Need help. Cruise or Tour the Greek Islands? And other questions too.?

Question

What time of year is best to travel to the Greek Islands?
April, May, Sept or October?

What do you think of Holland and Costa Cruises to the Greek Islands? Which cruise line has decent food/cabins?

For land tours, do you like Brendan or Globus?

Is it better to take a land tour/cruise or just a cruise to see the Greek Islands?

Airfare from New York (JFK) to Athens, Greece is expensive. Any suggestions for cheaper airfares? Sites?

Can you suggest any travel sites to research for land tours and cruises lines?

Please, don't take this wrong BUT only locals and experts on the Greek Islands answer. I'm in the research stage and I need some good advice and direction to follow.

Thank you very much. I appreciate your help.

Anyone else with suggestions? Thank you

Answer 1

1. April and May may be too cold for swimming and enjoying all that the islands have to offer. October could ba a bit rainy, so September or late August, and June or early july is best. Mid July to mid August is fine, but too crowded and expensive.
2. I wouldn't go on a cruise. I think you spend too much time on a boat, instead of visiting the life of the islands. If I were you, I would choose 2-3 islands and only go there, without a pre-organised group, perhaps they can arrange to book hotels for you. But you can do that over the internet too. Also you can book ferries, from www.greekferries.gr.
3. As for which islands to choose, we can help you if you say what sort of holiday you want. My favorites are Mykonos, Paros, Sifnos, Syros. We can tell you which ones you can combine because they are on teh same ferry line. Kos and Rhodos are beautiful too.
4. As for airfares, if you find something cheap to London or Paris or Berlin, you can then take Easyjet to Athens. If you book in advancce you can get cheap flights.
5. Visiting some mainland monuments, such as 2-3 days in Athens, 1 day at Delphi+Hosios Loukas, 1 day at Nafplio+Mycenae+Epidauros etc. is definitely a must if you have the time.
6. Obviously I don't know the tours you mentioned, because I am Greek. It is simple enough to just book your ferry and your hotel and just make your own schedule! Careful, some boats are slow though, check how long they take and consult us here at Y!Answers on whatever you need.
7. Have a great holiday!

Answer 2

1) Best time of the year late August or early September. The sea is nice, it is not too crowded (if you want your space) the weather is still hot and sunny.
2) There is www.easycruise.com (the same company with easyjet) for budget and more free (with no tight schedule) cruises in the islands.
3) I dont know the certain tours you mention...
4) It really depends on the island you rpefer to go to.. Most of the islands however have many different beautiful beaches, so in case you don't rent a car, take the local bus and advice from the locals on the best beach. You won't enjoy as much the island while on a cruise.
5) www.airtickets.gr you will find anything there..
6) www.easycruise.com
7) give us a hint about the money you want to spend, and the kind of islands you want to visit... big or small, sandy or rocky beaches, glamorous or budget, high or low profile, family islands or for party animals, etc...

Always at your disposal.. :)

Answer 3

I have travel endlessly and my best advise to you is to go land tour. The most important part of any culture is it's people.
You want to experience them. Except for the scenery the boat tours really does not give you much of a submersion into the country also the food could be based on the cruise lines menu opposed to experiencing authentic cuisine. Also consider have you been on a boat. Being sea sick is horrible and can really ruin a vacation.

Answer 4

i would say the best time of year is May and September. i would suggest better a land tour as you are able to see more things much better and easier than with a cruise. if you go to the islands with a cruise you don't really get to see them. my sister had found a cheap airline from here to NY, so if you do your searching you will surely find.

Answer 5

I have been going to greece to see my family scence I was 1 and it just keeps getting better and better, but i have to say that the best time to go is in the summer, because its hot and pretty and have many tour options. I have family in kythmos a very very small island but they have the nicest beachs and stuff, go to a small island they are nicer.

Answer 6

check out www.itsaboutgreece.com for some great info. I use it all the time and go to greece a lot. also www.addicted2greece.com contact nikki directly she is there and is good