DESTINATIONS MAINLAND ALTERNATIVES | GREECE & CYPRUS
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Greece’s largest island was once home to the Minoans, often regarded as Europe’s first civilisation, whose legacy lives on at the mural-filled Palace of Knossos. Today, the island has a distinct dialect and diet, its north coast dotted with resorts for every budget, while the quieter south offers guesthouses and boutique hotels. The rugged mountains are scattered with monasteries and villas.
MANI
The vibe: Once known for its feuding clans and fortress-like tower houses, the Mani Peninsula shares many cultural similarities with its island cousin across the Aegean. Jutting out from the southern Peloponnese, this rugged region is all dramatic coastline, stone-built villages and deep-rooted traditions. The highlights: Suggest clients visit the ghost-like village of Vathia, where windswept tower houses rise from the hillside. From here, they can take a short drive to the harbour of Gerolimenas (pictured), perfect for sampling local travixti pita (hand-stretched pie made from pita dough) with cheese and honey. Inland, the bougainvillea-lined streets of Areopoli are packed with charming kafenia (traditional Greek cafes) as well as a tower house converted into a museum. To get their seaside fix, clients can take a boat through the Diros Caves or cool off at one of the region’s peaceful beaches, which include Kotrona, Alypa and Chalikia Vatta. Book it: Olympic Holidays offers a seven-night stay at Nefeli Apartments from £660 per person, based on two sharing a studio on a self-catering basis. Includes flights from Bristol departing in October.
olympicholidays.com
TRY THIS PAXOS
Measuring about 10 square miles and with a population of only 2,500, Paxos is Corfu’s little sister, located an hour’s hydrofoil ride away from the larger island. Visitors can explore its tranquil harbour at Gaios (pictured) – where pastel-hued houses frame the waterfront – dip in the Ionian Sea at one of 30 secluded beaches or learn about island life in the rustic folklore museum.
PARGA
The vibe: Parga, which has a ferry connection from Paxos, has a distinctly Italian flair with Portofino-style townhouses dotting the hillside. Cobbled lanes lead down to a crescent- shaped beach and marina thronging with boutiques and Mediterranean restaurants. Overlooking it all is the 16th-century castle, a reminder of the town’s Venetian past. The highlights: With south and west-facing beaches, Parga offers unbeatable sunbathing and sunsets. Suggest Valtos beach, a sweep of sand stretching almost two miles westward from the harbour. Come evening, the Parga waterfront (pictured) is buzzing with bars and convivial tavernas serving local Epirus feta and amigdalopita (almond cake). For a history hit, recommend the ruins of the Roman-era provincial capital, Nikopolis. Alternatively, the spooky Necromanteion of Acheron was said to be the gateway to Hades’ underworld – and is around half an hour’s drive from Parga. Book it: Cyplon Holidays offers seven nights’ B&B at Parga Beach Resort from £799 per person, based on two sharing a Premium Garden View Room. Includes luggage, private transfers and flights from Gatwick departing on October 2.
cyplon.co.uk
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travelweekly.co.uk
26 JUNE 2025
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PICTURES: Shutterstock/DaLiu, Greens and Blues, arturasker, Georgios Tsichlis, Mark Jelli, PetraKub
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