I will be leaving for the Greek Isles in one week. I have been so busy that I haven't been able to plan daily activities for the trip. My husband and I will be at each destination for 3 days. We like hiking sight seeing all outdoor activities but do not want to spend alot of time at the beach, particularly on Myconos. We have rented a car on each island. Any suggestions. Also, any suggestions for dining? Thanks

Mykonos isn't a very big island and if you have a car you can cover it in no time. A visit to Delos is recommended. That's good for most of a day. Drive out to Ano Mera and have lunch at one of the cafes. You should at least check out Paradise or other beaches.

On Santorini a lot depends on where you are staying. I think Akrotiri is still closed but you can hike up to ancient Thira. There are winery tours, a few beach towns to explore and of course the "Oia sunset". There are many good restaurants, some favorites are "Santorini Mou" for traditional Greek food and music, Katina's fish taverna for great seafood and "1800" for fine dining. All these are in Oia but the other villages offer options as well. Search the forum for past threads as these topics have been covered before.

beverly

I agree with bc_canuck about visiting Delos and Ano Mera.

Ano Mera is special, not so many tourists and very different to Mykonos town.

We do not eat many times in local restaurants but if we do we go to Ano Mera and in the main square we visit Vangelis Taverna.

I think it has the most traditional island foods than any other. It is owned by an old lady and her sons who all look after you very good indeed.

Across from the taverna is the Panagia Tourliani monestry. If it is open when you are there you must visit. It orginated from 1579 and for me the best to seee inside is the iconostasis.

thanos

Thank you both for your suggestions.Delos is a must for us while in Myconos. I like the idea of visiting a more traditional town like Ano Mera. Can you tell me about scuba diving? We are certified divers. Are the dive sites off myconos worthwhile?

We have a car in Santorini as well. I understand parking is limited there. Are we better off using the bus or will the car be more convenient. We are staying in the Dana villas in Fira. Is the hotel convenient to walking in town? Are there good restaurants near by? We plan on hiking while there. Are we near the hiking trails?

You will enjoy Santorini and Mykonos so much! To be honest, both islands are very small. I don't think you'll need a car. Taxis are reasonbly priced and you won't have to worry about parking. I don't know how interested you are in motor scooters, but that is a fun way to get between beaches on Mykonos during the day. You can take a taxi to the villages for dinner.

For restaurants, the 1800 and Katina's are great, but also remember to ask the bartenders, shop clerks, etc. for restaurant suggestions where the locals eat. We found an awesome little place in Mykonos that was well off the beaten path with excellent food and full of locals. It was extremely cheap. Sorry I can't remember the name, but we were steered there by a local.

We used the bus system on both islands. They are good and cheap. Dana Villas is actually in Firostefani which is about 1km from Fira. Close enough to walk but away from the party night life. It's on the cliff side so I don't think they have any parking.The bus system radiates from the main bus station in Fira. All connections to other parts of the island go through here.

There is a good hike from Fira to Oia via the caldera. Also a hike up to Ancient Thira.

Lots of restaurants that have been reviewed here before. Do a search for Santorini restaurants or the like.

Regarding dgg's posting --you mentioned scooters in Mykonos. We will be there in September and LOVE scooters. On scooters, can we get from the port where our cruise ship docks to the town of Ano Mera? are the roads safe for scooters? Are there other beaches along the way where we could snorkle? Thanks --