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We are two women best of friends turning 50 this fall. We want to celebrate our Birthdays by going to Greece. We want a warm beach, sun bathing weather, friendly conforable place to stay, frienly people. We want to experence the architecture, food, culture and warm sunny weather. Scuba Diving and snorkelling are of intreast. Any idea's out? Thank You Peggy

I figured I'd give your question a go, as I am sure many people will say that it is too broad. What month will you be going? You say your birthdays are in the fall. I have never travelled to Greece in October, but from what I have read it may not be warm enough to swim. Most first timers do Athens-Mykonos-Santorini. How many days will you have? Mykonos had nice beaches. But you also have to remember that it is considered a "party" island. I wasn't looking for that scene when I was there, and I found it easy to avoid. A must-do daytrip from there is Delos. Mykonos, scenery-wise, is what pops into most people's minds when they think of Greece. Most people say only stay in Santorini for 3 nights, but I could have easily stayed longer. There are not great sandy beaches, but black lava stone ones with beautiful clear water. I stayed in Kamari.

Since you going in the fall I would consider Rhodes and Crete as they are the most southern. You will find beaches and history on both.

Another vote for Crete, western side.

Sounds like you have been watching the movie Shirley Valentine, just joking but if not do see it, it's wonderful and so true with regards to tourists in Greece. The movie was set on Mykonos at Manoulas Hotel and yes it does exist at a lovely beach that is quiet and has good swimming. I was on Mykonos at the end of october and people were still swimming. The local people are wonderful, warm friendly and helpful. It may have been a party place once but perhaps not so much now, I was told the party animals were now in Ibiza, whether that be true or not I do not know. Any time of year would be fine by me, I love Greece.

October is still fine for swimming - the first rains and cool weather normally come at the end of October, but the sea remains warm. If you've never been before I suggest either western Crete: 3 days in the vibrant city of Chania, 3 days somewhere on the south coast (there are great beaches at Elafonisi and Anidri near Paleochora), and 2 days in the cultured city of Rethymnon. From there you can travel to Knossos and visit the museum and Minoan palace site before flying back from Heraklion. If you want to add something really unusual, stop off en route from Chania to Paleochora at the restored mountain village of Milia - I've been several times and it's my favourite place in Crete (but I like remote mountains, maybe you don't). There's some diving around Chania, and excellent snorkelling on the south coast. The Cretans are the friendliest of all the Greeks - they'll offer 'raki' (grappa) and conversation to all and sundry. But they also can be quite fierce if you get on the wrong side of them. There's good background info and an itinerary suggestion on www.i-escape.com/greece.php (click on Crete) which I followed last year, and loved. Michael [email protected]

There are so many wonderful stops in Greece, but my favorites are Mykonos and Santorini...have been to both twice, as well as other islands on four separate occasions. The weather is wonderful, and so is the food. The people I met were friendly and I always felt safe, even when traveling alone. If staying on Mykonos, I recommend staying at one of the beach resorts rather than in town. On Santorini, I recommend Firostephani...quiet yet within an easy walk into town along a path overlooking the caldera.

I would wholly concur with Michael's suggestions (one other thought is Cyprus, which is also, for climate at that time of the year, still good for swimming). Have a look at explorecrete.com, too.

Peggy: Definitely Crete! Very warm water, esp. on the south side, even in the fall. Lots of snorkeling, although scuba diving is severely limited in Greece because of underwater archaelogical treasures. Do a google search for Crete-suba--and you may come up with some suggestions. Or contact the Greek National Tourism organization. They have a web site and have info on where diving is allowed. Vera