Mykonos has very good beaches, Santorini is not known for beaches. On Santorini go to Akrotiri to see the ancient remains and there are few wineries. There are bot trips out into the caldera and you can hike down to Amoudi Harbor below Oia. Santorini is mainly about the view which is why I think the number of days you're staying there is too long.

Hopefully Athens has improved a lot thanks to the Olympics, but in all likelihood, notsomuch. The main sites will be on the Acropolis and there are some museums and other sites scattered around (if he's really a history buff, he'll know why the Greek government has chosen to honor Truman), but as a history buff's playground, Athens falls short.

A sunset view from Lycabettus Hill is nice, even though Athens isn't a pretty town (lots of socialistic block housing from the 70s).

Here's some Santorini beach information: http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/santorini/santorini-beaches.htm Note that the distances given are from Fira, and Oia is north of Fira by a good bit.

The black sand beach at Kamari is nice but the sand is REALLY hot. It is completely on the other side of the island from Oia. Sunsets at Oia are excellent.

"City" doesn't apply to any of your island destinations - you're going to small tourist towns. Fira is the largest of the island towns and it's tiny. Agios Stefanos in Mykonos needs to quadruple in size to reach "town" status in the most generous interpretation.

Mykonos Town (Chora) will be bustling after dark.

BigRuss
have you ever been to Athens? do you really know it?
I have my doubts after reading your post.
As for the socialistic block housing from the 70s, they are not socialistic at all.. they first appeared in the late 50s while the first socialistic government of Greece was elected in 1981...

Maybe you are confusing Athens with the ex communist countries and their buildings......

<<<but as a history buff's playground, Athens falls short.>>>
Are you joking???

First of all, congratulations!!!

The Alta Mare by Andronis hotel website says you will have unlimited access to facilities at Andronis Boutique Hotel, which looks to have a bigger pool. Having a pool of any size is an advantage, but the water in the Aegean is so beautiful I would rather swim in the sea. At any rate, it would be difficult to make room for a large pool at those cliffside hotels in Oia, so that's your sacrifice for spectacular views.

You shouldn't lack for activities to keep you busy on Santorini. As well as Akrotiri, there is Ancient Thera, perched on top of the mountain between the beachside resorts of Kamari and Perissa. You can see the wineries, go on cruises in the caldera, swim at Amoudi or one of the volcanic beaches or take a day trip to Thirassia, the little island in the caldera opposite Oia.

Judging by his post, Big Russ clearly isn't a lover of Athens. Most of the main archeological sites are in a small area in the center of the city, and they certainly all aren't on the Acropolis. One of my favourite evening activities is to stroll up pedestrianised Apostolou Pavlou, which overlooks the Ancient Agora and Acropolis. There are some sidewalk cafes where you can sit and have a drink while soaking in the beautiful views. Nearby is a bar/restaurant called "Stavlos" which is built from the royal stables of King Otto. Tables are placed around an indoor garden. Their website is in Greek, but will give you an idea of what the restaurant offers: http://www.stavlos.gr

What most people don't know about the pools on the caldera side, is the fact that they are all illegal !!!!!

There are no pools allowed normally.... also due to static reasons and also due to fact that Oia and Fira are protected and the pools are destroying the traditional character of the villages.

My favourite beach not far away from Oia is Koloumbos, a beach where mostly locals go....

On Santorini, you will find tons of romantic restaurants with caldera views, and in Oia every night people congregate by the windmill to watch the sun set and applaud (if it is a good one). Santorini is romantic through and through regardless of how good your pool is!

One of my favourite trips on Santorini is a visit to the red beach, you get off opposite the entrance to Akrotiri and walk around the cliff to this beach hewn out of red cliffs... I still have a stone at home that my hubby dove down and got for me the last time we were there (our 5th anniversary). I plan to go back there for the 10th, 15th, 20th and hopefully all the way up to 50th! OK. I am clearly a bit soft...

On Mykonos, a favourite restaurant of ours a few years ago was Chez Kathrin. A visit to Delos was a must for us although not necessarily "romantic".

The last time I was in Athens we visited the olympic stadium dating from 1896 (the first of the modern games). For some reason I thought that was fairly romantic (but then we have already established that I may have a screw loose).

These are wonderful recommendations - thank you all! Do you think it's necessary to rent a car in Mykonos and Santorini to be able to visit these beaches mentioned? And are there any Athens tours that are outstanding that we should look into to be sure that my fiance sees all of the most important sights in Athens?

What time of year will you be in Greece? Off-season things are very slow outside of Athens.

Conventional wisdom says it's best to fly on to your island destination upon arrival at Athens. Save your Athens time for the end of your trip. That gives you a margin for error: strikes, breakdowns, etc.

Maybe take a day or so from Santorini and add it to Athens. I can't imagine any history buff who wouldn't be thrilled by time in Athens -- BigRuss aside. So much of what we think of as western civilization came out of ancient Athens: government, philosophy, art, drama, poetry, history, science and medicine. I wouldn't know about tours. We just read a guidebook or two and went around to the sights.

We'll be there in late July / early August - which I know is the crazy tourist season, but it's when our wedding is! Our hotels are all already booked and paid for so I don't think we'll be able to adjust the itinerary at this point. We'll start with 2 nights in Athens, then 3 nights in Mykonos, then 5 nights in Santorini...

And are there any Athens tours that are outstanding that we should look into to be sure that my fiance sees all of the most important sights in Athens?

Look at the tours offered by http://www.athens-walks.com. The company is run by Athenians, and I can vouch for their integrity. While your husband is off looking at antiquities, you may be interested in the food tour.

Hi Layla

I’ve returned to Athens every summer now for almost 20 years and, each time, I’m happy to be back. It’s a great city to explore with the added advantage of sometimes not knowing what’s around the corner. One minute you are strolling through modern Athens then you stumble across some ancient monuments (or two or three). For me, that's what Athens is all about. It's a city of surprises and I feel sure that’s why I enjoy it so much. I’ve always found the people friendly and proud of their city.

On Mykonos you’ll find there are a good few conducted tours around both the town itself and the island. Personally I think they cost a lot of money for what you could easily do yourself. The island has a great small-bus network that’s cheap, fun and efficient. At the time of year you will be visiting those little buses will be busy so I’d recommend you use them earlier in the day returning late afternoon. If you are interested in conducted tours though you can find what's on offer here:

http://www.mykonos-accommodation.com/day-trips.htm

Places to think about visiting are Agios Ioannis (beautiful sea colours and a couple of nice beach tavernas to eat lunch in, looking over towards Delos). That could be very romantic.

Try and visit the island’s second town of Ano Mera. Not at all touristy but it has a great monastery that allows visitors and in the little town square some of the most authentic Mykonian restaurants on the island.

If you have time, the island’s southern beaches are worth checking out as they are terrific but you’ll need to be prepared for how busy they will be. So, perhaps think of heading to those on the very north coast of the island which are much quieter and occasionally deserted. I think those are my favourites.

If you both aren’t exhausted by that time one other place that might be worth checking out is the beach at Choulakia. It’s unique, unusual and now a protected site. Details are here:

http://www.mykonos-life.com/Beaches/Houlakia-Beach/

Oh, and Delos of course. For me it would be a ‘must see’.

Apart from the most northern beaches all of the places I’ve mentioned can be reached using the island's bus system.

Here’s the site for the local company:

http://www.ktelmykonos.gr/index-en.html

and

http://www.ktelmykonos.gr/page2-en.html

Jon