Hi All

Planning a 11-12 day trip to Greece for September 25 with my two adult kids (early 20s).
We are all very active and enjoy culture, food, walking, beaches, historical sites.

I've read a fairly easy sequence would be Santorini-Naxos-Paros-Athens. (anywhere else?)
Fly into Santorini, Ferry to the other islands? Or Fly into Athens. (we'd be coming from the U.S.)
Looking to minimize the need for multiple flights.

Can this all be done by ferry?

I think we'd only allocate 2 days to Santorini, (if that)

Where are some good areas/hotels to stay?
Plaka in Athens?

Thanks

Mick

If you plan to fly into Santorini and put all your flights on the same ticket, then if anything goes wrong with a flight, it'll be up to the airline to move you on. You won't be stuck in an airport (Athens or elsewhere) trying to figure out how to get to your destination.

FLIGHTS -- It depends somewhat on your US location; specifics get best advice. In East, shortest overall flilght time is nonstop from Eastern airports to ATH -- they all arrive from 9AM - 11Am, almost never delayed. Allow 2 hrs layover.. then 45 min Santorini flight. Arrive with time to explore before Sunset drinks & dinner. Some prefer flights to a major european Airport, then a transfer in Heathrow Frankfurt etc direct to santorini. In late Sept, fewer of these fllights offered & maybe later in day.
FERRIES -- THe BLUE STAR Ferries, big, open-deck, take you to Naxos-Paros, not affected by Strong Setpt wind/waves. But for Athen hop, FLight is 40 mins vs at least 4 hours on big ferries. & Taxis/car service ifrom airport is flat-fee €40 daytime to central athens hotels.

TIME ALLOCATION - In Santorini, it's really all about hte Famous Caldera View, and IMHO, 36 hours is sufficient. HOTELS: - Having VIsited Athens often I prefer staying in Area just South of Acropolis "precincit... lower area of Plaka, also called Makrigianni... more low-rise neighborhood arond hotels, more greenery, away from heavy-traffic wide avenues, near South entrance to Acropolis, & its Museum, walkable to almost every other major site. Check out HOtels Herodion, Phillipos, Hotel Hera, Airotel Parthenon.

@ travelerjan: I’m curious: Given the ease of using flight search engines that ask for starting and ending airports / cities, why do you think people should consider searching for flights that route through Athens? Google flights and other search engines provide information about -- and in many cases allow one to search for -- starting time, ending time, layover time, overall time, having both (or if necessary, all) flights on the same ticket….

@ BlueHorizon: As you plan, you might find some useful information in my trip report. I skipped Paros; the sections on Santorini, Naxos, and Athens begin with posts # 89, 109, and 181, respectively.
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

I'm not recommending any particular search method. I guess I wasn't clear. I should have said that in my experience, travelers who change in Europe are llikelier to experience delays ... because the Europe based flights to greece are mid-day, when delays occur because of heavy airport traffic. Thus sometimes travellers thinking they will save time overall, spend tme sitting in EU airports.

@ travelerjan: Oh! I honestly didn't get that, though I can see that a more discerning reader might have understood. Thanks for explaining!

In Paros, we just stayed at Alexandros Suites and Hotel and could not have been happier. Walking distance into town and a beach, perfect accommodations, breakfasts over-the-top. Litsa, owner, and her sons are so attentive and caring. In Athens, we stayed at the Athens City hotel near Plaka and found it convenient and pleasant.

Full trip report coming next week. Just returned.

Excellent! Thanks for your notes!

Thank you Kja. I will read your trip reports.!

Good info! Thanks traveljan.

Thank you virginiafish!