the best island
 

hi everyone,
I'm trying to find the best greek island to spend a few days on with my family. I have one daughter (15) and a son (18) so i want a place with those beautiful beaches, wonderful scenery, and has things going on to keep them occupied but most of all i want an island that gives you the real feeling that your relaxing on a mediteranian island. If someone could help me out a bit by giving some suggestions it would be much appreciated.
Thankyou mt_24

Without a doubt you'll get differing opinions on this. I'm extremely partial to Santorini. It's so unique and the views from the cliffs are amazing. I love the village of Oia for its architecture and timeless "feel." You can't get more relaxed than sitting on your terrace sipping some local wine, watching the ferry boats sail by and the sun setting in the Aegean as you look out over the vast caldera. There are no doubt better beaches on Mykonos and Naxos as well as some of the other islands, but Perissa Beach and Kamari Beach on Santorini are great for swimming (no strong currrents or rough surf) and people-watching. They get very hot since they're either black sand or black rock so take flip-flops. The island is small and you can turn the kids loose to use the local bus system without worry while you sit back and relax at your cliffside hotel.

Thanks for that, we were considering santorini but we wanted some other views on the different islands. If anyone else could help or put their views and thoughts forward i would love to hear them.
mt_24

Santorini is a must see, particularly the arrival by ferry.
We took out kids ages 18 and 19 to both Naxos and Santorini three years ago and their opinion was they liked Santorini particularly the Caldera view however they loved Naxos.
Naxos is less crowded, has better beaches and wonderful countryside to explore in a rental car.
It's economy is based on agriculture and as such is not dependent on tourism, so there is a truly laid back Greek feel to the island.
The main town is a delight to explore and the kids just loved sitting at the waterfront tavernas watching the people pass by.

Food and hotels also tend to be less expensive than Santorini but there will be more high end hotels and more nightlife on Santorini.

Thanks stanbr for that it was very helpful.
mt_24

We paired these islands on a trip last year. Stanbr nailed it -- concisely (my problem) and accurately.

If you have the time, both Naxos and Santorini are an excellent combination.
If you don't have more than a few days then I would recommend Naxos but try to save a little time for a day trip on the ferry to Santorini. It's only a 45 minute trip on the fast ferry, and the arrival is something special.

Hi the only Greek island Ive been to is Crete and I found it very scenic and picturesque. There is plenty to do for all the family. I went with my boyfriend and we were looking for a destination that gave us the opportunity to relax but also offered lots of opportunities to explore the island.

There is a Lake called Lake Kournos, which is not to be missed. You can hire little pedalo boats and pedal around the lake. If you take a picnic, you can really enjoy a whole day there. The drive to this area is very beautiful.

Also there is another location called Prevali, which has a palm forest. That is located beside the sea with wonderful views and again you can take a pedal boat past the palm forest. It has really beautiful scenery and well worth a day trip.

The beaches are very beautiful. The best day trip that we did was visit Elafonissi, they are tiny islands with pink sand and crystal clear water, you an walk through the water, to each island as the water is very shallow. It is a wonderful area for relaxing and has very stunning scenery.

Not to mention the drives around the island which is full of olive, almond groves.

Id steer clear of Malia, as that is full of british pubs/bars, not very cretan.

There is so much to do on this island. I really recommend it.

Thankyou for your help i'll look into the island of crete.
mt_24

One of the best thing about Naxos for a family with teens is that Naxos town is just the right size to give kids a little freedom, but not let them get too far afield.

The area the port is safe (like nearly all of Greece) and fun and has great shops that wind their way up to the Kastro. You can have a leisurely relaxing dinner on the harborfront, while the kids grab a gyro or crepes and then browse. Our 12-year-old and a newfound Greek friend had a terrific time there.

There's also a cool outdoor cinema on the edge of town.

I loved the beaches on Mykonos. Crete would be my second choice.

Sesamee

Thanks everyone for all your information it was very helpful. I've come to a decision to stay on Santorini and would like any reviews on the Santorini Princess hotel or any other hotels that are similar.
Thankyou again mt_24

I've been to seven Greek islands so far and loved them all for different reasons, Crete perhaps being my overall favorite, but if you can only visit one and you've never been to one before, there is no choice to be made. It's Santorini.

Thats what i thought would best suit us for our first visit. I can't wait to go but im still not sure of the hotel Santorini Princess. It looks great but you never know till you've been.
Thankyou mt_24

I seem to remember seeing it -- but I can't place it exactly.

I can vouch for Imerovigli tho. It's close to everything without being on top of it: Easy access to the buzz and activities of Fira (easy bus, cheap cab or ``healthy'' walk) and on the main route to Oia.

Several excellent tavernas, including the Imerovigli and the Skalis(sp). There are a couple of small markets in the square for odds and ends.

The people are so friendly and the bus system is so good, that the kids easily could do outings together (like more beach/pool time) while the adults linger over a longer dinner or whatever.

Whether you want to do this is up, of course, to you, but you've got the flexibility for some many options in Imerovigli.

Kalimera
Kerkyra - Corfu
very beautiful island ,each year I visit the island,beautiful beach:Halikouna
lots of thinks to do,to see to visit

For info on hotels & resorts try www.holidaysuncovered.co.uk it will give you feed back almost anywhere you want to stay.
I really liked Rhodes. Trying Corfu this year.

Try this place out if you want to relax.
A bit off the beaten path, but well worth the visit.

www.kyparissi.net

hi louk,
how do u you know anything about kyparissi? i spend some time there almost every summer and love everything about it (architecture, beaches, scenery, monemvasia and gerakas close by) .
well its a place i would advise everybody not to miss in the peloponnese, but not to a first time traveller to greece .