I am considering Greece for my honeymoon in June 2006. Sadly enough, I really don't know much about it..any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. Budget is somewhat limited, so nothing too extravagant. We are fairly active people, but also want to enjoy some relaxation and romance! Don't mind renting a car and traveling around...

I think we need to know a bit more before we can advise. What do you like? Why are you thinking of Greece?

It's a wonderful country with many different faces, from the high mountains of the north Mainland, through Meteora and Corinth, cosmopolitan Athens, party islands, undeveloped islands, nature and wildlife and fantastic varied Crete.

You're right...way too broad of a question. Since my last post, I've looked into it a little more. I think the Greek Islands are what we are looking for, although I know they all vary a lot too. I have heard that they are all beautiful. I think exploring some uninhabited islands would be on the top of our list, some relaxing beaches to veg out on, interested in night life but not every night of the week. We want an authentic experience, not a built up, touristy area. Hiking, biking, swimming, boating, historic sites, wildlife, food...all our interests!

Santorini is the most spectacular honeymoon island in the Aegean. Oia is the most romantic and timeless village on the island. Watersports, island excursions, hiking, archaeological sites, shopping, nightclubbing and good restaurants are all available for visitors.

You don't say what your budget is, but it's possible to find good bargains for accomodations if you're willing to do some research. Room #4 at the Musses Studios has a wonderful view of the sea (but not of the caldera), and because it's a self-catering unit you can save money on meals. Contact Ecorama Holidays for details. The studios are not listed on the website but they're the ones who manage the property. You might be able to get a discount for a stay of a week or more, I did.

http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/s...orama/home.htm

The Anemomilos Hotel also has excellent rates. There's a swimming pool and a rooftop terrace that overlooks the caldera.

http://www.greek-hotels.com/santorini/anemomilos/

Renting a car is cheap and easy, but you should know that the island also has an excellent and inexpensive bus system.

http://www.ktel-santorini.gr/

Please see my reply on http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34693036

... and as with other couples planning honeymoons here on this forum, let me extend you congratulations on your new life in marriage... and...

Best wishes,

Rex

We just honeymooned for five days in Santorini (Oia) from 10/1 to 10/6 and then two days in Athens. It was all great. Happy to answer any questions. I strongly recommend Oia. It was so beautiful and relaxing. However, we were there mid season in October and I believe June is more high season, so may be much more crowded - don't know. But we spent our days walking to the downtown area (easy 10 min. walk to shops and restaurants) and lounging by the pool. We chose to keep it low key, but if we wanted to do other activities they were available to us like boat excursions to the volcano, etc... Congratulations -- Greece is idyllic, especially for honeymoon!

Katanne
I have been to Greece quite a few times and absolutely love it.
I've visited loads of islands and stayed on Crete, Kefalonia, Corfu and Samos for considerable amounts of time. Have loved all of these islands but if I had to choose I'd recommend Corfu (on the West Coast) and Kefalonia (anywhere because the entire island is stunning).
It is a good idea to rent a car because both of these islands are small enough to explore in a day or two and well worth it because the scenery is breathtaking. Before I went to Corfu, I was slightly worried because I'd only ever heard people talk about it as a "party island" and that was definitely not the reason I was going. (Avoid places in the South like Kavos unless you are looking to party). But I was so surprised and ended up loving my holiday in Corfu far more than any other Greek holiday, and that is saying a lot because I've loved all of them.
Corfu was just so beautiful. One of the greenist Greek islands I've been to, with turquoise sea and white cliffs. You can drive or ride (moped) from beach to beach, travelling through the most stunning, ancient villages and towns. Corfu Town, the island's capital, is also definitely worth visiting. Great museums, archaelogical sites and shopping!
We stayed in a small village on the West Coast called Agios Georgious. I know that there are two villages with the same name and I have heard that both are lovely, but we were in Agios Georgious north. It was a truly lovely place and lots to see and do nearby. We stayed in a nice little apartment which was at the foot of a very steep hill nestled in olive groves. No view of the sea but it was so peaceful and romantic it didn't matter. We did not have a car (moped instead) so we caught the bus to Corfu Town, which took about 40 mins.
The beach is beautiful and clean, restaurants really good and the people are absolutely lovely.
As mentioned above, you can't go wrong wherever you stay on Kefalonia. It is smaller than Corfu and equally as beautiful. The beaches are amazing too. But for some reason, Corfu was better for me. I think it might have had something to do with the temperature - it was so hot in Kefalonia and even though I love heat, this was a little too much for me, especially at night (we did not have a fan or a/c in our room, so definitely get one if you go to Kefalonia).
I hope you have a fantastic honeymoon. Greece is amazing and really romantic.

I'm a huge fan of Crete, and I'm sure you get all you're looking for there. Have a look at explorecrete.com, and if you specifically look at Paleochora, I think you'll like what you see.

Pineco. What was the temperature like in Santorini in the beginning of Oct? I am thinking of going there next October but I want it to be warm enough to sit by the pool and take a dip. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

It will still be sunny and pleasant at the beginning of October, but the winds will be getting stronger and the nights a bit chilly. Just so you know, the swimming pools there are heated by direct sun only, so don't expect it to be very warm.

Austine -- we arrived to Santorini 10/2/05. It was sunny, but once we arrived at the hotel in Santorini it was extremely windy. I had read about the possibility for wind and was a bit worried since it was so windy it would have been unpleasant to sit by the pool. But the woman who worked at Perivolas (our hotel) said it was unusually windy and it should abate. It did within hours. We then spent 10/3, 10/4, 10/5 and the morning of 10/6 and the weather was absolutely perfect. My husband doesn't tolerate heat and I don't tolerate cold -- we are rather extreme in both directions and he was never too hot and I was never chilly. We woke up to a sun filled room. We could sleep with our windows open, but needed blankets. We laid by the pool in bathing suits for hours. Brotherlee love is right in that the pools are a bit chilly -- that shocking feeling when you first get in but you get quickly used to it and it was delightful. Our hotel also had a hot tub which felt more mild, like a heated pool, and that was perfect. I was never chilly sitting by the pool. If anything, we sat under an umbrella at times to take a break from the full sun. In the evenings for our walk into town and dinner on open patios, we definitely needed warmer tops/light sweaters or sweatshirts, but it was very comfortable. I would say 'mild' best described the weather. We wouldn't have asked for it to be any warmer or any cooler -- it was just perfect! And besides rain the night we flew into Athens (9/30), there was no rain at all. If we have the opportunity to travel to Greece again, we would go at the exact same time in early October.

Pineco. Thanks for the info.