Sun, History, Beaches, Culture – Greece Has It All!
Greece can offer many different holiday experiences thanks to its ancient history, varied terrain and countless Islands with their own unique culture. Here are a few great places to consider for your next break. Searching for a clubbers’ paradise or the ultimate relaxing getaway? It’s all here for you to enjoy!
Lush Corfu is the perfect place for a nature-focused family holiday. The island is the second biggest of the Ionian set and is covered in beautiful olive groves and ribbons of colourful flowers in the spring. There are plenty of walking opportunities to take advantage of and with the Corfu Trail, holidaymakers can stroll through the unspoiled countryside in the centre of the island.
Children will love having the chance to spot reptiles and amphibians such as the Turkish gecko. It’s worth making a visit to the Old Town of Corfu, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town has wonderful Venetian buildings, churches and museums so you can have a real culture hit in these beautiful surroundings.
Athens
Greece’s Islands tend to command the most attention from holidaymakers searching for the perfect getaway, but Athens is the ideal place if you want to immerse yourself in ancient culture. Its history goes back to the early Neolithic Age and has produced some of the world’s most fascinating monuments and artefacts. The Acropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Settle back with a coffee in one of Athens’s chic cafes or sample some authentic Greek cuisine in one of the many restaurants that can be found in the local areas.
Mykonos, Cyclades
Mykonos is great for a few days of partying and clubbing. This island in the Cyclades, and is popular with travellers searching for a lively nightlife, but it has plenty to offer in the way of magnificent scenery and water sports. Keep an eye out for the pink faced pelicans that roam along the waterfront. The locals took a pelican called Petros to their hearts, after a fisherman found him following a storm in 1954. Several more of the birds were encouraged to come into the town after Petros the Pelican died.
For nightlife, try out Cavo Paradiso, where you can dance the night away to trance and house music. There are lots of little beach front tavernas and Mykonos has a relaxed and easy going atmosphere, so hedonists should head here!
Kos, Dodecanese
There are lots of places to rent out a bike in Kos – the largely flat landscape means this island is perfect for cycling holidays. There are convenient biking paths in and around Kos Town and the destination’s rural areas provide a wonderful setting for some scenic journeys on two wheels. Kos has plenty in the way of history too, the remains of the 14th-century Knights Castle can be seen as you enter Kos Town’s port.  Swap your bike for a boat and you can make the short trip to the volcanic island of Nissyros to add some variety to your routine. This spectacular area produces many different kinds of trees, creating large splashes of green across the island, and the giant Stefanos Crater attracts tourists keen to take a look at one of the world’s largest hydrothermal volcanoes.
Crete
Crete manages to encapsulate the country’s ancient history, gorgeous beaches, fertile countryside, delicious cuisine and busy town life through its four main quarters. Heraklion is home to a sizeable proportion of Crete’s population and is nestled between the Idi and Dikti mountain ranges. Valleys dotted with olive groves, archaeological sites and charming villages can all be discovered here. In contrast, Lasithi in the east, is a world of palm tree forests, windmills, sparkling blue waters and stunning beaches. Sitia offers a rural idyl of monasteries and villages perched on the steep hillsides.
To the west, Chania is home to the White Mountains National Park, which also includes Samaria Gorge, the biggest in the entire country. You could scale Mount Gigilos, go nature-spotting along Chania’s many walking trails or enjoy one of the many festivals that take place here throughout the year. Rethymno offers a mixture of mountain scenery, medieval buildings and gorgeous beaches. Taverna-lined Panormos and Plakia with its wealth of water sports facilities are just two of the best beach fronts.
Submitted by lovers of greek holidays.