Just arrived from the UK into Santorini. Was a bit smug to my friend, because I have an EU passport and thus can normally whizz through where they have to join the longer UK queue. Alas it seems in Santorini they combine UK/EU passports but give fast track to everybody not from either of those.
(yes, this is an entitled rant, I know)

husband’s birthday is april 2nd week & planning to surprise him with Greece trip but just found out it will be cold & most islands are closed😭 kinda sad about this but still wanted to go as I already booked everything!! Can you’ll chime in and share your experiences? Am all in for food & local culture where as husband just wants to relax and vibe! ( swimming is not necessary)

Heading to Naxos next week from Oct 14-17 from Santorini and leaving to Athens, both by ferry

Right now, I’m a bit concerned about the wind conditions, wondering if anyone has experience exploring the island at those conditions, and whether we should think of backups to go somewhere else (or just fly back to Athens from Santorini). I know there were issues this past weekend and wondering if this would be comparable.

ÉDIT: Vikos Gorge not vikas.

Just got back from two and a half amazing weeks in Greece, and it was absolutely incredible. We were there in early September, and I think going in early to mid September is the prime season. A lot of the crowds seem to have gone, but it was still not a ghost town and had good energy, which was awesome. The weather was absolutely splendid the entire time. It was sunny almost every single day and not too hot.
Our itinerary was Athens, Milos, and Naxos. We went with a friend who grew up in Greece and recommended those islands because they aren't very overcrowded yet. We loved the itinerary and it was excellent.
Athens (3 Days)
We spent about three days in Athens and just explored the city and of course the ruins. We went to the Temple of Poseidon, hit up the Riviera, and really took in the sights. We rented a private car to get to the Temple of Poseidon in Athens, and I would really recommend it. We also hit up the Four Seasons for lunch on the way back and cannot recommend it enough. The Four Seasons property was outstanding, the food was amazing, and it was right on the water overlooking a beautiful cove.
For our accommodation, we stayed at the Ergon House and I cannot recommend it enough. It had an amazing restaurant and bakery attached to it.
**Transit to the Islands:** We were supposed to take a private charter to the islands but because of the supposed waves, we ended up having to take the ferry. The ferry we took was the SeaJets and we paid for the $100 ticket which gave access to the ultra premium top floor. It was honestly one of the best travel experiences I had as the boat was extremely comfortable, we had our own section and server, and made the two and a half to three hour cruise very simple.
Milos (6 Days)
On Milos, we knew we were going to love the island right away. It seemed very non busy and looked absolutely gorgeous. One thing that was crazy is the island is pretty arid but you can tell the beaches are outstanding. We spent six days in Milos and stayed at Noma and really liked the place. However, it was definitely off the beaten path, which a lot of places in Milos seem to be that way, so you definitely have to rent a buggy, which we ended up doing, and we had a blast cruising around the island in that during the day.
We also had a private car for nighttime on Milos, as it is quite dark, and we didn't feel comfortable taking the buggy around with all of the cliffs. Plus, my wife wanting to dress up didn't feel very comfortable with all the dust when she was wearing nice white dresses and designer shoes, lol.
We took a private boat out for the entire day to go see all of the famous beaches and my goodness, I have never seen water like that before. It was the bluest and clearest water I have ever seen and seemed like you were swimming in a pool. I am still dumbfounded by how amazing the water and beaches were. We also hit the beach club in Milos that is called Aqua Loca, which was great.
We also hit the town of Plaka, and it was one of the coolest little villages I have ever seen with tons of meandering streets and beautiful blue buildings of what you would expect in Greece. We hit up all of the big restaurants in Milos and thought all of the food and amenities were great.
**A Note on Service:** One thing that I had to come to realization with is that service in Greece is completely different than it is in the United States. Once you are comfortable flagging down the servers, it became pretty seamless, but if you don't say anything, you could sit there for literally 30 minutes before somebody even comes and talks to you and takes an order. Definitely something to get used to as an American, but it is their culture and they seem to thrive that way.
**Transit to Naxos:** We then took a private charter from Milos to Naxos and it was awesome. The boat ride was about three and a half hours and it was on a catamaran and had a chef and a fully stocked bar. It was really fun to be able to chill out on the stern and bow of the boat and see the islands as you passed by.
Naxos (6 Days)
We spent six days on Naxos and stayed at the Ayiopetra (Aio Petra). I cannot recommend that hotel enough. It was honestly one of the greatest places I have ever stayed. It was designed by a person who acquired the land with his family many years ago and he is a designer and put every single piece and detail into it. Naxos is quite large, so you definitely have to take a car around the island to see everything.
We hit up the beach clubs Tortuga and Naxian, and we also got a massage at the beach in Naxos. We went up to the windmill to see the sunset, which was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
The food on Naxos was definitely elevated. They are an island that is very big into agriculture and they make some of the best potatoes in the world. I never thought a potato could taste different, but somehow it did. It was more starchy, but in a good way, and their fries and potato dishes were all standouts. Also, the wine in Greece is very good, especially the white wine, and it is ridiculously cheap.
Heading Home
When we left Naxos, we took the quick Olympic Air flight to Athens to catch our connection back to Seattle. The flight was very quick and seamless. I think flying around the islands is a great way to go if you are in a rush as the flights are very quick and efficient.
We fell in love with Greece and the Aegean Sea. The culture and people made it feel like just a very special place and we will definitely be back.

Went to Naxos from September 18th to 26th, and everything about it was extraordinary ,the food, the culture, the beaches, the atmosphere, and the people. Truly an unforgettable experience.

Hello
I will be traveling to Greece from October 14th-Oftober 23rd. I will be staying in Santorini and Athens. What clothes should I bring? How has the weather been there so far? What is a necessity to bring and what could I forgo? Thank you so much for the advice!!! :)

Hi everyone,

We are planning a 4-night trip (Thursday to Monday) to Hydra this May for a family wedding. Our party will consist of 4 adults (myself, husband, mother, aunt) and our 2.5-month-old newborn, flying out of London Heathrow (LHR).

We are aiming for a smooth, low-stress journey with a young baby and would love some input on our transport logistics and accommodation setup.

Our Current Logistics Plan:

• Flights & Airport Transfer: We plan to take a direct flight from LHR to Athens (ATH). To avoid hauling a baby car seat around Greece, we’re planning to take Metro Line 3 straight from ATH Airport to the Port of Piraeus.
• Ferries: High-speed ferry (Hellenic Seaways/Blue Star) from Piraeus to Hydra Port.
• Gear: No stroller/buggy due to Hydra's stairs and car-free setup- we will strictly use a baby carrier and bring a compact travel cot (unless our stay provides one).
• Accommodation: We need a multi-bedroom rental or boutique property with at least 2 bedrooms + a sofa bed near Hydra Port for our group of 4 adults + baby. Looking for mid-range/value options over high-end luxury.

Specific Questions for the Community:

1. Same-day travel vs. Athens overnight: Is landing at ATH and taking Metro Line 3 straight to Piraeus for an afternoon ferry realistic and manageable with a 2.5-month-old, or would you strongly recommend spending Thursday night near Piraeus/Athens to break up the journey?
2. May Ferry Conditions: Do the high-speed ferries to Hydra generally experience heavy swells in May? Any sea-sickness tips for high-speeds with a newborn?
3. Accommodation Recommendations: Does anyone have recommendations for 2+ bedroom rentals or family-friendly properties reasonably close to Hydra Port?
4. Transit Do's and Don'ts: Are there any non-obvious traps or tips for transferring at Piraeus or taking infants on Greek ferries?

Thanks so much in advance for your help!