Ask anyone how to get from A to B in Greece and the answer is almost always the same: hire a car. But after thirty years of travelling Greece by bus, ferry, and Shanks’s Pony, I’d argue it’s not always the only option — or even the best one. And I say this as someone who once wheel-spun a Suzuki Celerio into a rut on Lipsi while a man on a digger watched and smoked his cigarette.
6 week itinerary – Eastern Aegean and Dodecanese itinerary covers Samos, Agathonisi, Ikaria, Fourni, Arki, Marathi, Patmos, Leros, and Kalymnos by ferry. Best time: late June to early September. Highlights: beach-bar culture on Ikaria, pristine isolation on Arki, Italian art deco architecture on Leros, stunning Telendos sunsets from Kalymnos. No car rental needed.
18-day itinerary – sland hopping adventure through the Lesser Cyclades—Naxos, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi and Amorgos—plus Santorini. Discover islands where the legendary Express Skopelitis ferry is a lifeline, sunrises paint the Aegean gold, and fava beans have their own festival. This route explores Greece’s best-kept secrets: tiny islands with golden beaches, hilltop Choras, and authentic Greek hospitality. Best time: May-June or September. Note: This trip took place in June-July 2015; prices and some services may have changed.
7 day stay in Sivota on Greece’s Epirus coast, with a day trip to the extraordinary monasteries of Meteora. Discover hidden Ionian beaches, climb to clifftop villages, and stand beneath rock pillars that have inspired pilgrims for centuries. This trip proves that mainland Greece rivals any island—with dramatic landscapes, authentic tavernas, and far fewer crowds. Best time: May-June or September-October.
