arm2410

Hi-
Travelling to Greece for 10 days in mid-June 2007 and would like suggestions to our itinerary. We've never been there before, its our honeymoon and would like to spend time on the islands, relaxing and exploring. We don't like tourist areas, yet feel as first time vistors, we should see a few of these places. I've been reading the forum and its been very helpful. I would like to stay in one area (Cyclades) and not spend most of this time travelling. We would love to see Crete or Rhodes but feel that its too much to do in such little time.

We were planning on visiting Santorini, Naxos and Mykonos-would love to cut Mykonos out (not into the party aspect) and find another island. Any suggestions or should we stay in Mykonos and explore Delos from there? Or should we spend more time on Naxos and take day trips to Antiparos or Paros ?

This is our itinerary:
3 nights in Sanorini (Astra Apts)
4 nights in Naxos (Naxos Royal or Hotel Glaros)
2 nights in Mykonos (Belvedere)
Back to Athens and fly out to NYC

We wanted to strictly see the islands and visit Athens another time-any suggestions?

Thanks!!

Heimdall

For only ten days, and if you wish to omit Mykonos, suggest you add another day to Naxos, then spend your last night in Athens. You can do a day trip from Naxos to Delos, which also includes a half day on Mykonos, so you will still be able to get a small taste of that island.

It is possible to take a day trip from Naxos to Paros (1hr by coventional ferry). You could even go from there to Antiparos (another 30 min boat ride from Parikia), but I wonder if it would really be worth it? There are places to explore on Naxos itself, including Apollon, a breathtaking bus ride over the mountains to that small fishing port.

Conventional wisdom states you should spend your last night or two on the mainland to insure making your flight home. Occasionally weather forces the ferries to cancel, and planning a day or two in Athens at the end of the trip gives you a cushion against that possibility.

arm2410

Thank you for your suggestions! I figured we'd add another day in Naxos since its highly recommended in this forum.

We were hoping to avoid leaving the Athens airport-but you are cautiously correct about missing flights from delays.

Heimdall

Are you planning to fly back to Athens from the islands? In that case there is less risk of weather delays, and as long as you allow enough time to change planes you should be okay. Still, my advice remains the same.

Flying back from Naxos isn't quite as easy as from Mykonos, which has several flights each day with both Olympic and Aegean. Naxos has only one flight per day, with Olympic, arriving Athens at 1405.

arm2410

We are going to go back to Athens via Mykonos (we're going there now for 3 nights!). We've also changed our trip for early September. If we have time, we will take day trips to the islands you suggested!