Hi CeriEvan

You don't say if you're looking for a package deal, or if you're prepared to do flights/accommodation separately?
Where are you flying from? Cost being the issue, your cheapest destination flights are very likely to be Corfu. If you haven't "done'' the whole island, are you prepared to look at other areas there? (not sure where you've stayed before?). Being on a tight-ish budget, and looking something quite similar by the sounds of it, and despite having been to Corfu a few times before, this is what we've plumped to do again on a cost basis.
You might get something cheaper also to Zakynthos if you have a good hunt around, and this does have some lovely sandy beaches (although little historically to see).

I had a very nice holiday on Thassos a few years ago. it was fairly quiet, but with plenty of Tavernas. Good sandy beaches as well.

Pefkos on Rhodes in also a great place, sandy beach and Tavernas.

I am going to Naxos this year, I hope it is good!

I have only visited Rhodes and Crete and out of those two i prefer Rhodes, going to Zante this year

Don't worry Qman, Naxos is great! Take the opportunity to visit Delos & Mykonos an a boat trip too. Some excellent beaches, great old town to get lost in, various sites & villages to visit & not too busy outside July/August, where are you staying? (Sorry, I could never stay in Pefkos, that's definitely not for me!)
If you want more traditional & less touristic try Lesvos, a large island with only a few pockets of relatively low key tourist spots. Very diverse in landscape, from the barren west to the lush green pine forest of the south (between the gulfs) & the north is different again. Overall much cheaper eating out can be found too.
Samos is another option, as is Rhodes, but avoid staying in Lindos as you are on a budget & it's expensive to eat & drink, as are the places on the main streets of the Old Town.
I have several favourite islands, but prefer the mainland by far. Booking early you can get a cheap flight to Athens, then hire a car & do some touring, staying in a few key places, or take a bus to any number of places to use as a base. Alternatively you can fly or ferry on to any of the islands. In June you could 'wing it' & find accommodation as you go, or book in advance if you know you want to spend it all in one place.
How do you want to spend your days? All on the beach, or will you be doing any walking, wanting to see historical sites, visiting other places of interest?
Such a huge selection of places to go, so info on any other interests you have would help narrow it down.

ive only ever been to corfu and zante, this year is my 5th time to zante

Hi
We have been to Crete staying in Stalis, think it is more commercialised than when we went a good few years ago, but beaches are lovely, We have been to Pefkos, Rhodes, nice beach and short taxi ride from Lindos which is worth a visit. Corfu stayed in Sidairi, was ok , Zante ,Tsilivi nice beaches, quite a spread out resort, was ok.
Although we have a soft spot for Stalis, the prettiest island we have visited is Kephalonia. We stayed in Lassi. Argostoli the capital was a short taxi ride away. Did the island tour it was lovely, going again this year and will probably hire a car this time , the island is very beautiful.
Good luck with your researching
M

kefalonia is stunning, but whilst the landscape is beyond compare it does suffer from the lack of 'history' in my opinion. You get a little sense of it in Fiscardo but the feeling you get when walking around Rhodes old town was like I had walked into the pages of a historical novel. That said Antisamos beach I think is the most beautiful beach in the world. Whatever Island I have been too last wins its place as my current favourite, am looking forward to falling in love with Samos this summer

We've been to Zante twice - back for a 3rd time in the summer, Kos twice, Crete, Santorini, and Kephalonia. Out of these I'd say for what your looking for Kephalonia would be your best bet. Santorini would suit, but it's more expensive. I'd have to say though, it's very doubtful if you'll get anything in Greece in Jun, at the present time for £9 a night.

Thanks for your post Athensfan. We are staying at the Nissaki beach hotel in Naxos, it's a bit pricey with Sunvil but you can't take it with you.
We went for a week on Mykonos some years ago. Beautiful beaches, lovely hotel, fantastic atmosphere, but not really the place to go for a man and woman.
I've fancied Samos for a few years, but the pebble beaches have put me off. Are there any sandy beaches on Samos?
I've been to many of the islands and the mainland at Parga, great place but it rained. We like to go to a different place each year and are running out of ideas.

I'm sure the Nissaki is on Agios Georgios beach, nice & sandy, but shallow for a long way out, so like a warm bath mid summer! I have never stayed at the Nissaki, I usually pay about a quarter or less for a room, serious budget traveller me!
For a change there are Agia Anna & Agios Prokopios beaches further on, a bus runs to these regularly from Naxos town.
There are plenty of sandy beaches on Samos, 2 of them called 'psili ammos', which means fine sand. Lots of others too, if you do ever get there a car is definitely a plus, loads of small villages & beaches to explore!
If beaches are your priority try Messinia on the mainland (Peloponnese), staying at Gialova (with Sunvil) you would be close to Voidakilia bay (about 45 mins from my house!),
http://gialova.com/3b%2520nearby.html&h=240&w=600&sz=85&tbnid=JtgaYWuVeTcvGM:&tbnh=54&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvoidokilia%2Bbay%2Bpictures&zoom=1&q=voidokilia+bay+pictures&hl=en-GB&usg=__dGSgsHIWkQANBs7zwIMzf1BXVlY=&sa=X&ei=5k55TfGFGImJhQfKwsTiBg&ved=0CCEQ9QEwAg"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="break-word">http://gialova.com/void_SS%2520web600.jpg&imgrefurl=http://gialova.com/3b%2520nearby.html&h=240&w=600&sz=85&tbnid=JtgaYWuVeTcvGM:&tbnh=54&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvoidokilia%2Bbay%2Bpictures&zoom=1&q=voidokilia+bay+pictures&hl=en-GB&usg=__dGSgsHIWkQANBs7zwIMzf1BXVlY=&sa=X&ei=5k55TfGFGImJhQfKwsTiBg&ved=0CCEQ9QEwAg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="break-word">http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://gialova.com/3b%2520nearby.html&h=240&w=600&sz=85&tbnid=JtgaYWuVeTcvGM:&tbnh=54&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvoidokilia%2Bbay%2Bpictures&zoom=1&q=voidokilia+bay+pictures&hl=en-GB&usg=__dGSgsHIWkQANBs7zwIMzf1BXVlY=&sa=X&ei=5k55TfGFGImJhQfKwsTiBg&ved=0CCEQ9QEwAg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="break-word">http://gialova.com/void_SS%2520web600.jpg&imgrefurl=http://gialova.com/3b%2520nearby.html&h=240&w=600&sz=85&tbnid=JtgaYWuVeTcvGM:&tbnh=54&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvoidokilia%2Bbay%2Bpictures&zoom=1&q=voidokilia+bay+pictures&hl=en-GB&usg=__dGSgsHIWkQANBs7zwIMzf1BXVlY=&sa=X&ei=5k55TfGFGImJhQfKwsTiBg&ved=0CCEQ9QEwAg
Many nice beaches all up the western coast, on the south of the peninsular near Finikounda & Methoni, as well as Zaga & Memi beaches near Koroni. Nearer to Kalamata there is Bouka beach at Messini. The list is endless!

I have now visited Greece for 40 years running, and in my mind the most loveliest of the Islands is Southern Crete, Kefalonia, Kos, Kalymnos infact as long as people of a certain age keep away from places like Faliraki (Rhodes) Malia (Northern Crete) and all the 18/20's places Greece and her islands have lots to offer, Greek food is lovely, Greek people are very accommodating and friendly, Greek way of life totally laid back, infact I have travelled virtually all over the world and still keep coming back to Greece the cradle of civilisation, in May I shall be visiting yet again for the 7th time Kos..........just can't wait.

If it doesn't have to be an island, then it's Parga . Visited loads of Greek islands but my favourites are Kefalonia, Crete and Thassos, oops not forgetting Poros and Lesvos. I'm thinking I can't really choose a favourite island . Omg I forgot Stoupa, love it there as well. My list of greek islands to visit are Samos, Santorini, Kos and on the mainland, Finikounda. The place I really didn't like was Lefkas.

just out of interest what was it about Lefkas you didnt like? It was an island I was vaguely thinking about for next yr. Have been there for a day trip but heard the beaches are good and a bonus is you can visit the mainland. Would be interested to hear what it was that didnt do it for you

thanks

Hi Rachael. I love Parga and because you fly to the same airport for Lefkas I assumed it would be as nice; but in my opinion it definitely wasn't. We stayed at Nidri which had quite a nice harbour/promenade but the main road through Nidri was like the M25; it was absolutely horrendous.
I can't say I found the people particularly friendly; it was like empty your pockets and move on. Don't know whether it's because they have a lot of 'passing trade' with the boats that moor up for a few hours? In particular, the hotel where we stayed was so unfriendly. I don't think the owners spoke to anyone the whole 2 weeks we were there. If you want to visit the Greek mainland, try Parga you will not be disappointed. Hire a car and get around; it's beautiful and the people are so nice. Or if you prefer somewhere quieter, try Stoupa. If you need any other info, just ask.

brilliant, thanks for the advice. Really helpful

No problem Rachael. There will no doubt be someone out there who will love Lefkas who will give you a different 'slant' on it. Why don't you try a week on Lefkas and a week on Parga?

We spent 2 weeks on Lefkas in the same summer as Pargaluvva and really enjoyed it, usually we tend to have much the same opinions. I think the problems she encountered were mainly due to the fact it was peak season. With a car its easy to drive up to Parga or Sivota (we did) and spend a few nights or from Nidri you can get to the islands of Cephalonia, Ithaki, or Meganissi. We have had holidays on 26 islands and because the're all different its difficult to choose a favourite. As mentioned there are also some great mainland regions. The Peloponesse is a vast region (technically an island) with some brilliant sights and we particularly liked the Pelion, so much choice.

Hi there rdv. I think we discussed this last year . I really didn't like Lefkas at all; one of the only holidays I have taken where I thought it was money I would have rather spent on something else (like a holiday to Parga ). We did go to Parga for the day and realised that never in a million years would we return to Lefkas. Gail

Hi Gail, yes we did. The road through Nidri is a problem ! You were staying in the town and it was during school holidays. I think the fact that its joined to the mainland probably makes it very busy at this time. Combined with the fact that Parga is picture postcard pretty and much of Lefkas is more modern I can see why you were disappointed. For us it was another island to explore and the views over the offshore islands from our apartment, just 1 mile from Nidri, were really spectacular.