i just found this forum. it sounds wonderful. we (2 adults and 2 kids 12 & 8)are headed to syros and athen next weekend. we have a house in syros for about 2.5 weeks. would like to spend a few days in athens. i need hotel reccomendations and suggestions for islands that are easily accessible from syros which we plan to use as our base but do overnights to the other islands. i had thought of thira myknos and would love to do crete and corfu but may be too ambitious? any suggestions are welcome

Syros is a great choice,known as the little Paris as it used to be a french concession!

Do not miss the place in front of the Town Hall-a skating paradise fo kids-
and of course have a greek coffee with 'loukoumades'-donuts or fresh fruit salads...(my favourite is Stella's the one on your left when you face this superb building.

Buy some nougats, and dried fruits ONLY from 'KORES' again on the left side when facing the town hall (ask locals)and a not far away(try to find it) a pastry shop/gelateria that will make your kids crazy.

Do not miss the town's theater wich is a scaled copy of the Scala in Milan.

If you like fish food and salads book a table at Thalami in Syros town and if there is no wind ask for a table right on the sea!try to avoidthe tourist traps restaurants along the harbour promenade ,except one : an italian standing near the casino.

If you are looking for the real local experience,book a table where a famous singer Vamvakaris used to work.
ask for it as it is in uptown syros.
great view,simple fresh cooked to order greek food and super prices

As for the beach Agathopes are fine for families and of course Galissas dolphin's bay

forget about crete and corfu : you'll need to transit via athens by plane or ferry...

and go for Mykonos and TINOS (an absolute must) unknown by non-greek travellers: after opaying your respects to the local church devoted to the virgin Mary, you 're going to discover one of the most 'cultural islands of Greece

... when in Athens with your kids...
do not miss:

the Kids Museum in plaka,

the funicular experience climbing the Lycabettus hill,

a refreshment on the roof-garden of the Benaki Museum,

a day on the beach at astir Beach in vouliagmeni (the beach wich is before the Hotel!)

the Allou fun park,games drives tec...

The war museum with its airplanes.

I spent 5 days in Syros last September and loved it, which town are you staying in? I stayed in Galissas and thought it had one of the nicest beaches I've seen in Greece. We went into Hermoupolis a couple of times and thought it was beautiful very different from the typical Greek island with some of the nicest restaurants. This was one island that I was glad we spoke Greek because it is far less touristy than say Paros or Santorini therefore less English. Tinos and Mykonos would be the closest and easiest islands to vist.
If you are looking for basic accomadations in Athens I think that the Attalos is a good value and centerally located.

I second Attolos.....super location. Simple but all you need....ask for a room with a balcony facing the Accropolis. My husband's retreat while I got ready for dinner.

Loved Naxos & Santorini for different reasons (see my trip report) but not sure how easy they are to get to via ferrys.