Traverse narrow cobblestone paths leading directly to the sea … shop for handmade lava rock jewelry … rub shoulders with regulars as you dine alfresco on charred octopus and blocks of feta soaked in olive oil … charter a boat to secluded coves for a private dip ... sip a celebratory ouzo in a taverna—yamas!
 
The allure of the Greek Islands, for honeymoons and beyond, is undeniable—even the mythological gods chose to reside in these atolls. This slice of the Mediterranean houses idyllic islands boasting water that includes every Pantone shade of blue. Magenta sprays of bougainvillea flank whitewashed walls and iconic church domes.

The ability to step away from the mainstream to experience a side of Greece that includes more locals than tourists is more difficult these days. When I lived on Rhodes, I scoured the Dodecanese, Cyclades, and Ionian Islands. I return to my old stomping grounds frequently to keep abreast of new properties, private villas, and yachts.
 
The trio of islands I adore most is: Antiparos, elegant and exclusive featuring natural beauty including staggering vertical caves; Folegandros, which holds onto its authenticity and shares Santorini’s caldera backdrop minus the crowds; and Sifnos, cloud nine for hikers with Homeric views from clifftop monasteries.