Realistic Cyclades routing

Athens plus Santorini plus one other island beats Athens plus four islands in eight days. Mykonos–Paros–Naxos chains need wind-aware ferry planning—not fixed timetables copied from winter schedules.

Mainland add-ons (Meteora, Delphi) belong before or after island blocks—not squeezed between ferries on jet-lagged arrival.

What island-hopping agencies should prove

Named ferry operators and seat class, pier meet points in Piraeus versus Rafina, and who rebooks when sailings cancel in August.

Single principal contractor across islands—or transparent subcontractor list with one emergency contact.