Someone recently asked me what does happiness mean to me?  I thought for a while and came up with many potential answers, but in the final analysis I responded, “taking a Greek Island Trip”.  The Greek Islands are magical and most dream about getting there when it is time to retire.  But why wait until then?  What if retirement never comes?  The Greek Islands are waiting for you today and what makes it even more tempting is that the prices are right, the weather is getting better by the day and before you know it it will be April and time to swim!

The Greek Islands are diverse, from the dry and baron like Folegandros to the green and lush like Skiathos.  Or if you prefer a different pace try the Ionian Sea which lies in between Greece and Italy,  and explore the magical island of Zakinthos, pictured here.  Another favorite island of mine is Corfu with its deep and rich history featuring a tremendous Venetian influence offering a culinary delight at every turn.    In addition Corfu offers spectacular beaches, a vibrant town  and a vibe to rival any of the other Greek Islands.

What ever your Island of choice you will not be disappointed with the infamous Greek Filoxenia which will greet you in all corners of Greece. Life is short and the time is now to live.  A good resource to begin planning your Greek Island Trip can be found here.

Greek Island Hopping is fun and exciting once the trip is planned and you are in a plane about to take off, but it can not be so fun when it comes to planning your trip. It is always recommended to consult with a travel professional with a vast expertise of the Greek Islands. Most travel agents do not have the knowledge or the resources to properly plan your Greek Island Hop so do your homework before starting to do business with one.

Yes it can be exciting to play travel agent but when things go wrong who do you turn to?  In addition travel sites such a Orbitz or Expedia can seem like they are offering a great deal, but good old fashioned one on one human interaction goes a long way should problems arise.    A good starting point can be The Greek Tourism Board for a Greek Travel Agent.   I have added a page of links that can get you pointed in the right direction. Basil Boziotis Greek Island Travel Tools

Another great resource can be found on Delos Vacations Greece page.   if you have a Greek Island Travel Resource that you like to use, please feel free to send to me so that I can post on my Greek Island Blog.

In Dario Ciriello’s ‘Aegean Dream’ Dario and his wife Linda gamble everything on their dream—a new life on the tiny Greek island of Skópelos. They’ve studied Greek, done their research, and have a simple goal: to set up a small business and live happily ever after. But the Greek Gods have other ideas, and before long the couple find themselves snarled in a web of corruption and incompetence, their dream slipping hopelessly out of reach.

In Greece, connections are everything. But will the efforts of their friends—be enough to help them overcome their difficulties before they’re forced to abandon their dream?  Comic and tragic by turns, Aegean Dream is a compelling tale of love, resilience, and the power of friendship. A charming window on the daily life of a Greek island and the spirit of its people, this book also provides hard and timely insights into the broken institutions that would soon shake the entire global economy.

- What’s it really like to live on a tiny Greek island?
– Why is the Greek economy so messed up?
– What IS ‘The Secret’?
…and what do mysterious skulls, Russian prostitutes, President Bush the elder, and Pierce Brosnan have to do with it all?

About the Author

To Purchase the Aegean Dream

Information on Skopelos Greek Island

In Greek mythology Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus  and the Titans , and the island was named in honor of Apollo’s grandson Mykons.  Today Mykonos is one of the most popular islands in Greece, mostly known for its beaches and intense nightlife. Tourism’s seeds were planted shortly after World War I and by the mid 1950s this little island spot was transformed into a cosmopolitan and artistic center.  Aristotle Onassis and the jet set crowd brought glamour to Mykonos in the 1960s, when a burgeoning gay scene had given the island a hedonistic reputation.   The party in Mykonos can go from Sunset to Sunrise whether you are on the beach or in Mykonos Town, however this island paradise offers much more than dancing on the bar.  Mykonos is definitely a must for the both the young and the young at heart.

DJ Angela Pandelis

  DJ Angela Pandelis

Mykonos Beaches

Mykonos beaches cover the entire spectrum from sleepy coves with small fish taverns to those that look more like a cover of a fashion magazine featuring a nightclub environment with house music & drinks flowing under the Aegean Sun.  If you are looking for solitude and not too many people try Fokos Mersini Beach and for the trendier crowd go to Elia beach.  If however, you are looking for the premier party spot then do not look further than Super Paradise Beach.

Mykonos Night Life Listings

·  El Puerto

·  Agyra Bar Mykonos Town

·  Aroma Cafe Mykonos

·  ASTRA Bar Mykonos

·  Bolero Music bar Mykonos

·  Brethel Ball Room Bar Mykonos

·  Caprice Bar Mykonos – Caprice of Mykonos

·  Cavo Paradiso Club

·  Celebrities Bar – Destijl bar Mykonos

·  Cosi bar cafe Mykonos

·  Diva Bar Mykonos Little Venice

·  Down Under Bar Mykonos

·  Katerinas Bar Mykonos

·  Live Music Club La Notte Mykonos

·  Mykonos Bar

·  Semeli Bar Club Mykonos

·  Skandinavian bar Mykonos Island

·  Space Dance Madness Mykonos

·  Thalami Bar Mykonos Island Greece

·  Tropicana Beach Bar Restaurant – Paradise Mykonos

·  White Bar Mykonos town

For a full description of each venue and Mykonos House Music Visit the Mykonos Experience Website

MYKONOS PHOTOS and Video

The Greek seas are recorded as the cleanest in the Mediterranean. Any discovery of an ancient object in the course of scuba diving must be immediately reported to the nearest Port Authorities. It is prohibited to bring to the surface or to move objects of archaeological or other significance, located in the deep. Underwater photography or cinematography requires the permission of the local Port Authorities, which is granted after the concurrence of the competent Underwater Archaeological Findings Inspection dept. of the Ministry for Culture & Tourism.

Discover a Volcano’s underwater beauty in Santorini.

The Aegean Sea is a very popular destination for divers, with magical waters that offer a wonderful selection of beautiful dive spots, colorful sea life, shipwrecks, caves, and many other unique underwater settings. Seize the opportunity to explore them and discover Greece’s many hidden sides!
Santorini, with its volcanic past, truly stunning landscape of steep mountains, black sand beaches, and pure blue waters is a very popular dive site for divers from all over the world. The waters around Santorini offer a wealth of underwater charm and beauty, including craters and shipwrecks.

Unveil the mysteries of Kalymnos, “The Sponge Diver’s Island”

One of the most popular dive spots of the Greek Islands is Kalymnos.  Sponge fishery, processing and trading were the main professions on Kalymnos Island for hundreds of years. In fact, the use of sponges was described by Aristotle and mentioned in both Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.

In Kalymnos, there are a number of professional diving centers, offering you training facilities and the opportunity to be certified in scuba diving. Many of these centers organize excursions.

Υou can obtain more info about scuba diving as well as the areas which have received clearance by contacting:

Greek Federation of Submarine Activity – Sports Fishing and Technical Swimming

16604 West Airport Mail Office
Tel: +30 210 9819961
Fax: +30 210 9817558

Padi Greek Island Dive Information

Ever wonder how so many manage to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous when traveling on the Greek Islands, and all you seem to find are bargain vacation deals on line to Greece for 7 nights?  Well look no further than Mykonos X who offer great villas on the Island of  Mykonos.  You can search for your dream Villa and  book it efficiently with full customer service both before and during your Island Stay.

The Mykonos Villas range from 2  to 12 bedrooms and are fully equipped with amenities and a dedicated staff to cater to all of your needs.  Luxury villas are often more economical for traveling families and couples and range from 350E per night to 3000E per night.  Luxury Villas can feature living rooms, dining rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, verandas, pools and more depending on the amenities desired.

Villas In Mykonos are luxury, private residences that are affordable.  They can offer the following:

• Personalized attention and service from an experienced Villa Concierge
• Super value as  you spend less than a traditional vacation and receive much more
• A lot more space over a hotel room or suite
• Both Security and Privacy for you and your loved ones
• Great for all celebrations and experiences, from big group gatherings to an intimate getaway
• Gives you the opportunity to live a lifestyle not normally possible

To Find your own Mykonos Villa Please visit Mykonos Villas

What if want to stay in Athens, but want to feel like you are on a Cosmopolitan Greek Island?  Below Sofia LaBoheme gives her suggestions for the Athens Riviera.

Question:  Where to stay?
Answer:  The Margi versus Astir Palace.  Both are situated in the most exclusive area of the so-called Athenian Riviera, Vouliagmeni and both have equally luxurious accommodations for the sophisticated traveler.  The difference is that the Margi is a trendy and intimate boutique hotel with a candlelit pool area and numerous cocktails bars within walking distance to the beach; whereas, Astir Palace is a legendary resort with a private peninsula.  The Margi and its chic poolside bar is a great place for a late-afternoon snack and its signature pomegranate mojito; whereas, Astir Palace is the perfect place to dine with a view at its sushi restaurant Matsushisa by celebrity chef Nobu Matsushisa.

The Margi
11 Litous Street, Vouliagmeni 16671
Athens, Greece
TEL:  +30 210 8929000

Astir Palace
40 Apollonos St.
Athens, Greece
TEL: 30 210 890-2000
TEL: (800) 937-8461

Question:  Where to eat?
Answer:  There are many restaurants in the Vouliagmeni area.  Depending on your mood you can find almost anything from sushi by celebrity chef Nobu Mastushisa to authentic Greek cuisine.  For a great view and sophisticated dining, go to:

Matsuhisa Athens Restaurant 
Astir Palace Resort, 40 Apollonos Street
Vouliagmeni, Athens, Greece
Telephone reservations:
+30 210 8960510

Ithaki Restaurant
28 Apollonos street
Lemos Vouliagmenis, Athens, Greece
Telephone reservations:
+30 210 8963747

Cafe Tabac
The Margi, 11 Litous Street, Vouliagmeni 16671
Vouliagmeni, Athens, Greece
Telephone reservations:
+30 210 9670924

Labros Restaurant
Leoforos Poseidonos 20, Vouliagmeni 16671
Simpler Dining with No Reservations Needed
Tel: (+30) 210 89 60 144

Question:  What Beach to go to?
Answer:  Go to Asteras Vouliagmeni Beach 15 miles south of Athens in Vouliagmeni – On the shores south of Athens are known as the Athenian Riviera, with beaches spanning roughly 25 miles. One of the nicest of these belongs to the Astir Palace resort, on its private peninsula south of Athens. Urbanites willing to pay an entry fee that’s three times that of other beaches ($37 on weekends) head to sea-and-be-seen Vouliagmeni Beach for its clean, deep waters, private cabins, sun chairs, volleyball nets, restaurant, water sports, and access to resort facilities.

Question:  What to do?
Answer:  Visit the Vouliagmeni Lake Hot Springs–Natural hot springs continually fill this saltwater/mineral-water lake from below, keeping the brilliantly blue waters at a temperature of around 75 degrees year-round. A hydrotherapy center ($12 entry fee) offers treatments, and underground caves attract the occasional diver. The lake is just south of the town of Vouliagmeni, across Poseidonos Avenue from the ocean.

Vouliagmeni Lake
15 miles south of Athens
Vouliagmeni, Greece
TEL: 30 210 896-2237

Click here for more on the Athens Riviera

The wealth and diversity of the Greek seas, the endless kilometers of the Greek coasts and the thousands of Greek islands make Greece an ideal sailing Region.   The mild climate, the high percentage of sunshine and its interesting and varying landscape also provide the perfect ingredients for the perfect sailing holiday.  When sailing you need no hotel, you can budget your vacation accordingly and you can pull up to the most amazing coves that are not accessible by foot or car.

Chartering a yacht in Greece is an excellent way to travel around the magnificent Greek Islands.  Landscapes that has given us thousands of postcard images but remains incredibly vibrant and impossible to capture.  Advantages of Sailing in Greece are: the Greek seas are safe, distances between coasts are small, while conditions related to wind strength, ambient and sea temperatures are equally favorable.

Greek Island Travel Tip:  June through September is considered the high season, however May and October are ideal months to travel to the Greek isles offering both ideal climate and limited crowds

Click Here for Some Greek Island Sailing Itinerary Suggestions

Maps of Sailing Regions of Greece

Greek Island General Information

Photos of Sailing the Greek Islands

For those of you who are looking to travel in a less conventional manner during your Greek Island Hop why not consider a small regional air carrier called Sky Express.  Sky Express is based in Heraklion Crete and operates  turbo prop Jet streams offering up to 30 seats with two pilots and one cabin attendant. These aircraft offer jet comfort and are reliable, safe, and fast enough to achieve quick flight times between short distance airports.  

Ideal for when trying to get from from one small Greek Island to the other where either direct Ferry Boat access is not available or where schedule flights with Olympic or Aegean Airlines are not an option.  Sky Express is a great option for visiting many Greek Islands and they keep expanding each year.  Click here to read more on Sky Express and what Greek Islands they can take you to.

Greece offers many types of ferry services such as standard ferry service, high speed ferry service, hydrofoils as well as catamarans, via an array of companies that operate schedules not only domestically in The Seas of The Aegean, The Ionian & The Mediterranean but also internationally to countries such as Italy and Turkey.  It is always recommended to book in advance since most routes sell out rapidly, especially during the high season months of July and August.

Ferry schedules on the Greek Islands change often and some times with out notice.  High winds during certain times of the year lead to cancellations and strikes have led to days with out service, especially over the last two seasons.   However, Ferries in Greece are the primary mode of transportation for most islands and the back bone to their economic survival; bottom line we can not live with out them.  So what is the best course of action when it comes to booking ferry travel in Greece?  Many feel that it is an easy process that can be accomplished with a quick phone call or a click of a mouse; think again.

According to Julie Subotky the author of the best selling book Consider It Done; “I’d recommend using a travel agent, and letting him or her take care of the ferry reservations on the Greek Islands”.  She goes on to say, “If you are using a travel agent, at least find someone who speaks the language to do the booking for you.  Don’t know anyone who speaks Greek?  I guess you could try calling yourself, but just know that you are not guaranteed anything, ever, and allow some time for the ensuing lengthy and confusing conversation-I dare you to complete the whole transaction in under an hour.  In addition, know that schedules change all the time, so be sure when you book your ticket that you are working off a schedule that will apply during the dates of your trip.”

Leave the ferry ticket process to professionals that understand the dynamic nature of traveling the Greek Islands.   If you insist on going it alone, there are many online resources for schedules and the Greek National Tourism Office publishes ferry schedules weekly.  However, it advisable to always check with the Harbor Master at each of your ports of travel to verify ferry schedules.
Click here for your online Ferry Schedules & Reservations to Greek Islands
For More Great Tips, Check out Julie’s New Book, Consider it Done