GREECE & CYPRUS SMALL GREEK ISLANDS DESTINATIONS
How many Greek islands can you name? A dozen, perhaps, maybe two. But what about all the rest? Here we round up some of the
best smaller options for spring and summer to give clients who have already ticked off the main spots an excuse to go back – and you the kudos that comes with knowing your Symi from your Syros, your Ithaca from your Ios.
1
SYMI, DODECANESE Neoclassical houses in candy colours and mountains covered in
carpets of green characterise tiny, tranquil Symi, where day- trippers flock in their droves but few kip overnight. They’re missing a trick, with scenic coastline and shingle beaches scattered among a handful of historic sites, including the 18th- century Panormitis monastery and striking Yialos harbour. Saga Holidays product and
purchasing manager Adam Dahbi says: “It’s one of the most picturesque Greek islands. It’s rugged and fairly mountainous, and the vibrant harbour is arguably the most beautiful in the whole of Greece. For those after something even more authentic, the upper part of the town, Chorio, boasts some lovely scenery and tavernas specialising in rustic Greek cuisine.” It’s also a good choice for
walkers, with a plethora of trails scattered among its rugged landscapes and wildlife in abundance outside the towns – worth suggesting to those after
a quiet escape from it all, though recommend visiting in spring before the sizzling temperatures of summer arrive. Getting there: It’s a 50-minute ferry ride from Rhodes. Longer crossings are available from Kos. Book it: Saga has an all-inclusive, 14-night Islands of the Aegean trip visiting Rhodes, Leros and Symi from £1,449 per person, based on a September 26 departure.
travel.saga.co.uk
2
IOS, CYCLADES Ios has earned itself a bit of a reputation among twentysomething
partygoers seeking fun in the sun – and for good reason, with a plethora of clubs clustered around its main resort. But it’s not only about the nightlife, with much of the island pleasingly undeveloped and a smattering of secluded, sugar-sand beaches strewn across it. “For couples that have got married in Santorini, it can provide the perfect beach-and- flop honeymoon,” says Harry Kyrillou, commercial and aviation director at Planet Holidays. For the best views, he recommends Manganari on the south coast, complete with a long stretch of white sand, or Agia Theodoti, where the sea is a deep blue and Greek families gather in summer. Over in the capital Hora, you’ll find white-washed houses and blue-domed churches. There’s also a crop of new developments including Calilo, a five-star-plus
spa resort on Papas Beach surrounded by protected greenery that is set to open this year. Getting there: The island is a one-hour ferry ride from Athinios port in Santorini. Book it: Planet Holidays combines three nights’ B&B at the four-star RK Beach Hotel in Santorini with four nights at the Ios Palace from £997 per person. The price includes flights to Santorini and ferry transfers, based on a May 12 departure.
planet-holidays.co.uk
3
ITHACA, IONIAN ISLANDS For those looking to swerve the summer
crowds and delve into a mythical past, recommend Ithaca, the legendary home of Greek hero Odysseus. It’s less about the beaches and more about the walking, with scenic trails and mountainous scenery alongside picturesque villages. Landscapes are lush in spring and summer, and although it gets busier with Greek tourists at the height of the season, the island is largely peaceful throughout the year. Getting there: It’s a 40-minute ferry-ride from Kefalonia or about four hours from Patras, in the Peloponnese. Book it: Sunvil offers a week’s self-catering at the Kyparissa Apartments, located just above Kioni harbour, from £754 per person based on two sharing, including flights from Gatwick and transfers.
sunvil.co.uk
4
SYROS, CYCLADES Easily accessible thanks to ferry connections from all of the Cyclades,
Syros is something of a culture lover’s dream, with the main town Hermoupolis offering up history by the bucket-load, alongside traditional Greek architecture overlooking a turquoise port. Beyond the town are several quiet, coastal villages, including Kini and Galissas, where restaurants serving fresh seafood and other local cuisine circle quiet stretches of sand. “The island has some great beaches and provides an authentic feel which is ideal for anyone looking to experience the true spirit of Greece on holiday,” says Olympic Holidays chief executive Clare Tobin, who recommends Hotel Dolphin Bay for families in search of a larger resort set close to the beach and harbour in Galissas. Those after boutique hotels and villas are also well catered for. Clients heading to the island in mid-July will witness the International Festival of the Aegean, when dance shows, theatre performances, classical concerts and more come together for two weeks of revelry in the capital. Getting there: The island is a two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Athens’ Piraeus port. There are also direct daily flights from the city’s international airport. Ferries connect Syros to all of the Cyclades. Book it: Novasol offers a
18 January 2018
travelweekly.co.uk 69
FAST FACT
Inntravel has added self-guided walking tour Secret Andros, visiting the northernmost Cycladic isle
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96
