Think of Greece and the Greek Islands and you think of classic whitewashed domed houses, sunny weather, clear blue seas and beautiful

Pyrgos, Santorini

coastlines.  With so many Greek Islands to choose from and so many places to visit as a holidaymaker, it’s hard to choose where to go on holiday in Greece.  There’s always plenty of late deals to choose from and a variety of accommodation options from self catering to all inclusive.

Santorini:

Caldera from Thirassa Santorini

Santorini has captured the hearts and minds of many a visitor, poet, geologist and artist.  Everything you hope that the Greek Islands to be can be found here – deep blue sea, stunningly bright white houses, beautiful churches, old windmills, archaelogical and geolocial wonders, cobbled streets and traditional villages and of course not forgetting the famous stunning sunset.  Situated in the Aegean sea it is actually  a small group of islands steeped in history and full of romance.  The small volcanic islands that make up Santorini are Thera, Thirasia, Aspronisi, Palea and Nea Kameni.

Three and a half thousand years ago Santorini experienced a huge volcanic eruption here, which exploded in the middle of the island, creating a caldera approx. 4 miles wide.  The caldera is filled with sea water, therefore creating a basin between the volcano and the islands which therefore form a crescent shape around it.  Boat trips enable visitors to travel over to the volcano, currently dormant, and walk upon the solid black lava hills there.  Experience the sulphur steam and the moon like landscape on the Nea Kameni here (the central new volcanic area under 500 years old), visit the hot springs on Palea Kameni (the oldest part of the volcano) or look back and take in the view of the beautiful villages clinging to the cliffs on the caldera of Santorini.

Santorini includes on its list of things to see one of the most important archaeological sites in the East Mediterranean – Akrotiri.  Akrotiri is the excavation site of a minoan bronze age settlement and one of the most important pre-historic settlements of the Aegean.

Santorini and it’s famous Sunset from Oia:
Pronounced ’Eea’ the town of Oia is situated on the cliffs of the beautiful island of Santorini (on Thera) is famous for it’s stunning sunset.  It’s located on the Northern most tip of the caldera and clings to the cliffs here.  It can be reached by a narrow winding road that leads it way up to the town.   Most evenings a crowd of people gather on the coastline here, sitting on walls, steps, by the castle and even taking cruises out on the local boat trips - pausing between the Caldera here and the island itself to watch the sunset disappear slowly across the horizon, shimmering

Santorini Sunset

across the water as it does so.  It is considered one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world by many and is part of what attracts many tourists to Santorini on a yearly basis.

The large Greek island of Rhodes is a popular holiday destination with families and couples alike. With a great sunny climate the island offers a wide range of resorts, beautiful beaches and lots of restaurants, cafes and bars. The island has a resort to suit everyone, from lively Faliraki to the quiet village resorts of Kremasti and Pastida. The small village of Afandou is full of Greek tradition and offers a very friendly atmosphere. The liveliest resort on the island is Faliraki, famous for its nightlife and immense waterpark. By staying at the nearby resorts of Haraki or Kalathos you can enjoy the lively nightlife in Faliraki and quieter days away from all the crowds.

Rhodes has numerous Blue Flag beaches, with all types ranging from fine sandy beaches with lots of facilities to quiet secluded coves for complete relaxation away from the crowds. The sheltered beaches on the east coast Mediterranean Sea are perfect for swimming and sunbathing whilst those on the windy west coast Aegean Sea are best for windsurfing, especially at

Trianda

Trianda. The less-developed beaches on the south coast offer quieter more peaceful settings for total relaxation. There are all kinds of watersports on offer around the island including jet-skiing, water-skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, paragliding and not forgetting pedalos and banana boat rides for all the family to enjoy. For scuba diving fans there are dive centres which offer tuition and trips out to designated dive areas. Kalithea Bay is one of the most popular diving spots with underwater caves and ancient spa baths just waiting to be explored.   

Rhodes isn’t all about the beaches and nightlife, there is plenty of sightseeing to do. The island has lots of ancient sites and medieval castles to explore.

Rhodes Town

 The medieval city of Rhodes Town is well worth a visit along with Rhodes prettiest village of Lindos which has a very beautiful bay. Rhodes Town is well preserved with charming cobbled streets and fortified walls. For walking enthusiasts there are the wooded mountains in the interior of the island which offer great hiking opportunities shaded from the sun. For the more energetic take a cycle ride to explore the countryside, towns, beaches and mountainside along the many trails that crisscross the island. Sail the beautiful crystal clear blue waters around the island or take a relaxing trip on a yacht, catamaran or ferry to Kos, Symi or a cruise to Turkey.

The Waterpark in Faliraki and the Aquarium in Rhodes Town make great family days out and are two places not to be missed on your family holidays to Rhodes. Other family activities on offer include paint-balling, go-karting, mini-golf and bowling. For adrenalin junkies there is also bungee-jumping, not for the faint hearted!

Waterfall at the Valley of the Butterflies

Holiday packages to Rhodes should also include a visit to the Palace of the Grand Masters and the Colossus at Rhodes Town, the Valley of the Butterflies close to the village of Theologos and Monolithos Castle near the village of Monolithos.

Skopelos is the largest and greenest of the Sporades islands. Quiet and peaceful, this scenic island offers beautiful beaches, an amazing rugged coastline, green countryside and forests, vineyards and fruit orchards, olive groves, hills and mountains. Just a 40 minute ferry ride from the neighbouring island of Skiathos, Skopelos attracts families and couples looking for a relaxing holiday surrounded by amazing scenery. Historic

Skopelos

Skopelos Town is a pretty place with narrow cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, tiny churches, tavernas and shops. The island only measures 13 miles by 5 miles but is still blessed with more than 300 churches and chapels. Skopelos is not known for lively nightlife but for it’s unspoilt countryside which is a haven for walkers and hikers. Evenings are usually spent relaxing at one of the harbour side tavernas. The island celebrates lots of festivals throughout the year. Visitors are encouraged to join in with the celebrations which include processions of locals in traditional costumes, music, dancing and of course a never ending supply of local wine. The local people here are always very warm and welcoming.

Glossa Village

Sample a typical Greek atmosphere at the small village of Klima and Glossa which is totally unspoilt and traditional. The old mule trails that criss cross the interior of the the island are excellent for walks to discover the tiny villages, churches and pine forests with their fresh mountain springs which are scattered around the countryside and on the hillsides. Birdwatchers will also enjoy these trails as there are lots of species of birds seen across the island including eagles, hawks and vultures. Because more than half the island is made up of woodland and hills it is perfect for mountain biking. There are trails that will take you through the amazing scenery, encountering quaint villages and churches, and glorious views out to sea along the coastal trails. Not to be missed whilst on the island is a day at the remote village of Meteora. Here you will see a series of wierd rocky outcrops

Meteora

 which tower above the green countryside, many of which have ancient monasteries built on them. These spectacular sites will amaze you and be forever etched in your mind. 

The best beaches on Skopelos are found at Kastani and Hovolo, where the white sands are lapped by the vivid blue Aegean Sea.

One of the best times to take a holiday on Skopelos is during the spring. At this time of the year there are lots of holiday deals on offer which let you explore the island when it is covered in beautiful wild flowers.

Don’t forget to visit the little fishing towns of Panormas and Agnondas whilst on your last minute holidays. Panormas has a beautiful beach which is set in a lovely bay, ideal for lazing on the beach and enjoying a dip in the clear blue Aegean Sea.

The small, circular island of Thassos is located off the southern coast of mainland Greece, about 8 miles from the coastline of Macedonia. This unspoilt island has beautiful beaches which attract visitors looking for a

Thassos

quiet, relaxed break with a tradition Greek atmosphere. Resorts on Thassos include Thassos Town, Skala Potamias, Skala Prinos, Skala Rachoni, Golden Beach, Perfkari, Limenaria and Potos.

Thassos beaches on the south and east coast of the island are the most popular, with the quieter beaches and cove on the west coast. Golden Beach, Alyki and Paradise Beach, along with the sandy beaches at Skala Potamias are considered to be the best on the island. All of the beaches offer excellent conditions for swimming and watersports.

Covered in forested mountains, gentle hills and green farmland make the

Thassos beach

 island ideal for walking, cycling and horse riding. The island has lots of quaint, picturesque mountain villages to explore, including Sotira, Panagia, Paries and Potamia. Like Mount Ipsaron, these villages are located off the beaten track but are worth visiting to soak up the tradition and culture of the island.
Waiting to be explored on foot or mountain bike are the rugged mountains, olive groves and pine forests, along with some really good coastal paths.
Pure white marble has been produced here for more than 2000 years. A visit to the ancient marble quarries and the islands museum which is home to many ancient marble sculptures is a must. Limenas offers visitors the chance to see local artists creating fantastic marble sculptures which can then be purchased in one of the towns many art shops.

Thassos amphitheatre

Excursions available include trips to the Limenas to see the Acropolis and temples dedicated to Apollo and Athena, and the ancient amphitheatre where performances are held during the summer evenings, boat trips to the islands of Kinira and Thassopoula and visits to medieval monasteries.

Summer months here are hot and dry with temperatures around 27C and 11 hours of sunshine a day.

When looking at holiday deals to Thassos why not consider visiting during the spring when the island enjoys warm weather with little rainfall and is covered in beautiful, colourful wild flowers.

If you are looking for a relaxing break in a traditional, unspoilt setting then watch out for the many last minute holidays which are on offer to this beautiful Greek island of Thassos.

The Greek island of Samos is a mountainous island in the North Aegean Sea, close to the Turkish coastline.

Samos is the birthplace of many famous people, including the mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, the astronomer Aristarchus and the philosopher Epicurus.

The island covers an area of about 220 sq miles, with a coastline of nearly 100 miles in length.

Samos has something for the whole family, with beautiful sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, quiet coves, wonderful landscape, mountains, lush greenery, vineyards and plenty of history.

There are three main beach areas on Samos. These areas are to the north-west of Samos Town, in the south-west of the island near Pythagorion and in the south-west around the smaller resorts of Kampos and Votsalakia.

The most popular resorts are those of Samos Town, Pythagorion and Kokkari.
The beautiful Samos Town is located in a horseshoe bay with quaint houses which lead down to the towns promenade. Here there are tavernas, lots of tourist shops and many hotels. The town is home to an excellent museum which houses ancient relics.
Pythagorion has a lovely harbour which is lined with a cobbled street, bars, tavernas and cafes. The main town is very tourist orienated with many shops, restaurants,bars and a museum.
Kokkari was once a small fishing village but is now one of the islands top resorts. The waterfront here is lined with nightclubs, cocktail bars, bars, restaurants and cafes. Kokkari is very popular with surfers.

Places of Interest

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pythagoreion where you can see the remains of this ancient fortified port which includes Greek and Roman monuments and the Eupalinian Aqueduct. 

The ruins of the Heraion of Samos, an ancient temple sanctuary which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Climate

Samos has a warm mediterranean climate, with dry hot days in the summer and mild winters with lots of rain. Temperatures in June average 26C, in July and August they average 27C. During Autumn temperatures drop to 20C and in the winter they drop to around 11C.

There are lots of great holiday packages on offer to this wonderful island of Samos.

Why not take advantage of one of the late deals available throughout the internet and explore this beautiful island.

Laganas is a large lively resort on the south coast of the Greek island of Zante (Zakynthos). It is the largest resort on the island and is particularly popular with the 18-30 year olds who flock here for the great nightlife and beautiful sandy beaches.

Laganas

The resort has hundreds of nightclubs and bars, hotels and apartments, shops and plenty of restaurants serving all kinds of cusine, including Chinese, Indian and Italian food.

Laganas Bay is a narrow beach, about 3 miles long and is part of the Greek National Marine Park. Watersports are not allowed here as loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta-Caretta) use the bay for nesting. The turtles visit the protected beach to lay their eggs in June, July and August.

Opposite the beach there is the islet of Agios Sostis which is covered in pine trees and reached by a wooden bridge from Laganas. There are also two

loggerhead turtle

 other islets, Pelouso and Marathonissi.

About a 7 mile drive from Laganas is the deserted village of Agalas where you can visit the Cave of Damianos which has very impressive stalagmites and stalagtites.

Climate

Laganas has a typically Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures in the summer reach 30C with 12-13 hours of sunshine a day. The summers are very dry with hardly any rainfall with temperatures often reaching 31C in July and August.

If you are looking for beautiful beaches and plenty of nightlife why not book one of the many package holidays to Zante that are on offer.

With hundreds of cheap holidays available to this wonderful Greek island, you will be spoilt for choice.

Mykonos is a Greek island, about 41 square miles in area and is made mainly from granite. Part of the Cyclades islands group, Mykonos is the best known and most popular of the Greek islands.

Mykonos

The beautiful, cosmopolitan Mykonos Town (known locally as Chora) is the islands capital and is full of traditional buildings and lots of lively nightlife. Perched on a hillside are the windmills of Chora and there is also the quaint quarter Little Venice, both of which are landmarks of the town. When visiting the restored traditional windmills you can take in the wonderful panoramic view of the village and port. The Little Venice quarter of the town is full of brightly coloured houses, cafes and plenty of nightlife.
The working lighthouse of Armenistis stands 62ft high and offers magnificent views across the Aegean.
The assymetrical, white chapel of Panagia Paraportiani in Chora is the most photographed church on the island and worthy of a visit.
A short boat ride from Chora is the tiny island of Delos where you can see the ruins of an ancient sanctuary and a theatre. In ancient Greek times Delos was a sacred island where, according to mythology, the god Apollo was born.

Mykonos beach

The island is a favourite tourist destination, known mainly for its fantastic sandy beaches and its great lively nightlife.

The most popular beaches are those on the south coast of the island including Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, Platis Gialos, Psarou, Agios Ioannis, Agrari, Paranga, Kalo Livadi and Ftelia. These beaches are regarded as some of the best in Greece with beautiful pristine sands and crystal clear blue waters.

The nightlife here is famous throughout the world and attracts huge numbers of revellers to its clubs, bars and beach bars. Partying at these clubs and bars lasts all night long. Mykonos is also regarded as one of the best gay and lesbian vacation destinations in Europe.

The climate here is typically mediterranean with dry, hot summers and mild winters, with very little rainfall. The best time to holiday here is between April and August when the weather is at its best.

Summer holidays spent on this wonderful island can be as lively or as relaxing as you wish.

Why not check out the internet for some great last minute holidays to Mykonos.

For those of you considering a Greek holiday, why not consider the beautiful island of Santorini.

The best way to see Santorini is by hiring a car. Among the attractions here are the colourful volcanic beaches, an array of watersports, archaeological sites, churches, beautiful old windmills, cobbled streets lined with shops, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and much much more.

If you are looking for a destination to spend peaceful or romantic holidays then look no further than Santorini. I have just come across this interesting and informative destination guide to Santorini which i am sure will make your decision to visit this wonderful island a whole lot easier.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

Corfu is situated just off the coast of Greece and is the second largest Ionian Island. The island has fantastic beaches which are mainly located in the north and west of the island. However there is much more to Corfu than just beaches. The island is steeped in history, with many historical and archealogical sites to be visited.

Corfu Town itself, on the east of the island of Corfu, is a good spot to spend your last minute holidays as it has lovely beaches and beach activities, good nightlife, restaurants and taverns.

I have just come across this interesting and informative destination guide to Corfu which will give you an insight into this perfect holiday island.

Aqualand, located near to Corfu Town, has many slides and activities and is one of the best aquaparks in Europe. A day out here is a day to remember.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

This review has been supplied to us by our reader Emily Carpenter

“We booked the Alkion for our last minute holidays last October (2009) and were pleased with our booking as we got it really cheap and wondered what we were letting ourselves in for. We stayed half board which was good. Breakfast had a good variety and you pay for a full english if you want but we didn’t need it. Our evening meal consisted of 3 courses and a good choice for each course. At lunchtime we ate at one of the many restaurants in Sidari. Our room was clean and well equipped and we heard very little noise at night, don’t know if this was because there were very few ‘youngsters’ staying there.
Pool was nice and clean with a bar right next to it.
There are plenty of tours to go on, we found it was cheaper to book them in the town than book them through our rep.
All in all we had a good time and it was more than worth the money we paid, we have already booked to go again later this year!”

 
Hotel Alkion

The 94 room Hotel Alkion is ideal for families with children from toddler age, and couples of all ages who enjoy a family atmosphere in a lively resort.

The hotel has a pool with sun terrace, sun loungers and a pool bar.

Location

500m from the lively resort centre with its shops, bars and restaurants.
200m walk down to Sidari Beach
Bus-stop nearby with regular buses to Corfu Town, Kassiopi, Roda and San Stefanos.

Sport

Pool table and watersports from Sidari Beach in the high season.

Entertainment

Greek dancing evenings, quiz and bingo nights, karaoke, lounge/bar with satellite TV, games area.