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acropolis at Lindos. Te countryside around Archangelos and the ruins of Ancient Kameiros are also worth exploring. In May, the all-inclusive Grecotel resort on Kallithea
beach will become the Grecotel LUX ME Rhodos, with its 276 rooms and 46 bungalows receiving a deluxe makeover.
CRETE Te largest of the Greek islands, as you might expect, is also one of the most diverse. Across 8,336 sq km on the southern side of the Aegean Sea, quaint inland villages are sandwiched between turquoise beaches to the north, and coves, cliffs and canyons to the south. Myth and legend are the stuff on which Greece is built
and the island can claim more than its share of evocative tales and classical history – the Ideon Cave is believed to be the birthplace of Zeus, while the vestiges of the Minoan civilisation, which ruled about 4,000 years ago, are peppered all over the island. Crete is a hit with hikers throughout the year thanks to
its mountainous terrain and mild winters. A popular route is the 16km Samaria Gorge, a seven-hour walk that ends at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. Finish that and you’ll be in need of a good meal – rest assured that the island’s cuisine is thought to be one of the healthiest in the world, with an emphasis on nutrient-packed organic produce, lashings of olive oil and little meat. New openings this season include the 311-room
Wyndham Grand Mirabello Bay in the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos. Te Nana Princess hotel and its state-of- the-art spa opened in Hersonissos in June last year, while those looking for beachfront villas can now stay at Elounda Mare Hotel’s Minoan Palace, launched in August last year.
MAR CH 2 0 19
ABOVE: Descending into Samaria Gorge, Crete RIGHT: The pastel hues of Corfu Old Town
CORFU Part of the Ionian Islands, the “emerald isle” has a more European character than the rest of the archipelago. It has long been popular with travellers for its beaches, pastel- hued villages and lush olive groves. Te UNESCO-listed Corfu Old Town bears physical
reminders of the island’s military history. Exploration of the town’s sea-facing fortresses, which protected the Venetian-ruled island from Ottoman sieges over four centuries, are highly recommended and bring an extra dimension to the postcard-pretty looks. Elsewhere, you’ll spot the unmistakeable influence
of 19th-century British rule – cricket is a popular sport here – while Greek mythology holds that a shipwrecked Odysseus washed up on Corfu’s shores. For a luxury all-inclusive stay, the Ikos Dassia resort,
which opened in May last year, has views of the Ionian Sea and a 600-metre private sandy beach. Travelling without kids? Adults-only options include the luxurious Marbella Nido Suite Hotel and Villas in Agios Ioannis Peristeron, which also opened in May. British Airways and Easyjet fly direct to all five islands fom London between April and October. BT
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
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