MiamiBeachMomma

Looking for ideas!!! We are trying to plan a trip for May this year. Hubby and I (in our 50s) will meet up with our sons 20 and 23 somewhere in Europe for a 7-10 trip. One will be in Tel Aviv other in Northern Italy.

We have been to Greece on cruises (but kids haven't - but they have been all over Europe).

Trying to decide if its better to book a cruise to all do together (like RCCL or Celebrity) or if its a better idea to go at this on our own- maybe even use hotel points. Not sure which islands to focus on - if I plan it without cruise. We all like to be active - dont want to lay on the beach for days on end, Im sure kids would like nightlife time as well.

May is still low season and I want to take advantage of less crowds and less heat.
Any advice?

Heimdall

The only advice I will give is this: if you like cruising, go on a cruise and you will spend most of your time aboard ship. If you want to see Greece, fly into Athens and spend some time there and maybe one or two islands. If you have time, a trip to Delphi would be amazing. You will see much more if you spend three nights on an island than the 8 or 10 hours the cruise ship will allow.

alandavid

Highly recommend the Star Clippers Northern Cyclades cruise.
Nothing like a traditional cruise line & the ship itself is an adventure. Small, so better access to smaller ports.
Day in Ephesus was a highlight for me. Mykonos will appeal to your sons.

KarenWoo

When you go on a cruise, you don't spend a lot of time at your destination. And because you have visited Greece on cruises, this time I highly recommend flying to Greece and visiting on your own so you can spend more time at each destination.

What are your interests? Do you like history, ruins, museums, beaches, beautiful scenery? Do you also want to visit the mainland?

A possible itinerary could be Santorini (3 nights), Naxos (4 nights), and Athens (3 nights). Or visit only one island and spend some time in Nafplio on the Peloponnese Peninsula where you can visit ancient ruins such as Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Mystras, amongst others.

Sassafrass

I suggest Turkey instead: 3 full days in Cappadocia, the rest in Istanbul.

MiamiBeachMomma

Reading and researching and I am over the big cruise idea (the cruise we did was a smaller ship.) I dont think its the right fit for our family,

Our ideal trip includes history, ruins, culture, food, biking, hiking, rock climbing (the kids), water sports, cooking, nature, maybe even diving (Hubby and boys certified - not me.). I also think the kids want nightlight for some of the trip.

yorkshire

How about Crete? It's got a bit of everything and may be more convenient flight-wise. I'd like the idea of not hopping around and dealing with ferries or extra flights but enjoying all that one island can offer. I've got a tentative plan for one day: flying into Heraklion (to see Minoan ruins), out of Chania (beautiful town for the final few days) with some nature in between.

MiamiBeachMomma

Will research Crete!! Thanks!!

uppsala30

Crete is easy to get to from Athens, lots to see and do there, ruins, great beaches, hiking, interesting towns. I wouldn’t visit Santorini- you are really late planning and most hotels are already booked. You also might like Naxos or Paros.

MiamiBeachMomma

I would think since our plan is May - availability on all the islands will still be good. I haven't started yet fully researching yet - but wondering when high season kicks in.

Heimdall

You shouldn’t have a problem with room availability in late May. By then all the hotels and rooms (domatia) will have opened for the season, but won’t be booked to full capacity until July or August. You might want to expand your search to apartments as well as rooms so you could all stay together. Another option is to look for a villa, but most are out of town, requiring a car, and have minimum stays of four days or more.

coral22

I am so glad you are not doing a cruise! Those big ships are awful and the small ships would be too boring for your sons. We actually did a small cruise and loved it, we were all day, every day in a port and slept through to the new location. We actually got off early in Santorini to spend more time there. But the nightlife was nonexistent and your sons would be out of place.

Our daughter and her husband honeymooned in Mykonos, Santorini and Athens and loved it. I would not recommend Santorini for the 4 of you.It is more of a romantic location. May is not peak season, but it is busy, I would start locking up accommodations. We went in May and so did our daughter. Mykonos was not crazy yet, but I don't if it would be active enough for your sons in May. Crete is a fantastic idea, especially if you get a car. Others here would be better advisors about nightlife locations, but of course Athens was great.