Greek Islands in 10 Days

[mattyk]

pretravel.proboards1.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=7459 is my original post about this trip

I think we have settled on 11 days in the Greek Islands (1-2 days will be wiped by traveling) which leaves 9-10. I'm thinking 4 days in Mykonos, which leaves some time to play with.

Ios has come on a strong recommendation from a friend. I have heard good things about Santorini and it looks beautiful but I think it will be too mellow for us and might be better suited for a later trip (with a girlfriend or wife).

Any other recommendations? Sightseeing / history would be neat, but we are mainly looking to just mix it up with a different crowd and enjoy the nightlife. What is Crete like? Any other suggested islands?

We will be traveling the second week of September to avoid the crowds.

Any recommendations on where to stay in Mykonos? Looking for a lively area, with proximity to the destination areas (paradise beach or the clubs) being the prime goal. 3 guys, willing to spend $100-200US per night (cheaper the better though) total on accomodations

[madamtrashheap]

OK mattyk, good to see you've decided on your destinations, although I will say that Santorini is a gorgeous island and the nightlife/bars are good. However, if you feel it will be too quite for you then fair enough. You'll enjoy Mykonos and Ios and Crete will give you both history and nightlife (it's a large island) so you could go for that too, but the travel time between islands (depending on your method) will take a good chunk of your day, as you've noted. So, if you're going for 4 days in Mykonos, I'd also suggest perhaps 3 on Ios, 3 on Paros (it's a lot of fun, good nightlife but not as well known as other islands) or you could go from Ios to Crete for 3-4 days instead then fly back to Athens.

For accommodation on Mykonos, you'll want to stay either on the Mykonos town side (eg: Christina Appartments - good reports, self-catering appartments and in centre behind port; "4Ks" or Mykonian Hotel Collection - just at the top of the crossroads from the town going up the hill, nice property, good location; Hotel Mykonos Palace - just around the bay from the town, nice property and located on a beach, about 15min walk to centre; Hotel Mykonos Bay - closer to town than the Palace and 1 star less, but still nice hotel; Hotel Adonis - near 4Ks, just on the edge of town). For other islands, hopefully the others will see this and add their recommendations.

[stylescriber]

What I love about Greece is its role in human civilization. The country has contributed greatly in terms of the lifestyle. I wouldn't be surprised if people there are much more rich in culture than anywhere in the world.

Oh by the way, I opted for a vacation package when I was there. I found this site www.luxurylink.com it took care of everything I needed.

[mattyk]

Thanks for the info.

I guess I'm still torn between what the third island should be and how to fit it into the schedule

Santorini looks beautiful, albeit a bit tame for our tastes. I was thinking Santorini would be a great in-between stop in order to get some relaxation in before the partying begins again however the geography looks to be against me here. Could an Athens-Mykonos-Santorini-Ios-Athens itinerary work (or the reverse)? Or would there be a better in-between island to go to?

[madamtrashheap]

mattyk, that might not be a bad idea. And I don't think you'll be disappointed in Santorini, both as a rest stop and as a beautiful place with the odd bar.

So are you thinking more along the lines of:

Athens - 2
Mykonos - 4
Santorini - 3
Ios - 2
Athens - 1

I know that goes slightly over the days you've alloted to the total number for travel. And consider the method of travel between the islands (eg check hydrofoil, regular ferries and flights) to save time in places if you can.

[zsoulan00]

greece deserves more than 10 days =(

i always tell friends that you need at least 3-4 days of travel time to get between islands, take buses, ride donkeys etc... I think that 14-17 days is optimal. you dont want to leave yourself only 1 weekend on a greek island. Yes, given, the weekdays during the summer are just as hot as the weekends... but you're planning on going in september, when the majority of the summer crowd is gone...

just a thought.

btw, i'm a greek-american, living in NYC

[n0rthface08]

mattyk,
i just got back yesterday from a 10 day trip to athens, ios, and santorini. Ios is by far the best party island that i went to, but i heard mykonos is crazy too. santorini was alot of fun but doesn't have nearly as many clubs to go to at night. if you go to ios definately check out a restaurant called "harmony" its very good mexican food and it isnt too expensive