Advice for first time trip to Greece
 

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Greece in mid to late May of 2018 traveling from the US. We have two weeks total travel time and would like to visit three islands. Our main interests are the local culture and food/wine, sightseeing and secluded beaches (possibly naturalist friendly). Not interested in the loud/party atmosphere, more laid back approach perhaps to enjoy the local history/culture scene at nighttime as well as during the day. A few places that may appeal to us are Santorini, Mykonos (have heard it could get touristy however, in mid-May we should be ok??), Milos, Naxos and Paros (which includes Antiparos). If you have any other suggestions on islands that would be better, I would love to hear more. Our main goal is to enjoy the beauty of the islands and relaxation however, we do seek some nightlife choices as well. Would love to hear some thoughts on what islands would fit the bill and possibly lodging on them. We will mostly be traveling by ferry between the islands and then flying home from Athens but we are not particularly interested in seeing too much of Athens. Looking forward to your input.

I found Santorini and Mykonos overly touristed in mid-May of this past year. YMMV.

Rhodos would be fine. May be you will have a look at
https://www.greeka.com/greek-islands-guides.htm

Given you have only two weeks (every island hop eats up at least a half day)I am goping to suggest an Island you have not yet considered. Crete. It has everything you mention as main interests.

We particularly love west Crete. It has lovely urban centers with Venetian era harbours and old towns in Chania and Rethymnon. While they both will have lots of tourists in May they are not crowded.

Western Crete http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632115757899/
Aptera images 38-62 Balos Gramovossa images 79-106
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/

For your secluded beaches portion of the trip head south to the Libyan Sea. That coast is dotted with little villages some with no road access.

You can start at Paleochora in the far west then ferry hop to Sougia. Spend a couple of nights in both then hop to Agia Roumeuli where you can do the Samaria Gorge from the bottom. From the top its a 16km hike down. From the bottom you can hike up a couple of kiloometers to the Iron Gates which is pretty spectacular. You can stay a night in Agia Romeuli and then take the ferry to Loutro a charming ex fishing village in a bay then finish your trip at Chora Sfakion.

You will remember this village hopping trip for hte rest of your lives.

Samaria Gorge hike the easy way. https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57670610409530
Ferry trip Libyan Sea https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57653434073393
Crete Libyan Sea villages https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645487373222/


If you still have time I highly recommend Plakias also on the south coast but about 50 kilometers east of Chora Sfakion. Its not a charming Greek village but it does provide services to the tourists who come for the surrounding beaches.

All of the areas I have suggested contain secluded beaches where you can wear whatever swimming gear you want.

Plakias Crete https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57665045541263

Mykonos isn't quite as bad as Santorini as far as tourists crowds but I agree with the better destinations of Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, and Crete. I know there is a naturalist beach on Crete's south shore as we stumbled upon it while out walking the beach.

With 2 weeks, your most efficient sequence (minimizing transit time, avoiding backtracking, maximizing time at destinations, enjoying) would be:

• ASAP on arrival (don't leave airport), take domestic flight to FARTHEST destination, then island-hop back toward mainland, leaving 1.5 - 2 days for intensive Athens sightseeing at very end. By that time you'll be familiar enough with Greek ways to get around efficiently, and immersed enough in Greece that the Major Landmarks will resonate powerfully with you.

• By 2 weeks, I'm guessing u get 3 weekends (ie arr Sat 5/11, dep Sun 5/27; if pick an AM arrival (highly recommended) that's 15 days, OK for 3 islands + athens with no rush if plan well. Mid-May also the "sweet spot" for weather, swims, good nightlife but no huge mob scene yet.

• Re expressed preferences for local culture & food & secluded beaches - won't get ANY of these on Santorini or Mykonos. Santorini is a YES for the famous view but stay just 48 hours... and skip Mykonos, it has daily Cruise mobs, tons of luxury shops (Hermes, Cartier etc) but so has Palm Beach. If you truly want what you say, CRETE is a great fit for you - then SANTO - then NAXOS and/or Antiparos. Crete is one of best places for beach-naturist-cuisine, ditto Naxos.

• Possible Scenario: DAY #1 - Fly to CHANIA. Day #2 - Explore Old Town Day #3 - 6; Car rental to?? Falassarna (amazing in may), to a South beach: Sougia - Loutro; Day 6, N.E. thru WINE country (Dafnes) to Heraklion area, see Knossos? Day #7 - 9:45 am ferry to SANTORINI arr 12 noon. Day #9 - 10:30 or 3:15 ferry to NAXOS. Day 9-10-11 -12- Naxos (far beaches -- Plaka, Alyko etc; car to explore hill villages, landscapes, mountaintop tavernas - possible day-sail to Antiparos on schooner .. Day #13 fly to ATH airport, 2 days ATH sightseeing. NOTE: Captain Barefoot & Other sites list the best "naturist" beaches in Crete & Naxos.

• Ferries Vs Domestic Air - U need to ferry Crete-Santo and Santo-Naxos .. but long ferries @beginning & end eat up precious days. Only long one I'd consider would be if you don't arrive until 4-5pm and want to do the itinerary i list above - you could get 9pm o'night ferry to Chania arr 7 am. However, Much costlier than flight (50 mins). Naxos-ATH airport is 45mins vs Naxos-Piraeus 5 hrs. If u sign up for Aegean's "newsletter" (really an e-mail alert) https://en.aegeanair.com/newsletter/?email= you can get deep-discount "promotional" airfares... these appear about 5-6 months ahead.

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts, I think our mind is made up with going to Crete, especially after seeing all the beautiful pictures from Stanbr. How do you think the crowds will be during that time of year? We might skip Santos all together and do Naxos and Paros instead. We are also contemplating on going a different route and doing the Amalfi coast for a week and then Crete for the other.

Mid to late May is when we normally go to Crete but we often slip into June. In fact we are just back from three weeks in Crete. We wanted to try something different this year so went in the fall. I can tell you that the water is a bit warmer than in May

In May it will be warm and mostly sunny but you might get a few clouds and some wind.
The tourist area will be busy but not crowded its a lovely time of year.

If you choose to do Amalfi and Crete look for a direct flight from Italy to Crete. Avoiding the Athens to Crete flight gets you in to Crete much earlier and makes a lot of sense.

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