Greece is the Mediterranean’s potpourri of holiday experiences, from the dusty, historic hills of Athens to the more than 6,000 islands, of which only 227 are inhabited. Divided by the mainland, with the Aegean Sea in the East and the Ionian Sea in the west, the islands cover a vast distance, scattered like confetti from the heel of Italy to the shoreline of Turkey.
There’s a Greece holiday for everyone!
Anyone who has been to the Greek Islands will have their own favourite. It’s not just the emerald water and idyllic beaches that make these islands a world-class holiday experience. Whether it is the every-shade-of-pink sunset on Santorini, dancing till dawn on Mykonos as the same sun rises a few hours later or treading through Rhodes Old Town in the footsteps of history, the islands are captivating from every angle. Each has a character and charm, and many returning visitors have a personal relationship and attachment to their chosen island.
To the west of the Greek mainland is The Ionian Sea, where some of Greece’s wildest and most famous shores are located. Zakynthos (or Zante), Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Paxi (or Paxos) and Kythira are the group’s seven largest and most popular islands.
On cosmopolitan Corfu, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the old and new fortresses are big attractions. Egremni and Porto Katsiki beaches on Lefkada, Navagio Beach on Zante and Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia are a few of the award-winning destinations in a long list of captivating places, set among sheltered coves where the amazing sea caves of Paxi, sit just off the southern tip of Corfu.
Make the most of Greece Holidays!
Some five hundred miles to the east and just a breath away from the Turkish coast in the Eastern Aegean, the islands of Chios, Lemnos, Lesvos and Samos have fascinating green landscapes, crystal clear waters, beautiful sandy and pebbly beaches, traditional villages and rich history on each island. Although these islands are far from mainland Greece, they have grown in popularity thanks to frequent ferry and flight connections.
South of Athens, The Cyclades is the largest group of Greek Islands, incorporating Mykonos, Ios, Milos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Sifnos and Syros, among others. Visitors are inevitably drawn to the distinctive sugar cube
houses of Ios and Santorini, and with the latter’s reputation for dazzling panoramas and romantic sunsets, it has become the glossy cover story from the book of Greek Island life.
As part of the Dodecanese group of islands, Rhodes is by far the largest, with the satellite islands of Patmos, Kos, Simi, Kalymnos and Karpathos stretching out through shimmering seas towards the northern Aegean. Rhodes Old Town is a medieval treasure beautifully preserved throughout the centuries. Wander around its magnificent city, surrounded by medieval walls with seven gates, and admire the Palace of the Grand Master, the most awe-inspiring building on the island.
Kos has sandy beaches, turquoise waters, lush vegetation, ancient and medieval monuments, tree-lined wide roads, large squares, parks, and an extensive bike-only route network. You can also sit under the plane tree where Hippocrates was said to have taught his students. Although over 500 years old, the current shade is more likely provided by a descendant of the original tree since it is some 2,500 years since the Father of Medicine was around.
Further south, Crete, the largest island in Greece, stands alone, a tapestry of splendid beaches, ancient treasures and landscapes, weaving in vibrant towns and little villages. The heart of Crete is in the traditional villages, primarily found in the mountains, such as Archanes, Zaros, Chora, Axos and Margarites. At the same time, down on the shoreline, two beaches near Chania have picture pink sand and different shades of turquoise waters.
It’s easy to understand how the many Island groupings offer various experiences.
History, culture, beach, food and wine Greece Holidays have it all!
Hydra, Spetses and Patmos offer chic, effortless elegance, while Sifnos, Syros and Ithaca try to compete, offering a similar high-quality lifestyle. However, for quieter and simpler destinations, Antiparos, Anafi, Kimolos in the Cyclades and Astypalea and Nisiros in the Dodecanese provide a real authentic island experience away from the madding crowds.
Families are attracted to the bigger islands of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and the slighter, quieter Naxos, which offers a wide range of accommodations, a nearly six-mile pristine beach, and varied water sports. Older teens may prefer Santorini, Mykonos and Paros, but for those looking for hot summer party spots, to add to Mykonos, which additionally boasts 28 beaches, is Kos,
Zakynthos, Skiathos and Heraklion. All provide a vast range of accommodation and easy access to safe and shallow waters.
For romantics, Lindos on the island of Rhodes, with its cobbled streets, coves and bays, is rivalled only by Santorini, where a private sunset sail takes you away from the summer crowds to provide the most memorable of experiences. Neighbouring Milos and Folegandros also offer couples atmosphere in abundance with boutique hotels, candle-lit dining and golden sunsets.
Suppose you have something more luxurious in mind. In that case, familiar islands pop up again, with Heraklion, Corfu, Rhodes and Mykonos among those providing an extensive range of high-end hotels and villas.
When it comes to authentic Greek cuisine, thanks to the fertile soil, local produce, and imaginative recipes, some of the best food can be found in the eastern Aegean on Lesvos and Chios. At the same time, in the Cyclades, both Naxos and Tinos won’t disappoint the tastebuds.
Nearer to Athens, the Peloponnese islands such as Salamina, Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, and Spetses provide beautiful land and seascapes, impressive archaeological sites, museums, stately homes, picturesque villages and pristine beaches.
Athens, the birthplace of philosophy, democracy, and drama, is an open-air museum of world-class cultural heritage attractions that is also surprisingly modern, running 24 hours a day. Many world-famous sites don’t always live up to the hype, but the Parthenon doesn’t disappoint. It looms into view around every corner and, at night, shines like a beacon beckoning another few thousand years. Athens is awakening again after years of austerity, wanting to be re-discovered, where graffiti-covered buildings in once-forgotten districts are being converted into galleries, chic new food outlets, and an enlivened café culture.
There is a Greece Holiday for you!
On the mainland, for those who want to stay on the move, Meteora in central Greece has over twenty monasteries, many spectacularly sitting on huge sandstone hilltops, with several open to visitors. At the same time, in the valleys below, over twenty kilometres of hiking trails wind through the region.
Monemvasia, one of the most mysterious and magical Peloponnese towns, is four hours south of Athens. A medieval wonder built into an amphitheatre of a rocky cliff which holds its castle tightly, seemingly reluctant to part with its most endearing attraction but proudly offering spectacular views over the Aegean Sea.
It is easy to see why Greece holidays hold something for everyone, and everyone has a hold of a little piece of Greece in their heart.
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