Athens to an Island
 

Please give me any info you have regarding day trips to the Islands. Websites and tour companies as well as the boat/ship info would be greatly appreciated. We will be in Athens for 5 days and realize that after w days we will want to out and explore.

How 'bout any sailing info from Athens, I love the water and have been told that I should go sailing while there.

Matt Barrett's www.greektravel.com is a good source.

Fantasy Travel, which will be mentioned on that site, is a reputable travel company for visiting the islands.

Or go to any of the travel agencies around Syntagma square. You have to find out about ferry schedules either there or at the port in Piraeus. Unfortunately each ferry company has a different agent, so you will not find a single agent with all the info.(please somebody set me straight if I'm wrong)A question to anybody with more current information. Is the National Bank of Greece still handing out ferry schedules at their office on Syntagma?

Vera

If you want a day trip, it's best to go to the Saronic islands. There are expensive day cruises which you can book in travel agencies in Athens - see www.olympic-hydraiki.gr for some information.
It is easy to do independently. Take the metro to Pireas, then a ferry. Aiyina ("Aegina") is an hour or so from Pireas and has frequent ferries and fast craft. Some ships continue to Poros and Idra ("Hydra"). Idra is beautiful but very touristy; you need to be at Pireas by 0800 to do this in a day. The main operator, Hellas Flying Dolphins (www.dolphins.gr) runs fast craft and also ships under the name Saronikos Ferries. The ships have sun decks and bars; they don't have restaurants but there are lots on each of the islands.