We want to spend 10 days---2 in Athens and then not sure which islands to visit. Here is my question: I would like stay on Mykonos and see other islands. Are there day cruises? Also, I really want to visit and stay at Thessaloniki, but is it too far and is it worth it? Or do we go to Crete instead since it is closer to the southern area?

topping...

Sorry. I didn't think that this internet slang would throw you.

"topping" is shorthand" for "bringing your question back up to the top (of the list of questions, on the left hand side)" - - sometimes also typed as "TTT" (to the top) - - but in fact, one copuld type _any_thing. One character has the same effect as a full-blown answer; it brings your question back up to the front of the line.

In your case, it fell again over the past two hours - - so this exeplanation effectively "tops" it again.

My original reason for topping your question was that you had received no responses in nearly 10 hours - - and regrettably, topping, at least once... did not remedy that.

Best wishes,

Rex

I haven't visited the Islands but I did spend a little over 2 weeks in Greece this past May. I'd save Thessaloniki for another trip... doesn't make a lot of sense to go south from Athens to the Islands, then all the way north. You'll spend more money and lose valuable vacation time.

I've looked at this post more than once, and still find it impossible to answer. Apart from Athens, you have mentioned Mykonos, Thessalonika, and Crete - all worthy destinations, but why have you chosen those three? When do you intend to travel? What are your interests?

No one can give you helpful advice without knowing your goals. Come back with more information and you will get some replies.

I'm not sure either what you mean by day cruises, from Mykonos? The only day trip from there and return is to little Delos. Other than that you can take the usual ferry run to Syros or Tinos but to co-ordinate a return trip same day would be pretty difficult I would think. Maybe others know more about this.

I will try to be more clear. We are going to Greece for 10 days the end of September. We like history and relaxation. We don't like unpacking too many times---2 or 3 at the most. For sure we want to visit Athens and stay on 1 island...but thought maybe we could take a day trip to other islands, unless they are too far apart. (I would stay on Mykonos or Santorini...not sure which). I picked Crete for a 3rd destination and that is about all..don't know much about Crete. We could also go to Istanbul for a 3rd, but thought maybe of saving that for another trip?

If you've chosen Crete then Santorini is the next logical choice since it's the closest island. And then from Santorini you can easily get to Ios, Naxos and Paros.

Fly or ferry from Athens to Crete, then take the highspeed ferry to Santorini and from there to another island if you feel the need, then you can catch the ferry back to Athens. If you leave Athens until the end of your trip you won't feel like you're repeating yourself when you return for your flight home.

Istanbul after Crete and another island? You don't have enough time. Save it for another trip. It's worth it.

Thank you for the clarification. End of September is when even the busiest islands are becoming quiet. You could do the popular combination of Mykonos-Santorini-Athens (or Santorini-Mykonos-Athens) in your ten day holiday. From Mykonos you can take a day trip to Delos, the uninhabited island with one of the best archaelogical sites in Greece.

Thanks for the information.

You could take a day trip to Aegina or an overnight to Hydra or Poros, check out their websites for travelling time frames etc. with a Google search.