Originally Posted by
nk15
If you are interested in swimming, May will be better than April, although the late Easter this year will mess things up a little. Second half of May will be a better time (warmer, more transport options locally and internationally, more places open and still early/low season).
I haven't swum in decades, not interested for some reason, though the blue waters of the Mediterranean are beautiful.
Originally Posted by
KLouis
[MENTION=740026]nk15[/MENTION]: 100% correct! [MENTION=10117243]frappant[/MENTION]: Well, you had mentioned Corfu in the OP. I think that Rhodes, Crete and Santorini may be enough, Crete is big enough and worth visiting from the extreme east (e.g. Zakros) to the extreme west (e.f. Falasarna and/or Gramvoussa. I'd leave the Ionian islands (which I personally love) for the next time...
Fly ATH-RHO, then RHO to either JSH or HER, get a rental car anf go tp Santorini with one of the superfast cats. From antorini to Piraeus you could take a conventional ferry and "see" a few islands (their ports, et least) on the way.
My one visit to Greece, 7 years ago, I didn't plan as much time as I should have. I think I did 3 nights in Mykonos, 3 nights in Santorini and 3 nights in Crete.
I just spent overnight in Heraklion after arriving on the boat from Santorini in the evening -- it was July. Then I departed pretty early in the morning, didn't get a chance to look around Heraklion.
I stayed on the harbor in Chania with a private terrace overlooking it. It was fantastic. Rented a car and went to some far flung beaches, forget their names right now. Also went to that Saitan beach just to take pictures of the unique landscape. The monastery near there was great too.
The Ionian lslands look spectacular because of the coastal cliffs. Yeah I could add additional days to Rhodes, Santorini and Crete, maybe visit some other nearby islands like Naxos instead of the Ionian.
My main draw to Greece is the scenery and photography, including with my drone, though the HCAA makes you jump through hoops to get approval to fly.
Have to keep researching.