DESTINATIONS ISLANDS | GREECE & CYPRUS
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Symi; Sarakiniko beach, Milos; Paxos; and Chora, Astypalaia PICTURES: Shutterstock/Heracles Kritikos, ian woolcock, Josef Skacel, leoks
accessible by car, or as a part of an organised boat excursion.
HYPE: CORFU Why go? The main town on this Ionian island is a labyrinth of Venetian streets that meet at the Spianada – a grand esplanade where porticoed buildings surround a cricket pitch. History lovers will enjoy the Palace of St Michael and St George, while away from town, there are a host of beaches to swim at and kumquat groves to wander around. Must do: The highest peak on Corfu’s coastline is topped by Angelokastro, an impressive Byzantine fortress, sitting over a 300m drop above the sea. Hike up to the castle for the island’s best Ionian vistas and fascinating murals in the crypt, before making downward tracks to the heart- shaped bay of Palaiokastritsa for a cooling dip.
HIDEAWAY: PAXOS What’s the vibe? A short ferry ride off the southern coast of Corfu,
travelweekly.co.uk
Paxos is something of a best kept secret. Visitors can explore the harbour of Gaios, where pastel- hued houses frame the calm waterfront, or venture to the pebbly beaches of Orkos and Kipiadi for a day by the big blue. Secret tip: Sample the wine of Antipaxos. It’s sweet, rich and made from locally grown pheidias and petrokodrynthos grapes. The wine is made on a minute scale, so clients won’t be able to find it anywhere else in Greece.
HYPE: KOS Why go? The birthplace of physician Hippocrates, Kos is steeped in myth and history. Enthusiasts can flock to the Asklepion – an ancient healing centre that is home to temples, hot springs and a school – or to Antimacheia Castle, a fortress built during the late Middle Ages. For a taste of local life, the
streets of Kos Town frame Byzantine churches, which typically have lively tavernas and bustling markets in their squares.
Must do: Visit the mineral water springs. There are many on Kos, with three different types – hot, warm and cool. Some of the best can be found at Agios Fokas, Piso Thermes, Kokkinonero and Volkanous. Perfect for soothing the soul.
HIDEAWAY: ITHACA What’s the vibe? Ithaca is the home of Odysseus, the hero from Homer’s eponymous poem. Odysseus’s decade-long voyage towards the island after the Trojan war gives Ithaca a mythical aura, with fishing villages sheltered by tall cypress trees and ancient ruins hidden in deep forests. The island is quiet, but easily accessed from nearby Kefalonia and Lefkada. Secret tip: Visit the medieval village of Anogi. The keys to the old church can be found at the village coffee shop (in Greece, church keys are often entrusted to local businesses). For a tasty meal, the owner Sofia cooks whatever is available from her garden or neighbour’s fields.
BOOK IT
Milos: Olympic Holidays has recently added the Golden Milos Beach Hotel to its collection. Seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior Room Side Sea View starts at £1,409 per person, based on two sharing. The price includes flights from Gatwick to Santorini on June 12 and transfers.
olympicholidays.com/agents
Ithaca: A seven-night holiday at Perantzada Art Hotel starts at £1,497 per person with Planet Holidays. The price is based on two sharing and includes breakfast, flights from Gatwick to Kefalonia, ferry tickets and taxi transfers.
planet-holidays.co.uk
TW
Symi: Jet2Holidays offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at Opera House Apartments from £981 per person, based on two sharing. The price includes luggage, ferry transfers and flights from Stansted to Rhodes on June 28.
jet2holidays.com
4 APRIL 2024 57
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