Which Greek Island?

[Cynicor]

If one were to stay on Crete, are there better/different areas? In Santorini Oia is the higher end, sunset side, quieter. I'm looking maybe the SPG Luxury Collection hotel in Elounda?

 

[pyffii]

We have been fortunate to have hiked on many of the Greek Islands....Corfu was green and rugged and when away from the Brits Corfu was quiet and peaceful with lots of small villages, especially in the mountains to the north, and great food....Crete, as others have said is stunning...we stayed in Chania and Agia Rumeli ( at the end of the Samaria Gorge ) both fantastic the later really quiet and local...lots of coastal tavernas with good food...Spent another week in Rhodos but as its a cruise ship destination need to be mindful of loads of tourists so its not our top destination even though we had a great time......And finally spent a week on the island of Symi (But to get to Symi you first have to get to Rhodos so combining both is a great idea ).....really small and easy to hike around and can also do do a quick run for the day to Marmaris in Turkey....Hope this helps

 

[romney]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I had all but decided on Santorini thanks to the first few posts. Now I want to go to all those other places again too! I think I need to keep reading and researching.

 

[Pushka]

I think I need to keep reading and researching.

Or travelling.

 

[scubabe]

Not a fan of Santorini here I'm afraid. Far too commercial and busy. Not so keen on Mykonos either for the same reasons.
I'm a huge fan of Naxos, Paros and AntiParos. Just love the Cyclades, and they're all so easily accessible by ferry from Athens too.
Good luck with your decision-making, that's half the fun!
TBH though you can't really pick a "bad" Greek Island... Greece is one of my fave countries in the world!

 

[SuzieQ68]

Probably my favourite island was Crete - so much to see and do. Landed in Heraklion, but headed west towards Chania (took the local bus, and a wonderful way to see a bit of the countryside). Other favourite island was Paros - such a welcoming community. Can't remember offhand where we stayed, but if you're interested in this island let me know and I'll track down some of the info. I love Greece ..... and Italy, and Spain, and Belgium, and and and and ..... I love travelling!!!

 

[Cynicor]

Probably my favourite island was Crete - so much to see and do. Landed in Heraklion, but headed west towards Chania (took the local bus, and a wonderful way to see a bit of the countryside). Other favourite island was Paros - such a welcoming community. Can't remember offhand where we stayed, but if you're interested in this island let me know and I'll track down some of the info. I love Greece ..... and Italy, and Spain, and Belgium, and and and and ..... I love travelling!!!

would you/others stay in one place if you had 6 nights, or 2 places. Either way, how would/did you get around? I'm thinking the SPG property in (?)eloundra in June. Thoughts?

 

[SuzieQ68]

To be honest, don't know much about Elounda (other than it's a part of Crete) or what to do there. I think how long you stay really depends on what there is to do (if you're a traveller that likes to explore where you are). If you prefer to sit by the pool, relax, read and pop out to eat and drink, then 6 nights might be just the ticket if you're looking to recharge your batteries. If there's not much to do, then 6 nights might be too long. We based ourselves in Chania so were able to wander around the town and didn't need much in terms of public transport (other than the bus taking us from Heraklion to Chania), however we were only there for 3 nights (bit of a whirlwind trip - trying to see a lot in a very small window) so didn't find that we were bored. We like to explore though, so as a general rule we wouldn't spend 6 nights anywhere unless it was specifically a 'recharge the batteries' trip. At the end of the day, Crete is a fabulous island so pretty sure you'll have a great time whatever you end up deciding on....

 

[Pushka]

would you/others stay in one place if you had 6 nights, or 2 places. Either way, how would/did you get around? I'm thinking the SPG property in (?)eloundra in June. Thoughts?

When we take a break we are usually stressed out from work and really need a break. So we tend to find a good place with many touristy options and stay put. This is one reason we like cruises - unpack once but see so many different places without the planes, trains and ferry business which usually takes out half a day each time.

 

[andye]

It's a long time since I went to Crete (second ever-holiday with the future Mrs andye, stayed in 2* hotel, got around by moped-fabulous trip).
Elounda then was quite high-end with boutique shops and good restaurants. The 5* Elounda resorts looked amazing but beyond us.
It's not too far to Heraklion for the Palace of Knossos (a must visit if in Crete). The nearest big town was Aghios Nikolaos whcih was touristy but fun. We snorkelled off Chrisi Island after a ferry trip from Ierapetra. Never got to the West but heard good things

 

[lmere12]

Have been to Santorini twice and Mykonos in Sept, enjoyed our time in Mykonos this year but Santorini definitely stands out. A lot of ppl when we met over there raved about Crete.