Recommendations for Greek Islands

[FANTINE2]

Could anybody recommend a Greek Island for OH and myself. In mid 50's so quiet, nice hotel, possibly all inclusive.
Possibility of doing two islands, but am not sure which ones!!

I loved Crete. If I went back I would also do Santorini, it looks so nice.

Milos! I’ve been to about 20 of the islands and this one wins hands down. Absolutely stunning with lovely restaurants and nice and quiet

We were in Zakynthos last summer which was beautiful and a short ferry over to kefalonia which is also meant to be stunning

Rhodes, you can get the ferry to Turkey for the day

Kefalonia is very nice

The east coast (posh bit) of Corfu is lovely and quiet. Shingle beaches but gorgeous as long as you have beach shoes. You need to hire a car or a boat though to get around to other little beachside villages. The little boats to hire are a great way to get to the taverna for lunch.

How about on the main land as Kalamata is a pleasant town.

NOT lefkhada

It's shit

Thank you. Like the sound of Minos and maybe Santorini

Why all inclusive? Local restaurants are usually very good and better for the local economy. We love Crete, near chania is lovely

Yes, was thinking that as I was researching.

I was going to say don't go AI, you could be anywhere in the world!! Every island has its special areas. My first love is Corfu as it's where I first fell in love with Greece but Skiathos , Kefalonia, Skopelos, Paxos, Santorini (too busy now though!) parts of Crete, Rhodes, Kos etc etc etc all have special memories for me. I also love the Peloponnese, Thessaloniki (could tie in with Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos) and Parga on the mainland are also pretty special to me.
One of my main criteria is a sandy beach with tavernas! I don't do dingle or pebbles for the resort I'm staying in as a lazy beach day is exactly that!!! So no travel to find sand! Other people love the clearer seas a pebble beach gives them.
If you want Athens and an island look at Aegina etc. So many options...

Agree you should consider avoiding all inclusive. Support the local businesses and get much better food and an authentic experience into the bargain.

I love Corfu, Santorini (off season as mobbed in Summer). I also liked Kefalonia and Rhodes. I’m v envious of the PP who’s visited twenty of the Greek Islands - I’d love to visit more of them!

Paxos or Naxos. Both wonderful, but definitely wouldn't go AI.

I went to Santorini in the 80s when there was no civilian airport, and virtually no tourism. It was the most astonishingly beautiful place, but think I'd hate it now it's so busy.

Definitely don't go AI. Greek tavernas are amazing. You'll be missing out on a huge part of the experience of a Greek island. We stayed in a taverna with rooms on a tiny beach in Corfu last time we had a Greek holiday. I still dream about the seafood and salads, and sitting right on the water at mealtimes.

Another saying avoid all inclusive. We went to Kos last September and the locals were saying that AI is killing their business. Also, IMO, part of the fun of going on holiday is eating at local tavernas, cafes and restaurants. We had lunch at an amazing vineyard one day. You will never get this kind of atmosphere at an AI hotel (and possibly not the quality of food either).

The best hotel we have ever stayed in on holiday was the Castello Boutique Hotel in Sissi, Crete. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Everything about it was brilliant. Really high quality rooms, excellent service, wonderful food, large grounds with plenty of room for sunbeds, and never a fight for a sunbed. If only I could pick this hotel up and plonk it down wherever we end up on holiday.

Samos, Ikaria, Symi (just off Rhodes), Skiathos and Skopelos are smaller islands. Crete has it all but you need to search out the quieter areas - look south west of the islands.

Me and the husband used to go to Greece every year before we had children. We thought it would be too hot for them. Youre making me want to go next year

Santorini is beautiful, lots to do but I'd say don't do all inclusive because there are lots of lovely little restaurants and tavernas to try. Plenty to do and see around the island, definitely recommend a trip to Oia to see the sunset.

Symi, Symi, Symi. It was just stunning!

I watched Julia Bradbury's programme on the Greek islands. It just made me want to visit them all, especially Symi.

Kefalonia and def don’t go AI

What time of year? Some eg Crete, Rhodes will be very hot in the summer, but lovely in spring/autumn

May/June or September is the perfect time for most Greek islands imo

If going in peak summer then I would aim for the more northerly islands so you don’t boil, and avoid any island with its own airport - if you’re willing to take a ferry you’ll get fewer crowds.

Personally I love Alonissos.

Having been to several Greek islands I'd say my favourite so far has been Skiathos and Skopelos. Kefalonia was also beautiful. We didn't particularly like Santorini, (controversial I know!).. it was beautiful... but not worth the money when you can get a similar scenery etc elsewhere.

As many others have said, don't go AI in Greece, the food is too nice and you'll find some amazing traditional tavernas no matter where you go.

@GCAcademic could you tell me where you stayed please, that sounds like heaven!!