Hi again everyone. Thanks so much for all of your feedback.

travelerjan, thanks for your input - I think you and the others are right, we need to figure out what the spirit of this trip will be and plan accordingly. We originally chose Greece because it had a great mix of history (and the corresponding sights to see) and relaxing beaches, so taking in Athens will definitely be part of our experience - leaving it out isn't an option, so much beauty to see! I never even considered all of the factors at play when deciding whether to do it before or after, so thanks again to everyone who weighed in on that.

Thanks also all those who mentioned the fast vs slower ferries, we definitely don't want to be holed up inside and miss the views.

We've settled on Oia for our time in Santorini (thanks for the list of hotel selections brotherlee - more on that below), and the ball and chain-to-be is on the fence about Naxos ("But I've never heard of that one! Are you sure the beaches are nice?!") but I'm pretty confident I can get her to come around on it and I really like the mix of a more wow! and touristy location (Santorini) with a less popular and quieter one, though Mykonos or another island would be a heck of a consolation prize and I'm sure we'll both be happy with whatever we decide (could we make a day trip to the island we don't choose from the island we are staying at? not sure if that's possible... just to see what we're missing)

Aside from our second island, the order of the islands and where to stay are our biggest decisions now. I was thinking Naxos (or whatever) first, then Santorini but that was mostly predicated on the fact that I wanted to see the view coming in by boat (and if we went to Santorini first we'd be missing it because we'd be flying in) but after travelerjan mentioned catching the sights on the way out, that factor went out the window. So, is there anything we should consider when deciding the order? Or does it really not matter?

I've been taking a look at lodging in Oia and have a short list I'm currently working with, I wanted to throw the names at everyone here and see what you all thought. Also, besides asking for a caldera view, anything else in particular we want to make sure we get? Here are the current candidates (open to suggestions from off the list, of course):
+ The Alexander's Hotel Cave Houses (not villas - too pricey - but the "new" - I think, from the description anyway - cave houses, or even the regular hotel if anyone has opinion on that either...) http://www.alexandershotel.com/hotel...uses/hotel.php

+ Filotera Villas http://www.filoteravillas.gr/home.html

+ Delfini Hotel (an apartment? a cave house? a suite? the suites are the only thing that is a bit outside of our price, but only barely - so if it's a definite step up and "worth it" it is definitely something we'd consider, or if the cave houses are fine, etc, etc - we'd like to know that too) http://www.delfinihotel.net/

Thanks again to everyone who has helped out so far!!

Your wife will quickly learn that going to places people have never heard of is very rewarding!

Just for my own amusement, not because you asked to know, I'll explain the economic reasons that most Americans have never heard of wonderful Islands like Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Sifnos Milos and other HEAVENLY islands. Simple -- the Cruise Lines and Package Tour outfits do not promote them!!! They are not on the window Posters!!!

Why? because those huge biggie (3,000+passenger) cruise ships can only dock in deep-water ports, and there only 5-6 of those in entire aegean: Mykonos, Santorini, Heraklion Crete, Rhodes Town, Patmos. SOooo Cruise lines want you to think that THESE are the Best of the Best! (but consider what happens when 3 Cruise ships stop at once in same island!). Also, the European & US package-holiday tours need Islands with BIG airports that will take mega-planes. And the isles listed above have small airports with few flights or (antiparos & sifnos) none at all.

Result?? The islands that Everybody Has Heard Of (from friends who once did a cruise) pack in more and more people, even in the off-season, while the rest of us happily enjoy the gorgeous sandy beaches, landscapes and sunsets of more serene isles.

yorkshite and jan... Exactly what I was thinking!! That's why, when I read about Naxos, it seemed like the perfect place to get a taste of a Greek island without too much of a watered down touristy experience!

Yeah, now that you explain it like that - it sure does make sense. And of course, since the cruise lines only advertise those, people only go to those, and word of mouth only grows for those... and the cycle continues... anyway, thanks for the affirmation :)

It seems that Alexander's cave houses are slightly more expensive than the cave house suite at Delfini, so if it were me I'd book at Delfini since theirs has a jacuzzi on a private balcony. Staying in a cave house will enhance your experience of Santorini.

I agree, pick a cave house on Santorini. They are so very unique and you are living like they have in past history.

Also, Naxos has awesome beaches so you can assure you wife of that. We stayed on Agios Prokopios. I enjoyed being able to walk from that beach along the shore to Agia Anna, Plaka, etc. All beautiful beaches. I'm not saying it's better to stay here rather than at St Georges beach. It really depends on if you want to be walking distance to town. There is great bus service to Agios Prokopios so it's easy to spend a day on these beaches.

You can do a day trip from Naxos to Mykonos. You'd have time to visit Delos if you wanted and then a few hours in Mykonos town before heading back. Or, just a day on Mykonos if you aren't interested in Delos. Although, Delos is one of our favorite places we've been as far as ancient sites. Others know more about this day trip option so I'll let them chime in with more info.

You can also do a day trip to Paros and/or Antiparos. We did a day trip from Naxos to Antiparos and kayaked there. It was a great day! Whatever you choose, you're going to fall in love with Greece!

Hi, we stayed at Filotera Villas in August last year and really liked it. Location is good, it's sort of at the end of the main restaurant/shopping area so not noisy but still very easy to walk to everything. The owner, Nikolas, was very friendly and helpful but did not have much English and we had minimal Greek but we managed fine.

There are about 8 levels at the villas, it's built into the side of the cliff so expect some stairs! But then all of Santorini is like that. The pool is on the bottom level and I was glad we didn't have the room down there as it's not that private. Our room was comfortable and wonderfully cool when we went back in the heat of the day to rest (August was extremely hot). The kitchenette was not that well equipped, I don't think you could make a full meal easily but we used the fridge and made tea/coffee etc so we were happy. The view of the caldera from our room was really beautiful, the only thing that bothered us a bit was very little shade on our little terrace. We both burn easily. I think Filotera would be a good choice. There is also a little shop about one minute walk away that sells bread, drinks, icecreams etc.

Kay

Just to show that we practice what we preach, I believe that Brotherlee will be in santorini in late May sometime, he often is, I'll be in Milos late May then in Santorini a couple of days, then in Naxos 4-5 days, then on to Antiparos ... so you see ... and you'll probably find parosblue at -- guess where?!

Our time in Greece was a bit different from many others. We were centered in the wonderful town of Nafplio on the Peloponnese Peninsula for two weeks. From there we took day trips and a couple of overnights to places like Olympia, Tiryns, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Hydra, Nemea, Corninth, Monemvasia, Mystras and Delphi. It was marvelous. The old part of Nafplio is complete with it's own ancient fort, seaside beaches, and tons of restaurants all within walking distance. The ambiance couldn't be beat. We then went to Athens for two days, Santorini for three days, and back to Athens for two more days. Santorini was lovely and our hotel overlooking the caldera was very nice, but three days was all I could handle. We went in by boat and flew out. Granted we are older and not in to laying on the beach. (Spend enough time at the dermotologist as it is.) We kept running into a couple who kept asking if we had seen any great beaches. Apparently that was her focus. I couldn't help to wonder if that was her focus why she didn't go to Florida. It would have been a lot cheaper.

Just as a reminder on planning, Santorini is for the unique Caldera VIEW and, if it's open, Akrotiri archeological site (closed for 5 years now they say opening in May cross your fingers); the beaches are not so much ... Naxos has 15 miles of golden sand beaches... and that's just on ONE side; plus mountains, ancient sites, old geezers shearing sheep.. the lot. Nafplio = gorgeous venetian architecture on a peninsula, about 4-5 major ancient sites 5,10,15, 20 Km away, also fine beaches PLUS wine country. And of course in Athens u are surrounded by history!

Thanks travelerjan, yes - as of now (and with yours and the others advice on relaxing and getting in the "Greek frame of mind" first and exploring the history later) - I think it will be something like 1) Arrive in Athens 2) On to Naxos to unwind from the wedding craziness and lounge on the beach 3) Santorini to take in the romantic views (and I'm hoping the Akrotiri site is open!!! ) and putz around drinking wine and enjoying each other's company then finally 4) back to Athens to take in the culture and history

For Naxos, I've seen recommendations here and in other spots for staying in St George Beach, close to the beach and Naxos Town - seems perfect to me, unless anyone else has a different view?

For Santorini, we'll be staying in Oia - deciding between The Delfini Cave House Suite (anyone who has stayed there have an opinion on it? Not sure if there's more than one, I've been in contact with them and they said it's the Suite Case House in Complex C, in the description it says a private veranda not balcony like the descriptions of all the other rooms, not sure if that means anything to anyone here...); Caldera Villas Apt (either the Honeymoon or Junior Suite); with Aris Caves (because of the central location) and Golden Sunset Villas (I found a thread from brotherlee from almost 4 years ago talking about the amazing private sunset view if you get the right room but that's the only thing I found on it) as late entrants into our considerations. Anyone who has an opinion on the three, we'd welcome it!

For Athens, we'll be out sightseeing most of the time we're there, so something clean and conveniently located is our main priority there.

Thanks again to everyone who has offered advice and encouragement!

Ha! Travelerjan is right. I am dropping pennies in the piggy bank for the next trip to beloved Paros. But now I'm thinking...tempted to add a stopover to pay homage to Santorini.

As for Naxos, in May, whn I'm there (and Stanbr, and a few other Naxos regulars), St. George beach (Greek name Ag. Giorgios) is pleasantly populated but not crowded. A vast supply of hotels -- I would advise you to google the Trip Advisor reviews on ANY hotel, Naxos or Santorini, to get all the opinions.

If you're honeymooners and wish to splurge with a more upscale hotel WITH a pool that has nice greenery surrounding, but is ALSO almost on the each, I would say, Naxos Resort Hotel .... The other upscale hotel with pool and some limited beach frontage is Nissaki Beach Hotel, hotel location good but pool is a cramped thing on a road, a fact disguised in its website. There is also Alkyoni Beach hotel with a pool, about 100 yards from beach, mixed reviews.

All other Ag. giorgios hotels with pool are farther from the beach no matter what the websites imply.

For a hotel right ON the beach, no pool, not fancy but a great view, front balconies, nice front terrace for breakfast etc, look at Hotel Asteria.

RoveT -- I did a nearly identical trip in late May of 2008, and imho, the combo of Naxos and Santorini would be an absolutely perfect honeymoon. In that order preferably imho.

Naxos is rustic and charming, and the inland parts of the island are gorgeous with very few tourists - rent a car for a day. And then Santorini is much more upmarket and crowded but if you pick a great place to stay with a killer view you won't be bothered by all those cruise shippers.

You are definitely on the right track - I highly recommend staying in St. George Beach in Naxos, and a cave house in Oia with a private terrace and a caldera view.

And tell your fiancee the beaches in Naxos are much nicer than Santorini. Naxos has sandy beaches while Santorini has the volcanic rocks. My friend that I traveled with is a beach person and she was very happy we'd gone to Naxos, even though she was like your fiancee when I was planning the trip (Naxos, where's that?). She wasn't impressed with the Santorini beaches b/c she likes sand (although the black and red beaches are pretty cool imho), but when she saw the view from our terrace, she didn't care about the beach at all.

Would you Greek experts recommend the same order to visit - Naxos or Paros/Santorini/Athens - for those of us not recovering from the craziness of a wedding? Our visit is end of May/first of June for 12 full days in Greece (Naxos or Paros 4 nights/Santorini 5 nights/Athens 3 nights).

Thanks. I didn't want to start an identical thread and hope tagging along on yours, RoveT, is alright. :)

It really doesn't matter, these 3 islands are along the same ferry route.

Thanks, brotherleelove.

Hi beachgirl247,
I would recommend Santorini first - let the views take your breath away, chill out, and you won't mind the touristy feel. Then go to Naxos or Paros to sink into a feeling of island life. You can enjoy walks, the old town, villages and beaches. Personally I like Athens for a couple days at both ends of my trips, but that's a luxury if you have the time. There is never a lack of things to do and see in Athens. If I had to choose, I'd tour Athens first to visit the major sights. But depending upon your needs, you might want to go straight to the islands and relax. Sure to be enjoyable any way you plan it.

To contribute a contrary view: when we arrived in Santorini from the Blue Star ferry from Naxos, and we finally arrived to our beautiful cave house in Oia with the view that took our breath away, my friend turned and said to me "I am SOOOO glad we saved Santorini for last."

She said that repeatedly over the next couple of days, and when we got on the flight back to Athens. Obviously not everyone agrees, but we would have found almost anyplace a let down after leaving Santorini. But I guess that depends on where you're staying and how much you like it. We had a private terrace in Oia with such a gorgeous view, and our place in Naxos didn't compare, although we enjoyed the island.

Hi guys, sorry to be asking a question of my own in some1 else post, but seeing the expert opinions here, i just couldn't resist..

i am a little confused n expert opinions would be a great help:

1 Night - Athens
2 Nights - Mykonos
4 Nights - Naxos
3 Nights - Santorini
2 Night - Athens .

Is the plan ok ? Should i do Santorini first and reverse the order or should i keep it for the last ? Should i spend 4 nights in Naxos or 4 Nights in Santorini ??

Please help guys..