Just a bit of advice since you are finding the end of trip a bit jammed -- too many destinations. Drop Hydra. This island is HIGHLY promoted by travel agencies or famous travel "names" that do GReece bus tours -- their itineraries often do not include any islands... so they're always ballyhooing Hydra to tack on to the beginning or end of their clients' tours -- because it can be done in a day, and there are many "postcard" photos of the harbor, with the donkeys, etc. However, if you've been to Chania's charming harbor, Hydra will be a YAwn..... and since your kids will have enjoyed gorgeous beaches on Crete, Naxos (or antiparos), they'll be disappointed at almost total lack of beaches on Hydra. Also, all that walking (no cars), and no particular "sights" -- many famous people go to Hydra but ar hidden away behind walls, hedges etc ... you'll wonder where the fun is. If you skip Hydra that gives you time to go to Delhi overnight instead of a rush-rush day trip.

I also wouldn't be wedded to the idea of Meteora if that means another loooong drive -- frankly if you want to have a true family experience, I would highly recommend adding a day or 2 to NAXOS. You want mountains? it's got the highest mountains in the Cyclades --and some of them are solid marble!! Amazing sight when the sun hits a marble mountain! Yet you really have only allotted TWO days to naxos ... why not save Meteora for another time. Are you trying to get the maximum notches in your "trip belt" at the sacrifice of actual TIMe in a place to explore, discover, relax.

As for Toujour Voyager, I think you should take her remarks in context; her family is going for SIX WEEKS in Greece alone -- you have 18 days. Greece is not a race to be run.

I readily admit that I was not enamored of Santorini -- I thought it nice, but not spectacular. That said, 2 nights might give you only a day there, depending on when, exactly, you arrive and depart. That might work for you, but it isn't much time at all, so do give it some thought. Same for Naxos, where you might now have just 2 days.

I'm a bit more sanguine about your time on the mainland than travelerjan, who definitely knows a LOT more than me, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. If you want to see Delphi and Meteora and are willing to spend a lot of time in a car, you could do that at a reasonable pace with 3 or 4 days / 4 or 5 nights. And that would still give you some time in Athens, if not much. And it may be worth remembering that because Athens is the most easily reached of these destinations (at least for international travelers), it is also the easiest to incorporate into a subsequent trip.

Personally, I'm not sure you have a bad choice -- just some difficult ones: Do you want to see both Santorini and Naxos? if so, are you willing to skim them to free up time for the mainland? Are you willing to spend a lot of time in a car while on the mainland? Do you expect to return to the area?

Hope that helps!

Really good suggestion about Hydra! After researching more, we have decided to skip it..and that has given me almost two days back!! Thank you!!!

kja travelerjan Such difficult choices! After going over options (with pics, videos) with the family, we are still positive about keeping Delphi (and perhaps Meteora) in our itinerary and have decided not to add days to Naxos or Santorini. We have total 9 nights in mainland so I think we should be able to spend first ~4 days outside of Athens and then keep last 4/5 days for Athens. Once Crete, Santorini, Naxos accommodations are locked (so that we cannot change our minds ), I will have to see how Athens+Delphi(+Meteora) works out.

Just keep in mind that meteora is 4.5 hours driving each way.... Havd good time whatever you decide

If that's what works for you, go for it! I almost never book anything that can't be cancelled without cost up to 24 hours in advance.

To joannyc -- ah its always the americans who say heck, I've driven that in 1 day ... but they mean US interstates. Bet they haven't done it on Greek roads... so they shouldn't scoff until they have.

Hmmm.... I'm an American, and I've driven those roads, and with the exception of a very few stretches (e.g., the hills leading into Delphi, which I hit during a rain storm), I didn't think they were all that bad. And I'm pretty sure joannyc HAS driven those roads -- she gave me very helpful advice when I was planning my time in the area. But maybe we routed differently than you?

Travelerjan, you are apparently an American, having worked in NY and CT and now retired in Philly, so I don’t understand why you are dissing your fellow Americans.

I am certainly not referring to US interstates and have driven at least 30 days each year in many European countries for many years on highways, secondary, and tertiary roads. Since I recently took an early retirement, this year I will be driving in western France for 6-1/2 to 8 weeks.

I haven’t been in Greece for almost 15 years so I did not rely on my memory for the driving time estimate; I checked a couple of mapping/directional websites and used the longest drive time in my response.

How long did this drive take you? Have you even done this drive? Or do you rely on public transportation with multiple stops and/or transportation changes? Please explain your post.

I find that you often advise posters to not go to Meteora in many of your posts. Why is this? It is a spectacular site and you are doing a disservice to other Fodorites.

@kja… thanks very much for your support!

I do not understand this intensity. Anyone can say their opinion and if we like we respect or not.

Meteora are beautuful but for me you need at least 3 days. Streets are ok but not the highway you have at other European countries Google maps will give you thw exact time necessary

Apologize if underestimated Greek driving experience of previous poster -- no I haven't driven for decades (due to where I've lived) but have been in navigator seat for at least 10 extended car-hire occasions in Greece ... it may only reflect on the capabilities of my various companions in the driver's seat, but it has always taken us quite a bit longer than estimates; could be that we stop to remark on views, or get confused re direction... I defer to the pro's who believe that itinerary is easy, apologies for anyone offended did not mean to diss anyone.

Do you have accomodations for Athens?? If so I highly reccoment The Plaka The last time we were in Greece i got an Airbnb place. View of The Acropolis from one of our balconys. Best food around the corner
Have fun. We are going to our 4th trip to Greece in September & already thinking of next year