Planning a trip with a friend to Greece to include up to a week on one/more islands in July/August. Never been to Greece before and a bit overwhelmed by the numerous options. Hoping the wise forum members can help me choose an island/s.
Top priority is access to a variety of active pursuits like water sports (windsurfing, paddleboarding, etc.), boat/moped rental, day trips to neighboring islands/secluded beaches, hiking/countryside exploration, etc. I'd like quintessential Greek scenery/charm. Cultural experiences and history are great too, but not the focus as they're not a huge priority for my friend. Not looking for parties, luxury shopping, or huge crowds, but would like some liveliness with plenty of restaurant and bar options and charming towns and shops with local handicrafts. Not having to rent a car would be nice but isn't a big deal if makes sense for a large island like Crete.
My travel companion is a grad student with a limited budget. I'm covering lodging so am willing to spend more there, but we're looking for a spot where the cost of food/drinks and daily activities won't be too horribly inflated, as I assume they are in Mykonos/Santorini.
Thoughts??