My fiance and I were interested in going to the greek Isles in early june 2004 for our honeymoon. We wanted to cruise or sail but get as much of the culture as possible. With the Olympics in Athens we would like to avoid that area (associated crowds and price gouging included) if possible. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to see the "real" Greek Isles without spending our future children's college fund.

Congratulations!

Perhaps fly to either London or Amsterdam, and get a charter flight directly to the Aegean or Dodecanese . . . both GTW and AMS have excellent connections direct to the islands, avoiding Athens altogether.

I'd say go directly to Samos or Karpathos then ferry-hop to smaller, remote islands. Enlist the help of an island-based travel agent who could arrange luxe traditional houses for you to rent.

Congrats again and have fun getting into the slow pace of island life - you've picked an ideal place to honeymoon. Good luck with the planning!
x

Samos is one of the best choices!Its a green island combining the beauties of the sea and the mountains.
Go for the village of Kokkari, at the Hotel Arion wich is my favourite for its views ,the service and its amenities.

You should not pay more than 150 euros half board.TUI,JMC sell air/hotel packages for Samos with direct flights from UK,GER,BE,NED....

From Samos you can organize a day visit to Patmos one of the most exclusive islands accessible only by the sea.

For a honeymoon if you can include Hydra you will not regret it. I have been countless times to the islands and this has to be the most beautiful. Sailing into the harbour, I felt a lump in my throat- it is exactly would you would imagine the ideal Greek island to look like. The harbour is a busy scene with boats unloading- on to donkeys!!! There is no petrol driven transport on the island. We have a great photo of one of the bars with the locals sitting having an ouzo and outside the donkeys are patiently waiting for their owners!
You won't find a MacDonalds there!You go to Hydra for the experience rather than the luxury so I would only stay a couple of days but it will stay in your memory for ever!

I don't think you need worry about crowds in early June, since the Olympics is still a month or two away. Of course preparations will be at fever pitch around Athens, as the Greeks seem to leave things until the last minute and then make up for lost time.

Early June is a perfect time to visit the Greek islands. Weather is pleasant, prices are low, and the high season not yet begun.

If you wish to travel independently, the Cyclades island group is the easiest to do - islands are close together with good ferry connections between them, and each has its own special character. For ancient ruins, the best are Santorini and Mykonos (to see Delos). You could also consider Crete, the largest Greek island. It has Minoan ruins, and good beaches. Parts of the island are little visited by tourists, and that is where you can find the "real" Greek Isles.

For more information on individual islands, go to Matt Barret's guide on http://www.greektravel.com