Mykonos is the ultimate party island with its up-tempo beach clubs, super prime villas, and lively restaurant scene, whereas smaller Antiparos, popular with the art crowd who have built some beautiful villas on the island, is quieter and lower in profile.
In the eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese islands hug the Turkish Riviera coastline, including delightful Symi, with its pastel-coloured homes and charming harbour. Nearby Patmos is frequented by creatives and the fashion crowd who gather in Chora for the summer.
We love the Ionian islands of Paxos and Antipaxos, together with tiny Ithaca, which is the location of one of the most beautiful privately owned villas for rent and overlooks the bay of Vathi.
A 30-minute helicopter hop to Athens, the Peloponnese peninsula in the south, with its ancient sites of Corinth, Sparta, and Mycenae, offers a world-class hotel and private villas at Porto Heli. From here, the nearby islands of Spetses and Hydra are a perfect day trip by private yacht charter.
The secret to a successful Greece trip is this…
Firstly, the month of the year.
May through mid-July are perfect (particularly May and June before the school holidays begin). The islands spring back to life after the winter lull, restaurants and little boutique shops stay open late into the evening, the weather is hot but still bearable, and the water is perfect for swimming.
Getting around Greece is the next point of consideration. To maximise time and ease of travel, we always suggest chartering a helicopter between the mainland and islands or sailing by private boat. The latter is best in September once the Meltemi winds have subsided. Hopping between islands is effortless in an Airbus helicopter – Folegandros to Antiparos takes just over fifteen minutes, and on to Mykonos in the same amount of time.
Lastly, where to go and what to see.
At the crossroads between ancient and modern, the majestic city of Athens never fails to impress with its magnificent relics, monuments and museums combined with leafy avenues, cobbled shopping streets, café culture and vibrant seafront.
Spend a few nights in an Acropolis-facing suite in the city’s most stylish boutique hotel for a few days of culture before exploring the Peloponnese and sailing to the beautiful islands of Hydra and Spetses. With extra time, charter a yacht and visit some of the smaller islands of the Cyclades, such as Folegandros, Sifnos and Antiparos.
Those seeking a little more action shouldn’t overlook Mykonos. Yes, it has its clichés – it’s pricey and sometimes pretentious – yet there’s an energy and sense of fun to the island.
A successful trip depends on who advises you, how well they know the island, and how closely they are connected to villa and boat owners, hotel managers, restaurateurs, boat crews, and people who can make things happen.
Like all the world’s jetset hotspots, you need to know you have the right tables booked at the right time, sun loungers secured at the most fashionable beach clubs, spectacular accommodation, an excellent boat captain, and that all the logistics are covered seamlessly.
That means no queues, no waiting around… just being able to step off your boat onto a jetty, be seated for lunch at the perfect table, and be waited on by people who know your name and will go above and beyond to make sure you have the best time.
If you choose Nota Bene, letting us guide you through all the details—a day visiting Delos, a charming restaurant on the square at Ano Mera, or lunch overlooking the ocean alongside the small church at Aghios Ioannis—you can still find authenticity, style, and “the good life” on Mykonos.
But make no mistake, it’s easy to go wrong and end up having the complete opposite experience. At these prices, bad decisions and flimsy advice are a serious blow and a waste of time. Your choices really count here!
For assurances of never taking a wrong turn again when it comes to travel, TALK TO US.