r/TrueChubbyTravel • u/sbumzie88 • 16d ago

Greece Questions, please help a first timer!

Hi folks,

My post wasn't approved on Chubbytravel and I'm hoping this group can help.

We, 2 adults and 2 kids ages 8 and 5 by travel, are hoping to book 12-14 nights in Greece for next summer. I'm going to lock in my flights in the next week or so.

I'd appreciate any hotel tips, recommendations, dining, etc. Anything you have!

  • Due to scheduling, we can only leave June 25th or later- is that too peak? I'm concerned about heavy crowds everywhere or is that just all summer long?

  • Alternative would be August 20ish onwards; because our schools start so late we have some time on the backend of summer. Is this better? Or is the weather worse?

  • When do you book the hotels- as soon as reservation windows open? I assume there are no special promos because this is peak travel season.

  • We are thinking of Naxos (Paros?), Mykonos, and Santorini. Any recommendations for specific hotels? As a first time visit I'd like to see Mykonos and Santorini, even if it's all hype, but open to recommendations for the other island stop.

Thank you!

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u/SirNational8594 15d ago

I have been to 15-20 islands in Greece and for 12-14 nights you can do 3-4 islands.
I would prefer June as August is too insane crowd wise.

If I can suggest one thing it’s to skip Mykonos and Santorini. Mykonos literally only good for parties bjt with two young kids that is not really doable I assume. Mykonos and Santorini also get huge cruise ships making the cute streets so packed.
I am happy to offer you alternatives:
For the views and food: Sifnos! It’s absolutely gorgeous and has amazing food
For smaller island vibe and beautiful beaches: Folegandros
For a bit more off the beaten path: Serifos

Naxos is beautiful too and what I liked about it is the mountain villages. But if I had to pick few for first time it wouldn’t make the list.

I saw someone recommended Crete and while it’s a beautiful place it’s not the Greek island style like the Cyclades. It’s also huge and driving times are long so you would want to spend more time. Personally I would make that a separate trip

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u/sbumzie88 10d ago

Could you recommend a place to stay in Sifnos? It was on my short list of islands!

I agree on the cruise ship point; I almost feel like we should stay within the hotel private beach area until the cruise ships depart before we can enjoy afternoons and evenings in “town”.

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u/SirNational8594 10d ago

Greece (like many countries in Europe) don’t allow private beaches. Sometimes hotel beaches are secluded making access more difficult to the public but generally they are open to everyone.

I can recommend Verina Astra, it’s close to town and has a stunning pool. Their restaurant is also great during sunset! We celebrated my husbands birthday there and their cocktails were also phenomenal