Santorini is NOT about beaches (they are black volcanic grit) ... you will have to go to other nearby islands for that. In high season it's impossible to avoid "busy tourist area" unless you go to far-flung islands that are hard to reach. You cannot have what you want at the time ou are going. However, there are an abundance of good sandy beaches on the nearby islands of Naxos, Paros, Antiparos. Sifnos has a lot of good beaches and is not as jammed since it does not have an airstrip…
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by travelbuganneke
by graceld99771869
I"ll bet that offer you to work on a fishing boat was not in Greece ... those fishermen go out long before dawn, and it would not be a treat, their boats are small and they work hard, not a tourist thing.
One nice thing about Naxos is that there is a company based Naxos/Paros that offers quite a variety of day excursions ... https://visit-cyclades.com/day-cruises-naxos-cruises/ browse their website, they have schooners that cruise to the small islands south of Naxos, or to Antiparos .... if…
by laurel177414
I'm no expert on Syros ... not being a Greek ... but can only give my impressions as an American, who has enjoyed beaches all over the cycladic Isles: in Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Mykonos, Amorgos, sifnos, serifos, milos et etc. I'd always wanted to see Syros, particularly for the impressive Capitol Plaza in Hermopolis. So at the end of one of my trips, I reserved 3.5 days for Syros.
What I discovered is that the island seems to be about 95% Greek -- residents AND vacationers -- and frankly is…
by PedroMR
Greetings Pedro!
Say hi to Norwalk for me, I lived there, worked there & loved it, for over a decade -- and made my first trip to Greece from there, in 1999. I hope you can put together a trip that both you AND your children will enjoy... b ut it does puzzle me that you are traveling halfway around the world for just 5 days??? You need to tell us much more, because you want good advice but do not provide enough information. I'm going to be blunt about your ideas, just because I want you to…
by wondertwin
wondertwin, there's a lesson here. Be candid with us, and we'll give you better tips -- when a person doesn't give a budget range, I try to strike a midpoint. But I myself am a dedicated budgeteer and my dear Naxos Budget GEM is Studios Naxos http://www.studiosnaxos.com ... only 10 yards off the beach, 5 units w. kitchenette el, balconies w. views. Can't be more than €40 single rate (all are doubles) -- write IMMEDIATELY, TODAY, tell my dear landlady Stavroula that Janet from Philly sends you…
by erica6
I too am surprised that Naxos flight(s) are full .... now that you give me the dates I see that... but here is an answer for you. YOu are planning to spend TWO WEEKS in Greece, why not split it up. You can stay the first 5 days or so in a WONDERFUL place --- ANTIPAROS, which is just off Paros.... visible from the dock, a tiny ferry ride. If you are flying from Israel at 5:30, you will be In ATH Airport by 7:30, 8 at the latest. There is an Aegean Flight @ 10:30 -arr PAROS `11:10, for €55…
by sabaidee
Here's a quick look at the Whole Group of "white houses/Blue Roofs" -- there are over 20 Cyclades Islands and they ALL have that "signature look" The calendars always feature Mykonos & Santorini because those are the only ones that Cruise ships can visit ... but they ALL Have beautiful ports and villages with that famous look. This website http://www.greecetravel.com/greek-islands/ is less commercial than many -- click on Island names in the left-hand list & you'll get a full page of…
by Patti16
OVERALL -- Determine your itinerary before you bother about lodgings; mid-september on, all islands will have rooms aplenty ... May be well to book your Athens hotel if you want best location; but that should be a separate topic. As for the islands you mention ...
SANTORINI - No kayaking on Santorini. Beaches are black grit. In fact, Santorini is mainly about the Famous View... so stay on the caldera side in room w a balcony, enjoy the view for 2 days or so and then move on.
MILOS - doesn't…
by ezzamon
Ah, it's good to know where you are from... (altho use of "holiday" rather than "Vacation" or "trip" gives a clue) .. N. Americans usually have a bit of culture-quest mixed in, while UKers more looking for nice swims, good weather ... much the same as US people seek in Caribbean. A lot depends on when you hope to go: if it's the 1st 2-3 weeks in August, good luck, because islands will be jampacked, always are. After 20th or so, it eases because of school starts for families. I agree w…
by chelsie.fravel
You will have the best chances of booking well-located rooms (near or on a beach, with sea views), if you focus on AFTER August 22 or so .... that's when Greeks & Europeans have to get their children into school, so crowds begin to thin out. A great trio would be Serifos, then Sifnos, then Naxos and/or Antiparos. For the latter (you'd have to time it to get a ferry from Western Isles to PAROS, then Antiparos is a hop across the water).
• SERIFOS - simple and small, peaceful enough that 3…