One week in Greece in April -- Corfu, Crete, Paros, or Naxos?

Since you really just have 4 days, if you are at all interested in Ancient History, and also a vibrant modern European Capital, why not just spend Sat Sun Mon Tuesday in Athens? THere's plenty going on in Early Spring, warm enough for outdoor cafe-sitting. Instead of usual tourist rush-rush-rush from Acropolis, to Agora, from one museum to another, you can pace yourselves. Without a breakneck schedule, you can stay up late, also in a party district like Psirri. In absence of any information about your interests, we can't really list specific add-on ideas... but I've stayed in Athens at least 17 times in my 13 trips, and every time I make new discoveries. Are u interested in science? Music, Jewelry, Judaism, Cuisine? There's an institution, or a shop or a tour for everything. But we can't help unless you share more.

And if one of those 4 days is warm & sunny, instead of going all the way to Hydra, which is really mainly about a pretty harbor, why not Metro to Piraeus and take an open-deck ferry (Not a closed-in hydrofoil) to Aegina? A 60-minute "mini-cruise," sit out on deck, enjoy the seascape -- huge freighters, megacruisers, ferries, schooners, gulls... maybe even a dolphin? Check these pix of a day trip o Aegina in June http://www.flickr.com/photos/36264706@N03/sets/72157621604646139/detail/ ... In April all you'll miss is a swim.

Another option, if Sat-Sun will satisfy you re Athens landmarks, then take an early bus (7am then 8:30 then hourly) to the most beautiful Old Town in all of Greece, Nafplio... just 2.5 hours away, mostly on a Greece's most modern multi-lane intercity highway, then on a road thru citrus orchards & olive groves. Nafplio is on the tip of a peninsula, surrounded by the sea. This super NONcommercial website http://www.visitnafplio.com/ tells ALL ..click on Every link. Gorgeous architecture, better sunsets than Santorini IMHO, walks with stunning views, chic shopping, ancient history on all sides. And it's always lively because it's bordered by a modern city and its also a favorite weekend getaway for savvy Athenians. With the handy bus service, you could come back late Tuesday night for your Wed. flight to Santorini.

Speaking of Santorini, I can't tell, but do you plan to fly back to ATH on the same morning as your plane leaves for USA? That is very chancy ... a weather-related delay, or a mechanical trouble could delay your dometic flight & you'd miss your overseas flight; I would not take that chance. Aegean Air is a very reliable well-run airline, but flights from an island are always more dependent upon weather.

Thank you, Janet! Would you suggest spending a full three nights in Nafplio alone, or renting a car instead and trying to visit some other sites in the area? We saw elsewhere that the Peloponnese region was also worth our time, but we do not want to overload!

Thanks again,
Jeff

There's plenty to do, see and explore in the Argolis Peninsula (Nafplio area) including several World Class archeological sites. Even though there is decent bus service a car will get you places the bus doesn't go. It's the perfect town to base yourself and you can even do a day cruise to the islands of Hydra/Spetses if want to.

The website for Nafplio provided by janet is THE best for Nafplio and surrounding area. You'll find a huge selection of things to do and places to go.

The Peloponnese is one of the most over looked areas of Greece and can provide an alternative to the islands. It's filled with villages, towns, archeological sites, mountains, beaches, etc.

With just three days you best option may be Nafplio which will fill up those 3 days quickly.

Yes Jeff, I always feel that the Nafplio area is worth more than a day -- SO many amazing sights. However, your time in greece is super-short and as I constantly repeat, you can't pour a quart into a pint bottle. How to make more room in your itinerary? Well, you're the one who asked -- and you won't like my answer:

Cut back on Santorini time (you say it's refundable, meaning u can shorten stay without penalty). Santorini is only 12 miles long, has ONE site of historic/cultural interest (Akrotiri) which most tourists never go to, and which has mediocre signage; only folks who can really get much out of a visit are those who've taken the effort to study up (as I've done) and/or hire a pricey guide. Also -- Santorini has altered drastically in the past 10 years or so, despite the unchanged "glamour photos" constantly promoted on internet and in cruise or tour brochures. The sad fact is, it's so overcrowded that even in April, the streets are Jammed. Have u looked at this Montage of OIA? http://tinyurl.com/lnquk6h That's not just in High Season! I've seen similar crowds in mid-Sept.

THese days, I warn newbies Not to visit OIA except between 8 - 10 am, and perhaps 4:30 - 6pm -- before Cruise mobs & bus tours cramjam the place, and the narrow window after they leave OIA, and before a similar invasion to see sunset (ballyhooed as the ONLY sunset in Greece worth seeing). In fact, the situation has become severe enough that the Island Authorities may charge an admission fee to the Village! in an effort to limit the destruction of the island by overcrowding: https://tinyurl.com/qq9psp3

I'm not saying eliminate Santorini ... I just think most can get their fill of the main attraction -- the Famous Caldera View -- in perhaps 3 nights/2 days, especially if they splurge on a caldera-view balcony room. That would allow more time for the immensely rewarding experience in the Nafplio area. Here's a photo album by fellow Nafplio-phile "Stanbr" that just hints at some of the beauties of town & area ---
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/
and one from Visit Nafplio ditto --
https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitnafplio/shttp://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094108982/ets/72157626483407223/

This is not a casual recommendation based on a trip or 2, or a cruise -- it arises from my 13 trips of 20-28 days each since '99, including at least 6 stays on Santorini, and 9 or so, in Nafplio.

If you have any interest in history, do a bit of research. See what eras of Greek history you want to focus on. For Minoan ruins you would want to visit Crete, for Mycenean ruins, spend your time in the Pelopennese, for Classical era Greek ruins remain in Athens and possibly consider a trip to Delphi or cape Sounion. But some of the ruins are less than 10% of what they used to be, so it helps to have read about what a place before you arrive. If you mainly just want beaches and scenery, the Hydros, Paros, or Naxos would be fine for you. I went to Greece in October 2018. The only Island I went to was Crete, for only 2 nights - not enough time to do it justice; I went to Epidavros and Mycenae in one day, saw Athens and saw Delphi in one night and part of two days. Crete would make a fine trip but it is big - In theory you could spend all your trip in Crete. Save it for another trip.

I know everyone comments about how horribly crowded Santorini is, and particularly Oia, and it's true. However, it is also breathtakingly beautiful and I'm so glad we went to Santorini on our great trip to Greece in 2017. We also went to Naxos and Paros, which we also loved, but Santorini--there's nothing like it! We did go to Akrotiri, which I highly recommend. We rented a car and despite a few u-turns, found our way just fine. With a car we were able to stop wherever we felt like, and we did stop at a small fishing village for a great lunch, went to the black sand beach and the red sand beach. It was good to get out of town during the day when it is most crowded, especially when cruise ships are in port. To avoid the sunset crowds, one evening we spent sunset at a winery, which was delightful, and one evening we went on a sailing sunset excursion. Our hotel was the Zoe Aegeas house right on the caldera, and when the crowds went back to their ships, it was heaven on earth. I'd say Santorini was the most memorable part of a VERY memorable trip to Greece!

If you choose Crete, fly directly to Chania. Our Greek friends consider Chania and Napflion the two most beautiful small cities in Greece.