid 268 euro/nt - the view is amazing! DH and I loved the fact that Esperas is at the tip of the island and is away from the traffic and crowds.

We didn't mind the extra stairs to reach the main pathway of Oia. In fact, we preferred this location because we went down to the Bay of Ammoudi for swimming everyday.

I can also say that the staff of Esperas are wonderful in helping arrange anything you need during your stay - another reason we enjoyed our stay there.

Enjoy Greece!