The Greek Islands and Mainland

Part 1.Getting There

For information on all the islands see my Greek Island Synopsis at www.greektravel.com/greekislands .
It gives a short description of each island and has links to more detailed information, plus hotels, travel agencies, stories and lots of photos. I strongly suggest using the Greek travel agencies to book hotels particularly when you plan on going to more than one island and will need to make a ferry connection. Many hotels on the internet are offering special rates to book directly with them, but they won't help you with the ferries and if you can't get to the island because there is no ferry you still have to pay for the room. If you book with the agency, getting you to the island becomes their responsibility. It makes traveling a whole lot easier and a lot less stressful when you don't have to spend hours searching for accurate ferry or flight information (which is nearly impossible to find anyway).

Ferryboats
The best way to the Greek islands is by boat. They are cheap and relaxing with restaurants, snack bars and beautiful scenery. The boats to the far Greek islands like Crete, Rhodes, Lesvos & Kos leave in the evening. With a cabin it's like going to sleep in a hotel and waking up in a new place. Frequency of boats vary from island to island. To get to the port of Pireaus from Athens take the metro from the stop closest to you (probably Monistiraki or Omonia) to the last stop: Pireaus. The boats are across the street. There is a map on the dock that tells you where to find the ferries for each island. If you don't have a ticket you can buy them at the boat too though if you want a cabin you should get it in advance. Also if you are traveling to the islands on the days preceding Easter and the 15th of August or any Friday in July and August you should buy your tickets in advance. The same goes with returning after those dates and on Sundays.

There's a shuttle bus in the harbor that can take you to the further boats. Ferry Schedules come out in the Kathemerini insert in the International Herald Tribune. For ferry schedules and fares go to www.greecetravel.com/ferryboats but don't get your hopes up. Finding reliable ferry info on the internet is like finding an 8 Karat diamond in a gum machine. The schedules are changed so often that webmasters have had nervous breakdowns trying to keep up. Even travel agents have to phone the ferry companies to make sure the boat is running. If you want to be sure then use a travel agency to book your hotels and let them worry about the ferries. 

NEW! The Athens News now has the weekly ferry schedules from Pireaus, Rafina and Lavrion so get a copy at the newstand in the airport when you arrive or at most kiosks and newstands in Athens.

Read my primer on "How to go to a Greek Island" which gives step by step instructions.

For more detailed info on the Ferryboats click here

Important : Not every island is easily accessible from another. You must keep in mind when planning your Island itinerary that moving from one island chain to another can be difficult and in many cases you will have to return to Athens to do it. Generally travel within an island chain is easy but for example going from Santorini to Lesvos is nearly impossible without going back to Athens.  It is best to have this information before making plans. However the reliability of any Greek ferry Schedule is suspect and if you are planning on going to more than one island I suggest working with a reliable Greek agency. They will have access to better and more up-to-date information. If you are backpacking, staying in campsites or booking a hotel when you arrive and not that particular about where you stay then it won't matter though in August you may have problems finding a room.

Domestic and International Flights
Do you know you can book a flight from your home airport all the way to your Greek island destination, with or without an overnight stay in Athens? (Well, not all islands have airports but the main ones do).
See www.greeceflights.com

Island Hopping and Combinations

For people traveling to the Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos) and the more popular islands like Crete and Rhodes, choosing an island package is often the best way to go. On Fantasy Travel's website you can pick your hotels and choose which islands you want to visit. You can go to from one to five islands and they will take care of the details of getting you from one island to the next. These are not tours and you are not with a group. You can also customize your trip to suit your individual needs.
For Island Combinations see Fantasy Travel

Also be sure to take a look at Dolphin Hellas' Island Hopping Page

Check out the Greek Island Hopping Club, an idea whose time has come where you book as you go in contact with a travel coach by cell-phone every step of the way. See www.greecetravel.com/island-hopping-club

Another cool idea is Fantasy Travel's Create Your Own Itinerary page where you click to choose the islands and they number of days you want to spend on each, category of hotels, days in Athens, land tours or whatever and submit it to the travel agency. They come back with a price within 24 hours. See www.greecetravel.com/create-an-itinerary

Sailboat and Yachts
Of course you won't have to worry about the ferry if you have your own boat. As many people will tell you this is the way to go and it is cheaper than you might think. Throw in a Captain and you have your own personal tour-guide and translator. You can get together with a couple friends or family and have your own boat or if you are traveling solo or are a couple you can share with other couples or soloists or even join a flotilla* . Sound like fun? It is! I did it one summer and it was the best part of my holiday. Much better than a cruise or dealing with the Greek ferry schedules because of the freedom it gives you. Plus the boats range from comfortable to luxurious. David Econopouly has a company based in the USA called GM Charters that works with several sailboat companies and individual skipper-owners in Greece to find the customer the best and most suitable boats at the best price. Whether you want to charter a large sailboat with some friends with a skipper or on your own, or join a group of boats called a flotilla, he does the research and gives you the choices. A great service and very helpful whether you know little about sailing or are an experienced skipper bringing a group and looking for the right boat. He also does power yachts and sail cruises. See www.charterayachtingreece.com

Be sure to read my article about Sailing in Greece at www.greecetravel.com/sailing

*What is a Flotilla?

One of the most popular ways of cruising the Aegean is in a flotilla which is a group of boats sailing together. Flotillas are arranged so that singles, couples and small groups who don’t know each other can join together and form a flotilla of about 6 boats which will be accompanied by the sailing company staff. The staff assists in itinerary planning and helping the participants learn the local conditions, translate, find the best restaurants, or better said, make the most of the experience. It is a great way to make new friends, kind of the grown-up version of summer camp. Flotillas start as low as $1,475. per person with air from JFK, several nights in Athens, a tour of Athens, transfers and 7-10 days of sailing. These are not small boats. These are nice boats between 40-60 feet. There are also special interest flotillas for example archaeology, or culinary and even flotillas for naturalists.

Part 2:The Greek Islands

This is sort of a condensed version of my Greek Island Synopsis

Island Of Sifnos
This is a nice way to start your trip to Greece. It's a quiet and beautiful island that has retained its Greek character where you can relax and get yourself acclimated to Greek life. You may never want to leave. And with the new High-Speed Cats you can be there in a little more than 2 hours!
See my Sifnos page at www.greektravel.com/sifnos
(I am really proud of it.)

What began as the island's only travel agency has now become one of the most respected and reliable full-service agencies in the Cyclades. Not only can they arrange your trip and accommodations in Sifnos but they can take care of your hotel needs in Athens and on any of the other Cycladic islands. For Info on accomodations, car rentals, transportation, WEDDINGS! , and more go to their webpage at www.greecetravel.com/aegean

LESVOS:More Than Just Another Greek Island
Lesvos is in my opinion, the best island in Greece, almost a country in itself. Food and accommodations are much less expensive then the more popular Cyclades islands. Lesvos is fertile with pine forests, olive groves and an abundance of fish. It is the third largest of the Greek islands with a variety of landscapes, including some fantastic beaches, mountains, and two large inland seas that are rich in marine and bird life. (It is one of the finest places in Europe for bird watching with an amazing variety of birds and wildflowers.) There are medieval castles, ancient Greek ruins and Mytilini is a very enjoyable city that is alive with cultural events and a city market that is like a Turkish Bazaar.The coast of Turkey is close enough to take day-trips. But the best thing about Lesvos is the people of the towns and villages who have not been impacted by mass-tourism and are courteous, generous and friendly. If you are looking for a truly special holiday in Greece, this is the place to go. Most people who visit Lesvos return. Many make it a yearly trip and with hotels and food half the price of Athens and the Cyclades it is a Greek holiday destination that is affordable. If you only have a couple days in Greece then it's best to go somewhere else but if you have a week to ten days to explore then Lesvos is the place for you. Visit my website:
Lesvos: More then Just Another Greek Island at www.Lesvos.com
 

Eressos in Lesvos
Birthplace of Sapho and popular with gay women, it's also a popular family and honeymoon destination. Eressos is one of the best beach town in Greece. Beautiful sandy beach and village, a wonderful place, perhaps the best kept secret in Greece. Hotels and apartments available as well as island tours to Mytilini, Molyvos, thermal springs and spas, monasteries, traditional villages, donkey treks and day trips to Turkey. Excellent and inexpensive restaurants on the beach where you can watch the best sunsets in Greece (after Santorini). See www.lesvos.com/erressos.html

If you are interested in renting an entire 3-bedroom house in Erressos (for what it would cost to rent a double room in a b-class hotel) see Villas of Greece at www.greecetravel.com/villas . Ana has a great selection of villas, houses and apartments all over Lesvos.

The Hotel Aphrodite is run by a Canadian family and is right on the beach at Vatera which has to be one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Greece. See www.lesvos.com/vatera.html and visit the website of the hotel at www.lesvos.com/aphrodite . Great family hotel because there are lots of children around (English speaking too!) They also have an excellent taverna with live Greek music on weekends.
They also have their own travel agency and car rental agency and give discount rates to their hotel clients.

Travel Agencies
To make travel arrangements for Lesvos visit www.lesvos.com/travelagents.html or you can work with Fantasy Travel in Athens

Santorini: # 1 Destination in Greece
They say it's the one essential Greek island and Santorini should not be missed. Take the ferry and sail into a giant volcanic cauldron that is as dramatic, or more so, then the Grand Canyon. Most people stay in or near Thira where the nightlife is or Oia where it is a little quieter and go to the beaches by bus, car or bike in the day. Others stay on the beach and go to Thira at night or to watch the sunset. The sunsets in Santorini are like nothing you have ever seen before and for that reason many honeymooners want to stay in a hotel overlooking the volcano in Thira or Oia. A car is useful but not essential because there are buses and taxis. Watch out for motorbikes.
See my review of the island at www.greektravel.com/greekislands/santorini

Fantasy Travel specializes in Santorini and the Cyclades with discounted rates on hotels and island-hopping packages so see their offerings at www.fantasytravelofgreece.com They also specialize in , weddings and honeymoons.

Honeymooners! Before you commit to anything (besides each other of course) take a peak at Fantasy's VIP Honeymoon Package at www.FantasyTravelOfGreece.com/english/vip.html  

For other agencies dealing with accommodations, transportation and other services contact Kiki and Aliki at Dolphin Hellas Travel or visit Giorgios and Apostolis at Aegean Thesaurus Travel

See the amazing Hotel Volcano View Villas on the Cliffs of Santorini, with 3 swimming pools and a view so spectacular you may never leave the premises  or see the individual Volcano View VIP Villas

The Ether Traditional Houses are in the beautiful village of Oia is inexpensive with Caldera View rooms for 115 euro and sometimes cheaper when there is a special. If you are on a  budget but still want a room with a view this hotel is for you.

For Houses and Villas on Santorini see www.greecetravel.com/villas
For a listing of Hotels on Santorini with photos, descriptions and where to get the best rates see www.hotelsofgreece.com

Ios: Where Spring Break lasts all Summer
I know there are some of you of college age who are going to Greece to get a little culture, but mostly to meet similar young culturally minded students, exchange ideas and then party wildly every night in the bars and discos. If that is your intention then Ios will not disappoint you. Great beaches, great nightlife and nary a human over 25 years old. If you thought you had fun this past spring break get ready for it to be eclipsed. It's the international Mecca for youth.
Visit the site of an old pro at www.greektravel.com/greekislands/ios.html
 

If you are traveling to Ios and are on a budget or want to save your money for some of the other things this island has to offer take a look at the Markos Holiday Club in Ios Town, close to the nightlife and still easy walking distance from the beach (and it has a pool). See www.hotelsofgreece.com/cyclades/ios/marcosholidayclub

For information on the very lovely Princess of Mykonos Hotel see www.greecetravel.com/hotels/princessof mykonos (Unbelieveably low rates for June and maybe July and August too!)

For Budget travelers you can still go to Mykonos without spending an arm and a leg. Check out the Hotel Adonis and ask about their special rates through Fantasy Travel.

More Islands
Paros
There must be a reason the island of Paros is mentioned in the same breath as Mykonos and Santorini, besides the fact that nearly every ferry stops here. For one thing it is the Windsurfing Capital of the Greek islands and is famous for its watersports. For another reason it is a beautiful island with lots to do and see. For a great island to base yourself from have a look at www.greektravel.com/greekislands/paros

Poros
The island of Poros is only an hour from Athens by highspeed. What that means is that you can make it your base to see the sites of the city and still be home for dinner and a swim. It's also a three minute boat ride from the Peleponessos. 
See www.greektravel.com/greekislands/poros (Check out their Easter Celebration at the Saga)

Aegina
Even closer than Poros, from the beach town of Agia Marina you can see the city of Athens and even a slow ferry gets you to Pireaus in an hour. The highspeeds do it in twenty minutes. Great place for day-trips, overnights or basing yourself for visits to Athens. See www.greektravel.com/greekislands/aegina

The Agistri Club on the small island of Agistri , a few miles from Athens is like a private party that has been going on for 20 years. It seems like everyone who stays there has been there before and keeps on coming back. See www.greektravel.com/greekislands/angistri

Crete
The beautiful island ofCrete is the largest of the Greek Islands and almost a country itself. The Porto Elounda Deluxe Resort is considered one of the top resorts in the world. But if you are on a budget there are also smaller and less expensive hotels all over the island. See my review of this island at www.greecetravel.com/crete .

CULINARY TOURS of KEA:Join famous Greek chef Aglaia Kremezi and friends on a culinary experience on the island of Kea at www.greektravel.com/greekislands/kea/keartisanal  
 
Some of my other island Guides include Hydra , Crete , Skiathos ,  Kea , Corfu, Kefalonia , Kos and Naxos with more on the way.

Edipsos in Evia: Health Spas and Therapuetic Hot Springs!
Imagine a 3000 year old health spa that combines the most modern hydra-therapy technology with over 75 natural hot springs. Though unknown to many foreigners, Edipsos was frequented by Winston Churchill, Omar Shariff, Grete Garbo, Maria Callas, Aristotle Onassis and the Byzantine Emperors Constantine the Great and Theodosius. Only 90 minutes from Athens many older Greeks go there for rejuvenation. For more info on this amazing place visit www.greecetravel.com/edipsos which includes a section on driving in Greece and how to get lost in Athens while searching for the National road.

Greek Island Hotel Directory
For hotels in Athens and all the islands (well some of them anyway...probably the ones you want to go to) see www.hotelsofgreece.com

Greek Islands and Turkey
Planning to do the Greek islands and Turkey? You can get daily boats from Rhodes to Marmaris, from Kos to Bodrun, from Samos to Kusadasi and less frequently from Chios to Cesme and Lesvos to Avalik. Finding the schedules is another story but maybe Rina at Insight Travel in Istanbul can help you with that information and your other travel needs. See www.greeceturkeyguide.com

Information Overload Remedy
Too much info here? Can't make a decision? Don't fret. You are not alone. That is why I have created a page for you. See www.greektravel.com/suggestions or see www.greecetravel.com/tours which is a brand new page of itineraries that I have created because I got tired of suggesting the same thing over and over again by e-mail. They are not the typical trips you will find in any package brochure. They are a lot more fun and more interesting too. Or you can just throw your hands up and send me an e-mail and tell me what kind of person you are and what you are looking for and I will tell you where I would  go if I were you.  Write to me at: greecetravel1@aol.com

Endangered Species

What is the best way to book your holiday to Greece? Can you really save by using auto-booking systems or by booking directly with the hotels? Are Travel Agencies a thing of the past? Read my article Endangered Species about the internet and the disappearance of the small personalized-service travel agency.

Part 3. Greek Mainland

The Mount Pelion Peninsula
Though the Greek islands seem to get all the attention in actuality some of the most beautiful towns, beaches and landscapes are on the mainland, particularly the Mount Pelion region which could be described as the Colorado Rockies on the Aegean. Pine covered slopes, orchards, streams, incredible beaches and the finest ouzeries and mezedes in Greece are a good reason to go. It's also convenient to the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonysos and Skyros.
See my Guide to Pelion at www.greecetravel.com/pelion

By special request I have added several new important websites.
Be sure to visit my pages on Thessaloniki , the second largest and hippest city in Greece, at www.greecetravel.com/thessaloniki and also my pages for Macedonia at www.greecetravel.com/macedonia

There is a brand new site for Delphi at www.greecetravel.com/delphi
Meteora where giant rock formations crowned with five-hundred year old monasteries which look like they are inaccessable to anyone but James Bond is one of the most amazing places on earth. See www.greecetravel.com/meteora

Footsteps of Saint Paul:Classical and Christian Sites: Follow the path of Christianity by air, land and sea.
See www.fantasytravelofgreece.com for more information.

Mainland Tours and Accommodations

Dick Caldwell, Professor of Classics at USC has been leading tours to Greece and Turkey with his company Skopelos Tours for the last 23 years that are not just educational but a lot of fun. People who go with him not only rave about his tours but return year after year.  He has written many books and articles about antiquity (and other subjects). For more info see www.greecetravel.com/sporadestours

For Daytrips and Overnight trips contact George the Famous Taxi Driver . If you are a group of four and split the cost on trips to Delphi, Epidavros, Myceneae, Meteora and just about anywhere in mainland Greece it will be cheaper than an organized tour and you will have much more flexibility and be able to see much more and stop wherever you like. See his website at www.greecetravel.com/taxi

Greek Spring with OPA TOURS is a marvelous journey to some of the most beautiful, historical and rarely visited sites in Greece during one of the best times to be in Greece. For more information see www.greecetravel.com/opa

Other mainland tours and custom-made itineraries are available through Fantasy Travel and Dolphin Hellas or if you know what you want to do but just need to work out the details and get a price go to www.greecetravel.com/create-an-itinerary

For a Directory of hotels on the mainland with photos and descriptions see www.hotelsofgreece.com
For House and Villa Rental see www.greecetravel.com/villas  

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