Are the Greek islands?

Greek Islands Ferries? Any one got any advice?

• I'm going to be going to Greece at in the middle of July next year and have two days left over at the end of the tour in Greece before I need to fly home and would love to see some of the Greek Islands. Our tour ends at about noon (or early afternoon) on the Wednesday, and I need to fly out on the Friday night from Athens giving us potentially up to 2 days in the Greek Islands. What's the best way to do this? I would love to have perhaps a day trip to somewhere like Santorini or something like that. Did you take a ferry or fly there? What is the approximate cost and what company did you use to get into the Islands?

• Answer:

  There are daily ferries down to Santorini , but that is a long run from Athens , and you will spend all your time on the boat . You can fly down , but in July you will need to book your seats well in advance . Fares have gone up astronomically with the current financial crisis , and it is difficult to predict what the situation will be next July . Why not draw your horns in a bit and take a trip on the Saronic Gulf ferries ( Athens-Pireaus to Aegina , then Methana on the shore of the peleponnese , then to Poros , Hydra , and Spetse ) Aegina is about an hour and a half's run for 12 or 15 Euro , Spetse where the boat turns around about 5 to 6 hours for 25 euro or so . That'd give you a look at several islands , all of which are different and good to visit . They all have loads of stuff on the web , pick one you fancy . The ferry drops you at the main town at each , and there are are hotels right nearby the dock - well , 10 mins walk for a fat 58 year old like me humping a bag . Hydra and Spetse ban nearly every motor vehicle and so are very peaceful . You will be there in high season so allow a minimum of 50 euro for a room per night -- alternatively you can rough it , but you'd need to travel ultra-light , walk well out of town , and get out of sight before dossing down -- technically illegal , should the police catch you , so you need to be unobtrusive . To find the boat come out of Pireaus underground station and cross the death-racetrack road on the shiny stainless steel bridge - while on that look to your left . The Saronic boats are the blue hull , white upperworks , red funnel ones , Hellenic seaways written on the sides , sail from near the obvious tall central ticket firms building , buy your ticket from the booths at the back of the quay where the boats are moored . Destination boards and sailing time is on a board above the vehicle ramp on each boat . Many people commute using these boats , so there are sailings about every hour or so in high season . There is an inside lounge and cafe aboard even for the cheapest ticket holders - economic or deck class is what you ask for , one way , buy the return ticket at your destination .