Santorini is where most people end their Greek island trip. It should be where they start it. From Athinios port, three ...

Santorini is where most people end their Greek island trip. It should be where they start it. From Athinios port, three of the best islands in the Aegean are reachable by scheduled ferry, no flights required. Mykonos in roughly 2.5 hours by high-speed catamaran. Naxos in about 3 to 3.5 hours, the most underrated island in the Cyclades. Crete's Heraklion on an overnight sailing that saves a night's accommodation and lands you rested at the door of Knossos. This carousel breaks down the crossings for October travel, flags what each island actually justifies for a short stay, and maps out an 8-day sequence that connects the islands without backtracking once. Save this before you book. High-speed ferry seats sell out even in shoulder season, and having the sequence mapped makes the difference between a stressful trip and a smooth one.