We're doing a cruise that begins in Athens and stops for a day at: Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Rhodes (before going on to ports in Turkey). We'd like to spend a few days pre-cruise in Athens, and are also thinking of spending some days at one of the other islands as well. Question is: Which of the islands other than the ones we'll be visiting on our cruise itinerary would be best to visit? I.e. not real difficult to get to from Athens (and back to Athens for cruise). Handsome scenery and interesting things to do. We're more interested in outside things-- beautiful scenery, hiking and so forth-- than in museums and churches. And we have no interest in shopping.
Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Fly to Santorini and stay in Oia for 3 days. Your ship stop there will be hectic---Oia is magical.

I would just stay in Athens and enjoy the city. There is so much to see and do.

But, if I was going to visit any island for a few days before my cruise, I would head to Crete. You could fly there and back to Athens on Aegean Air.

If you want "easy" islands to get to, you could visit Aegina, Poros, and Hydra as day trips or an overnight from a boat from Piraeus. My favourite is Hydra.

If you need any info on Rodos, just ask. I stayed there for 5 days in July, 2007.

Poss, can you please share details of your cruise? Thinking about doing something similar in future - thanks!

Fly to either Naxos or Paros for a more real island experience.

I agree that Athens is worth more time than most people give it. There are other places worth visiting on the mainland too - Delphi, Meteora, Monemvasia, Nafplio... For my TR on six weeks in Greece, including Hydra, Crete, Rhodes and Kos see www.wilhelmswords.com/eur2006. For lots of info on Greece and Greek islands see www.greektravel.com.

As an architect, IMHO I found Athens to be disappointing. It is a BIG city and as such has many wonderful things, but you can find most of those in any large city, except for the Acropolis of course. The Benaki museum was very interesting as well. However, per thursdaysd above, you might use Athens as a base to visit other mainland sights - unfortunately we did not do this, so I can't comment.

The real charm of Greece was outside of Athens for us. We visited Greece last year and spent three nights in Athens, three on Mykonos, three on Santorini, one on Paros, and three on Crete.

If you do not have a way to spend more time on Santorini (spectacular setting) or Mykonos (nice beaches), I'd agree with Cries_Van_Notebook above - Crete is larger and more varied. We were based in Iraklion (Knossos ruins) but drove west to Chania and Rethymno - very quaint seaside ports. The Cretan food is also out of this world.