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Islands to visit that are near Crete?

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kosta_karapinotis

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I plan to visit Crete next year and I also want to visit one other place, maybe an island. Crete is pretty far south, but are there any islands that are convenient to get to by ferry from there? I would be flying into Athens and staying for a few days at least, then heading to Crete by overnight ferry. I would be looking for something to do after Crete and before heading home.
 
kosta_karapinotis said:
I plan to visit Crete next year and I also want to visit one other place, maybe an island. Crete is pretty far south, but are there any islands that are convenient to get to by ferry from there? I would be flying into Athens and staying for a few days at least, then heading to Crete by overnight ferry. I would be looking for something to do after Crete and before heading home.
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We went from Crete (Heraklion) to Santorini by ferry. ( 2 hours or so by highspeed). Santorini is one of the must sees, but touristy. I like it, but not everyone does.
 
Santorini IS stunning. Milos is another beautiful Cycladic Island. I think that the Minoan Lines runs a ferry from Milos to Chania, Crete several times a week. Unless someone knows for sure here, you might have to wait until the schedules come out next Spring to plan out your days.
 
I like Santorini, as well. I find that it's uncomfortable tourist-wise when the cruise ships are in town, but they tend to only be there for the day. I like to wake up and get settled into my day's activity before the ships arrive, then they're gone by the evening. I just had to learn the pattern and once I did, the crowds didn't bother me.
 
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