Santorini alternative

During the RS tour for Athens and the Heart of Greece in 14 Days we spent two nights on the island of Hydra. I don’t know if he refers to that in his video.

Rick is mainly about the mainland ... he doesn't seem to care much about the islands except for the Cliche triplets he visits on a cruise - Santorini-Mykonos-Rhodes. For people who do his Heart of Greece mainland tours, he often throws in Hydra at the end, for foolks who just want to say they wer on a Greek isle. I sometmes wonder why because Islands are so much about beaches ... and Hydra has almost none that are available to short-term visitors.. it's a lovely harbor your can stroll arond in, then climb a few hiils or ride a donkey (no cars) but for swims, jump off rocks.

If you follow this forum often you will learn of many many islands that are not plagued by cruise-ship mobs or package-tour busses, and have real people living year round. Just a few include Sifnos, Naxos, Tinos, Paros, Samos, and of course Crete -- which is really a country (128 miles long, 3 mountain ranges) -- a place I have visited at least 5 times for about 5-6 days per time, and haven't even explored half.

Rick does a great job on Athens, and the majoro highlights of the Peloponnese. For islands look beyond TV & videos -- a few good guidebooks like Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, Cadogan's guides etc. A website to start on might be Matt Barretts "encyclopedia' approach to Islands - http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/

On all of Rick's videos, at the end you see him having a drink over a Mediterranean sunset? That is at Kardamylia's restaurant in Hydra. Hydra was the best part of our Greek vacation in 2018. True no beaches, but if I wanted beaches I would go to Florida. Hydra is where Athenians go for weekend getaways, so lots of tourist infrastructure, but not overwhelmed by Americans with selfie sticks. Almost no cars on the island. Incredible seafood.

Lots of alternatives to Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and other Glossy Travel Magazine Hyped Islands.

I haven't been to Santorini so can't comment on it. I have been to Delos/Mykonos on a day cruise and enjoyed Delos far more.

I have been to Hydra/Spetses on a day cruise and really enjoyed Hydra as it is lovely but I wouldn't want to spend too much time there. Spetses was just OK.

My favoties are:

Amorgos
Chios
Tinos

Others I've been to and recommend are Lesvos, Astypalea, Ikaria, Sifnos, Milos and Naxos.

Lots more that don't get the hype so you'll need to do your research.

Janet's link to the Greek Islands will give you lots of information on the numerous Greek Islands.

Like Tommy, I am also addicted to Greece (have been 13x, not rich, but don't go anywhere else! & am great budgeteer) ... often have "newbies" along & I must do the more standard Isles they want to see, such as Crete, Santorini (SHORT stay), Naxos, then 1-2 of others such as Sifnos, Milos, Paros/Antiparos. But others I've found & enjoyed include (in N Aegean etc) samos, Chios, Patmos (near Athens) Aegina, Kea (more Cyclades) Amorgos, Folegandros, Milos, Serifos Syros ... more but I forget. The main thing is to try to get them in a logical ferry-route sequence and - if time is limited -- end either on island with an airport, or an iisle with short/frequent ferry service to mainland.

Probably the island that is even remotely similar to Santorini would be Milos. Milos has lots of great beaches a mountain with a fortress and sunset views as good as Santorini caldera sunsets. Some areas of Milos have volcanic rock formations that I was told came from the Santorini eruption.
Milos is fairly quiet and not overrun by tourist mobs.
Milos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634779985764
Milos 2 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632109429236

That describes every island in Greece.

It's a ridiculous cliche but the best island in Greece is the one that you are on. Whatever works geographically for your trip will be spectacular.

If you are more of a traveler than a tourist, you could take a look at

Amorgos

Kimolos

Koufonissia

I like Hydra. There's at least one sandy beach. It's not public, but you just have to buy a beer at the bar. It's to the east of the marina, a very pleasant half-hour walk or you can take a taxi.

Jumping off the rocks is fun, too.