Greece

The mistake is treating Greece as one place. It's dozens, and they are not interchangeable. Get the islands right and the trip more or less plans itself. Get them wrong and you spend it on ferries.

Best for: Island hopping, honeymoons, and families who want sea without the crowds.

When to go: Late May to early July, then September into early October. August is hot and full, so if those are your only dates, book months ahead.

Where to go: The Cyclades for the postcard white and blue, the Ionian islands for green and calm, the Peloponnese on the mainland for hotels with room to breathe. Most trips open or close with a night in Athens.

Good to know: The islands are linked by ferries and small flights, and one bad connection can cost you a day. We build the route so it flows, and put you on a private boat between the closer islands where it saves time.

Tell us the feel you want, social or quiet, and we'll choose the islands to match.