My husband, 19 and 15 yo daughters, and I are heading to Greece next month from the US. It is our third trip there in four years! This is a last minute trip and we have our plane tickets to Athens for 11 nights.
On our first trip we did mostly sightseeing in Athens and the mainland (Delphi, northern Peloponnese, Cape Sounion), then went to Santorini for a couple of nights (glad to see it but way too touristy) and Milos (much better). Last year stayed a few days in Athens and most of the trip in Sifnos which we loved for its beautiful beaches, lack of crowds and laid back environment. However we would like to try somewhere new this year.
This trip we would like to split the trip, roughly evenly, with sightseeing and then relax on the beach. Our initial plan was to stay in Skopelos for the beach part which appeals for the lack of crowds, pretty towns and nice beaches. We have not quite worked out the first part of the trip but are considering the area around Athens heading north and possibly, but are taking a close look at the amount of driving involved which looks like a lot. We would take our car on the ferry to Skopelos. I have secured an apartment rental in Vathy.
Alternatively my husband proposed going south from Athens to the western part of the Peloponnese including Olympia and along the coast which looks beautiful, and then to Ithaka. The kids are very excited about Ithaka, for its historic significance, but I haven’t found much practical information about traveling there. From what I have found, it looks beautiful and uncrowded but the beaches do not look great (small, rocky and many only accessible by boat which we will not rent). Kefolonia would also make sense given the location but I am a bit turned off by how crowded it will be in July and it looks built up/touristy. We are not flexible with dates given the kids school vacations and summer jobs.
I was wondering if any readers have been to Ithaka and their thoughts? I don’t need dozens of beaches like Milos but we do want to spend some time relaxing on the beach and appreciate relatively easy access. With two teenagers, we are not going to be out early to fight for limited parking or avoid the midday sun for a long hike. Also was considering changing the first part of the trip and going to the Peloponnese and then making the 5 hour drive to the ferry and sticking with our Skopelos plan.
Sorry for the long message!