Greece in early November

Athens is a major city so things will be open. Islands will have more limited offerings, many places that cater to tourists will be shut down. More rain then too according to my Greek friends.

Athens will be fine. For islands, you don't have that much time anyway, so I would think a hop over Crete would be okay--if there is something you did not see on your previous trip. I have heard the same about Rhodes. I would stick to the mainland though--maybe a few days in Nafplio or even Thessaloniki would be nice.

A recent thread that might also be helpful: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/greece/island-destination-in-december-january

An excellent place to visit in November. just 2 short hours from Athens on a modern divided highway -- NAFPLIO. Widely considered by citizens to be THE most beautiful Old TOwn in all of Greece.... it's in the Peloponnese... Tho not an island, it's on a peninsula surrounded by the sea, so you can get the Island feeling. Its a favorite weekend getaway for Savvy Athenians so as u can imagine, it has interesting tavernas, chic shops cultural activities. THere's a University also, so yes, nightlife. AND, sitting in the canopied cafes along the seafront promenade, what I consider THE most wonderful sunsets in Greece (& I've been to 25+ islands).

This FAB noncommercial website (created by an expat Scandinavian) - http://www.visitnafplio.com/ - will show you all the possibilites, in Nafplio and whole area. CLICK EVERY LINK -- including the walks. And check out these stunning photos of Old Town beauty - http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/ - plus pix of World-famous ancient sites nearby, like Mycenae, Tiryns, Epidaurus. A trip here is worth a full 3 days... BTW, I was sent here by an artist, on my first Greek trip, and have returned there on every single one of my Greece visits ... always new discoveries, and SO easily accessible.

GETING THERE - If you don't want to do any driving (tho it's easy-peasy) you can catch a modern intercity reserved-seat bus, goes every 2 hrs, takes 2.5 hrs; that website gives all instrux. However, if you want to explore the area, there aren't any good 1-day local excursions, and a car rental makes it SO simple. To do this usually recommend taking x95 bus (€6) from Syntagma Squre to Airport, renting car there -- avoids all city traffic, you go directly on the intercity tollway. Here's my favorite online map that makes it all clear (click & it gets huuge) - http://euro-map.com/karty-grecii/peloponnes/podrobnaya-turisticheskaya-karta-peloponnesa.jpg

MORE TO SEE -- En route, you can stop to see & photo the Amazing Corinth Canal... and just off highway, stop at the hidden Gem, ANCIENT NEMEA -- the "runner-up Sacred Games Site" to Olympia. See & enjoy in 90 minutes, move on. One of your days if u wish, u could visit Mycenae or Tiryns (your call), and how about a vineyard?? Nemea is source of my Fave Wine, Nemean Red. On way home on final morning, stop at Amazing ANCIENT EPIDAURUS Theatre. Since you've been to Greece before and say you love it, you'll know about these famous landmarks and how to research before going - it makes it more enjoyable.

FINAL TIPS - If you DO decide to try this, we "Nafplio Vets" now recommend BEST hotel choice is HOTEL AGAMMEMNON - it's almost the only one directly on seafront (ask for balcony room), perfect location AND moderate rates. Parking is free, on a wide portside concrete quay, steps away. Oh, and if you get a November "warm spell" (it DOES happen), there's a cute "town beach" on the other side of the Peninsula for a dip -- as u know, water stays warm waay into the fall, it's the air that cools.