Vacation rental suggestions for Greece and Mykonos?

In order to get the most helpful advice, you need to share a few more Key facts: (1) WHEN do you want to visit ... the more specific the better (2) How many days (NOTE: most apartments require a week's stay and (3) Do you have a location preference. (4) what is your 'ballpark" budget per night or per week, and finally (5) what are your priorities?? A view, privacy, nightlife, swimming, economy, convenience, shopping ... what? SANTORINI NOTE: there is the "cliff" side and the "beach" side ... the former is the more expensive. The area choices include Fira Town (most affordable, also the busiest), Firostephani (just north of it, less crowded, quieter, great views still affordable) Imervogli (beautiful views but isolated, often rquires car rental) and Oia (the most famous for views, also most expensive). Google for island map, and for photos of each area. MYKONOS NOTE: The major choice here is: rent at beach or in Mykonos town?? Depends on whether you plan to party late. Beach hotel is handiest for swimming but if you go in to town for nightlife, after midnight taxis are VERY scarce, a hassle to get to hotel; if in town, you can bus to beach by day, then after a late night, just stroll home. UP to you. Also note: you have chosen the 2 most costly & touristic isles of all; any special reason for your choice except the fact that they are highly-promoted and thus best-known? Have u looked at isle w similar charming "blue & white" looks, such as Paros Naxos Sifnos Milos Antiparos Amorgos etc?

Simran answered me in a separate message, &I think he/she will get a better response on the forum if I paste his/her answers to my questions: "We are planning to be in Greece from July 15th to July 24th. Of the two isles I would definitely want to do Santorini and any other isle relatively close to Santorini, it does not have to be Mykonos. We would ideally like a private apartment with a kitchen close to the town with decent views. A swimming pool is not a must. Preferably not a place where we would need a car rental. We want to relax, read books and cook on and off through the trip. Any suggestions are welcome and thank you for all your help. :)" He/she also gave budget at $150200 per night which in Euros turns out to be just €104-139. Im not good on High season places with kitchens & views for that kind of price, specially starting so late, when bargains are already gone; maybe someone else will be inspired. I put the dates of July 15-18 into booking.com for the only budget kitchen apt on the caldera I know of (Kafieri apts) http://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/kafiers-apartments.en.html Kafieri is sold out, there are others on same listing, but not with kitchens ... you will need Fira or Firostephani to get the Caldera view. When I just put in Santorini... I found Santorini View which has view with kitchen for 326 for 3 nights only 1 room left I have NO knowledge of this hotel; it would be good to check reviews, but you do not have much time. Good luck! http://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/santorini-view.en-us.html?sid=4d0f3e757d099033f4c2529d84a3eb6d

Thanks a lot for all the help Janet. I know we don't have much time hence try to find the best options. :)

The best views are into the caldera but prices for those accomodations are high in July. You can check these: Villa Maria Damigou, Blue Dolphins Apartments, Scirocco Apartments, Gizis Apartments, Caldera's Memories, Gabbiano Apartments, Strogili Houses, Rimida Villas, Delfini Hotel, Chelidonia Villas, Thea Studios, Lucky Homes, Fotinos Houses, Old Oia Houses and all those on this list: http://www.santorini.com/hotels/oiavillas Different Sea View in Oia: Laokasti Villas, Anemomilos Hotel, Musses Studios, Finikia Hotel, Georgis Apartments and Agnadi Villas.

Dear Lee Thank you so much for all your help. Are you aware of any cooking classes or wine tastings in Santorini. I am going to google all this information to get it, however wondering if you know of anything off hand. I am sorry for so many questions but I am based out of Dubai and Rick Steve's guides are not available here and these are the only guides I trust.

http://www.santoriniwinetour.com http://www.santoriniwinetours.com http://www.mysantorini.com/Santorini-Cooking-Classes.html http://www.selene.gr/cookingcourses.aspx