Greece
Top Tips
Island-hopping
The classic hippy adventure has grown up: hydrofoils and
‘superferries’ now ply the waters between neighbouring
Cyclades islands, some of which have turned stylish (Mykonos,
Santorini, Paros) while others have remained charmingly quiet
(Folegandros, Tinos, Andros). From Rhodes you can hop across to
Leros and other Dodecanese islands; from Kefalonia, explore tiny
Ithaca or mountainous Lefkas.
Sailing and watersports
Hire a traditional wooden boat, yacht or speedboat for a day and
escape to an idyllic beach; do a spot of fishing on the way or just
top up your tan. Some of the most spectacular bits of coast are
Milos and northern Syros (Cyclades islands), Ithaca and northern
Kefalonia (Ionian), Leros and Kastellorizo (Dodecanese) - and most
of our hotels there can fix you up with a suitable vessel. More
active types should head to Lefkas, Naxos or Paros for vigorous
wind- and kite-surfing all summer long.
Sightseeing
There are ancient temples, theatres and acropolis (citadels)
throughout Greece, plus Frankish and Turkish castles, frescoed
Byzantine chapels and dramatically-sited Orthodox monasteries.
Crete boasts Minoan palaces, Santorini an ash-preserved city,
Mykonos a ‘mythical islet’, Epirus an oracle-theatre,
Rhodes a stunning citadel at Lindos, Athens its Parthenon, and the
Peloponnese a bit of everything.
Hiking
Greece and her islands are spectacular and mountainous, offering
serious peaks and gorges, or gentler mulepaths and coastal walks.
Our favourite trailhead hotels are a mountain
hamlet in Crete, a coastal hotel in the Mani
(Peloponnese), and traditional guesthouses in the mountain villages
of Pelion and Koukouli on the
mainland.
Wild flowers
Come in April-May for a riot of colour on the hillsides - Kardamyli
(Peloponnese) and the whole of Crete are prime targets for
botanists.
Creative courses
With its relaxed pace, healthy food and natural lifestyle, Greece
is the perfect setting for yoga, pottery classes, writing and other
creative escapes. Best spots include Elia on Crete
for well-being treatments, Anidri (also Crete) for
yoga, Levendis and Kandiliotika
on Ithaca (for massage/painting respectively).
Car tours
Greece has some breathtaking roads, including the Langada and
Kosmas passes (Peloponnese), the Katara pass (north mainland) and
dozens of gorge roads (Crete), which make getting from A to B a
thrill in itself.