Thanks for your input, kja. I think Athens will be the most challenging place to book accommodations. It's a challenge I look forward to and I am listening to everyone's suggestions!!!

Look for a hotel near Syntagma Square( Parliament) as it will give you good access to many areas of town.

Yes, Happy, "good access," but also the heavy traffic and to West & N of the Square, the closed shutters and graffiti-covered walls that MoBRo complained of. Those visual downers and trafffic noise were the reasons I recommended the area SOUTH of Acropolis, or in the no-cars lanes jst to E of Acropolis.

I'm with travelerjan on this one -- I wouldn't want to stay near Syntagma Square. I found it a bit desolate at night, and not at all welcoming. I stayed south of the Acropolis, and although I wouldn't recommend the hotel in which I stayed I thought that area had a nice combination of ease of access to sites and ease of access to restaurants in a pleasant area.

travelerjan and kja....what are your thoughts on the Monastiraki neighborhood (Mitropoleos pedestrian street area)?

Well, right after I posted about Monastiraki I did a search of the area (should have done that first). Doesn't sound like the greatest place to stay.

I am also looking at an accommodation just down the street from the Acropolis Museum. I am guessing I am better off in that direction.

Thoughts appreciated. Athens planning is a bit overwhelming...in a good way!

The Monastiraki neighborhood would not have worked for me.

I'm no expert on Athens, and have already told you the area I liked.

You did tell me that, kja. I'm getting a bit overwhelmed on the Athens planning. I should probably go with the place near the Acropolis Museum.

....which is south of the Acropolis

Go with the Acropolis Museum area, that's what I've been urging. Done now.

We stayed at the Electra Palace hotel, it was off of Syntagma Square, but very near old walkable neighborhood, and we were able to get to many places by walking - great Acropolis views and very comfortable. nice rooftop pool. We did take a taxi to the acropolis. It was a fine choice, not the best we ever stayed at but nothing to complain about

Electra palace is OK... in my opinion not as good a value as the 2 i mentioned but it does have a rooftop pool if you are there in hot weather... not many conveniently located hotels have pools. That's probably what jacks up its price.

travelerjan.... I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down. Don't give up on me!!!! Concentrating on the Acropolis Museum area. Looking at hotels and apartments. Hoping to book something soon. THANK YOU!

Hi, everyone. Just wanted to come back and thank you for all your help and suggestions. I've booked fantastic accommodations in Santorini, Naxos, and Athens.

Our trip is scheduled for the end of May, 2019. Is it too soon to look into booking our flights from Athens-Santorini and Naxos-Athens, as well as the ferry from Santorino-Naxos?

FLIGHTS - If you wait until about Decemeber-January, AEGEAN has promotional fares -- announces "10,0o0 tickets on sales for the following Islands" ...to get word fastest, sign up for their' "newsletter" (actually an e-mail alert) at this link - https://aegeanairlines.custhelp.com/.../302/related/1

FERRIES - Just buy the ferry ticket when you get to Santorini ... this is like buying an Amtrak ticket or a Megabus, no big deal.

I just signed up for their newsletter. Thanks, AGAIN, travelerjan!!!!!

Hello....I just re-read all of the posts here. They were all very helpful. Thank you.

I have booked all accommodations. We are staying along the caldera in Firostefani. I wanted Imerovigli, but most places that would have worked for us were already booked. Anyhow, the place in Firostefani is beautiful with fantastic views and a private pool. If the crowds get to be too much, we have a little oasis to escape to. We will be there 3 1/2 days. We won't rent a car on Santorini; however, we plan on taking a tour one day to the southern end of the island to visit other towns, a winery, etc. On Naxos, we are staying near Plaka beach (the southern end) in a villa. It is up on a hill with breathtaking views and only a 5 minute drive down the hill to the beach. It also has a private pool that overlooks the Aegean Sea. We weren't concerned about staying a bit outside the chora. The group wants some downtime and relaxation, so we have a great place to spend our afternoons and evenings after touring around the first half of the day. We have day of arrival plus 5 full days on Naxos. We really want to immerse ourselves and visit all the small villages and beaches, We will have a car the entire time.

I've noticed on other threads that a lot of people split time between Naxos and Paros. I thought about it, but the islands seem to be similar and I don't want to constantly move around, I would rather just park ouselves on Naxos and really get to know the island.
When I first started planning this trip Naxos just screamed at me to visit.

In Athens we are staying on a pedestrian street next to the Acropolis (Dionysiou Aeropagitou) and just a few streets over from the Acropolis Museum. We will be in Athens for 3 1/2 days, and Athens is where I decided to spend the "extra day" I mentioned in my original thread.

Thanks, again, for all your help and suggestions!

Whew! It took a LOT of back & forth, but now you've got it sorted (as the Brits say). My friends and I will be on a parallel path, a few days differently. In Naxos during 1st week of june ... let's hope for fine weather!

travelerjan, I will be on Naxos May 31st to June 6th. Perhaps we will cross paths. Yes....hoping for fine weather!!!

I think adding the time to Athens was wise. :)