Can anyone advise me on what islands and in what order we should see them. So far Santorini is a request.. I would like to spend a couple days in Athens, and stay several nights on different islands. Is 10 days enough time, or is 2 weeks?
We are hoping to stay at B & B's on the islands..also, which ferries are recommended for March? Would a ferry with a sleeping berth make any sense? As you can see - I need help with this...
There are possibly 6 of us-- 40 and above who would like cheap but clean accomodations and ferry service.

Bear in mind that March is still winter, and the islands will be cold, possibly rainy, and very quiet. It won't be beach weather, and you will need warm clothing. Most hotels and restaurants that cater for tourists will be closed, but some, that serve the year-round population, will be open. Much as I love the Greek Islands, in March I would stay on the mainland.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but those are the facts.

Would you recommend April or May?
I appreciate your candor...
We aren't really looking for beach days..we would like some sunshine, wine on a patio looking at the water.. and quiet and no tourists are right up our alley.. and the rain is not going melt us !

The best weather is in May.

"quiet and no tourists"...........That's a bigger challenge. If you want to be the 'only' tourists, consider going to Therassia, the small island across from the village of Oia on Santoirni. There's only one place to stay with 12 rooms called Zacharo, owned and operated by a Greek-American gentleman, Jimmy. Even in August the rooms are only 25 euro. They each have a kitchen, there are no hotel services. The sea views are spectacular. There's a mini market and a bakery in the only village; no souvenier shops, bars or anything that remotely smacks of tourism.

Communication is by phone only.

30-22860-29102
cell: 30-697-839-5640

May, <i>Yes!</i>

<i>No tourists</i> means nothing open and poor ferry connections. May is the beginning of the season, with tourists just beginning to trickle in. Hotels, restaurants and shops are starting to open, and it is still very quiet. It's a pleasant time to be on the islands.

May is perfect and since it's just after the rainy season, flowers are everywhere. If you like walks, I suggest Naxos and Sifnos. You have to plan carefully for ferries to/from the latter n May ... usually there's a ferry from Paros in the mornings.

You can do a good itinerary in about 16 days that will give you 3 islands and Athens and no rushing, at off-season prices; check my profile for links to itinerary ideas along this line. I'm as frugal as they come, and every May I find wonderful small family-run hotels with balconies and views @ about 30€ per night.

thank you all for your great comments and views...
now to convince " the group" that this should be done in May..
if they can't be convinced, I will be back asking more questions...

If your group needs convincing, tell them that many of the popular (for tourist) ferry connections don't exist in March. To get from Mykonos to Santorini, for example, you would have to go through Athens, use two different ports (Rafina and Piraeus), and travel nearly a whole day to get there. In May there is a direct connection taking 2hrs 40min.

Another clincher: In March average temperatures (e.g. Naxos) will be 50s F, and it will rain nearly one day out of three. Many other days will be mostly cloudy. In May average temperatures will be low 70s F, and you will get maybe one rain day in a week. Most other days will be clear or partly cloudy.