We are two senior travelers that are going to end a tour to Croatia in Dubrovnik this May. At the end of our tours we like to spend 3-4 days on our own somewhere new. We have been to Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Crete. We are thinking of Rhodes this time. Are there any other islands we should look into? We are not beach people anymore. We like sightseeing, restaurants and of course my wife likes to shop in local stores.
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
4365 posts
If Rhodes appeals to you, it would probably work for what you're looking for over these 3 or 4 days, provided you didn't mind the mass tourism vibe like in Mykonos and Santorini.
You won't have a direct flight; you'll need to make a stopover in Athens.
As a closer alternative to Croatia, there are the Ionian Islands, but they aren't any easier to get to than Rhodes
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
5136 posts
We were just in all of those places this past October. I would go to Rhodes. It has great history, especially about the Knights Templar. It has the best shopping and the lowest prices. I purchased a dress there and saw it for €20 more on Mykonos. Also has more Variety.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3851 posts
From the destinations ET mentioned, I'm willing to bet that they were on a cruise (the major cruises are limited to 5 places, because no other isles have deep-enought harbors that can accommodate the huge megaships).. In that case they probably spent less than one day on each of those, often herded around in busses & forced to return to the ship long before the "magic hour" in May, when one can sit by the sea and watch the sunset without huge crowds.
IF they were on a cruise which stopped on Cret ONLY at Heraklion, for a visit to the Knossos ruins, plus shopping, I would llike to consider a completely different Rhodes experience.... a visit to CHANIA, at the opposite end of Crete & completely different. it's considered the most beautiful Old Town in all Greek isles, with a stunning harbor, wonderful shops & restaurants, and easy flagstone lanes to explore. PLIS now a wonderful SMALL-group (12 psgr) tour run by 2 women, with day tours, or half-day tours to scenic highlights, olive farms, other wonders. https://wanderlustchania.gr/ From one of RS' top photo-ace contributor, "stanbr," , these CHANIA' highlights - https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632117917828/with/9324761690 From Dubrovnik, fly nto ATH & get 40min direct domestic flight to CHANIA. NOTE: it would be best to plan this visit between a Thursday - Monday, because --- although Cruise ships cannot come into Chania Harbor, some do anchor outside, and transfer-boats bring cruisers nto the town from 10 - 4pm many weekdays.
However, if the previous (cruise) by ET & wife included CHANIA... they can make another "island" discovery that's ideal for them... it's a stunning World-Heritage quality OLD TOWN that's considered THE most beautiful in all of Greece ... it's not on an island but feels like one... it's a the tip of a peninsula, surrounded by the sea... feels llike a world away, yet only 2.5 hours from ATH airport, on a modern divided highway.. It's called NAFPLIO -- here are some photo highlights from an ex=pat who lives there: https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitnafplio/sets/72157626483407223/ and here's her NONcommercial website that tells ALL: I urge you to clilck EVERY llink --- http://www.visitnafplio.com/
NAFPLIO may be ideal for you. It 's not based on a beach, it has gorgeous lanes to explore, garlanded with overhead flowers, wonderful small restaurants to enjoy, and a long harbor promenade of cafes for THE best sunset in greece, especially in May. the shopping is stylish (this is a favorite getaway for savvy Athenians, who like good things). Finally - From Dubrovnik u can fly to ATH airport ... rent a car & drive the easy enjoyable road there... OR if you want to use a car-service, I can provide a link to one that costs ?$180-200. You could rent a car for a day in Nafplio if you wish. There's also a bus every 2 hrs or so that takes you to central Athens. more details if you are interest.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7588 posts
We were in Rhodes and Chania (and more of Crete, and Santorini) in late September).
We enjoyed Rhodes. It did not seem horribly over-touristy to us (we were there after the peak summer season - there were plenty of tourists there, but it wasn't overwhelming). The old town is lovely, especially if you bother going in more deeply than a couple blocks from the harborfront (which, admittedly, was obviously packed with cruise ship passengers for a few hours mid-day...early and late, and more than a few blocks in, it was perfectly nice). We had a car to get around the island, and loved the ruins at Lindos, too. With just a few days, Rhodes might work well for you. A few photos here: Rhodes
We also spent (many more days) on Crete, with a few days in Chania. It does have a beautiful old town (best around the old Venetian Harbor) and we loved it there, and checks all your boxes. If all you have is 2-3 days, Chania might work well, too. A few photos here: Chania.