Going to Greece with Hubby and 18 month old.
2 weeks
We'd like to rent a house for about a week on 1 Island and will do Athens on the way home for 3 days.
My hubby loves mythology.

Would like to do a cooking class but I see that most are almost a grand or a whole week. I'd prefer something more local then Food Channel fancy.

Would love to Scuba dive if possible.
No night clubs. We have the kid. Prefer to explore the culture and history then the bars.

Based on what I have researched we should fly to the Island right away and then do Athens on the tail end. We'll do a hotel in Athens. I see Santorini for views. And Hyrda maybe for a quite peaceful trip.
Thanks for any help.

Any tips or recommendations?

I would look at Naxos or Paros over Hydra for your week-long stay. They are both on the same ferry line as Santorini. Hydra is great for the weekend or a day trip, but I think seven nights there would be too long. At least for me!

Just a FYI: Two years ago, we stayed at a house on Paros in Ampelis (spelling?), a town very close to the beautiful port of Naoussa. There's plenty to do on Paros for a week- gorgeous beaches, medieval town, the port of Parikia ( Church of 100 doors), plus day trip to Antiparos. It's a much (!!) quieter island than Santorini, and would give you a chance to experience a calmer slice of Greek life.

Of course much depends on time of year. A trip in May/June is much less chaotic and crowded than end of June- August.

In late May thru June, Naxos is extremely toddler-friendly! Especially St. George (Ag. Giorgios) beach, directly adjacent to port town .... In May-June, v. clean beach, shallow, golden sands, uncrowded and beloved by families w. pre-schoolers. Every year I lie on a sunbed watching dozens of Scandinavian toddlers capering at water's edge, safe & happy while parents watch.

There are self-catering units that are directly on the sand ... and if you can snare a patio-level unit, handiest for parents of toddlers, easy in-out for naps, changes, food. Good places to look at include Studios Kalergis, Studios Thomais, Sun Beach, Villa Naxia, Hotel Akrogiali... and many more if u can walk 50 - 100 yards off the sands.

One of the nicest features of a stay here for young families is that you don't need to rent a car daily and do all the fuss of loading gear & car seats constantly. There are nice restaurants (tavernas) on the beach but It's a level walk with our stroller along the seafront about 10-15 minutes to Naxos Town cafes, shops, exploring flagstoned lanes etc. Every year at sundown I see Norwegian couples enjoying dinner portside while their toddler drowses in a pushchair.

If you're interested in cooking classes, you can investigate when you get there. Right on the seafront promenade, there's a big newish shop that specialized in only Naxos products. The clerks are young women, v. friendly, helpful, fluent in English. I am sure that they could put you on to a reasonably-priced cooking class... If you spend a few days in Naxos,you could rent a car for at least 1 day, and enjoy driving around the whole island which is both rich in antiquities (temples, statues etc), incredible dramatic scenery AND traditional villages and farms ... not tourist-oriented, just raising flocks and crops, growing olives and grapes, living their lives, mining marble(!), all independent of tourism. Naxos has links to Mythology (Theseus came here after killing the Minotaur), and its tiny museum has world's largest collection of the famous & mysterious prehistoric marble figurines.

Paros also has good beaches and interesting antiquities, however, better for singles/couples. Its better beaches are more difficult to access w.o. daily car rental or scooters.

StanBR, another Fodors regular, also loves Naxos; here are his pix of St. George Beach: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7632113170279/
and here's his album of the whole island "A week in Naxos June 2014"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645113682278/

If this is of interest, I suggest checking early and soon re flights to Naxos, because there's only 1 per day, modern small jets, fewer than 40 passengers. Returning to Athens, u can take the large & comfy Blue Star Ferry (1500-1800 passengers), booking "reserve economy" seats .. which give you large comfy indoor seating, but u can also stay on deck as long as u like.

Hope to see u in June on St. George beach & say Hi!

Hey Jan just a couple of additions to your excellent post. Since the amalgamation of Aegean and Olympic they have added additional flights to Naxos. In May there are two flights a day and in June an unbelievable 4 flights a day. If the OP chooses Naxos in June they should be able to find a connecting flight when they arrive in Athens.

However as Jan says the aircraft take less than 40 passengers so do make that booking asap. They are up on Aegeans web site already. The aircraft are Dash 8 turbo props.

We looked into renting a house in Naxos and found one on VRBO. It was 100 euros per night but was out in the hills overlooking Plaka beach where there has been quite a bit of high end development over the past few years. The issue with this location though is you will need a car.
I like Jans suggestion find a studio hotel at St George beach. They may have a weekly rate and you will be just meters away from the beach with easy access to naxos town. Once you make contact with a hotel owner chances are they know someone who offers cooking classes on Naxos.
I did find this thread about a cooking school in Naxos but I have no experience with it.

Traditional cooking school conducted by local traditional cooker Maria Polikreti and following the hundreds of generations of traditions and techniques.

These unique, hands-on classes take place in an historic water mill amongst breathtaking Naxian countryside for a complete journey of the senses.

We invite you to join our home, Maria's place. My authentic Greek kitchen and cooking school is based on fresh, organic, local ingredients of the purest form. We're nature meets nurture. Come and try delicious recipes from generations before and join me in a truly unique taste journey of Hellenic culture.

Phone
+306950777111
Email
[email protected]
Website
http://www.theorganictable.gr/

Hopefully I wont be boring you with additional images but here is Naxos town which is directly adjacent to St George beach.
Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
Have fun planning.

See u in June, stanbr!! If Iowachic & her chick show up on St. George beach, Maybe u & Lolly will be up for a spot of babysitting, LOL !!

We really enjoyed our stay in Naxos a few years ago. We stayed at THE NISSAKI BEACH HOTEL in St. George, which has some larger rooms that might appeal for you and your child. No kitchen, but there is a very good restaurant on site by the water's edge, and town is only about 10-15 minutes away, even with a stroller.

About Athens: Our favorite hotel after many trips is AVA HOTEL and SUITES, which is in the Plaka and only a short walk from literally everything you'll want to do and see.

The rooms are suites with tiny kitchenettes, some with balconies facing The Acropolis on one end, Hadrian's Arch on the other. It's a small hotel with excellent staff and wonderful breakfast!

If that's too much $$$, also look at ATHEN's GATE, which is just across a tiny street from the back entrance of The Acropolis Museum.

Lastly.... whatever you do, try to decide soon! We booked our plane tix for a June trip to Paros three weeks ago, and the flights are almost sold out now.

Good luck!

I am guessing that the OP has a careful budget, judging by remarks re cost of cooking class. An Athens hotel in same area as Athens Gate, but even better for couple with a tot in stroller, is Airotel Parthenon, also just a few yards from Acrop Museum, and right off the lovely flagstoned promenade south of Acropolis ... all the Greek parents roll their buggies there before dinner. If you check on booking.com, sometimes u can get Airotel Parthenon for about 30% less than Athens gate... right now that website shows it w. large room for 2 adults 1 crib at about 307€ for 3 nights in mid-June -- a good value in my humble opinion.

If u could do better at Athens Gate, terrific, and it has a swankier lobby & a roof restaurant ... but avoid front rooms of AG, since they face a VERY busy 8-lane road w 24/7 traffic.

Thanks so much I can't wait to put it all together and to see this amazing beach you all shared with me. I appreciate your help.
I would take you up on the babysitting too.

Well I think Jan was subliminally offering the babysitting service for herself. As a grandmother she loves children and cant wait to get a babysitting gig.
Us not so much.

OK, I confess, I'm nuts for toddlers.

Re: Santorini. Be aware that many hotels are on the cliff edge so good to avoid with a toddler. There aren't as many railings or fences as you might expect. Naxos or Paros will be perfect for your family.