My fiancee and I (each 29) are travelling to Greece at the end of May. We are spending a couple of days in Athens and then travelling to Santorini for a conference for 5 days. We have 3 more days (2 nights) for which we have not planned, and was hoping to get some suggestions from this forum. What other islands would you suggest? Places to stay on those islands? My fiancee and I are both outdoor, adventurous people.
thanks,
John

Sounds like Crete would be a good choice for the two of you. From Santorini you can take the Flying Dolphin south to Crete in about 2 hours. From Heraklion take a bus west to Chania and make your way to the Samarian Gorge for the hike. Or you can take the FD north to Ios, Naxos, Paros or Mykonos. Reservations in May aren't necessary. You'll be met at each port by locals with rooms to rent.

Someone else suggested Sifnos. Thoughts on that island? We do enjoy hiking.

Sorry, I don't know Sifnos, but Naxos also has hiking possibilities, as does Santorini from Fira to Oia or from Perissa Beach to Kamari Beach.

Sifnos is very Greek still. Not so over run with tourists. Check out the Matt Barrett's Greek travel guide for more information on Sifnos. We stayed there in 2000 for three weeks with a side trip to Santorini. The evening ferry ride (at sunset) from Santorini is stunning. The quality of the light is remarkable. The hiking on Sifnos is great...we stayed in Kamares Bay so we could enjoy the sunsets and we really loved it,. It is the port town, but is VERY quiet compared to other islands. The opposite side of Sifnos is also lovely, very quiet, lovely beaches.

My husband and I went to Samos Island --it's out there -- near Turkey, but it's a larger, laid back island with the city of Samos Town and Pythagoras (named for the Pythagorian Theorem a2+b2=c2)

We stayed at The Pythagorian Hotel in Samos Town -- close to the ferry dock. Owner Stellios will rent you a double room on the beach with a fabulous view for about $20 a night in the off season, so it may not be much more in May.

It was LOVELY, and he was so wonderful to talk to to learn about the Greek people and their world view. Wowie.

Good luck looking. If you need to know how to reach his hotel, let me know -- I think I have his card in our travel book. Heck, he might just meet you at the ferry dock.

Jules