Which Islands are a must
 

Traveling to Greece and the Greek Isles next year and am having trouble deciding which islands to visit. Does anyone have any suggestions about which 3 islands are a "must see"? Thank you

Sheer Beauty: Santorini

Variety of activity and environment: Crete

20-something Party Scene: Ios

30-Something Upscale Party Scene: Mykonos

Beaches: Naxos, Paros

Undeveloped: Amorgos, Folegandros, Anafi

Close to Athens: Hydra, Aegina

Great list, brotherleelove, but here are two more:

Small and charming getaway: Symi

Historic: Rhodes

And to confuse you even more - consider the Ionian Isles:

Corfu, Paxos and AntiPaxos, Zakynthos, Lefkas, and Cephalonia (where Captain Corelli's Mandolin was set and filmed).

Santorini, Corfy and Rhodes, each one for a different reason...
Santorini for culture and nature,
Corfu to discover the Greeks without Eastern culture influence, and Rhodes for its Midle Age monuments and hospitality spirit...

Crete for archaeology and culture and food too.

What island would be recommended for 40-something's, as an alternative to the party animal scene? Interested in culture, history and, of course, the food.

Thanks.

Crete.

Julia, how COULD you leave Ithaka off your list of Ionian Islands. It's the home of Homer's Odyssey! (And it's a beauty - almost reminded me of the Italian lakes, bizarrely).

Kate, I've not been to Ithaca, and it must have slipped past my typing fingers!

I shall look forward to hearing more about it when we meet at the London GTG - until then....

Santorini, hands down favorite.

Amouliani

Corfu

Tinos