First Time Visit
 

For a first visit to Greece, would you recommend a cruise, a small group tour, or individual touring (with the use of private guides, drivers, etc)? Thank you!

I wouldn't recommend a cruise as you won't see much on the islands, with the typical short stops in ports. We've always travelled independently but you have to be willing to work out an itinerary that suits you and will work (ferries tend to operate within island groups), check flight times, hotels in your budget range etc. I love that part but some do not. You could read trip reports on this forum, borrow guidebooks from a library, check maps for ideas. If that sounds daunting or too time-consuming, a tour is an easier option.

Most people on this section of Fodors would suggest you just do it yourself, walking, using buses, trains, taxis and ferries. For so many reasons, when coming to Europe we normally recommend pack light as this makes so much suddenly easy.

What are the difficult things about Greece? Well the writing takes a little time to work out..... and that is about it, and of course in tourist areas they often use English on signs too.

How long are you coming for, when, how many of you are there and do you want to stay on the mainland or go island hopping?

First of all, you must know WHY you want to go to Greese, what you want to see and to do there and which places/areas you are interested in. Only afterwards you can define the best way to visit them.