my internet isn't working properly and this is the only bit of mumsnet i can get into. I need a Greek island. Which one?

[TheLogLady]

I haven't been abroad for 20 years. DH has never been (and won't be if he doesn't get offf his arse and get a passport)

I feel a nice Greek isand would be good.

WHich one?.

I need

Sun

Sea & beach

Nice villa type.

some ancient interesting stuff would be nice too.

Ideas please.

I have been to Lemnos, beautiful; Cephalonia, really lovely; also look at Kos as you can take easy boat trips to other islands from there (I think they are the Dodecanese but could be wrong); also the Greek mainland south of Athens is lovely. Have also heard nothing but good about Paxos. I love Greece.

Cefalonia or Santorini

Rhodes is nice

I second Rhodes....Lindos especially is lovely.

Have only been to Corfu and Kos. Corfu was over 20 years ago and Kalami where we were was a nice tiny fishing village. Idyllic. I suspect it's not any more.

Have been to tehm all and teh cyclades are the nicest esp naxos and paros

Lindos in Rhodes fits your requirement.

Santorini is gorgeous but not really a beach holiday. Some good 'ancient' stuff though, including Ancient Thera which is the ruins of a town, on a hill (for good exercise as well as a bit of culture!).

There are a few pics of Santorini on my profile, if any use.

I love the Greek islands.

What month are you going?

Rhodes was fab but definately stay on the lindos side.

Liked Zante too.

Corfu is my favourite, I would only go from end June to mid august though due to insects and possible adverse weather. Look at paleocastricta or kassiopi.

probably august (school holidays)

or would france be better? can drive there and i know how to ask for beer and a sandwich.

and is getting a villa/house type best?

paros paros paros its the only one because its the best . lol

Naxos was nice about 12 years ago when I did my backpacking thing, also has ancient (Classical era) ruins and even ancient-er cool prehistoric culture (early Bronze Age) in museum. It's a larger island so has a bit of everything - beaches, beautiful mountainous interior, nice places to eat, etc. Also has small boat links to the 'Little Cyclades', tiny islands to the south, with B&B and rent-room accommodation, beautiful, quiet and off the usual track.

Santorini/Thera only good out of season, though if you like ancient/archaeological stuff, it has THE BEST in the Aegean - Bronze Age town covered by massive volcanic eruption (like Pompeii) and uncovered. Also the wall-paintings and finds are in a museum in town. (am biased, wrote PhD on them! ) But too crowded/full of cruise-liner tourists in season.

Don't forget Crete - huge island but still easy to find out-of-way places to stay. Try the east end of island or south coast. Plenty of ruins and old stuff everywhere! Also most beautiful beaches, stunning mountain interior and good tourist infrastructure. Just stay away from Mallia and Hersonisos and you'll be fine!

Symi is my favourite Greek island.

You fly to Rhodes and get the ferry across - because you can't fly direct it's quieter, and not so full of 'orrible Brits

Ithaca...hmmm.

another vote for Lindos - beautiful town on Rhodes

As said before, Lindos in Rhodes is gorgeous, sounds like the kind of place you're after.

Crete! It's beautiful. I've just advised someone on another meassage board to check out Simply Travel - we've used them twice with the kids (once to Crete, once to Lefkas) and we're back off to Crete with them in May. I wouldn't advise Lefkas if you want sandy beaches, or a lot of peace & quiet - it seems to be full of barking dogs, lorries & building work!

I have been to France too but much prefer Greece tbh.

From your op I think you would be better with Greece.

Rhodes really is lovely, almost guaranteed sun, stunning beaches on the lindos side, excellent food and lots of things to see and do if required. Rhodes old town and lindos are beautiful and well worth visiting.

I'd agree about Lindos on Rhodes, and about the Cyclades.
However, last year I went to Evia which is along the east coast of the mainland. It was lovely, and like I remember Greece from years ago before the tourist explosion. Most other holiday makers were from Athens. I'd recommend it.

We have visited Zakynthos and Kefalonia and loved both. Kefalonia is quieter.

YABU

What's wrong with the UK?

Summary of our holidays over he last 15 years:

August last year - Yorkshire. Rain, chilly, extraordinarily beautiful but cold.

year before - too poor

before that scotland - extraordinarily beautiful, cold

before that too poor

before that dorset - nice, pretty, bit wet

before that cornwall - very nice, actually sunny

before that - too poor

This year - have saved a bit especially to go somewhere different (and warm).

Kefalonia gorgeous, not too developed. Hire a car and drive right up into the mountains, stopping at all of the beautiful little villages on the way. That's how my daughter was conceived we spent our honeymoon.