Greek Island suggestions

Personally, our favourite island was Hydra - convenient to Athens and the best part, no traffic! Hydra is not big on archaeology or sights, but it is fantastic for swimming, walking around, and just slowing down with an ouzo and watching the sun set. And it had our #1 favourite restaurant in all of Greece: Xeri Elia Douskos (tables under leafy trees on the square, fish that you can select while still alive from a tank, local musicians, perfect!).

Two lesser known islands I've always wanted to try but never been to are Folegandros and Anafi.

After that there are 50 other great islands, 500 feet of crap, and at the bottom of that, Santorini.

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong anywhere in Greece, and I will disagree with the post above regarding Santorini. Wherever you are, you can always find somewhere away from the crowds.

If it were me, I would spend the whole time on Crete. Crete has so much going on- great beaches, scenic hikes, amazing food, lovely old towns- and it's so big you could stay in different areas if you like.

I've not been to Ithaka but we were in Kefalonia, the big island next door, last month, and looked into visiting. It wound up being a bit too complicated to get to from where we were staying but it looks amazing and we hope to make it back. I'm not sure how much there is to do there as it's quite small but you could do two weeks in the Ionian islands and also visit Kefalonia, Corfu, etc. I've heard Zakynthos isn't one of the nicer islands in that particular group so might deprioritise that one.

Good luck and kalo taxithi.

You can also search for direct flights between Ireland (I assume Dublin) and the Greek islands. Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline operates direct flights to Rhodes and Kos in the Dodecanese islands, and to Corfu and Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands.

There are also direct flights to Crete and Santorini.

If you choose Ithaca, the easiest way is to fly to Kefalonia via Athens, then take a ferry to Ithaca.

Thanks for your responses. I will investigate Hydra and Crete. @ Kat Vh how was Kefalonia? I saw ghat they jave am airport which is helpful.
Thanks again-
Maria

Kefalonia is very beautiful and we really enjoyed our time there. It has some of the nicest beaches you'll find in Greece- particularly in the north like Myrtos Beach, and has nice towns like Asos and Fiskardo. We stayed in Argostoli which is the main town, I wouldn't say it's the most interesting town in the Greek islands but it has a nice pedestrianised shopping street for evening strolling and some restaurants and is close to the good beaches in the west like Makris Giallos. If you're planning to spend time in the Ionians I also really like Corfu- really lovely old town and some nice quiet beaches in the north. You can even go over to Albania for the day to see the Roman site of Butrint if that is of interest. Corfu, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos all have many, many direct flights from the UK in the summer and some from Ireland/NI as well. They are a different feel to the Cyclades, where you have previously been, as they are much greener.

We really liked Hydra which was part of the RS tour. After the tour we spent 4 days on Naxos which was lovely, the seafood wonderful and the people very friendly.

YOUr plans really should start with logistics ... before you fall in love with some youtube videos, and choose 2 islands that are DAYS Apart via ferry. Since you have plenty of time -- do some research on an Organized source,not just internet or phone-scrolling. this map is outdated -- https://www.greeceathensaegeaninfo.com/ferry-info-greece/greek-islands-ferry-chart.htm -- but will remind you tat there are definite N-S ferry routes, and Fewer "crossover" ferries from one route to another.... and that the Ionian islands do not connect to ANY others... you need to bus/fly to connect.

Also -- if your husband is considering Ikaria because of the Odysseus legend ... some research will show that there are Serious questions about whether that's even the right island! Modern archeololgy & terrain studies show that most of the landmarks in the famed classic are actually in nearby Kefalonia. Also in the ionians, be aware that since you're edging into high season, when European families massively invade, you will need to be strategic to avoid crowdy "package holiday" beaches. Timing matters -- for instance, as you know Antiparos can be charming, except PACKED in July-August.

You've llisted swims, hikes, great food and lovely villages. Thus. altho you've sampled the Cyclaades, can I urgently suggest Sifnos -- because so many of the Cyclades now have become too "popular".. And Sifnos, because of no airport, and less frequent ferries, still has some serenity. Its beauty, history, etc will enchant ... give it at leat 4-5 full days! The port of Kamares has fans, But I looove the hillside villages of Apollonia - Ano Petali - Artemonas ... great views of valley & sea, and good bus connections to beaches. This superb website tells All -- click every link! - http://sifnos.e-sifnos.com/index.htm Here's a good map -- in Greek, but understandable: http://www.insifnos.gr/images/sifnos_map_bg.jpg ,,, if you choose Sifnos as one of your stops, I can recoommend places to stay both on hillside and at beaches.

Thank you for the suggestions. Now i will research. My husband really wants to visit the Ionian islands as he wants to try something new. I do plan to return to the Cyclades again. Sifnos will be at the top of my list. I am 55 and will soon be an empty nester so won’t be limited by school and summer breaks.

I don't know that I would say European families (of which I am myself a member) "invade" in the high season- that's quite a strong term. Most big islands have very busy resort-type areas as well as quieter beaches. It's not difficult to find what works for you.

Also just to clarify, Ikaria is a different island to Ithaka; Ikaria is located in the Northeast Aegean island group which is near Turkey.