TRAVEL
TRAVEL
Island Hopping in Greece BY
STEVE BURGER
It is hard for me to imagine planning a trip to Greece without thinking of island hopping . Thousands of Greek islands are scattered like jewels across the Sea of Crete , and the Ionian and Aegean Seas . Some islands are huge , like Crete or Evvoia . Others are smaller , like Patmos , Santorini or Rhodes , each with its own cultural , geographic and historic flavour . Many are so small they remain uninhabited , mere outcroppings of volcanic rubble in the turquoise-blue sea . Greek island hopping from mid June until mid September is very busy , with prices at their highest . People from every corner of the globe pack the beaches . Hotels , museums and restaurants are filled . The shoulder season from mid September to mid October and from mid May to mid June has fewer tourists , and nearly all the hotels and restaurants are open . The off-season , from mid October to mid May , is quiet with few tourists . Many facilities are closed while the owners and staff spend the winter in Athens .
My wife and I have been to Greece in both the shoulder and off-seasons . On our last trip , island hopping was from mid April to mid May . The weather was warm , and a kaleidoscope of color from wild flowers carpeted the islands . The beaches were mostly deserted , and the water was cool but manageable for swimming . Many hotels and apartments had been spruced up over the winter , so some rooms felt brand new .
On an earlier trip , from mid September to early October , we found the beaches empty and the water warm for swimming . Grapes , olives and fruit crops were being harvested , making for some real deals on fresh foods and local wines . By late November , quite a few hotels and restaurants were closed , especially in smaller centres . The challenge then was not just to find a room , but also to find a hotel that was open .
A few islands have small airports with plane connections to the Athens International Airport . Flying is a good option , especially if you choose a
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