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Travel | May 31, 2024

Which Greek Island Is Right For Me?

WHICH GREEK ISLAND(S) ARE RIGHT FOR ME?

There’s no question that Greece is home to the most expansive and impressive collection of iconic islands, which feature pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, breathtaking views, and timeless traditions that millions of travelers from all over the world yearn to explore and enjoy.

A quick glance at a Greek map, and your eyes are sure to focus on the Aegean Sea just to the east of the mainland. Here, the collection of Greek islands includes such vacation powerhouses as Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Paros, as well as up-and-coming family destinations such as Folegandros, Astypealaia, and Naxos, the latter dubbed by many recently as a mini Crete.

If we follow the setting sun to the west of the mainland, we encounter the Ionian Sea, in which lies another collection of pristine natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Greek islands such as Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, and Corfu are each eager to share with you their own timeless stories upon your arrival.

So naturally, the most asked question we receive from our clients and friends is, “Which island(s) should I visit?” The truth is that you could close your eyes and point to a place on the map of Greece, and chances are you will find something unique and beautiful to explore. The fact is that there is so much to see and experience in Greece that this question alone could easily be the sole subject of a mini-series on Netflix.

Now, while Kosta and I differ on how to pitch this to Netflix, we both agree that we should start by creating this blog series for our fellow travelers. A quick and concise exploration of the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the most iconic Greek islands.

Our aim is that readers and travelers alike can make up their minds as to which island or combination of islands is right for them.

Furthermore, I decided as I’m writing this to stick to a “Just the Facts” scenario to avoid getting bogged down in the weeds of such details as which beaches or tavernas you should visit once you are on the island. We will leave that for another time. “Baby steps,” I say, “baby steps” for those of you who have seen “What about Bob” with Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. For those who have not, it is a must-see classic movie from the 80s. Watch it tonight!

Now I know what you’re thinking. It’s all Greek to me. Right?

Well, of course it is, but throw worry to the wind, my fellow traveler, because I aim to break it all down for you so that by the end of this blog series, you will have a firm grasp of what makes each Greek island unique, enabling you to choose wisely on your next Greek vacation.

So without further delay, let’s kick this off with two of the most popular Greek island destinations. You guessed it: Mykonos and Santorini.

Mykonos: “The Jet Set Paradise”



Mykonos, for the better part of the last 40 years, has maintained the undisputed title of the most popular Greek island. Mykonos is part of the Cyclades family nestled between Tinos, Syros, Paros, and Naxos.

With more than 40 beaches, Mykonos aims to cater to nearly everyone’s tastes. Whether you are one of those with insatiable hedonistic tendencies who likes a good beach party or are the quiet type who prefers to seek solace in a secluded cove away from the crowds, there’s something for everyone. If you’re into history and archaeology, then exploring a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mykonos’ sister island Delos is a must. With all of this and world-famous restaurants and nightlife, you can see why Mykonos is a must-see when you visit Greece.

The island has maintained the quintessential Cycladic charm throughout its history, and even today, strict color codes are enforced, so you will find that most doors on traditional houses are painted red, green, or blue.

The island offers visitors a blend of traditional Cycladic charm with its charming windmills, historic churches, and fascinating museums, along with world-class modern luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs that make it an island that is a must-see when planning your Greek island vacation.




Getting to Mykonos from Athens is easy.

You can throw on a pair of speedos and water goggles and swim to Mykonos (Not recommended, and I don’t know where you could even buy a pair of speedos since they have only recently fallen out of fashion in Greece).




You may need two or three motion sickness pills of your choice and hop on the “super slow ferry” (as we like to call them) from the port of Piraeus. Assuming you get to the ship on time, and there are no delays in port, this option will take you approximately 6 hours to get to Mykonos port. (Disclaimer: This is not medical advice; consult with your doctor before taking any pills.)

If six hours on the high seas is too long, then worry not, my fellow traveler. If you still want to face down the high seas like Odysseus but have a need for speed on the water, then we’ve got you covered. In this case, you may only need one motion sickness pill and hop on the “super fast ferry” (that’s what everyone else calls them), and your trip will last approximately 3 hours. (Disclaimer: Again this is not medical advice; consult with your doctor before taking any pills.)

If all else fails, then you can always fly from Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. With multiple daily flights to and from Mykonos, you can be there in 45 minutes or less, allowing you to spend your day lounging on a Mykonos beach, keeping an eye out over the horizon to catch glimpses of the incoming ferries and any brave travelers that decided to go for option one (1). (Totally kidding)


Santorini - The Edge of the World? Atlantis?

Santorini.




Enough said.

Seriously, what else is there to say? Words can do it no justice. It is a must-see and must-experience destination. A true romantic haven with sunsets that should be a mandatory entry on everyone’s bucket list. Appropriate for kids? Not really. Maybe if they are older and can appreciate the views and not fall off any cliffs.

Where to start? How about some fun facts and history. Santorini is the only inhabited caldera in the world today. It has a long history of civilization dating back to around 3500 years ago. The island’s shape was even different then and not as we know it today. We can thank its volcanic past for that.

In what many consider as the largest volcanic eruption ever at around 1600 BC, an eruption so large that many believe that the ensuing tsunami wiped out their fellow Minoans in Crete.

Today, Santorini is a romantic haven. Its captivating Cycladic architecture of whitewashed buildings and churches contrasts against the deep blue of the Greek sea and sky. In the evening, the island sky is bathed in a deep orange, fuchsia, and pink as the sun sets in the deep

 Aegean horizon. In fact, seeing the Santorini sunset from a catamaran is a must. That’s why we have included it automatically in all of our tours.

A warning to young unmarried couples - if you are not planning to get married, then DO NOT go on this sunset catamaran cruise. In fact, do not look at the sky during the sunset. Stay indoors with the windows and blinds shut. Why, you ask?



Well, with such a sunset, you may find yourself proposing to your significant other, or anyone on the catamaran for that matter. We’re serious; it’s that breathtaking and jaw-dropping that one feels that time has stopped still and you’re at the edge of the world. You have been warned, fellow travelers.

Tomato Fritters, Greek fava, white eggplant are just some of the unique island food offerings, but what really stands out is the grapes and by extension the wines. Santorini wines have recently achieved notoriety on the world stage, even winning the prestigious platinum medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The elevation, the soil, the sea breeze all combine to make Santorini.


How to get to Santorini from Mykonos?

Easy, we put you on a quick ferry and you are there in no time.

How do I get back to Athens?

Assuming you make it out of Santorini without being engaged to a complete stranger, then there are two ways out. You could ferry it back to Athens either “super slow" or “super fast” or what we prefer to do in our vacation packages is we fly you back to Athens early in the morning to catch your connecting flight home with or without your new fiancé.

And there you have it. Both of these islands are in the must-experience category, and that’s why we have put them together in our “Pinnacle Greek Experience” package.

We invite you to customize one of our 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star packages to fit your budget and interests and start getting ready for your perfect Greek vacation. One last thing, we remind you to make sure to bring an engagement ring, just in case…

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