lauramsgarden

My fantasy Greek vacation (Grexit not withstanding) was always a week exploring Athens and other historical sites, and then a week on a Greek island. It wasn't until I started actually planning that I realized just how many islands there are - yikes.

The fantasy would be somewhere relatively quiet, (not Mykonos I've learned), at a hotel or resort as close to the beach as possible, that would still allow for exploring other spots as well.

I've learned that we do better when we spend at least 3 nights, better 4 or more, in one spot, and explore out from there. Is it realistic to stay on one island and explore others? Are we missing something if we don't stay at more than one?

How does one decide? I'm pulled by Crete and Rhodes because of their historical aspects...but I can see that there are so many options.

So, if we are not really night life people, but love history, beauty, quiet, and small villages (plus of course beaches) - what would you recommend?

any particular hotels or resorts that you love?

thanks, bewildered Greek-traveller-wannabe

brotherleelove2004

Rhodes is huge and Crete is gigantic. Both need a minimum of a week with a rental car just to barely scratch the surface.

Get yourself a copy of T. Cook's "Greek Island Hopping" to get an in-depth look at the islands. If you want to see more than one choose two in the same island group so you aren't wasting too much time moving between them by ferry. If your budget allow for a flight or two, better still.

Heimdall

"Quiet" can be found anywhere, but you need to know what time of year to travel. Even Mykonos and Santorini are quiet off-season, while the tiniest of islands will be hectic in August. Any island with good beaches will be busy in summer.

My favourite times to visit the Greek Islands are late May- early June and September. Others who prefer it more quiet than me will travel in April-early May or October.

From November to April is off-season, and very few tourists travel during that period. Ferries still run to all the islands, but some inter-island links are stopped. Archeological sites remain open throughout the winter, and there are always some shops, restaurants, and hotels open for the locals. Greece has cold winters just like in any other temperate climate.

With a love of history, don't neglect the mainland, which has far more historical sights than all the islands put together. Your fantasy should probably include Delphi and/or a trip to the Argolis region of the Peloponnese (around Nafplio). To do that you would need to limit your time on the islands, though.

PetrosB3

Greece has countless islands, you have a really big list to choose from. Each island has its unique culture, myths, traditions and cuisine. Look at Corfu, then look Rhodes. They are completely different in all aspects. If you like history, you are on the right side of the map. Greece is the Mecca of history buffs, even the word history is Greek.
So, let's begin. Crete is a magic place, but it's enormous. Crete is a trip on its own it's not just a Greek island, it's more like a country. If you like History and want a smaller place then visit Rhodes, I totally agree. It has the old city of Rhodes, a UNESCO site and the largest inhabited castle town in the World, it has museums national parks gorgeous towns like Lindos and important archaeological sites.

lauramsgarden

Thanks so much Petros, Heimdall and brotherleelove, so helpful. I will get a copy of the T.Cook book, and yes, Delphi I think is on the list. I'm still trying to grasp the geography of Greece and the general region. Guess you don't know how much you don't know until you start figuring it all out. I will keep you posted as the trip solidifies (and probably post a ton of other questions!)

Heimdall

The T.Cook book is no longer in print, but you can still get used copies (price depending upon condition) from sources in amazon.com. Don't worry about getting the latest edition, because it didn't change very much from year-to-year. Ferry timetables in the book will be out of date, though.

The only part of the mainland included in Greek Island Hopping is the Athens-Piraeus area, so there will be nothing about Delphi. Mainstream guidebooks such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guides will show how much there is to see on the mainland.

travelerjan

About guidebooks, Laura -- are you in an area near a decent-size library?? (u don't list your location in US, but from past clues I'm guessing Colorado or the Soutwest). If so, you can probably obtain the most recent copies of several guidebooks & decide which to buy -- the 3 I've found most useful:
• Rough Guide to Greece - Best overall latest edition not necessary
• Eyewitness: the Greek Isles (+Athens), very good pictorial overview of the look & Feel & highlights of all islands... for details, see RG
• T.Cook's Greek Island hopping - V. Helpful for realistic itinerary planning

If these are not on your local library shelf, most systems can get copies thru inter-library loan systems in short order, and if u are planning for 2016, u have plenty of time. If u are looking at Fall 2015, then I suggest going the Amazon route for used copies.















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lauramsgarden

Hi Travelerjan - we live in New Mexico near the Colorado border - we have an amazing library, but little in up to date travel books - that's where I picked up the Istanbul guide, but they had nothing on Turkey as a whole for example. However, the UPS truck knows its way to my door so I will order look for the T. Cook book and then get some of our favorite other guides for Greece (I already have a pretty good Fodors, just need to spend more time with it.) thanks,

Heimdall

Greek Island Hopping, like its title suggests, is aimed at island hoppers who need to learn the ferry connections between multiple islands. It has no coverage of the mainland apart from Athens and its ports. If all you need to know is how to get from Athens to Crete or Rhodes, the guidebook would be a waste of money.

oliverandharry

We chose Naxos and Crete in addition to our days in Athens, and loved both. There are several well traveled Naxos fans here that will help you. We stayed in a beach side resort and drove the whole island. Crete is huge, and we barely scratched the surface, but the Ammos Hotel near Chania is what you describe and has an owner who will direct you to all you want to see. For reasons that noone would understand but us, we did not want to go to Santorini, but there are many other lush places to go - pull up the posts about Naxos for a start.

KayF

Hi, we've been to about 10 different Greek islands and some we'd go back to like a shot and with others, once was enough. With your interests I'd suggest Rhodes. We stayed in the old town and loved it. There is a huge amount of history there and nearby villages you can visit by bus or hire car. We also did a day trip by boat to Symi, which is a gorgeous island. Check the boats at the harbour, don't rely on the tourist office which we found particularly unhelpful.

Generally speaking the islands are all too spread out to day trip from one to another. If you decide on more than one island, check the ferry routing as sometimes you need to go back to Athens first which would take ages, you can check if they are in the same ferry grouping, this website is helpful:
http://www.go-ferry.com/

If you can fly between islands that's obviously quick but not all islands have airports. We got a super cheap deal flying with one of the Greek domestic airlines but that was a while ago. You could sign up for email alerts.

Good luck with the planning. Even though Greece is one of our favourite countries to visit, I've always found the transportation part of it challenging. It can take a while for it all to come together.

Kay

Heimdall

Rhodes is a great idea! Best to fly there and back from Athens to avoid a very long ferry trip. There are direct Aegean Airlines flights between Rhodes and Crete, but you won't have enough time for both islands.