We are trying to decide on one more destination in Greece. We like small and quiet places, walking, swimming, hiking, photography. Which island would you recommend? We chose Crete for wildflowers and hiking opportunities.

Hi Leif <BR> <BR>I have been to Crete and loved it, it has its hectic resorts but also its quieter and more beautiful areas. <BR> <BR>Athens of course cant be missed, though you should mentally prepare for the negative experience that is Athens airport. It is easily the worst by a long shot that I have ever had to experience... full of strong strong cigarette smoke, lecherous men and chaos. Leave a good 2 to 3 hours to check in for any internal flights as the queue system isnt (as in there doesnt seem to be a system, just a free for all). <BR> <BR>As for other greek visits here are some places which friends of mine at work have recommended (I work for a travel company and therefore several colleagues have worked overseas and have extensive knowledge). <BR> <BR>Kefalonia said to be very pretty and quieter than many islands. You should read Louis Berniere's book Captain Corelli's Mandolin before visiting. <BR> <BR>Halkidiki On the mainland, said to be a quieter resort than many in Greece... <BR> <BR>have fun <BR> <BR>

Santorini is close to Crete and the photos opportunities are incredible.

HELLO, I AM WRITING TO YOU FROM CRETE. SURELY YOU WILL DO THE SAMARIA GORGE AS YOU MENTIONED YOU LIKE TO HIKE. IF YOU WANT A QUIET PLACE, AT THE END OF THE GORGE YOU CAN TAKE A FERRY TO LOUTRO,A SMALL FISHING VILLAGE. IT'S ABOUT A 15 MINUTE RIDE AND WORTH IT. IT'S JUST A SMALL COVE WITH SOME ROOMS TO RENT, SOME RESTURANTS AND SOME SHOPS. WE LOVE IT !!! THE FAR EASTERN END OF CRETE IS THE QUIETER SIDE, LESS TOURIST. THAT'S THE SIDE I LIVE ON IF YOU PLAN TO GET TO THE AREA OF SITIA LET KNOW AND I CAN TELL YOU OF SOME GREAT HIKES. ENJOY YOUR TRIP. YA SOU, AMALIA

.....Amorgos. Quiet, untouristed and a step back in time. Lovely, almost empty sandy beaches, superb swimming, excellent walking, spectacular scenery, fine, inexpensive food, some of the friendliest people we have ever met in Greece and donkeys the preferred form of transport. <BR> <BR>We have been visiting this island for the past 7 years and fell in love from the outset. We always stay at the Pension Lakki on the beach at Aegiali, a bit whacky in the management department but wonderful, organic home-grown food and fall out of bed into the sea. If you are visiting in high season (late July and August) you would need to book for any accommodation as Amorgos is very popular with Greek people. <BR> <BR>Connections with Naxos and Paros (for Crete-bound ferries) are good. <BR> <BR>Please contact me if you need any further information or web links. <BR> <BR>Don't tell anyone else - we want to keep this place to ourselves! <BR> <BR>On the return journey, you could consider Agistri as a stopover if you are worried about flight connections on the return trip. This is a tiny island, 2 hours by (frequent) ferry connection (1 hour by catamaran) from Piraeus, which we use as a bolthole from Athens. Again, it is relatively unvisited (apart from weekends, when the Athenians ascend in droves) with clean, good swimming. Here we stay at the Agistri Club, an Anglo-Greek outfit up the hill to the left of the harbour. The cuisine here is excellent, and rooms have direct views to Aegina across the Saronic gulf. They have a very good web-site at www.agistriclub.com (I think) which is very informative about Agistri and its neighbouring islands. <BR> <BR>Anyway, whatever you decide, have a great holiday.