I have never been to Greece

[Tiiina]

As the title says, I have never been to Greece. Every time I start looking into a Greek holiday, I get totally overwhelmed and give up.

I am looking for adult only as our children are grown, easy access to the sea and also a pool, but I don’t want to fight for sun beds. I want somewhere quiet and no Brits abroad types/ lots of drinking.

Happy to spend a lot of money for the right holiday. Has anyone been anywhere which fits the bill?

It seems Sunvil do a lot of holidays to the Cyclades so it might be worth looking at their website or maybe phoning them for advice. I haven't used Sunvil so I can't comment on them but I have been to many of the islands so I could help you out there if you need any info.

https://www.sunvil.co.uk/holidays/greece/cyclades

Would you consider self-catering, OP? We never go anywhere catered (family reasons really but also I hate people! ) and always manage to find somewhere nice on AirBnB or another source (plenty of villa rental sites out there. Owners Direct used to be a good one) and we end up somewhere quiet but within reach of what you want. Can be a lot cheaper than a plush resort, though you'll probably need a hire car, but nicer IMO.

Crete is beautiful and very varied. Mind you, most of Greece is beautiful and varied out of peak season. If you can, aim for April/May or October and you'll miss the oppressive heat and most of the crowds.

As a pp said, the Cyclades have the classic whitewashed look you’re after. The only two Cyclades with a direct flight are Mykonos and Santorini but these are hugely touristy and I wouldn’t recommend (except as a one night stopover maybe).

However you can get to many quieter Cyclades islands if you’re happy to do flight plus ferry?

Skiathos is not Cyclades but has that whitewashed style, and direct flights. It’s fairly touristy but not like Mykonos and Santorini. Or you can fly to Skiathos and do a short ferry hop to Skopelos which is quieter.

Lindos on Rhodes also has that classic white cube look as do various towns on Kos and both have direct flights. Hot islands, but perfect for June or Sept.

This worries me too. Mosquitoes love me unfortunately.

I also have people 😅We would consider self catering, but again the choice is vast so would love recommendations. We usually stay in boutique hotels, so would consider that too as long as it’s close to an (empty 😅) beach or a beach club where we cold book sun beds.

Hate people, not have people

Get a flight to Athens and then an internal flight or ferry to:
Tinos
Paros
Thassos
Naxos
Aegina
Milos
Symi
Samos

or fly direct to Lefkada, Skiathos, Crete

I am thinking perhaps narrow it down to Skiathos and Skopelos and perhaps do a twin centre type holiday?

Yes sounds lovely. Do check the ferry times and make sure your flights line up (with plenty of leeway in case of delays)

Mosquitoes love me unfortunately

Me too!

We went to Crete last year and I didn't get bitten once. It was a nice break from it as we lived somewhere hot anyway and I was used to being bitten every day.

If mosquitoes love you I would aim for the drier islands and especially avoid the Ionians (west of Greece) as they are the wettest/greenest and have most bugs of all sorts.

Parocks in Paros
F Zeen in Kafalonia (adults only)