I agree with Popi on the fact that going to Greece and staying by the pool is a pity (but I have seen many people doing that so...)
And also I really liked Milos and the various beaches this island can offer. The color of the sea is different on each beach from blue to green to turquoise...magic... (fantastic trip by boat to do around the island with stops for swimming).
But take care if you really miss "green", the islands in the Cyclades are volcanic and you really can not expect a lot of green but more a lot of rocks (and the traditional white and blue houses and churches of this region).
For more green islands you have the Sporades (Alonissos, Skiathos and Skopelos) above the Cyclades but I am not sure how easy you can find a boat between the Cyclades and the Sporades, you may have to go back to Pireas.
And green as well the Ionian Islands on Italy side : Zakynthos, Lefkada (those 2 are big enough to have some very touristic and busy places and some much more calm), Kerkyra (Corfu)...
- do not plan for too many islands not to spend half of your time on boats and to have time to enjoy the island (some are quite big and you can not really go fast on the roads because of their quality or/and the relief of the island). I tried to visit Crete in 1 week and we spent our vacation in the car :-)
- to avoid nightmares on boat, better to choose cabins for long distance trips or try to arrive early to select nice places (you do not want to stay 4 hours under the sun), buy some nice food before leaving (choice limited and pricey on the boat), have some medicine with you (easy to get seasick :-) and always plan to come back in Athens a couple of days before your plane because if the sea is too big the boats are not moving (especially the fasts ones).
Enjoy the sea, the taverns, the speed (very very relaxing speed :-)
I agree with Popi on the fact that going to Greece and staying by the pool is a pity (but I have seen many people doing that so...)
And also I really liked Milos and the various beaches this island can offer. The color of the sea is different on each beach from blue to green to turquoise...magic... (fantastic trip by boat to do around the island with stops for swimming).
But take care if you really miss "green", the islands in the Cyclades are volcanic and you really can not expect a lot of green but more a lot of rocks (and the traditional white and blue houses and churches of this region).
For more green islands you have the Sporades (Alonissos, Skiathos and Skopelos) above the Cyclades but I am not sure how easy you can find a boat between the Cyclades and the Sporades, you may have to go back to Pireas.
And green as well the Ionian Islands on Italy side : Zakynthos, Lefkada (those 2 are big enough to have some very touristic and busy places and some much more calm), Kerkyra (Corfu)...
Some of the boat companies to check different itineraries on Internet:
HELLENIC SEAWAYS
http://www.hellenicseaways.gr/index.asp?a_id=442
BLUE STAR FERRIES
http://www.bluestarferries.com/ENGLISH/defaultmain.htm
ANEK
http://www.anek.gr/french/dromol/kykladesST.html
Just 2 advices :
- do not plan for too many islands not to spend half of your time on boats and to have time to enjoy the island (some are quite big and you can not really go fast on the roads because of their quality or/and the relief of the island). I tried to visit Crete in 1 week and we spent our vacation in the car :-)
- to avoid nightmares on boat, better to choose cabins for long distance trips or try to arrive early to select nice places (you do not want to stay 4 hours under the sun), buy some nice food before leaving (choice limited and pricey on the boat), have some medicine with you (easy to get seasick :-) and always plan to come back in Athens a couple of days before your plane because if the sea is too big the boats are not moving (especially the fasts ones).
Enjoy the sea, the taverns, the speed (very very relaxing speed :-)
Mmmm I am jealous :-)