Naxos

Best for: Second visits.

Why: So you’ve seen Santorini. You’ve gotten messy in Mykonos, or taken the family to Rhodes. You felt the draw of the Greek Islands, and are ready to get more intrepid… without too many ferries. Welcome to Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, the most varied and green, and also, I think, its best all-rounder. Naxos suits swimmers, walkers, bikers and windsurfers. It’s perfect for those eager to explore in rental cars or bikes (don’t miss Halki, its former Venetian capital, or the sleepy mountain town of Apiranthos). History buffs can seek out the stories of Zeus, Ariadne, Theseus and Dionysus, and those who love a good mosey and a meal will find the perfect fit in Naxos Town, its hilltop Kastro and the maze of little streets and shops on Old Market Street. Naxos is not wholly dependent on tourism, so July and August aside, it feels like visiting a living, breathing island… which isn’t always a given in the Cyclades. – PÓC