Advice/tips on planning a Honeymoon in Greece

Hello ammosccr. If you decide to go to two islands of Greece, I recommend : airline flight from Athens to Naxos. Be at a hotel at Naxos town (Hora) a minimum of five nights. And ride in a Ferry boat from the island Naxos to the island Santorini. Airline flight from Santorini to Athens. I suggest : If your airline flight to Greece arrives at airport of Athens in the morning, fly from that airport to the island Naxos that day, if you will not be required to wait a very long time for your flight to Naxos. If you decide to see anything at Athens, I suggest : be at a hotel at Athens three or four nights after you return from the islands. I suggest : be at Athens two whole days, and on the third day go on a day trip to Delphi (it is to the north of Athens). If you want to know my suggestion of a hotel at the island Naxos, send a Private Message to me (at this website).

This sounds like a great trip. I think one ferry ride is worth doing but the ferry from Athens to Santorini can take up to 8 hours. Plus finding the ferry schedules ahead of time can be a little tricky but you can try this site to get an idea. You can fly between the islands and Athens (sometimes between islands too) and you can find official schedules for flights much easier and even buy tickets ahead. To look up flights I recommend Skyscanner. You can find more tips for Greece here.

The cheapest ferry between Santorini and Athens is indeed about 7-8 hours long. You can choose airline seating for a few euro more which ensures you a seat (the name is very fitting as that is how they are arranged). Otherwise, unless you purchase a cabin you would be limited to sitting on the deck (in plastic lawn chairs) or on the lounge and eating areas. We took an over night ferry and slept.
As far as Santorini goes, it will always be one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had!!! We stayed in Perissa which is a less touristy part of the island on the east side. If you are a bit adventurous, I would strongly suggest you rent a quad and just go all around that island. We went everywhere from Fira to Oia to the monastery at the island's highest point, even to the lighthouse to watch the sunset. Did all the main beaches, including Red Beach, which getting to is the craziest experience ever if not going by the little boat. There was a little art studio in a "cavern" that was awesome. Pretty much stopped and ate wherever. The buses just don't take you where everywhere you want to go and all the connections between main stops add up as you need tickets for each. I would most highly recommend it!!!

Santorini is too touristy these days and there are nicer more authentic Greek islands. September should still have good weather. Try The Pelion (mainland) where small romantic villages fall down the hillside towards the sea and family run tavernas hide under the trees in village squares. Crete has more history and will have better weather being further south. Skopelos with its monasteries in the hills will have lost many of its tourists by September. Avoid Skopelos in August as it is overrun with tourists. If you have time, Alonyssos is quiet and beautiful.

Santorini may be touristy, but how many other Greek islands have a caldera and volcano? I think too, that a lot of the tourists still come on tour boats and so are gone by the evening. I suspect that the trick is to stay away from the main town. We did that years ago and rented mopeds which were great for getting around the island.

Pam