Weadles

We are going back to Greece in early June. My husband will be working in Athens for about a week, but then we have almost two more weeks before heading home. We've been to Santorini (!!), Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete, so would really love to branch out with two new islands this time. Thanks for the help!!

markrosy

Kefalonia and Ithaca - no doubt about it.

JanisV

We spent a few very relaxing days on Sifnos in 2000. It's in the Cyclades, off the main tourist beat, known historically for its pottery. We rented a small 1-bedroom villa for $35/night (!), right next to a blue-domed Greek Orthodox church. We could walk to the next village from our villa, which was very cool. Lovely little restaurants and cafes. If you want to just kick back and savor Greek life, this is the place - or one of them. There are also, of course, beaches - they weren't developed much at all when we were there.

Weadles

Thanks so much for the recommendations, which sound wonderful. After a very stressful year, we do "want to just kick back and savor Greek life", especially the honey and the olives, although not in that order!

Markrosy, where did you stay? Thanks! And to both of you, would these places be way too quiet for older kids? Our college-age kids may be able to join us for part of the trip.

Nadia

How about something on the Ionian sea. I really love the island of Corfu. Corfu town is beautiful to stroll and shop in with its mix of French/Venetian/Neopolitan architecture, and the beaches are excellent. The beach of Glyfada was my favourite but I also liked exploring Paleokastista by boat after a swim. If beach isn't your thing, there is the Achillion Palace, caves, and you can take excursions to Paxoi etc and some of the other islands there.
Closer to Athens and back to the Aegean, I also liked Skiathos for beaches and Chios for history.

Weadles

Nadia,

How funny! My husband has been talking about Corfu for a few days. I know very little about it, but am intrigued. Have read some about Corfu town, which sounds ideal for us. Where would you recommend staying? We are beach bums, but also love to explore and eat well. Do NOT want to stay at an all-inclusive. Did that in Rhodes, and it was like a cruise ship on land. Thanks for your help!

Nadia

I like staying in Corfu Town too, although there are so many places in Corfu that can give you a different experience. In Corfu town, I loved staying near the Spianada (the esplanade)just because I love being able to see the sea, enjoy the old venetian harbour and the Liston, in addition being able to walk the narrow streets of the old town. I think you'll find it convenient to park if you rent a car or scooter (highly recommended so that you can try all the beaches and scenery conveniently although the buses in the centre will take you there as well). Make sure your hotel has double glazed windows though as the old town can be quite noisy, especially around the Liston.

Weadles

Nadia,

Thanks again! Do you have any specific recommendations for hotels in Corfu Town?

wobbers

Skopelos and Alonissos - very few tourists know about these islands (no airport) but easy to get there from Athens. Unspoilt and quiet. I go every year.

travelerjan

Weadles, your choices will depend on priorities .... do you want to swim a lot??? The Ionian islands are in the North -- ad the water stays pretty chilly for quite a while. Also, Corfu etc were under British & German "protection" for all of the 19th Century -- and as a result, have more of that flavor than the smaller Greek islands elsewhere. In fact Corfu and Zakynthos have become centers of the UK "Package holiday" trade, and u have to watch out to avoid their purpose-built "resort" areas, if you don't want that "full ENlgish Breakfast" and fish-chips approach to Cuisine. Not os much in June, but still..

You already have been to the most touristic islands (wow have you ever!), so almost any others in Jun will be lower-key. ALSO, I don't think you should choose solely based on what college kids would like (most of them would specify Mykonos After Midnight!). Here's my thought:
(1) SIFNOS for the 2 of you for a week... An authentic Greek island, no cruise ships or package tours, fab hiking, GOOD food (many famous chefs came from here. Platy Gialos is a splendid beach, and here are 3 terrific little family-run "studio" units right on the sands -- Narlis Lodge, Akroyiali Pension GIannakis STudios, (google them) ... OR as I do, stay up in the Appollonia-Artemonas-Ano Petali area, & bus or rental-car to the beach... with this you get more after-dark choices of restaurants cafes etc. I like Geronti pension up there but there are many others; check Aegean THesaurus agency. They have an office Right on Sifnos and handle many small pensions who won't bother to do websites. If you want to check it out go to Igogreece/Sifnos -- http://www.igogreece.com/EN/Greece.a...a=areas&id=127 This week will leave you enchanted with Sifnos... and refreshed!

(2) PAROS for a change & for your collegians -- Fortunately, these 2 islands linked by a good ferry 3 x weekly (Tues/Wed/Sun) if u time it right. Paros has lots of nightlife both in port town of Parikia and in Naoussa. For best beaches a car rental is most useful, or your kids can rent scooters... island is fairly flat except dead center. Water sports also, PLUS fun archeology stuff in Parikia and on a drive-around. For accessiblity for kids joining you, there are 2 flights per day from Athens airport (but they fill up fast), and several ferries daily (4 hours) from Piraeus. PLUS -- if they want to see Santorini or Mykonos, there are special 1-day excursions to each from Paros, and you don't have to go, hurray. Hotels? NAOUSSA Budget - Scorpio Apts, NAOUSSA Posh - Petres Hotel... PARIKIA on/near Livadia beach: La Selini, Hotel Paros, Alexandra's Rooms. Right in PARIKIA - Hotel Argonauta is reliable, not noisy. I recommend the above because they do not involve driving after nightlife, to get back to one's hotel!

Weadles

travelerjan,

Thanks as usual for the great advice. We got a good taste of the "package holiday trade" and fish n chip shops at a mega-resort on our first trip to Rhodes, and that's really NOT what we're looking for in a trip to Greece!

We desperately need a low-key vacation with a gorgeous beach, and simple, wonderful food. So will check out Paros and Sifnos, both of which sound great.

Thanks so much for your recommendations! Wish we could leave now!

southeastern

Kea or Naxos

travelerjan

SOutheastern, you & I love Kea & Naxos.. and Weadles probably would too, but I made the suggestions I did because of the need for them also to please college-age children who probably want more night-life. If you can remember back to when you were that age, what you want are places where you can totally get away from your parents i the evening and be with a lot of people your own age ... and that's not Kea & Naxos as much.

Nadia

Actually, I have been to Corfu and the water for June was pretty nice for swimming except at Paleocastitsa and those British tourist package days of fish & chips were a long time ago. Not sure when travlerjan went, but I found a lot of traditional dining especially in Garitsa. A lot of the tourists are Greeks now from Patras and area, and Italians. That said, it is a popular island and it is on the cruise ship stop so Corfu town gets packed with daytrippers and lots of tourists but there are so many places outside where you can enjoy the natural beauty.
I adore Sifnos too, but it may be too laid back for your kids. If anything Naxos and Paros will give you a nice balance. Also Skopelos is good and less touristy in June and you can daytrip to the island of Skiathos for your fish & chips