Best Greek Island
Aug 6th, 2017, 11:40 AM
#21
Thanks ladies. Not this year, already committed. But I've been thinking of a larger Greek island for several years and it's always easier to make it real when I have a particular destination in front of me.
I don't travel in summer, saw my first island a while back in the fall. Any recommendation of spring over fall? Probably May or October.
I don't travel in summer, saw my first island a while back in the fall. Any recommendation of spring over fall? Probably May or October.
Aug 6th, 2017, 12:50 PM
#22
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I can't speak to October, but I was there in May and it was very summery weather, but not too busy. There was a cruise ship or maybe two in port, not too bad. The main street was pretty busy but not swamped, but the rest of the old town was pretty peaceful. Kind of all the advantages of summer and none of the disadvantages.
Aug 6th, 2017, 06:20 PM
#28
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Difference between May & October are both climatic and scenic, and ambience ... I've traveled in May and in Late September in Greece, and much prefer May for these reasons:
• In May, the rains are over, but the greenery still abounds even on the drier islands, air is very fresh & breezy. By Mid-Sept, Greece has gone FOUR full months without rain, and the landscape is brownish, even on the greener isles and downright dusty on the others.
• In May, the water is "Brisk" but swimmable, in late Sept of course, the water is warm... but I tend not to like the bathwater feeling.
• In May, everythings opening, nothings crowded, the Greeks are refreshed, and welcoming the season, out painting their houses, their boats, the lines between the flagstone on the pathways, plenty of time to chat. By contrast, in Late sept., Greek islanders have coped with two months of HUGE EuroMobs, NOT independent travelers like us, but too many rowdy "holidaymakers"... and they're a little burnt-out. They are still hospitable of course! its in the DNA, but they're already getting on with their lives, kiddies back in school, going to Athens for dental appts, closing up shops etc. Somewhat the feeling you get at a restaurant when your group stays late, then u look around, and the staff is mopping the floor & putting chairs up on tables & you realize, I stayed Too Long at the Fair.
• Another thing - In May I always feel I get a day & a half of holiday every day, because the sun doesn't set until nearly 9 .... yet in late Sept, early Oct., it's about 7 pm and gets dark quickly.
• One last thing, if you do like to ramble around ruins, and take in museums etc, in May they are open longer. They're supposed to stay open thru October but in many recent years, with staff cuts, they've gone early to off-season hours & close at 3.
• In May, the rains are over, but the greenery still abounds even on the drier islands, air is very fresh & breezy. By Mid-Sept, Greece has gone FOUR full months without rain, and the landscape is brownish, even on the greener isles and downright dusty on the others.
• In May, the water is "Brisk" but swimmable, in late Sept of course, the water is warm... but I tend not to like the bathwater feeling.
• In May, everythings opening, nothings crowded, the Greeks are refreshed, and welcoming the season, out painting their houses, their boats, the lines between the flagstone on the pathways, plenty of time to chat. By contrast, in Late sept., Greek islanders have coped with two months of HUGE EuroMobs, NOT independent travelers like us, but too many rowdy "holidaymakers"... and they're a little burnt-out. They are still hospitable of course! its in the DNA, but they're already getting on with their lives, kiddies back in school, going to Athens for dental appts, closing up shops etc. Somewhat the feeling you get at a restaurant when your group stays late, then u look around, and the staff is mopping the floor & putting chairs up on tables & you realize, I stayed Too Long at the Fair.
• Another thing - In May I always feel I get a day & a half of holiday every day, because the sun doesn't set until nearly 9 .... yet in late Sept, early Oct., it's about 7 pm and gets dark quickly.
• One last thing, if you do like to ramble around ruins, and take in museums etc, in May they are open longer. They're supposed to stay open thru October but in many recent years, with staff cuts, they've gone early to off-season hours & close at 3.
Aug 6th, 2017, 07:04 PM
#29
May sounds like just the time. And it's when I'm used to going to Europe so will seem natural to me in that regard. I like the sound of the green.
The first time I had a month-long stay in Mexico it was in October, the month there just after the rain and it was beautiful. Next time was in February which equates to October in Greece, 4 months since it rained. That settles it.
Thanks travelerjan.
The first time I had a month-long stay in Mexico it was in October, the month there just after the rain and it was beautiful. Next time was in February which equates to October in Greece, 4 months since it rained. That settles it.
Thanks travelerjan.
Aug 16th, 2017, 12:05 AM
#30
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Hello, my favorit island is Thassos it is in the north of Greece. In Thasos, you will find nice beaches, with blue crystal water (you can find this on marble beach), natural pool (search on google for "Giola Thassos Greece"), water sports: Bodyboarding, Jet Skiing, Wakeboarding, Flyboard, Parasailing etc. (golden beach). A lot of ruins like Acropolis and Temple of Athena , and the prices are not high, wherever you eat you will find very very very good food.
See more about this beautifull island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUxD93N2_xc
See more about this beautifull island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUxD93N2_xc
Aug 17th, 2017, 05:40 PM
#32
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I notice the OP hasn't left any trail marks since July, and no one really answered her question. Hydra is delightful, but for a first time visitor, is a bit small-ish, and a bit too much rustic, for many visitors, which is why it is ideal for day-trippers or single night stays. If THAT is what you are looking for, it is fine. But I would never recommend it as THE one island for a 1st time visitor.
Again, Sept on Mykonos would be delightful, and gets my vote, with above recommendations for Rhodes and Crete as back-up good recs. Recognize that Crete is a BIG Island, so the conflicting recommendations reflect the fact that Crete contains both EXCELLENT locations, and YUCKY locations, simply by virtue of it's size. I would never give credence to reports of a bad experience in Crete to sway my decision. That would be like someone saying they found bad Mexican food in LA . . . So? Just takes a bit more homework.
Again, Sept on Mykonos would be delightful, and gets my vote, with above recommendations for Rhodes and Crete as back-up good recs. Recognize that Crete is a BIG Island, so the conflicting recommendations reflect the fact that Crete contains both EXCELLENT locations, and YUCKY locations, simply by virtue of it's size. I would never give credence to reports of a bad experience in Crete to sway my decision. That would be like someone saying they found bad Mexican food in LA . . . So? Just takes a bit more homework.
Aug 28th, 2017, 09:41 AM
#33
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thanks docdan1 for bringing it back in focus for me (although i'm not sure what "OP" stands for...)
your points (all y'all!) are really informative and thought provoking. my travel partner was pretty sold on Hydra by a greek friend, so that's where we're headed, with days trip/hikes planned nearby. i agree that it looks a bit small, but we are independent and i think it'll whet my appetite for a return visit to other isles. what i DO like is how close the trip from athens will be, so less travel time, more traveler time!
your points (all y'all!) are really informative and thought provoking. my travel partner was pretty sold on Hydra by a greek friend, so that's where we're headed, with days trip/hikes planned nearby. i agree that it looks a bit small, but we are independent and i think it'll whet my appetite for a return visit to other isles. what i DO like is how close the trip from athens will be, so less travel time, more traveler time!
Aug 28th, 2017, 10:50 AM
#34
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OP = Original Poster ... Part of leftover "in" abbreviations from Fodor FOrum Past ... I usually only employ it if earlier in the message I spell it out.
Other FodorThingies that thankfully have faded away (partly because folks like me giggle in print) are things like "DH" (dear husband) "DD" (Dear daughter), "DS" (Dear son) ... when it got to DS-In-L it was a Bridge too Far - and users got twitted. Most now settle for initials of trip companions.
Other FodorThingies that thankfully have faded away (partly because folks like me giggle in print) are things like "DH" (dear husband) "DD" (Dear daughter), "DS" (Dear son) ... when it got to DS-In-L it was a Bridge too Far - and users got twitted. Most now settle for initials of trip companions.
Nov 21st, 2017, 03:03 AM
#35
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Hello!
Plenty of the Greek Islands could be considered as "the best", it all comes down to what it should be best for...
If you are looking for luxury vacation then it is one of the following: Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes, Crete.
If you are looking for a romantic escape:
Santorini, Milos, Folegandros, Symi, Paxoi, Koufonisi.
If you are travelling solo: Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes, Santorini, Folegandros. Safe choices are big islands, like Crete, Samos and Kefalonia.
If you are looking to visit the islands on a yacht charter:
Rhodes, Kefalonia, Mykonos, Milos, Serifos
If you are going Greek Island Hopping then it is definetely the most famous of the Cyclades: Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Amorgos, Mykonos ( www.hostelbay.com/ferries )
Plenty of the Greek Islands could be considered as "the best", it all comes down to what it should be best for...
If you are looking for luxury vacation then it is one of the following: Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes, Crete.
If you are looking for a romantic escape:
Santorini, Milos, Folegandros, Symi, Paxoi, Koufonisi.
If you are travelling solo: Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes, Santorini, Folegandros. Safe choices are big islands, like Crete, Samos and Kefalonia.
If you are looking to visit the islands on a yacht charter:
Rhodes, Kefalonia, Mykonos, Milos, Serifos
If you are going Greek Island Hopping then it is definetely the most famous of the Cyclades: Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Amorgos, Mykonos ( www.hostelbay.com/ferries )
Nov 21st, 2017, 10:15 AM
#37
I'm no expert, since we made our first trip to Greece and the islands 2 years ago . . . early October.
That said, what Heimdall wrote I would agree with:
"If you want a mix of good beaches, vibrant nightlife, and things to see, you could do worse than Mykonos. It has the most beautiful town in the Cyclades, and the archaeological site of Delos a 30 minute boat ride away. September is a great time for Mykonos!"
We LOVED the fact that Mykonos could be combined with a half day in Delos -- and Delos, OMG, it is such a seriously cool archaeological site where you could touch it and be up close to it.
And so much fun on Mykonos, from sunning and swimming and drinking too much.
That said, what Heimdall wrote I would agree with:
"If you want a mix of good beaches, vibrant nightlife, and things to see, you could do worse than Mykonos. It has the most beautiful town in the Cyclades, and the archaeological site of Delos a 30 minute boat ride away. September is a great time for Mykonos!"
We LOVED the fact that Mykonos could be combined with a half day in Delos -- and Delos, OMG, it is such a seriously cool archaeological site where you could touch it and be up close to it.
And so much fun on Mykonos, from sunning and swimming and drinking too much.
