Crete or Paros/Naxos
 

Calling all Greek Island experts. My wife and I have been to Europe 7 or 8 times, and will be going to Greece, for the first time, in September 2005. We're committed to 2 days in Athens at the front/back ends of the vacation, and have decided to visit Santorini, for (probably) 4 nights.

The question is where to spend the remaining 5 nights - split it up between Paros & Naxos, or use all 5 in Crete?

We're in our late 40's. Our usual day on vacation involves sightseeing in the morning/afternoon (history, archeology, cute villages, shopping), a return to home base for a quick dip in the pool/ocean, an early dinner and an early retirement for the day. We're definitely not late-nighters or party-ers.

Based on this, and all of your experiences out there, could someone please recommend which might suit us better? Crete or Paros/Naxos? (Is there another option that we've not thought of?) If possible, please include a recommendation for a good town to base ourselves, in your suggested island(s).

Thank you all very much,
joearena99

There is already another thread begun by the same person about the same topic.