An incredibly diverse and beautiful country, after a few turbulent years, Greece is finally making its way back into the hearts and itineraries of travellers. Known for its perfect year-round climate, clear blue skies, turquoise coloured waters, ancient archaeological sites, fascinating museums, lively nightlife, exquisite Mediterranean cuisine and strong family culture and tradition, it is Greece’s islands that are perhaps her biggest draw card.
The ancient city of Delphi is said to be one of Greece’s prettiest towns. Stroll down the narrow pedestrian streets of the charming old town or go hiking through the mountain scenery of Parnassos. On the slopes of Mt Parnassos are the remains of Temple of Apollo, affording stunning views across the valleys below.
Home to over 6,000 islands and islets, there are just 227 Greek Islands that are actually inhabited. With no two exactly the same, each has a strong sense of identity and personality of its own. Where some of the oldest civilisations in the world developed, many of the islands are scattered with unique archaeological sites and are steeped in local traditions that are centuries old.
Mykonos is part of the popular Cyclades group of islands. Either side of summer, Mykonos is just an extremely beautiful island with stunning beaches; come July/August it surges to life as a party island. Stroll through the pretty streets of the 18th century “Little Venice”. Admire the picturesque windmills from a café on the waterfront. Wander the marbled streets, visiting boutique shops and admiring whitewashed homes with brilliant blue doorways and stairways draped with cascading pink bougainvillea.
In 1600BC, an enormous volcano eruption caused the centre of the island to collapse into the sea, leaving behind the caldera that today forms the islands of Santorini. Possibly the most scenic and romantic of Greece’s islands, the views are magnificent from pretty much everywhere. Whitewashed buildings cascade down the craters edge, highlighted with splashes of ochre, cobalt blue and dusky pink. A magical experience is to watch the sunset from the gorgeous town of Oia, set against the backdrop of the azure blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Visit spectacular volcanic beaches with red, black or white sand, volcanic pebbles and remarkable lunar landscapes.
Paros is a quaint and traditional island, offering a quieter island experience and with its strong winds, is great for windsurfing and kite boarding. A pretty spot to watch the sunset is on a table at one of the many pop-up waterfront restaurants while dining on the most divine seafood.
The largest island in Greece, Crete has it all with sun-kissed beaches, archaeological treasures, picturesque villages, fertile valleys, delicious local gastronomy and imposing mountain ranges perfect for trekkers. The island alone contains more history and varied landscapes than many larger countries. Wander through the maze-like alleyways of the Old Town of Chania and admire its beautiful architecture, perfectly preserved from the time of Venetian rule.
With a multitude of beautiful beaches, one of the main features of the quiet and mountainous island of Naxos is inland, where few tourists venture. With 46 villages of varying sizes all over the island, they give a fascinating glimpse into a traditional life that is charming and refreshing. There are many ancient ruins to explore – particularly Portara for its photogenic Temple of Delian Apollo.
You won’t find the usual traps of tourism on the wildly unspoiled island of Nisyros. One of the most beautiful of the Aegean islands, it’s small and quiet with spectacular scenery. Formed by volcanic eruptions, its volcanic centre is still active today. The islands capital, Mandraki is a charming port where the colourful houses have been built with volcanic materials. Soak in the thermal spas and be sure to visit Chochlakoi Beach for its wild volcanic landscape.
The cosmopolitan island of Skiathos is likened to paradise on earth with warm azure waters, lush green pine forests and quaint towns of white houses with red tiled roofs. Visit the fortress on the peninsula of Bourtzi with spectacular views of the archipelago. Relax on one of 60 stunning beaches, follow a walking trail through the pristine interior or take part in water sports and the frenetic nightlife at Krassa Bay.
Corfu has a unique and rich multicultural heritage thanks to its domination over the centuries by the Venetians, French and British. The Old Town is a beautifully preserved UNESCO world heritage site with its stunning mix of architecture styles, palaces, cobbled alleyways and small secluded squares. Zakynthos is a fertile and mountainous green island surrounded by impossibly blue waters. Swim from white sandy beaches with sea turtles, explore underwater caves in this scuba diver’s paradise or trek in the mountain areas.
