Allisel

My mother (56) and I (24) are planning a trip to the Greek Islands at the end of June/ beginning of July 2012. We're going for 10 days (including nights in Athens at beginning and end)

It's my mom's long-time dream to visit the Greek islands, but the planning falls to me and I can't decide which ones to visit. Since we're not honeymooners or party-ers, what's the best itinerary? We just want to relax and have fun in a beautiful, friendly atmosphere!

We have to visit Santorini because it has always been her ideal vision of the islands but we'd like to spread out our time on other islands as well (Mykonos, Naxos, Paros?). Hotel recommendations would be great too!

Priorities: Beautiful scenery, affordable accommodations, easy ferry travel, history and culture, shopping.
Not priorities: Romance, nightlife, strenuous physical activity.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and advice!!

HappyTrvlr

We visited Santorini, Mykonos,Paros, Naxos and then spent two weeks in Crete. Spend a few days on Santorini and then travel to Naxos and or Paros. We loved our stay in Naoussa,Paros. We also spent time on the Peloponnesean Pen which is incredible. Least favorite for us was Santorini, tourists , cruise ships, non-Greek staff in hotels and the only place we were surrounded by Americans, mostly honeymooners..Views were beautiful but it was less of a Greek experience.

mariha2912

It is only you who will make final decisions, but here are my thoughts...
First of all splitting your time in Athens on a so limited time frame is a waste of time. Try to time your arrival in Athens airport AM and book a flight to Santorini/other island the very same day. That way you do not backtrack in Athens twice, you'll be able to jetlag on a more relaxed pace on an island rather than a busy metropolis, plus arranging to be on mainland a few days prior to your flight homme, you have a comfort time zone in case something goes wrong. Imagine been on an island having to fly out of Athens next day, and suddenly all flights or ferries from island to Athens are canceled or delayed due to strikes/mechanical problems/weather conditions... Not very reassuring, right?
Now, about Santorini. This is one of my least favored islands for the reasons mentioned by previous poster, but still I have to admit that it feature a unique landscape. If it's a must for your mother, go for it. I think 2-3 nights will be suitable to enjoy the views, explore around a bit,visit tiny but worthing museums in Fira, maybe Ancient Thira and maybe taking a caldera boat trip and/or visiting a winery and so on... Then you can take a ferry to an other island for 4 nights and then a ferry or flight back to Athens for remaining days of your trip.
You mention culture and history, beautiful scenery, shopping...Well, Athesn has plenty of that. Do not listen to people moaning about Athens, obviously they had different interests or made a rushed visit without any prior homework,so they had no clue what to see and when in order to enjoy this amazing city. I don't think you'll be happy going all the way to Paris to see only Eiffel Tower then go, so I don't think you'll be happy going all the way to Athens to take in only the Parthenon... Only on Akropolis hill and surroundings, there are 6-7 sites, and 2-3 museums, Acropolis museum been a must of course, but smaller museums very worthing too.If you are into Archeological museums you can't miss the Athens A M of course, this can easily take a day itsself. Then around city center there are 2-3 hills very worthing to walk, so you can take in great views ans scenery. Ermou street is very popular for brand shopping, and around Monastiraki area there are various gift shops. Flea markets and various shopping in the wider area. And I can go on and on about Athens...
Now, which island to go in between Santorini and Athens...Personaly, given your interests and dates, I would skip Mykonos. It is definately nice, but it is maybe the most touristy and expensive island along with Santorini. While Santorini is really unique, Mykonos is charmy, but you may find similar architecture in most Cyclades, and equaly great sandy beaches on both Naxos and Paros/Antiparos. I don't think you can go wrong with either Paros or Naxos, plus there is a long bus handy boat trip several dayes per week from both islands, going to Delos and Mykonos Town. So you can have your cake and eat it too.
Paros or Naxos? I am slightly more fond of Naxos, but both islands are great. Advice depends on specifics...Let me ask you... Are you willing to hire a car while on the islands, or you plan to move around on public transport? Organised tours? Taxis? Please clarify this.
I may be able to provide some accomondation suggestions, but I need adaily budget in euros and what what are you after... Affordable accomondation can mean anything.

stanbr

Not much to add when one responds after Mariha, she has worked on both Naxos and Paros and knows both intimately. My thoughts though are to second the idea of catching a connecting flight to Santorini as soon as you arrive in Athens. Then probably a maximum of 3 nights on Santorini. Santorini is all about the caldera views. This is where you should expect to blow out your budget to get a good hotel overlooking the Caldera. That view is magical.
Then head out on one of the ferrys to Naxos or Paros. Having visited both several times we prefer Naxos but Paros is lovely as well you can't go wrong with either one. Naxos too has the whitewashed villages with blue trim and it is more of an authentic Greek feel to it as most of the population live there year round. It has a lovely main town Chora mountain villages great beaches a few antiquities and best, it is far less expensive than Santorini. I would suggest you consider staying at St George Beach area as it is directly adjacent to Chora so you get a beach vacation with all the activities of town just a few minute strool away.
Here are some images of Naxos.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/552001505EYxVYT
One last thought, if you have any flexibility in your schedule I would push your time back a week or so, a bit earlier in June as July gets hot and the crowds start to show up. June is a bit less hot and certainly will be less crowded.

Allisel

Thank you so much for all this helpful advice!!

Mariha- We're definitely not going to be driving. We will hopefully be using public transport while staying on the islands or taxis if necessary. So we'll be looking to say close to main attractions on the islands.

I'm leaning toward spending most of our time on Naxos (probably 5 nights)and hopefully taking a day trip or two while we're there. We'd like to see some interesting antiquities and if we can spend even just an afternoon walking around Mykonos that would be a nice idea.

Can you suggest a nice place to stay on Naxos? We're trying to keep a tight budget but no youth-hostel type places. We would like a twin room probably somewhere between 40-70 euros per night and with a pool. We'd like somewhere that is pleasant to relax for an afternoon if we feel like taking it easy- not just a bed to sleep in. Suggestions?

Stanbr- Thanks! Such a beautiful place. I'd love to go earlier in the season but my mom is a school teacher so it's not possible.

jamikins

We spent a week on Naxos in Sept and LOVED IT! Try Hotel Spiros, excellent location with a lovely pool and very helpful staff. http://www.hotelspiros.com/ It should fall into your budget.

stanbr

I too would recommend Hotel Spiros. It is a 2 minute walk to St George Beach and about 12 minute walk to the main waterfront of Chora. It is a good family run hotel with a pool and is certainly within your budget.
Here are images of the hotel

http://travel.webshots.com/album/577937409BloLVg

Our favourite hotel is hotel Glaros a boutique hotel about 10 meters from St George beach and every room with an ocean view. I suspect however it may be just about 10 euros a night out of your price range.
Here are images of Glaros.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/65008339YYjlTb


If you would like that time in Mykonos just check for the Delos excursion trip. It runs at least twice a week and any travel agent can sell a ticket. It spends about 3 hours in Delos and then another 3 hours in Mykonos. It is a great day.
Here is another Naxos album of a day trip we took driving around the island and into the mountain villages.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/577950188puzxSj
It is best to rent a car but since that is not an option there is a round the island bus tour that will get you to many of the sites. Again pretty much any travel agency on the waterfront can see you a ticket. Or you can just hop on one of the local buses and head out to one of the villages and walk around. I would recommend Chalki or Aparanthos. Round trip is abot 6 euros as I recall.

Allisel

Fabulous! This is great. Hotel Spiros sounds ideal. We'll definitely look into booking that once we get our flights finalized. And I'm really happy about the possibility to doing those guided day-trips from Naxos.

We'll be staying in Santorini for three nights at the end of our trip. What do you recommend for accommodations? We're willing to spend a little more for a nice view and quiet, beautiful accommodations. Just a little more though

brotherleelove2004

For Santorini check Thea Studios (the one in Oia), Oia Waves, Villa Kallisti, Casa Sofia, Old Oia Houses, Scirocco Apartments, Villa Maria Damigou and Blue Dolphins Apartments.