GREECE

Athens

Athens (Athina).  If any place encapsulates the essence of this beautiful country it is the capital. People have lived here for thousands of years and all these generations have left a generous legacy of architecture. If you do nothing else during your visit, you must see the Acropolis, it is after all one of the wonders of the ancient world.

Traditionally, when you think about Greek food moussaka and souvlaki spring to mind (both delicious so you must try them!). But over the last few years, Athens has undergone something of a gourmet revolution and the city now offers an incredible array of dining options with a healthy portion of haute-cuisine and Michelin-starred restaurants; don’t miss the chance to experience dining in one of the city’s renowned roof-top restaurants- the view is pretty good too!

But there is so much more to Athens than ancient remains and hip eateries though. This really is the city that has it all. A short distance from the buzzing centre, you can find beautiful beaches, vineyards and even mountains. It’s no wonder the ancient gods were so fond of the place and we’re sure you will be too

Pelopponnese

The Peloponnese peninsula is in south western Greece separated from the central part of the country by the Isthmus and Gulf of Corinth. The area is literally the stuff of legends; Paris of Troy eloped from here with Helen and the Argonauts set sail from these shores. It is also home to the original Olympic games and Ancient Olympia is one of the not-to-be-missed highlights of the region.

Like much of Greece the region has had a rich and chequered history and many civilisations have left their mark; with classical temples, Mycenean palaces, Byzantine cities and Ottoman and Venetian fortresses.

Surrounded by the sea on all sides the Peloponnese has some fabulous beaches and beautiful clear water. The region is home to huge vineyards and is also famed for its olive production with Kalamata olives being exported all over the world.

Crete

Crete is the southernmost island in Europe and the largest island in Greece. It boasts a wide variety of landscapes with everything from mountains to long sandy beaches and rocky bays. There is an abundance of wildlife with a number of endemic species of flora and fauna. Exploring the island is a real treat with lots of walks, drives, and rides that lead you across stunning plateaux and dramatic mountains.

Of course, Crete is also famous for its traditional cuisine, considered one of the healthiest diets in the world with mountain herbs, fresh fruit and vegetables, delicious cheeses and lashings of olive oil!

The island also has a rich and fascinating history dating back to ancient times and the local people hold on to their traditions giving visitors a taste of a unique culture in their food, art, music and crafts. They are also known to be extremely hospitable. It was the birthplace of Zeus and was home to the Minoans. The palace at Knossos is a must see as is the island of Spinalonga, once a leper colony. Also well worth a visit are the Venetian port of Chania and Heraklion, Greece’s fifth largest city.

Modern Crete has a well-developed infrastructure with two international airports providing excellent flight connections from all over Europe as well as up to 8 daily flights from the Greek capital. There is an excellent choice of quality hotels and very good conference and meeting facilities.
The island has beautiful beaches and is the perfect base for taking to the water with lots of different maritime options.

Rhodes

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands. It is perhaps most famous as home of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world- the Colossus of Rhodes. Centuries later it was occupied by the Knights of St John, the Ottomans and then the Italians, all of whom have left their mark. The medieval Rhodes Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island enjoys a hot Mediterranean climate and whilst the interior of the island is sparse and hilly, it is of course known for its beautiful beaches and coastal resorts.

Lindos on the south coast is one of the most famous towns, a picture-perfect slice of Greece with lovely beaches. It is also home to Rhode’s very own acropolis.

As a popular tourist destination, Rhodes has well-developed infrastructure with good flight connections and top-quality hotels. It is also an excellent option for conferences with plenty of meeting space and the hotel capacity to match. Unlike some islands it is also possible to use some of the historic sites for events, concerts and galas making this a really interesting option for large groups.

Kos

Kos, one of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is known for its abundant sandy beaches. It is also rich with Greek and Roman landmarks, particularly in and around Kos Town. This harbour town is dominated by the 15th-century Neratzia Castle.

The beaches are one of the island’s greatest assets. In addition to those around Kos Town, there are three main resort areas. Kardamena, on the south coast, is very much dominated by package tourism, but Mastihari, on the north coast, and Kamari, in the far southwest, are less crowded. Away from the resorts, the island retains considerable wilderness, with the rugged Dikeos mountains soaring to almost 850m just a few kilometres west of Kos Town. It is also an easy boat ride to get to the smaller islands of Kalymnos and Pserimos or the volcanic islands of Nisyros.

Just 4km northwest of the town of Kos, you’ll discover one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites, Hippocrates’ Asclepeion. (yes, he of the Hippocratic Oath and father of modern medicine).

Corfu

Corfu, (Kerkyra) lies off the northwest coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea. A well-established tourist destination its diverse offerings mean it really does have something for everyone. Like much of Greece, the island has a very chequered past and Corfu town is rich in architecture resulting from years of Venetian, French and British rule. Unusually the island was never invaded by the Ottomans so has a much more European feel. Indeed, it was only united with Greece in 1864. Corfu town features Venetian fortresses, the Palace of St Michael and St George and winding medieval alleys known as kandounia. In 2007 the old town joined the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Legend has it that Odysseus took refuge on the island and met the Princess Nausicaa during his long voyage home and it is said that the iconic Pontikonisi or “Mouse Island” was created from his boat. There are also many places of more recent historic interest such as Mon Repos and the Achillion Palace, former retreat of Empress Sissi of Austria which is well worth seeing

Away from the town the coastline is scattered with stunning beaches nestled in sandy coves with a backdrop of forests and mountains. The island is famous for its food and offers a great variety of restaurants and tavernas.

Mykonos

Mykonos is perhaps Greece’s most famous cosmopolitan island, a whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cyclades.  According to mythology, Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. And did you know that the island took its name from the grandson of Apollo, “Mykonos”? Today Mykonos is beloved of the international jet set and highly sought after as a luxury escape. It is home to luxurious boutique hotels, hip bars and clubs and gourmet restaurants.

Despite this the island still retains its authentic charm with a lively waterfront area in the town where colourful fishing boats return with their catch. The pedestrian area in Hóra is full of life and a shoppers paradise.

One of the most scenic corners of the island is Alefkántra or “Little Venice”, an 18th century district, dominated by grand captains’ mansions with colourful balconies and stylish windows. Relax at a waterfront café and enjoy a view over the iconic windmills.

One of the must-see sites for any stay in Mykonos is the archaeological site at Delos which can only be reached by boat. Any island stay should include a boat trip and Mykonos is known as a mecca for watersports enthusiasts.

Santorini

Santorini (or Thira in Greek) is surely one of the most iconic islands in the world. It lies in the southern Aegean and is one of the Cyclades islands. This stunningly beautiful place was actually formed from the crater of a volcano.

The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles. The cliff sides are dotted with blue-domed churches and framed in brilliant bougainvillea.

The interior of the island is dotted with vineyards and traditional villages a world away from the buzzing coast. The island’s wine is well-known and a visit to a winery is a must during any stay. The rugged landscape also makes this paradise for walkers and the volcanic crater is another must see.

Like Mykonos, Santorini’s iconic status have made it a popular choice for the rich and famous. It is by no means a budget destination and offers primarily boutique hotels, villas and suites clinging to the cliff face with views out over the caldera. A wonderful experience for smaller high end groups.