My wife and I are soon taking our one-year anniversary trip to Greece. After researching the Cyclades we’ve decided on the following travel itinerary. We’d appreciate any of your thoughts on a) any changes you’d suggest to our itinerary, b) any comments you have on the particular islands we’re visiting (good places to stay, eat, do, etc.), c) any resources you’d suggest we’d use before going (we’re using Lonely Planet and Fodors guides right now), and d) anything you think we might be failing to consider at this point.

W 9/27 – Arrive in Athens in the morning;
Th 9/28 – Athens sightseeing;
F 9/29 – Check out of Athens hotel (the only one we’ve booked in advance – we were thinking of booking everything else upon arrival at each location) and ferry to Mykonos;
Sat 9/30 – Mykonos sightseeing and shopping;
Sun 10/1 – Daytrip to Delos;
M 10/2 – Ferry from Mykonos to Naxos;
Tues 10/3 – Hiking and sightseeing in Naxos;
W 10/4 – Biking and/or mopeding in Naxos;
Th 10/5 – Ferry from Naxos to Santorini;
F 10/6 through M 10/9 – Exploring, relaxing, and enjoying Santorini;
Tues 10/10 – Ferry from Santorini to Athens;
W 10/11 – Shopping for final gifts and final sightseeing in Athens;
Th 10/12 – Early afternoon flight from Athens back to the US

We’re more than willing to stay flexible on our dates, give or take a day or two, and are specifically looking to do ancient site sightseeing, hiking, shopping, and plenty of soaking up the local color at cafes, restaurants, and other public places.

Thanks a ton for any feedback or suggestions you might be able to provide!

I don't see anything wrong with your itinerary, especially as you say you are willing to be flexible on dates. Note that most of the ferries to Mykonos from Rafina leave around 0730, so you will have to get an early bus from Athens to make it on time.

You shouldn't have any problem finding accommodation when you arrive on the islands, as there are usually people offering rooms at the port. It is difficult to recommend a specific hotel for that time of year (end of season) as some will already be closed.

When I go to Naxos I usually stay at the Hotel Argo in St George. It is run by a Greek/Swedish? couple, clean and reasonably priced.

Have a wonderful anniversary trip.

Collegepres, this is really funny - my DH and I will soon be celebrating our fourth anniversary in Greece, and we will be in Naxos, Santorini and Athens on some of the same days as you and your wife!

To answer your question, one resource I've been using is Virtual Tourist:
http://tinyurl.com/j5guh

You can surf around from there. People can make recommendations on restaurants and all sorts of other categories, and the information is very well-organized.

Another good site is http://www.athensguide.com/ . It's the personal website of a guy who knows Greece very well.

Congratulations and enjoy your trip!

Thanks everyone so much for your feedback!!!! And speaking of *last minute* things I accidentally put off, could any you let me know what the easiest way to get to the Remvi Hotel (located at Patission 284 and Mistriotou 3-5 in Athens) from the Eletherios Venizelos airport is? Would catching a train from the airport be possible? Thank you sooooo very much.

I'm not familiar with the area around the hotel, but some ideas: You might not be far from the suburban rail, which is a nice ride to the airport from Larissa Station (which is also connected to a Metro line) or get to Metro's blue line.

Hopefully, someone with a better grasp of exactly where your hotel is will chime in. Taxis, however, are reasonable.

There's also the 95 bus.

As for your itinerary: Consider taking a day from Santorini and adding it to Naxos. Much more variety there.

Santorini will hit you right away with its striking beauty but it's somewhat shallow compared to other Cyclades. Naxos doesn't knock your socks off at first glance but it gets reveals more and more as you get to know it.

Yes, there is a train as well as a Metro and a bus that will take you from the airport into Central Athens. From what I can discover about the location of that hotel the Metro should bring you closest to it. Take the Airport Blue Line to Monastiraki, then transfer to the Green Line going in the opposite direction from Piraeus, north, to the Victoria Station. From there you can catch a taxi for the short ride to your hotel.

If the hotel is near Victoria, then I'd suggest taking a quick taxi to Larrisis and grabbing the suburban rail. Nice newer train system with comfortable seats.

Victoria is a little out of the way from central Athens, but there's a nice square there with variety of dining options.

these islands are great but would definitely not just spend so little time in each...it's quite a bit of ferry riding and you will not be able to really enjoy the islands..I would eliminate either Mykonos or Naxos..when exactly are you going

Naxox town - Argos Studios; Studios Panos or Studios Summer Times all in St. George beach area.
Mykonos town - Carbonaki Hotel 23, Panachrantou Str. with other stay options near main hotel;
Thira, Santorini - cheap place - Pension Summertime; nicer "New Haroula Hotel (with poo)" down the street from Summertime Pension. Both easy walk (5 min)to centre of town.
Shop "Armonia" on the steps to the old port; middle of Fira town
Bar - Tropica on caldera; good prices and good view - across from Armonia shop
Rastoni - cocktails great view of Caldera.
Also check out Rough Guide. It sits between Lonely Planet and Fodors in advice on hotels etc.