With endless days of sunshine, amazing beaches, beautiful countryside and a wealth of history spanning thousands of years, it is no wonder that Greece and its islands are a popular destination for package holidays. Offering something for everyone, Greece is the ideal holiday choice for families, couples and groups of people who want a break in the sun along with some fascinating historical sites to explore.

Kassandra peninsula

With sandy beaches, rolling green hillside, quaint unspoilt villages and lively nightlife, the Kassandra peninsula is the most popular mainland area. Resorts like Athens, Halkidiki and Thessalonika are among the favourites.

Thessalonika is among the oldest cities in Europe and was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1917. Here the old blends nicely with the new, including Byzantine churches and traditional tavernas to modern shopping malls and trendy nightclubs. A must when staying in Thessalonika is a trip to Mount Olympus where all the family will enjoy exploring the area.

Less than an hour from Thessalonika you will find the beach resorts of Halkidiki where you can relax

Meteora Monasteries

on the beach, enjoy some water sports, take a boat trip and explore places like Petrolona Caves and Meteora Monasteries and much much much more.

Each of the Greek islands offers something different. Crete is the largest island and is popular with youngsters looking for some excitement, especially in the vibrant resort of Agios Nikolaos. Here you will find plenty of water sports, bars, nightclubs and shops but there are lots of quieter resorts where families can enjoy playing and relaxing on the beach. The islands rugged coastline has plenty of rocky inlets where the children can spend hours exploring the rock pools and caves.

Agios Nikolaos

Crete is particularly attractive for hiking holidays in the spring when the island is awash with beautiful wild flowers.

Although Zante experienced a massive earthquake in 1953, the island still has plenty of historical ruins to explore and its Vai Beach is regarded by many as the best beach in Greece. The island also offers scuba diving opportunities and the chance to see the endangered Loggerhead Turtles nesting grounds.

The island of Rhodes is well known for its ancient sites and beautiful beaches and is home to the

Rhodes Beach

resort of Faliraki which is popular with young party-goers. The beaches of Ixia and Kremasti are popular with families holidaying on the island.

Other popular Greek islands include Santorini with its wonderful volcanic beaches, the laid back Thassos, Corfu, Kos and Skiathos.

There are always lots of great late deals available to Greece and the Greek islands throughout the internet.

Famed for its beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters and perfect weather, the island of Lefkas is a perfect island paradise. With long, hot summers and warm winters it is no wonder visitors take winter sun holidays on this amazing Greek island. This charming island

Lefkas

offers a traditional Greek atmosphere with quaint villages, beautiful forest clad mountains and green farmland. Lefkas attracts couples and families looking for a relaxing beach holiday therefore there is not a lot of lively nightlife except in Nidri where you will find some nightclubs and beach bars. Lefkas Town is a car-free town full of tiny churches, bright coloured wooden houses, traditional tavernas, great shopping opportunities and a few clubs. The restaurants and waterfront tavernas serve fresh seafood dishes along with traditional Greek cuisine and international dishes, all washed down with some of the island’s own Vertamo wine. And of course a visit to this Greek island would not be complete without sampling the traditional Ouzo. There are also some lively tavernas at Ligia which offer a party atmosphere and stay open until the early hours of the morning. The little fishing village of Periiali is a great choice of destination for visitors just wanting a quiet relaxing break from all the hustle and bustle of the larger resorts.

Lefkas Town

Most Lefkas holidays focus on the wonderful beaches with the most popular resorts being on the flatter east coast. However, there are some excellent beaches on the west coast like Kathisma and Athani, and Porta Katsiki on the south-west coast. Although less accessible, there are some beautiful secluded bays and coves along the islands south coast which can be explored by hiring a boat and sailing along the coastline. Lefkas is popular with sailing and Water sports enthusiasts. These include diving, water-skiing, fishing and windsurfing at Vassiliki on the south coast. Lefkas has two international sailing centres where you can hire boats and dinghies for a leisurely sail around the coastline.

Away from the beach there is plenty for the whole family to do on their package holidays to Lefkas. The island is joined to the Greek mainland by a swing bridge, enabling visitors to explore the Greek coastline up to Parga. Discover the amazing countryside and traditional villages on foot or by bicycle. Enjoy a boat or catamaran trip to the islands of Skorpios, Meganissi, Sparti or Madouri.

Vassiliki

Lefkas enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate which is stable throughout the year. From April to November the temperature in Lefkas rarely dips below 20C with July and August seeing temperatures well into the 30′s. May to September sees temperatures above 25C with 10 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is non-existent during the summer months and evenings are warm and dry, perfect for an al-fresco meal at one of the islands traditional tavernas. April sees temperatures starting to rise above 20C and with 8 hours of sunshine a day this is an excellent time to take one of the many holiday deals on offer to the island.

The luxurious Domes Of Elounda Resort in Crete plays host to TV Chef James Martin and his new television programme for the Good Food Channel – ‘James Martin’s Mediterranean’. The series will be shown on the Good Food Channel and runs from Sunday 27th November until Thursday 1st December. In the series James sails around the Mediterranean in his own boat, exploring the diverse communities living on the Mediterranean coast. In each episode James meets up with local chefs, farmers and ex-pats to find out how best to cook the meat, fish, vegetables and fresh fruit of the Mediterranean. After each leg of his journey, James will invite the locals to sample three sumptuous meals he has cooked from the local ingredients he has discovered.

James Martin at The Domes of Elounda

The Domes of Elounda episode will be shown on Monday 28th November on The Good Food Channel which can be found at SKY/HD 249 and Virgin Channel 260.

The resort compromises of 80 extravagant suites, 4 Villas and 8 Private residences and provides the perfect backdrop for this innovative food series.

The Domes of Elounda Luxury Suites and Spa resort is the perfect choice for luxury holidays and honeymoons as well as luxury family holidays, with the addition of UK based Worldwide Kids Company managing the childcare facilities to a UK Ofsted standard.

Last minute holidays to the Domes of Elounda Resort are always available throughout the internet.

Kefalonia is the largest island of the Ionians and is regarded as one of the most beautiful. This scenic Greek island has an impressive rugged landscape with lush green valleys, beautiful beaches, bays and inlets. The island is popular with families and couples looking for the ideal destination for their package holidays to the Greek islands. The deserted beaches, mountains, sweet smelling pine-clad forests and quaint

Kefalonia

fishing villages add to the islands charm. The book Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was set on Kefalonia. Kefalonia plays host to many festivals, religious and cultural events during the year including the Feasts of the Virgin Mary and Agios Gerassimos, the Robola Wine Festival and many musical and theatrical events.

A holiday on Kefalonia can be as restful or as energetic as you wish. You can laze on the long sandy beaches or spend your days exploring the islands traditional villages, archaeological ruins, Venetian castles, orthodox churches and visiting Kefalonia’s atmospheric capital.

Myrtos Beach

Surrounded by vertical rock cliffs, Myrtos is the island’s most popular beach with glorious golden sands and crystal clear blue waters. Surrounded by crystal clear blue water, Kefalonia offers excellent scuba diving facilities for both beginners and experienced divers. The island also offers snorkelling and great sailing opportunities around Kefalonia and the other Ionian Islands. Wakeboarding, parasailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, banana boats and ringos are among the activities offered at the larger resorts on the island.

Walkers and hikers are attracted to Kefalonia for its amazing scenery. Wander around the island following the ancient footpaths found criss-crossing the landscape which will give you an insight into the history of Kefalonia. Cycling is also very popular on the island with many quiet roads, back roads and tracks for you to follow. Enjoy a scenic ride through the beautiful unspoilt countryside or speed through the forest-clad mountainous terrain. Stop off on your ride for some relaxation and a refreshing swim at the deserted beaches along the way. Another way to discover the wonders of this beautiful island is on horseback. There are many trails that will lead riders through the olive groves, hills and countryside to the beautiful beaches where both horse and rider can enjoy a relaxing ride. A great way to explore the coastline is by sea-kayak. Discover remote beaches and amazing caves and rock formations as you glide through the crystal-clear blue waters of

Greek Island of Kefalonia

the Kefalonia coastline.

Not to be missed is a visit to Kefalonia’s National Park for the protection of the islands flora and fauna. Other places to visit on your cheap holidays to Kefalonia include the harbour town of Sami where the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed, picturesque Fiskado, the caves at Melissani and Drogorati and the island of Ithaca.

With a typically Mediterranean climate, Kefalonia enjoys long hot sunny summers and mild wet winters. Summers are virtually rain free with up to 12 hours of sunshine a day and temperatures often reaching 30C. Winters see plenty of rain with temperatures reaching lows of 9C.

The small Greek island of Ithaca lies just a few miles from Kefalonia. This tranquil island can only be reached by sea as there is no airport. Unspoilt, warm and welcoming, the island has small deserted sand and shingle beaches, quaint little fishing villages and monasteries which all add to the charm of this small island paradise. Last minute holidays to Ithaca offer peace and relaxation on an unspoilt Greek island which is full of tradition and charm.

Ithaca

Ithaca is almost divided into two parts by two mountain ranges linked by a narrow strip of land. In the north of the island is Kioni Bay with beautiful little coves which are backed by olive groves. Also in the north is the pretty fishing village of Frikes which has lots of taverna’s and is regarded by many as the nicest area of the island. Vathi, the capital of Ithaca, sits at one end of a beautiful natural bay in the south of the island. The capital is a quaint port with a promenade lined with Greek neo-classical houses which continue up into the hills, a charming town square, town hall and taverna’s where you can sample some traditional Greek cuisine.

Ithaca beach

The beaches on Ithaca are ideal for those wanting to just relax under the sun and let the world just pass by. There are numerous bays and small coves all around the island and beautiful quiet beaches at Vathi, Kioni and Frikes. If you are looking for beaches with more activity and water sports you will need to take the ferry to the sandy white beach at Myrtos on the island of Kefalonia. Whilst visiting Kefalonia don’t forget to see the illuminated Melissani Cave and underwater lake. Kefalonia has some beautiful little villages where you can relax over a quiet meal at one of the many restaurants and cafes.

If you are looking for the ideal destination for a walking or hiking holiday then look no further than the island of Ithaca. Follow the trails around the island and marvel at the spectacular views across the Ionian Sea and soak up the traditional Greek atmosphere at the pretty little fishing villages. There are plenty of local taverna’s along the trails where you can stop off for some traditional Greek cuisine washed down with some Ouzo!

Ithaca is steeped in Greek mythical history and is home to three of the main Odysseus sights. Marvel at the views on a three hour round trip walk to the Arethoussa Spring, visit the Cave of the Nymphs, visit the abandoned ruins of the medieval capital of Paleohora and explore the ruins of the Castle of Odysseus. All of these sights offer amazing photographic opportunities so don’t forget your camera.

Kioni

There is very little nightlife on Ithaca with most visitors spending their evenings relaxing over a quiet meal at the local traditional restaurants. Many people on their travel deals to the island enjoy a romantic al fresco meal under the warm evening air, taking in the amazing views of the island which leave a lasting memory of the beautiful tranquil Greek island of Ithaca.

Ithaca enjoys a typically mild Mediterranean climate all year round with the temperature soaring to the 30˚C mark from June through to September. The winter months are very warm with temperatures around 15˚C from December to February. All through the summer the sun shines for around 12 hours a day and the beautiful clear blue sea is just perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Even in March and April the sun shines for around 7 hours a day with temperatures often exceeding 20˚C.

The Parga region of mainland Greece is made-up of peaceful traditional villages which sit on the north-west coast. Secluded beaches, a green mountainous interior, olive groves and fruit orchards make Parga the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday where the traditional Greek way of life has not been affected by tourism. The beautiful villages of the region offer quiet tavernas, restaurants serving exceptionally fresh seafood, cafes and bars and make an ideal base for exploring Parga’s magnificent beaches and mountainous interior.

Parga

The Parga region beaches along the Epirus coast are great for families on their cheap holidays to Greece as they are relatively uncrowded. There are lots of small secluded bays which can be reached by water taxi. The beaches around Parga offer excellent snorkelling conditions and watersports such as swimming, diving, windsurfing, jet-skiing and water-skiing.

Rising little like a giant white amphitheatre from a quaint little harbour, Parga Village is regarded as one of the prettiest villages on the Greek coastline. The old town of Parga Village has a charming atmosphere with narrow streets lined with whitewashed red-roofed houses and small shops. The peaceful village of Sivota is perfect for families as it has beautiful beaches with crystal clear shallow waters.  Valtos and Lichnos are also popular villages in the Parga region. Valtos has a wonderful mile long curve of golden sandy beach while Lichnos has a quieter tree sheltered fine shingle beach on a deep bay. To reach Lichnos

Valtos Beach

beach visitors take one of the small water taxis from Parga Town.

Away from the beaches there is plenty to do including excursions to the resorts of Lefkas, the amazing Dodoni amphitheatre, the Venetian Castle, the monasteries of Meteora, the Perma caves and the historic lakeside town of Ioannina. Take a boat trip to the islands of Corfu, Paxos and Anti Paxos or a bus ride to traditonal villages like Agia and Anthoussa. Last minute holiday deals to Parga should include an excursion to explore the crypt at the Nekromanteio of Ayra where you can visit the legendary palace of Hades. Take a tour of the local Ouzo factory and pick-up some bottles to take home with you! The harbour side shops are a great place to pick up gifts and souvenirs like handmade jewellery and leather goods.

Dodoni amphitheatre

Nightclubs are few and far between in the resorts of Parga with most visitors preferring a quiet evening meal at one of the many traditional waterfront tavernas. The restaurants and tavernas around the harbour serve all types of food ranging from traditional dishes such as grilled feta cheese and baked lamb to international cuisine. What could be more romantic than watching the stars twinkling over the bay and being serenaded by traditional Greek music whilst dining al fresco in the relaxing warm evening air.

Parga enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate with long hot dry summers and short mild winters. During the hot summer months of June, July and August temperatures often reach over 30C with 12 hours of sunshine a day. Temperatures from May to October rarely dip below 20C while November temperatures drop to around 17C making exploring the area much more pleasant than in the hot steamy summer.

The small Greek island of Alonissos has ‘ECO island’ status. This means that the island promotes sustainable development and will preserve its natural ecosystem. Holidays to the island are ideal for visitors looking for a totally relaxed holiday with a slow pace of life on a beautiful Greek island. Relaxing at the cafes and beach tavernas is the order of the day; if you are looking for lively nightlife then this is not the place for you.

Patitiri Harbour

The liveliest scene is found at the Old Town of Patitiri. Here in Patitiri you can wander around the quaint flower-lined streets taking in the traditional houses, artist’s studios and not forgetting a stop or two at the tavernas and bars. Excursions to the neighbouring islands of Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros, Gioura and Peristera depart from the peaceful harbour here. Skyros Town has an Archaeological Museum and the remains of the ancient acropolis, and an overnight stay will give you a chance to take in some of the lively nightclubs and bars in the town centre. The green hills, tranquil forests, olive groves and fig orchards, along with the picturesque fishing villages of Steni Vala and Votsi, attract walkers and hikers to the island. The island offers many walks to beaches like Megalos Mourtias near Patitiri.

The Alonissos beaches are extremely clean with beautiful clear water which is mainly due to the islands Marine National Park which was set up to protect endangered species like the monk seal. The whole family will enjoy a day out at the Marine Park where you take in the beautiful scenery, watch the amazing monk seals and even take a tour of the deserted islands where you will see groups of friendly dolphins swimming

Marine Park

by. Many people regard the waters here as the clearest in the Mediterranean. The unspoilt, secluded coves of the island are very popular with snorkellers and those looking for the perfect location to relax in the sun and a quiet dip in the beautiful crystal-clear blue sea. Water taxis, ferries and small charter boats take visitors to explore the beaches, including Agios Dimirios, Chyssi Milia, Tzortzi Yialos and Kokkinokastro beaches. For those looking for really secluded beaches on their holiday packages to the island should try the tiny offshore islands like Peristera. Scuba diving is also very popular here. The wonderful crystal-clear waters here enable divers to explore a sunken city and ancient shipwrecks dating back to the 5th century BC.

A day trip to Athens should be on your agenda when on your late deals to Alonissos. Full of historical sites; don’t forget to visit the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysos and the National Archaeological Museum. A leisurely stroll around the city will take you to many restaurants, cafes and bars where you can relax over a quiet drink and meal.

Alonissos enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate of long, hot, dry summers with gentle cooling breezes known as the meltemi that blow in from the sea. Summers on the island of Alonissos see temperatures of around 30C from June to August with about 13 hours of sunshine a day.

Monk Seal

September and October see temperatures around 25C with April and May still enjoying temperatures around 20C and up to 7 hours of sunshine a day.

Located in the south-west corner of mainland Greece, Kalamata is the capital and main port of the Messinia region of the Peloponnese. It has the best road, air and sea connections for holidays on the Mani Peninsula and the Messinian Bay. The Kalamata region is popular with those looking for relaxing beach holidays, visitors looking to explore the area and train enthusiasts wishing to explore the areas amazing narrow-gauge railways. Kalamata is the gateway to Olympia (the site of the original Olympic Games) and the site of ancient Messini, making it very popular with ancient history enthusiasts. Other historic sites to visit include the Caves of Diros, the Byzantine capital Mystras and the castle of Methoni.

Kalamata

The Kalamata area offers a vast diversity of landscapes including mountains, green valleys, rivers and ravines. There are fishing villages, mountain villages, cliff top coastal walks, secluded coves and ancient sites waiting to be explored. There are some lovely village resorts full of Greek character in the area surrounding Kalamata. These include the quaint fishing village of Finikounda which has three great beaches, the small harbour village of Pylos with its well-preserved fortress and Methoni fishing village with its cliff top castle. Other places to stay in the area include the town of Koroni on the tip of the Messinia Peninsula, the small resort of Yialova which has a wonderful large sandy beach surrounded by hills, olive groves and vineyards, and Stoupa on the Mani Peninsula which is an ideal location for lazing on the beach and exploring the surrounding area. Spring enjoys temperatures ranging from 16-20C and is a great time to explore the surrounding countryside and coastal trails, either on foot, by bicycle or on horse-back. Wander along the ancient mule tracks from village to village taking in the beautiful scenery, wild flowers and wildlife.

Pylos

The Blue Flag beaches in the Kalamata region are regarded as some of the best in Greece, with golden stretches of sandy beaches in attractive bays which gently slope to the tranquil warm blue sea. During the summer months the crystal-clear waters remain at a constant 25C, making them perfect for swimming, scuba-diving and snorkelling.

Kalamata itself is well known for its 13th century castle, museums and world-famous black olives, not to be missed on your last minute holiday deals to Greece. The old town has a lively main square and cosmopolitan town centre with plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops and not forgetting its busy harbour. The marina offers various boat trips and other activities including windsurfing, sailing and fishing. The gentle breezes coming down from the Taygetos Mountains make sailing conditions in the Aegean and Ionian Sea ideal. During the summer months the castle plays host to many cultural events including a traditional folk festival, dance festival and film festival along with concerts and theatrical plays.

A great day out for the family on their holiday deals to Kalamata is a ferry trip from the port to Crete.

Kalamata enjoys long hot summers and mild winters. The summer season enjoys June temperatures of around 24C, rising to 26-27C during July and August.

The unspoilt Greek island of Naxos is the largest and one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades. Offering sandy beaches, clear blue water, vibrant green valleys and an amazing mountainous interior, Naxos attracts a vast array of visitors. Families, couples of all ages, beach lovers, culture vultures, walkers, cyclists and windsurfers are all attracted to Naxos, many staying in the capital Naxos Town which is ideal as a base for exploring the island.

Plaka Beach

Naxos has 90 miles of coastline with some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. These golden sandy beaches are often backed by sand dunes and bamboo with crystal clear blue waters. Many of the beaches have tavernas on the beach. The whole of the south-east coast consists of uncrowded beaches that become quieter and unspoilt the further south you go. The beaches on the east coast are much more secluded than the islands other beaches. There are far too many beaches to mention but those you must visit whilst on Naxos are Agios Georgios (Naxos Town), Agios Prokopis (just 3 miles from the capital) and the quiet pale sandy beach of Plaka. Naxos is very popular with windsurfers who flock to beaches like Agios Georgios, Plaka and Mikri Vigla where they can enjoy the shallow

Mikri Vigla

 warm water, breezes and wonderful surroundings. Naxos has many contained bays and lagoons and offshore flat reefs which are great for windsurfing. Other watersports available include snorkelling, fishing, kite-surfing, wake-boarding, water-skiing and canoeing.

Naxos isn’t just about the beach. The island has traditional villages with whitewashed houses, fishing villages like Apollonas in the north, ancient ruins and hundreds of Byzantine churches waiting to be explored. Spend a day exploring the narrow lanes of Naxos Town with its Venetian houses and castle, churches and tavernas. Take a trip inland and explore the unspoilt villages, mountains and countryside. Naxos has many paths and trails that criss-cross the island. Walkers and hikers can wander through olive grove and orchards whilst discovering the islands ancient monasteries, churches and castles. Visitors with plenty of energy will love the many cycle routes which take them over the mountainous terrain and along the scenic coastal routes. Discover the off-the-beaten-track routes and take in the glorious coastal routes on horseback. A great way to spend an evening on your family holidays to Naxos is by taking a sunset ride along the beautiful beaches. For perfect relaxation try an island-hopping boat trip. View Naxos from the sea and visit other Cyclades Islands including Mykonos, Paros and Andros.

Naxos Town

Naxos enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, with bright sunny days in the summer and mild winters. Naxos enjoys cooler summers than the rest of the Greek islands due to the strong breezes from the Meltemi winds that blow from the north. These winds help keep temperatures down and provide welcome relief from the heat during the hot summer months. June sees temperatures around 23C with July and August often seeing temperatures reaching 28C. Summer months enjoy 11 hours of sunshine a day with winter months still seeing 3 hours of sunshine a day making Naxos a perfect choice for your last minute holidays at any time of the year.

Strikes across Greece are affecting travel to, from and around the country and islands today as people protest against suggested austerity measures being voted on to help the economic state of the country.

Flights to and from Greece will be cancelled between 8am-12pm today and tomorrow and again between 6pm – 10pm.  Ferry and Rail services are also suspended. Violent clashes have already been reported between protestors and police.

Have you been affected by the strikes?  Let us know your comments.