Small Greek Islands Destinations
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GREECE & CYPRUS SMALL GREEK ISLANDS DESTINATIONS 1 2 3 FAST FACT Inntravel has added self-guided walking tour Secret Andros, visiting the northernmost Cycladic isle How many Greek islands can you a quiet escape from it all, though spa resort on Papas Beach SYROS, CYCLADES 4 5 name? A dozen, perhaps, maybe recommend visiting in spring surrounded by protected greenery Easily accessible thanks two. But what about all the rest? before the sizzling temperatures that is set to open this year. to ferry connections Here we round up some of the of summer arrive. Getting there: The island is a from all of the Cyclades, best smaller options for spring Getting there: It’s a 50-minute one-hour ferry ride from Athinios 4Syros is something of a culture and summer to give clients who ferry ride from Rhodes. Longer port in Santorini. lover’s dream, with the main town have already ticked off the main crossings are available from Kos. Book it: Planet Holidays Hermoupolis offering up history spots an excuse to go back – and Book it: Saga has an all-inclusive, combines three nights’ B&B at by the bucket-load, alongside you the kudos that comes with 14-night Islands of the Aegean the four-star RK Beach Hotel traditional Greek architecture knowing your Symi from your trip visiting Rhodes, Leros and in Santorini with four nights at overlooking a turquoise port. Syros, your Ithaca from your Ios. Symi from £1,449 per person, the Ios Palace from £997 per Beyond the town are several based on a September 26 person. The price includes flights quiet, coastal villages, including SYMI, DODECANESE departure. to Santorini and ferry transfers, Kini and Galissas, where Neoclassical houses travel.saga.co.uk based on a May 12 departure. restaurants serving fresh seafood in candy colours and planet-holidays.co.uk and other local cuisine circle mountains covered in IOS, CYCLADES quiet stretches of sand. 1carpets of green characterise Ios has earned itself ITHACA, IONIAN “The island has some great tiny, tranquil Symi, where day- a bit of a reputation ISLANDS beaches and provides an trippers flock in their droves among twentysomething For those looking to authentic feel which is ideal for SMALL GREEK but few kip overnight. They’re 2partygoers seeking fun in the swerve the summer anyone looking to experience missing a trick, with scenic sun – and for good reason, with 3crowds and delve into a mythical the true spirit of Greece on ISLANDS coastline and shingle beaches a plethora of clubs clustered past, recommend Ithaca, the holiday,” says Olympic Holidays scattered among a handful of around its main resort. But it’s legendary home of Greek hero chief executive Clare Tobin, who Laura French highlights historic sites, including the 18th- not only about the nightlife, with Odysseus. It’s less about the recommends Hotel Dolphin Bay century Panormitis monastery much of the island pleasingly beaches and more about the for families in search of a larger some lesser-known islands and striking Yialos harbour. undeveloped and a smattering walking, with scenic trails and resort set close to the beach and Saga Holidays product and of secluded, sugar-sand beaches mountainous scenery alongside harbour in Galissas. @laurafrench121 purchasing manager Adam strewn across it. picturesque villages. Landscapes Those after boutique hotels Dahbi says: “It’s one of the most “For couples that have got are lush in spring and summer, and villas are also well catered for. picturesque Greek islands. It’s married in Santorini, it can and although it gets busier with Clients heading to the island rugged and fairly mountainous, provide the perfect beach-and- Greek tourists at the height of in mid-July will witness the 6 7 8 and the vibrant harbour is flop honeymoon,” says Harry the season, the island is largely International Festival of the friend arguably the most beautiful in Kyrillou, commercial and aviation peaceful throughout the year. Aegean, when dance shows, sandi the whole of Greece. For those director at Planet Holidays. For Getting there: It’s a 40-minute theatre performances, classical ; after something even more the best views, he recommends ferry-ride from Kefalonia or about concerts and more come authentic, the upper part of the Manganari on the south coast, four hours from Patras, in the together for two weeks of revelry town, Chorio, boasts some lovely complete with a long stretch of Peloponnese. in the capital. shutterstock scenery and tavernas specialising white sand, or Agia Theodoti, Book it: Sunvil offers a week’s Getting there: The island is a in rustic Greek cuisine.” where the sea is a deep blue and self-catering at the Kyparissa two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride It’s also a good choice for Greek families gather in summer. Apartments, located just above from Athens’ Piraeus port. There walkers, with a plethora of trails Over in the capital Hora, you’ll Kioni harbour, from £754 per are also direct daily flights from scattered among its rugged find white-washed houses and person based on two sharing, the city’s international airport. landscapes and wildlife in blue-domed churches. There’s including flights from Gatwick Ferries connect Syros to all of abundance outside the towns – also a crop of new developments and transfers. the Cyclades. PICTURES: GEORGE AGAPIOU; worth suggesting to those after including Calilo, a five-star-plus sunvil.co.uk Book it: Novasol offers a 68 travelweekly.co.uk 18 January 2018 18 January 2018 travelweekly.co.uk 69 GREECE & CYPRUS SMALL GREEK ISLANDS DESTINATIONS LEFT: Kioni harbour, Ithaca RIGHT: Syros BELOW: Koufonisia week in a five-bedroom, four-star with barely another soul in sight. explored from the water, while holiday home with a private pool Getting there: It’s a two-and-a- more than 30 beaches – most of on Finikas Bay on Syros from Koufonisia is island half-hour ferry ride from Naxos, them white pebble – decorate the £999 for a check-in on June 2. where flights connect to Athens rest of its coastline. There are just novasol.co.uk life personified, with and Thessaloniki. three villages, including pretty siestas, long lunches Book it: A week’s B&B at the Loggos, home to a small handful KOUFONISIA, and leisurely swims Koufonisia Hotel with Islands of of houses flanking the waterfront, SMALL CYCLADES the order of the day Greece starts at £929 per person and white-washed Gaios. Measuring just including flights from Gatwick From here, visitors can jump 10sq miles and with and transfers, based on a on a water taxi to yet-smaller 5a population of fewer than June 7 departure. neighbour Antipaxos, a mile away 400, Koufonisia is island life islandsofgreece.co.uk and boasting sandy beaches and personified, with siestas, long crystal-clear water, or visit Agios Greek lunches and leisurely with independent travellers PAXOS, Nikolaos, home to a Venetian swims the order of the day. wanting to switch off in tranquil IONIAN ISLANDS castle that tells something of the “It’s synonymous with surroundings than the hordes Paxos is about as region’s multicultural history. paradise,” says Alan Garner, of crowds you’re likely to find remote, slow-paced Getting there: Paxos is a specialist adviser at Islands of on the bigger islands in spring 6and small-framed as it gets, at 90-minute ferry ride from Corfu. Greece. “It’s perfect for couples and summer, in part thanks to its seven miles long and just three Book it: James Villas offers seven and families who want to escape remoteness. miles wide. James Villa Holidays nights at the two-bedroom Villa the hustle and bustle of life with Suggest May, June and recommends it for those wanting Rachi, set on a hillside above crystal-clear waters and golden, September for those wanting to to get away from it all with a Gaios, from £524 per person, sandy beaches.” explore the island’s historic old laid-back, slower pace of life. including flights from Gatwick. It’s also firmly off the town, walking trails, cycle spots A series of mystical coves The price is based on four adults mainstream map, more popular and rockpool-speckled beaches dot the east coast and can be sharing, departing May 21. 70 travelweekly.co.uk 18 January 2018 GREECE & CYPRUS SMALL GREEK ISLANDS DESTINATIONS Free car hire and airport parking is available on all James Villas bookings made by March 5. jamesvillas.co.uk ALONISSOS, SPORADES Floating in the Aegean with just one town and three villages to its name, Alonissos combines 7pine-laden woodland and rugged cliffs with excellent wildlife. Home to the National Marine Park of Northern Sporades, it’s a hotspot for dolphins, Mediterranean monk seals and an array of unusual birds, making it a good choice for clients keen on nature. It’s also a wise suggestion for food ASK THE and wine lovers, with a history of EXPERT viticulture dating back to ancient times and a plethora of local delicacies such as ‘tyropita’ (hearty cheese pie) Emy and ‘fouskakia’ (traditional Greek Getting there: It’s a three-hour ferry Anagnostopoulou, doughnuts). ride from Volos on the mainland, which director UK & Recommend the recently There are no high-rise is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from refurbished Marpunta Village for Athens. Ireland, Greek hotels and barely any National Tourism a peaceful stay in the heart of the Book it: Classic Collection Holidays Organisation marine park. It sits within a pine forest roads, so beaches are offers seven nights’ B&B at Marpunta “Increased flight overlooking the sea, with Patitiri beach often a boat ride away – Village from £1,024 to £1,537, based connectivity and harbour a 20-minute stroll away, or accessed via dirt tracks on two sharing a superior garden from the UK and and is surrounded by wildlife as a view room, including flights, private elsewhere, as well result of its unique position.