Greece

The most satisfying way to see it is slowly and in sequence: a few days in Athens, then island to island by small ship or ferry, with time built in for long lunches, harbour walks, and evenings that are not scheduled at all. An advisor's work here is mostly sequencing — choosing the right islands in the right order, so the trip feels unhurried from start to finish.

When to go: The Greek islands are at their best from May through September, when ferries run full schedules, the Aegean is warm for swimming, and island hotels and tavernas are fully open.

Highlights

• The Acropolis and the museums of Athens, best seen early in the morning before the heat and the crowds
• Santorini's caldera villages, including Oia and Fira, built into the cliff above a flooded volcanic crater
• Mykonos for its old-town lanes, windmills, and beaches — lively in season, quieter at its edges
• Crete, the largest island, with the Palace of Knossos, mountain villages, and a food tradition all its own
• The quieter Cyclades — islands such as Naxos, Paros, and Milos — for beaches, small ports, and a slower rhythm

Ways to go

• Windstar Cruises — Small sailing and motor yachts that call at smaller Greek ports the large ships pass by, with an emphasis on time ashore.
• Azamara — Destination-focused voyages with late-night and overnight stays, well suited to Greek island itineraries where evenings in port matter.
• Crystal — A refined ocean voyage through the Greek isles, pairing island calls with attentive onboard service and guided touring ashore.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises — All-inclusive luxury sailings in the eastern Mediterranean that include shore excursions, for travellers who want the details handled in advance.

In port, arranged

Days ashore and days out in Greece are arranged through the excursion specialists below — private, small-group and shared days, sized to your party. Your advisor confirms the details with the operator before you go.

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