First trip to Greece

My neighbors took a Road Scholar Greek island cruise in September and loved it, so you might check into that.

But Greece is also fairly easy to visit on your own. My husband and I have been there many times over the last 20 years, including an upcoming trip to Crete now in our 80’s.

I wouldn’t recommend Milos for a first trip, and did you really mean Paxos? That’s a very small island that would be difficult to connect with Mykonos & Santorini.

Instead, I’d recommend flying directly to Santorini upon arriving in Greece.

Stay 3 nights in Santorini, then ferry to Naxos and stay 4 nights. Lots to do on Naxos. You didn’t mention when your trip will be, but if it’s roughly May-September you can take a day trip by boat from Naxos to Mykonos and get a look at the island without the outrageous prices.

Then ferry or fly from Naxos back to Athens for 3 nights. You don’t need to buy ferry tickets in advance so logistically it’s pretty easy.

Charlene's sensible itinerary is exactly what I would recommend ... and (with a few days added) where I've taken "newbies" for many many years. It really Works! Since you are not (I'm guessing) tied to fulltime work or school responsibilities, you aren't limited to High-Season travel in July & August. I beg you, stay away from these hot, crowded expensive months! FOr 10 days, (not including trtavel to-from N America), a perfect time would be May 21 or 22 on.. Warm but not hot... loong days... sea is fine for swims, everythings open, but big crowds not there yet.

It also fits with Charlene's sequence. Santorini's worst Plague is the monstrer Cruise ships (3-,000+ passengers)... and M- Friday noon has thre MOST cruiise dockings... if u can fly in there early Friday aft, you miss the worst. Naxos is worth at least 4-5 Full days.. biggest isle of the Cyclades. I suggest booking a seaview balcony in the beach right beside the Port Town -- Agio Giorgio (St George) beach... a short walk along the shore to all towns attractiions, (castle! mazay lanes!) , cafes shops, museums... and Good bus service to outer beaches. Considere a first=day round-island tour - http://www.naxosbustransfer.com/ - to scenic highlights (with lunch swim stop) then another day maybe a car rental (or bus) to outer beaches. Enjoy!

Here are some pix from top RS PHoto ace & Naxophile, "stanbr"
Naxos 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299940917/
Naxos Mountains & village - https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632110674306/

By taking a cruise, you won't actually visit the Greek islands but you'll only spend a few hours on the most crowded and expensive ones.

As mentioned previously, even for the less adventurous, Greece is and always has been an extremely safe and easy country to visit on your own at any age. The 10-day itinerary suggested by Charlene and Janet will work perfectly for you. Mid-May to late June or mid-September to mid-October are good times to go.

Upon arriving in Athens, take a direct flight to Santorini, it's barely an hour's flight. Spend 3 nights there and then take a ferry to Naxos. Unless, of course, you're considering Paros, its neighbor, which might be the island you called "Paxos" (which also exists, but in the Ionian Islands, not the Cyclades).

Spend at least 4 nights in Naxos (or Paros) and end your trip in Athens.

Since Santorini, Naxos, Milos (and Paros) are among the top 5 most visited islands. And I guess you mention these islands because you don't know that there are at least 15 other islands worth visiting in the Cyclades alone, all with whitewashed houses, blue domes, and beautiful beaches.

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/cyclades/

Some great suggestions. Ditching the cruise. And yes I meant Paros. Waiting for the little one to finish school so leaving around June 18. 3 days each Athens, Santorini, Naxos, (day trip to Mykonos), Paros or Milos? 10 days.

First, I encourage you to take Janet's advice on all things Greek. She was invaluable when I planned my 2 week trip to islands.

That was my last European trip before Covid, in the October 2019. I started by flying into Heraklion and going straight to Chania which I loved. I could have happily stayed at least twice as long as my 5 nights. The only problem with it on a shorter trip is its distance from Heraklion and port for ferry connections to other islands. After 2 nights in Heraklion I ferried to Santorini. My taxi driver told me it was the end of the season, and he was leaving as were many other workers in tourism. To my surprise it was very crowded with cruise ship passengers. I arrived on Sunday, left on Tuesday and there were probably 2 ships visiting each day. Reservations were needed for dinner. Then I ferried to delightful Naxos. Everything Janet says about it was true, and even better than I'd hoped. I took a small group tour of the island, enjoyed the beaches, and especially having a glass of local wine on my balcony every evening before dinner and watching the sunset. I would have liked to take a day trip by ferry to Delos and Mykonos but it was too late in the season.

Note: In October sunset was between 6.30 and 7.00 pm. In mid June it's about 2 hours later.

Athens is full of archeological treasures and steep hills.

No, no, cpo. You confuse us all... what's this about little ones? You say "we" (2 of you?) just turned 70. ?? With a 10-day trip you must pare down, NOT add up. More is not more... it detracts from the experience. When counting days, do NOT count the day you take off from N America, NOR the Day you depart greece for home -- and only count arrival Day if you arrive before noon... and this requires taking a nonstop to Athens from somewhere in N America. That means actually 9 1/2 days actually IN Greece.

Okay, DAY ONE. suppose you land at 11 AM Greece time. ASAP, catch domestic flight to SANTORINI ... Allow 2 hours in between. Luckily ATH airport is mainly ONE big building, just collect checked-bag, take escalator up one flight to Departures... plenty of time to check in, have a snack or a beverage. Fllight is 45-50 minutes, if you arrange taxi/shuttle ahead of time, an hour after arrival you can be sitting on your cliffside Santorini balcony with a wineglass, gazing at view. Wander along cliffside path awhile, enjoy sunset & dinner & early night -- end of DAY ONE.

Day 2 - get taxi EARLY to Oia (8 am) to enjoy views & village before Cruise Mobs invade..When cruisers invade then leave by bus or car to explore island.
Day 3 - More of the same (I usually recommend LEAVING at 3 pm Ferry for Naxos (2 hour voyage, on open deck) , not staying a 3rd night.. but that's just me.

Day 4 - NAXOS -- arrive 5 pm, in hotel by 6, walk along shore to lively port town for dinner & sundset. DAYS 5 - 6 - 7 -- Bus tours of Island Scenery, visits to beaches, ruins, shops, museums, amazing small restaurants... 3 days never enough time in Naxos!
.. Day 7 @ 4 pm or so -- FLLIGHT (40 mins) to ATH airport. Taxi OR (preferred) car service like Welcom Pickups (same flat fee as taxi) to a central Athens Hotel. Sunset, dinner, planning.

Days 8 - 9 -- Sightseeing the world-famous Landmarks of ATHENS... Acropolis, and its Museum, too many others to list. Consider a small-group tour -- research & find what fits your interests & budget. Best-rated major tour company = Athens Walks. Find your favorite cafes for relaxing & snacking... and a special place for Day 9 Farewell dinner.

Day 10 - Homebound flight; don't book DEP time before 10 am, or you'll have to arise too early. it recquires 1 hr to reach airport, must be in line 2 hr before take off. You'll get home tired, but in same day (you GAIN 7-9 hours going West),

CONCLUSION -- you do NOT have time ti "notch your belt" with daytrips to (overrated) Mykonos, Hard to Reach Milos... or eveb Paros, tho closer (you'd need to choose Paros OR Naxos, not both). If you persist in following your wish-list, come back to us with a proposal for 16 days, and we might be able to plot something out. That list in 10 days requires a Magic Carpet, at least.

Sorry for the confusion My wife and I are traveling with my daughter and 6 year old granddaughter. I appreciate your suggestions. I will take that on the consideration we may extend a couple more days but fully intend to be at least three days at every location if possible with what short daytrip to Mykonos.

Just want to say that on our first trip to Greece, we did as Janet suggested and flew to Santorini from Athens. We spent 3 nights on Santorini. We then ferried to Naxos and spent four nights. We wished we had five and we did not make any day trips. There is a lot to do on Naxos and I think staying there would be preferable. I have not been to Mykonos but have friends who have. I would not think it would be the best place for a six year old.

Even with the best-optimized itinerary Janet suggests, you barely have time to see Naxos (only one evening plus two days). Going to Mykonos will take a whole day, and what's your goal? Indeed, Mykonos has a unique appeal, as you can see below, which explains why people who know what they'll find there choose to go to this island:

https://youtu.be/dMpaksY4sTE

I'm not sure this is what you're looking for.

WOW! ALL SOUNDS very helpful - My first time too - sounds like Santorini best place to start? Others have said Athens and then ferry from there??
ANY COMMENTS?
Also, any tips on Hotels or Airbnb's?
Reasonably priced?
Thanks ahead of tine for any new suggestions.

Laura

OK booked flights. No kids. Two 70 year young/old couples. Arrive September 10th to Athens leave September 23rd. The current plan based on input above.
Day 1 Fly to Santorini upon arrival in Athens
4 nights in Santorini
Ferry to Naxos on morning day 5
4 nights in Naxos
Ferry to Paros on day 9
3 nights in Paros
flight to Athens on day 12
2 nights in Athens
Leave Athens on day 14

Like to get recommendations on where to stay. Best views and rooms.

I might suggest that you cut one day from Santorini and add it to Naxos. Santorini can be visited quite well in three days . Thats the maximum tine that my budget can stand. The Santorini, Naxos combination is a good one. You get the very expensive wow Island and then the authentic Greek island experience on Naxos. IOt has good beaches, an active waterfront promenade and old town topped by a Venetian era Kastro. It has mountain villages to explore and really good beaches.

Every island hop eats up at least half a day. Rather than burning all that time ferry hopping, I would suggest if you want to see Paros then take a day excursion from Naxos that returns to Naxos in the evening.

Naxos needs a week to 10 days to experience.
Here is why I suggest you spend more time in Naxos,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720329571437/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720318182518/
Mountain villages https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299950915/

Thank you for your suggestions. Can you suggest a upscale place to stay on Naxos? A Paros day trip and maybe Mykonos from Naxos might be an idea if we extend the Naxos portion.

A Paros day trip...

Kerras Cruises offers a boat shuttle to Paros - Piso Livadi from the small port of Agia Anna on Naxos.

https://zastours.com/kerras

Can you suggest an upscale place to stay on Naxos?

You haven't specified your budget; check these out:

https://www.villabeat.com/destinations/naxos/

Our favourite hotel on Naxos is Boutique Hotel Glaros. its at St George beach which is part of Naxos town. It is just a 10 minute stroll along the headland into Naxos town waterfront promenade.
Right beside Glaros you will find Nissaki Beach hotel which is right on the beach.

There are several new hotels that have been built over the last few years that look very nice however most of them are not directly on a beach.
If you are considering a day trip to Mykonos there is an excellent excursion that stops at the ancient site at Delos for a couple of hours then continues to Mykonos for three hours.
Some images
Day trip Delos and Mykonos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157637922138466/

You mention that you don’t climb … does that include stairs? If so, be aware that Hotel Glaros is beautiful but has some rather steep stairs to climb.