Tenth Anniversary in Greece
 

Hello,<BR><BR>My wife and I are planning a trip to Greece for our tenth anniversary. We will be going in July of 2003. This will be our first trip and we would love advice and pointers. We are thinking about several days in Athens at Hotel Grande Bretagne (reopened by then) and then a few days on one of the Islands. But how do we pick an Island??? Some helpful info - I teach World History, we both love food and wine and she wants at least a couple of days with sandy beaches and crystal clear water. <BR><BR>Thanks in advance for any help.

Topping

Check out www.greektravel.com; it has lots of info on the different islands. Off the top of my head, Crete comes to mind, for a history buff (Knossos, etc.) as well as nice beaches. The western side is much less touristy, and I greatly recommend it over the part east of Heraklion. <BR>Santorini is probably the most beautiful of the islands, and it has Akrotiri; I did not go to a beach there. Downside is the hoards of tourists there in high season. At any rate, you will have a wonderful time in Greece/islands; it is a very fun place to go!

Santorini has Akrotiri that will satiate your appetite for ancient history, but the beaches are not the best nor the crystalline water. It is very romantical however and I would recommend it for an anniversary. Perhaps, go for 2 days to Santorini and then ferry to Paros or Naxos.

Santorini and break it up into a few different villages. Stay in Oia or Imerovigli for two nights and one in Fira or Kamari. You don't need several nights in Athens unless you plan to travel around. The Plaka is fine. Athens is a HUGE city--maybe you have family or something? But make time for one or two islands. It's WELL worth it. I agree with the other post on romance. Santorini has something magical about it.

You can get some good ideas for islands, itineraries and lovely places to stay from www.i-escape.com, which is an independent travel site compiled by lots of journalists / experts.<BR>I was brought up in Greece and also recommend western Crete if you like the idea of Minoan palaces and Venetian fortifications - but it will be even busier and hotter in july than other islands. If you do go, the best beaches are between Paleochora and Souyia on the south coast or on the western 'Gramvousa' peninsula (the best are only accessible on foot or by boat). Alternatively you could combine Santorini (history: Akrotiri, ancient Thira) with the tiny isle of Folegandros (lovely little hotel, sandy coves, clear water). See:<BR>http://www.i-escape.com/hotel.php?hotel_key=GR013<BR>Good luck!<BR>