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Step 1
You should probably start in Athens, Greece, a destination all to itself. Many dislike the noise, pollution and chaos of Athens but I think it's very much alive. See the major sights here. When you're ready for respite get to Piraeus--the main seaport of Greece--and prepare to get away to the islands.
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Step 2
In Piraeus you can buy a ferry ticket to Paros, one of the nearest (and quietest) islands in the Cyclades. Board early and be sure to get a good seat on deck if you like sunshine, wind and picnicing Greeks. Enjoy the ferry ride but be sure to bring blankets or beach towels if it's an overnight trip. It'll get cold and you'll need to bundle up.
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Step 3
Hop out at Paros and enjoy the port city for a few hours. (Paros is the island where Napoleon imported the marble for his tomb.) But do yourself a favor and head to the far side of the island to Golden Beach--though if you're averse to nude sunbathing then this might not be for you. The beach here is wide, sandy and the waters are warm and blue with a lot of windsurfing going on nearby. Enjoy a quiet day at the beach, a good meal back in town and head off in a day or two...our main goal is Santorini, after all.
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Step 4
Catch a ferry and continue your journey to Mykonos. It is a fun and upscale place with an open culture but it still looks traditional and untouched from centuries past. When you get off the ferry you'll be inundated by hotel owners pitching their accommodations. Choose carefully because you do want to be near the main city so ask where they're located. If they can't point it out from the port then you may not want to stay there. The night life,clubs and restaurants, are hip and expensive but you have to hang out in town at least one night. You'll find world class eateries but it will cost you.
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Step 5
Now, the beaches here are charming but you definitely need to make a short trip to the island of Delos, which was the religious Mecca of ancient Greece. You can only get to Delos from Mykonos. It's ironic that the raucous Mykonos sits alongside the holy Delos.
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Step 6
Spend a half day in Delos. This is one of the few places in Greece where you can walk amid the ruins alone. Be respectful but have fun walking amid the fallen temples or the rows of aging marble lions protecting the island. There are no overnight stays here but there is at least one eatery but you may want to bring some fruit along so you can cover as much (hallowed) ground as possible.
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Step 7
Finish off this voyage by heading to the crown jewel of the Cyclades, that's Santorini of course. It's a mountainous island formed of volcanoes and it's home to arguably the best sunset on earth.
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Step 8
Head to one of the black sand beaches but be sure to bring flip-flops. Take a walk amid the remote volcanic part of the island and be prepared to hike upward for an hour or so to see it all. Have a quiet dinner atop the city of Ia--but leave time for the sunset. It's definitely an event --people literally stop in their tracks to watch aand heers erupt when the sun finally vanishes from view. And there's even some great ancient digs here that are well worth your time.
