Ali,

I've been to numerous resorts over the last few years both on the mainland and on various Greek Islands. Generally speaking you can't go far wrong providing you've done a bit of research first! We've always chosen a package deal as we normally find something within budget without having to trawl the internet for flights, hotels etc. In my experience I've found that Manos and Kosmar tend to offer the cheapest holidays but the standard of accomodation is usually not quite as good as you would get through other companies. You get what you pay for and all that!

My personal favourite is the island of Corfu. Beautiful scenery, very friendly people, great beaches, lots of history and plenty to do. I also found this to be the cheapest of the islands.

My only advise would be to avoid the 18-30 style resorts especially in peak season - Kavos (Corfu), Malia (Crete), Laganas (Zante), Faliraki (Rhodes) and Kardamena (Kos). Don't get me wrong I've visited most of these resorts and had a great time (albeit a few years ago) but they do get a bit hectic and can be a bit much unless you're in your teens or early twenties.

I'm sure other members will be able to advise you further (and probably disagree with some of what I've said!) but good luck in finding the place for you.

Steve

these days it doesnt really matter what operator you choose. If you are going to go into a travel agent they check all (or most) of the operators anyway to get you a good deal. If you get a number off a website/teletext then the operator on the end of the phone will do the same thing.

If you're going to book over the internet (i.e. http://www.teletext.co.uk ) then sites such as that one will search many different operators for you and you can put in the critera that you want (i.e. destination, start airport, no of nights) and plenty of other things.

As for where to go there are plenty of options. Stalis in crete is one that i hear mentioned plenty of times, rhodes town in (funilly enough) rhodes, kos town in kos. Then there are smaller islands such as kefilonia (sorry about the spelling) that are very quiet. My sister has just been there and really enjoyed the place but there wasnt loads to do.

Anyhow the choice is endless... just search around and see what you find, google is one of the best tools ever invented!!

hope you are sucessful!

For what you are asking it cannot be done on a package, it is easy just to book a flight only and then take a ferry to the various islands which ever ones you choose to go to, you are only limited by the sometimes rather complex greek ferry system.

Good starting off islands with airports are Corfu or Kefalonia for the Ionion islands. Athens, Santorini, Mykonos for the Cyclades. Samos, Kos, Rodos, for the Dodecanese. Skiathos for the N. Sporades except Skyros. Any of these will give you access to a variety of islands both very touristy and the less visited quieter ones.

As far as costs go it is always cheaper to turn up on an island and look for accomodation. This is easy to do outside of mid July-August. Pre-booking accomodation on the internet or a package is always more expensive.

'Off the beaten path' islands just don't have hotels at all, the standard accomodation is room only in a place with a 'rooms' sign outside. Some room owners meet the ferries or you can just simply look around.

A good reference is 'Independent traveller's Greek Island Hopping' by T Cook.

Hi you can try island wandering they have a web site or book island hopping through First choice if you want to take some of the stress out

Merrysage

I would recommend Skiathos. you can fly direct from most major airports, it is touristy in Skiathos Town with plenty to do in the evenings. If you prefer peach and quiet you could stay in any of the resorts between Skiathos Town and Koukanaries which will only have a couple of restaurants and bars. All the resorts have lovely sandy beaches and coves and you can explore up in the mountains if you want to get off the beaten track a bit.

The boat trip around the island is lovely and the island itself is not too big but plenty to do for 1 week or 2. If you check out some of the discussion forums you will find that not many people have a bad word to say about the island and most visitors are repeat holidaymakers who keep going back.

Good luck.

A bit of advice that I would like to add. Crete has it's own section on this site so please don't overlook it. I love Chania and the surroundings. Flights are direct from the UK to both of the islands airports but pick your time to get the cheapest. There is also loads of accomodation at every level. Not worth putting the hard earned in the travel agents pocket - go direct - with insurance though!

Look around and try to get a feel for an island or area that you think will suit you and ask the people on here. Seem to be very knowledgable

Thanks for all the tips guys! I'll let you know how we make out. I plan to spend the weekend on the Net, looking for something suitable.

I think for a first trip to Greece, one of the Ionian Islands would be best,
have travelled many Greek Islands but always found the Ionian people very friendly my favourite is Kefalonia although is it a little more expensive, but it all depends on what you are looking for, we now book independantly when going to Kefalonia, but other Islands have used tour operators, so many agents now are doing this tailor made holiday where they will find you a flight, then a hotel, sometimes you may have to pay transfer charges which are usually quite reasonable.
pojo

My first 'adult' trip to Greece consisted of a flight to Athens, followed by a few days in the cityin a fairly decent hotel that we had booked in advance, seeing the sights and feeling the atmosphere. In those days Athens was still terribly polluted, busy, noisy and dirty but I loved it!.

We then got a ferry to Poros and stayed there for a few days in a small hotel. We lazed by the harbour taking in the activity of the place, got a water taxi over to the mainland (500 metres) and lazed on beaches and walked the lemon groves. Then we took another ferry to Aegina and took in that Island for a couple of days and then took the water taxi over to Angistri, which took all of ten minutes. We stayed there a week. It was lovely. No vehicles to speak of. An island that you can easily walk around in a day. Lovely food and total relaxation.

Poros and Aegina are reasonably busy but not overly so. Angistri is quiet and you soon know everyone by name. Athens is just mega!

I couldn't have asked for a better adult introduction to Greece and the different types of places that can be visited and equally enjoyed.

As long as you do your homework on routes, ferries and places you are visiting then going DIY is very rewarding. You can generally find a place to stay once you arrive but if that worries you then with the aid of all the recommended sites etc on this board, then you can book in advance if you wish to.

None of the ferry journeys I have detailed above take more than a couple of hours and the ferries are frequent enough for you not to have to plan to far in advance. In a way, booking a ferry a day in advance and then turning up and finding your own accommodation is the best and most exciting way to do it. Make the most of being young and childless :-)