We did the following on about 10 days - it was wonderful

Arrive Athens in the AM, took a nap and then walked around the acropolis and the museum (stayed in walking distance of the acropolis - took the metro from the airport to the hotel area)
Walk around Athens more the next AM, then afternoon flight to Mykonos.

Did not rent a car on Mykonos. Take the boat trip to Delos that leaves from the harbor - incredible!

Ferry to santorini. Stayed in oia. Walked around - did boat tour of caldera (with swimming in warm stinky volcanically heated water). I know santorini is a tourist trap, but there’s a reason for it - it’s breathtaking!

Ferry to Crete - got in at night. Rented a car the next AM. Went to Knossos, then stayed in Matala, then in Chania.

We went slightly on the off season (mid-late April) - so too cold to comfortable swim in the ocean and the Mykonos party-scene wasn’t active, but the weather was gorgeous (not sure if that was luck, though). It was very very easy to plan.

Milos, sifnos, Naxos and Crete.

Anonymous wrote:Meteora is a bit out of the way from Athens but it is a must do. I love Greece. If you like to see old ruins, Greece is it.
If you hate looking at stones and ruin buildings, than Greece will be boring for you.
I also recommend the evening shows too. Dancing, eating and maybe belly dancing show too.

Where in Greece have you seen belly dancing? I'm a dual citizen and have never seen belly dancing there. That's a Middle Eastern thing.

Anonymous wrote:Crete! Chania, Balos beach, Samaria gorge. So much to do on Crete. We all come back to Santorini with out kids.

Agree... I did a study abroad and spent three months traveling through Greece studying archaeology. Crete was my favorite. But Athens is a must do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Milos is beautiful. It’s built on a caldera, like Santorini, but less touristy, and has over 75 beaches.

shhhh. Hidden gem. Loved it. But definitely not a Santorini or Mykonos.

Hidden gem? What are you talking about?! Milos is very much on the tourist path, and one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades after Santorini and Mykonos.

Really? I was there recently, and it was nowhere near as over-run by tourists as Mykonos or Santorini. I stand by what I said; it's nice if you want to avoid the crowds.

LOL, OK. But it’s like saying if Times Square is too crowded, then try the Statue of Liberty for a hidden gem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Milos is beautiful. It’s built on a caldera, like Santorini, but less touristy, and has over 75 beaches.

shhhh. Hidden gem. Loved it. But definitely not a Santorini or Mykonos.

Hidden gem? What are you talking about?! Milos is very much on the tourist path, and one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades after Santorini and Mykonos.

Really? I was there recently, and it was nowhere near as over-run by tourists as Mykonos or Santorini. I stand by what I said; it's nice if you want to avoid the crowds.

Meteora is a bit out of the way from Athens but it is a must do. I love Greece. If you like to see old ruins, Greece is it.
If you hate looking at stones and ruin buildings, than Greece will be boring for you.
I also recommend the evening shows too. Dancing, eating and maybe belly dancing show too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, may be a silly question, but can you flush toilet paper in Greece?

Most places, no, there will be a sign asking you not to.

OP with kids I would do Athens and Crete. Go to Santorini when you’re empty nesters. I’ve also driven the Peloponnese and it’s also spectacular and also a good choice for going with teens, but I’d pick Crete.

If a Nafpoli was a base for sleeping. Any suggestions for day trips you enjoyed. Doing Athens and renting a car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Milos is beautiful. It’s built on a caldera, like Santorini, but less touristy, and has over 75 beaches.

shhhh. Hidden gem. Loved it. But definitely not a Santorini or Mykonos.

Hidden gem? What are you talking about?! Milos is very much on the tourist path, and one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades after Santorini and Mykonos.

Anonymous wrote:Ok, may be a silly question, but can you flush toilet paper in Greece?

Most places, no, there will be a sign asking you not to.

OP with kids I would do Athens and Crete. Go to Santorini when you’re empty nesters. I’ve also driven the Peloponnese and it’s also spectacular and also a good choice for going with teens, but I’d pick Crete.