A couple of girlfriends and I are going to Greece this summer.We will be in Paros from June30 to July 7 and will be in Crete from the 10th to the 17th. We originally thought to go to Rhodes from the 7th to the 10th but there were some concerns about distance and crowds etc. Other options suggested were Naxos or Syros. How feasible is it to get to Rhodes and back in three days? Any other island suggestions? Thanks so much.

My guess is that from Paros, you'd have to fly back to Athens, then connect on another plane to Rhodes.( Athens-Rhodes flight time is about 1 hr.)

From Rhodes, there are flights to Heraklion, Crete. Heraklion is about a two-hour drive to Chania.

I have the same question. We're coming by boat from Izmir in Turkey and thought we'd go to Samos as there is a direct boat there but wondered if we should stay there 3-4 days or try another island. Which island? We just want a relaxing small town vacation as we will have just come from Istanbul.

I would suggest going to Naxos from Paros - easy ferry trip and great island to visit. Stay at the Chateau Zevgoli - very quaint and traditional. Also, HAVE to go to Santorini, stay at Nikos Villas - you'll love it!!!

Enjoy!

Thanks for all the responses..they have been more than helpful. So, I will actually be in Greece from May 5th to May 11th giving me only 7 days to venture. So here is my tentative itineray and any advice/rearrangments would be appreciated.I want to maximize my experience with the little time I have.

Athens: 2 nighs ( one day tour to delphi and back)
Naxos: one night...day trip to mykonos/delos
Santorini: 3 nights (one night Fira and 2 nights in Oia)day trip to

Ideally I would really love to go to Crete..if I had 2 days to squeeze in what itinerary would anyone suggest to do? Come into Chania or Iraklion? Thanks!!!

D-

Whatever you end up doing it should be fun. There may be a ferry boat passing Paros and on to Rhodes. It should take the best part of a day traveling. Then again from Rhodes you can fly to Crete.

It depends a lot on your style but if I were doing it I would go to Naxos which is very close and a beautiful island, certainly visit Antiparos which is right next to Paros and yes, possibly also visit Syros.

If you are into awesome sights you might check to see if there are any trips to Delos which is very special. The island is an impressive archeaological site but you cannot overnight there.

If you want to swim sunbathe and party you can go to Ios also close to Paros. Popular with younger people.

hope this helps in a way...

Thanks for all the great info. There are so many decisions to make.

There seem to be three threads happening here so I hope I don't get confused in my reply.
BEBRR. You only have three days between Paros and Crete. Rhodes is probably too far for so little time.
While I love Naxos, after a week in Paros,I think you might find Naxos is a little too similar to Paros. Why not get a change of pace and visit Santorini. It is on the direct ferry route from Paros and Naxos and is a fairly easy ferry ride to Crete from Santorini. I beleive Santorini is a must see.

PAULO59
Samos is a long way from Athens and the Cyclades Islands. Unless you fly you will be looking at an overnight ferry ride. Samos is actually a very interesting Island. We stayed at Pythagro the second town on the island. It once had a populatin of over 60,000 Romans and there are lots of ruins there that really are not advertised. It has a delightful waterfront lined with tavernas and has a decent though pebbly beach about a kilometer from town.The ruined Roman baths in Samos near the beach are every bit as good as those at Ephasus. I'd say, stay in Samos and have a relaxing time.

http://www.islandstrolling.com/english/index.htm

If you decide to visit Crete, definitely go to Chania over Heraklion. Heraklion is a trafficky port city without much to recommend it other than the archaeological museum ( which is now closed? or moved?). Chania is a wonderful old city dating from Venetian times with a gorgeous harbor, nice restaurants, and lots of nightlife. Have fun!

Syros is one of the less touristed islands and has quite a different atmosphere from the other Cyclades -- you may or may not like it. I'd recommend reading up on it in reliable guidebooks if you're thinking of going there.

Paulo, I've done that boat from Izmir to Samos. Samos is really small. I'd try another island if you're thinking 3 or 4 nights. My vote is always Santorini, I feel it can't be beat but it is farther away.

Can someone please give a viewpoint on Paros versus Naxos? Stanbr, I notice you really like Naxos. I am leaning to that but I think one of my friend's is more interested in Paros. Our other two Islands are Santorini and Mykonos. Naxos sounded like it provided more of a contract to those two than Paros. Can you please comment. Thanks.
mkg12

Paros vs Naxos? You can't go wrong with either.

Naxos has the best beaches, and although larger than Paros, most of its development is in a small area from Naxos Town south to Plaka beach. So if you want a relaxing beach oriented stay, that would be a good choice.

For me, Paros has more variety. Development is spread around the island. In additon to Parikia, the main town, there are beach resorts in Naoussa, Aliki, Piso Livadi, Golden Beach, and several other places. Inland is the beautiful village of Lefkes. You can also visit the ancient marble quarries and Butterfly Valley. If that isn't enough, hop on a boat and you can visit Antiparos for the day to see the cave or go to one of the beaches.

No doubt stanbr or traverjan will come back with an equally glowing description of Naxos, and I won't argue. Maybe you should flip a coin? ;-)

Thanks Heimdall! This is one of the best compare/contrast description of these two.

Mgk

Nope, heimdall, can't argue with your analysis. When I go to Naxos, i very often tack on 1-2 days on Paros afterwards.

I'd only add that if you go to Paros and want to see all that Heimdal mentions, u should be prepared to hire a car or scooter because Paros busses won't cut it for that kind of site-seeing. If u don't drive or are wary of scooters, that tips the scale for Naxos instead. But I love Paros too.

I will be in italy amalfi and venince , how to I get to santorini, boat or fly

Draimond, AlpiEagles has cheap tickets from Venice to Athens, and from Athens you can fly or take a ferry to Santorini.

http://www.alpieagles.com/?lang=EN

Re travelerjan: and when I go to Antiparos, I often first stop for a few days on Naxos.

Yes, to get around Paros, a car would be a real advantage, but not essential, because Paros has a pretty good bus system. By the beginning of July some of the buses will be crowded, eg the bus from Naoussa to Parikia in the afternoon when people are leaving the beaches (the same may be true of Naxos buses).

I base myself on Antiparos where one can walk nearly everywhere, then take the 30 min boat ride to Parikia when I want to go to Paros. From Parikia I use the buses to get around the island. As a single traveler, a car would be too expensive for me, but if there are three of you, it may be a good choice.

me and my best friend are doing italy/greece june 28-jul 15 ending in Crete,

similar islands, similar dates.

where are you from?