I have a question for a friend. Her father is booking a luxury hotel on Santorini for 7 days next year for his family, but will not pay airfare for them. She is married with two boys, aged 12 and 16 (one of whom is very interested in Greek mythology), and since they would be traveling in the middle of summer the airfare will be expensive. She is wondering whether that is too much time and money for Santorini. I have suggested adding time on Crete and/or the mainland, but she would like to know what activities are available on Santorini, and how long most people plan to stay there.

I think 7 days is too much time in Santorini and that 2-3 nights is more common. I went to Crete for a week and then Santorini for 3 nights. That was about right for us. For activities, we did a sunset wine cruise, sat by the pool, walked around, and watched the sunset at night. So many people came in on cruise boats, I didn't like to leave our hotel.

I like your suggestion for adding Crete. We loved it there and it is easy to get to Santorini from by ferry.

Yours is a good suggestion. Boys at that age probably will have experienced all they want after two days.

We only stayed 2 days and 3 nights. That was fine..2nd time we only had 8 hours as we were on a cruise so it allowed for a wander, some wine and local bus ride. The longer trip we rented a car and again wandered and wandered and wandered some more..A car rental is a pretty good idea if you are so inclined. Did the same in Mykonos.

Is this really just a matter of fact gathering about activities? Such info are readily available on web and using guidebooks such as Fodors, Lonelyplanet, Rick Steves, etc at no cost at public libraries. I just looked up youtube and there are no shortages of videos showing the activities available at Santorini. She can easily look up what a week stay at a luxury hotel in Santorini costs. But if the island had never been on her goal to begin with, it would be hard to convince herself to visit the place even though the accommodation is taken care of. There are many places others spend their own money to go that I would never visit even if all the expenses are taken care of.

Jackie, treplow, amer_can - thanks for your replies. You confirm my thoughts, but they were based on reading guidebooks and I wanted my friend to hear from people who had actually been.

greg - what do you think this board is for? If everyone answered their travel questions by going to youtube it would be a much, much quieter place. And the cost of the hotel is not an issue.

We were there for four nights and were ready to leave after two.

It all depends on the sort of holiday you're after. There is plenty to see and do for some but others require constant stimulation or they get bored. A week will fly by.

I go for 4 weeks at a time and it's just right for me.

So, brotherleelove, what do you do if you're there for four weeks? It sounded to me like a great place to chill out, admire the sunset and the scenery, and then I believe Akrotini has re-opened, but what do you suggest for two teenage boys? The middle of summer is going to be a bit hot for hiking or biking, and they're too young for wine cruises.

I suggest you stay at Kamari Beach so the boys have easy access to the beach and watersports. They can hike, swim, dive off the rocks and hang out with lots of kids their own age. As I said, a week will fly by.

Hmm...I agree with brotherleelove, but it sounds like your friend will be staying in the "luxury hotel" booked by her father, wherever that may be. If it is on the caldera side she can still take her sons on day trips to Kamari and other places on the island, but it won't be the same as a beach hotel with lots of other families with teenagers.

The other factor to consider is where she will be entering and exiting Greece. If Athens, it would make sense to spend the last few days there, where there is much for someone interested in Greek mythology.