Smaller Greek Islands... how to book?

Nobjocki

You won't go far wrong reading this feller.


https://www.greektravel.com

Fortyfoot

Hi there, ARION BAY offered to help me with island hopping. They said we could stay a few days with them, then they would store our main luggage so we could travel light for a few nights on other islands. We have not tried it yet but may do so in the future.

Fortyfoot

Nobjocki

Fortyfoot wrote: »

Hi there, ARION BAY offered to help me with island hopping. They said we could stay a few days with them, then they would store our main luggage so we could travel light for a few nights on other islands. We have not tried it yet but may do so in the future.

Fortyfoot

If you're island hopping you really don't need much more than what you can carry in an on-board rucksack.
August is very hot and a couple won't need much more than extremely light clothing such as t-shirts,shorts,swimming costumes,a light skirt and a towel for the beach.
If you're going on a Greek Island-hopping holiday you need to re-think all your previous conceptions about what to take on holiday.
Trust me - I've done it every year for about 25 years.

MM30_2

Nobjocki wrote: »

If you're island hopping you really don't need much more than what you can carry in an on-board rucksack.
August is very hot and a couple won't need much more than extremely light clothing such as t-shirts,shorts,swimming costumes,a light skirt and a towel for the beach.
If you're going on a Greek Island-hopping holiday you need to re-think all your previous conceptions about what to take on holiday.
Trust me - I've done it every year for about 25 years.

That sounds good. Can you give examples of the itinery showing which islands to go to and in which order. I am sure many members would be intested in what you have been doing.

Thanks

davidlizard

The ferry routes are generally leave Athens then visit chains of islands, with several boats per day. This means visiting several islands in the same chain is easy, whereas visiting islands on different chains either requires going back into Athens, or waiting for one of the infrequent "cross chain" boats.

The other important thing is to make sure you catch the flight home i.e. finish off somewhere near the departure airport.

Suggested itineraries really depend on what you want - beaches, culture, antiquities, scenery, or a good mix.

In the past, we have done:
Fly into Athens, Naxos, Anti Paros, Athens (for sightseeing).
Fly into Athens, Paros, Naxos, Agistri (near Athens for convenience of flight home).
Fly into Athens, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, Agistri.
Fly into Athens, Amorgos, Koufinissi, Iraklia, Naxos, Agistri.
Fly into Athens, (from Rafina) Andros, Syros (could have done Tinos), Mykonos, Naxos, Aegina.
Fly into Athens, Ios, Anafi, Santorini, Naxos, Athens.
Fly into Athens: Naxos, Astipalea, Schinoussa, Naxos.
Fly into Mykonos: Naxos, Donussa, Koufinissi, Naxos.
Fly into Skiathos: Skopelos, Alonnisos, Skiathos.
This summer: Fly into Santorini, Ios, Sikinos, Naxos, Santorini.

In other words, theres loads and loads of options. This is just the Cyclades - theres the Dodecanese (Rhodes etc), Sporades (northern Aegean), Saronics (Poros, Spetses etc) and so on.

Two very straightforward itineries for two weeks which would give a good mix of culture, scenery and beaches would be:
Fly into Athens, Paros (or Anti Paros), Naxos, Agistri, Fly home.
Fly into Santorini, Ios, Paros/Naxos, Santorini. Fly home.

richardw

Good point is that Athens ports Piraeus and Rafina are both easily acessible from the new Athens airport, good if you have a night flight that arrives early in the morning to Athens airport.

https://www.aferry.to can be helpful. There are some fast ferries and you can book some online.

Nobjocki

MM30 wrote: »

That sounds good. Can you give examples of the itinery showing which islands to go to and in which order. I am sure many members would be intested in what you have been doing.

Thanks

As you can see the possibilities are endless - but the reality is that it's best to choose a chain of islands and work out from the ferries and the various guide books and websites which ones you want to go to.
And be prepared to be flexible - if you don't like and island simply hop on the next ferry.