House of travel Spain, Portugal, Greece & Turkey 2017 | Page 37

Greek Islands Galore
The Greek islands have drawn thousands of
visitors for many years. There are numerous
islands to choose from – some are tiny with few
people and with just one central village, whilst
others such as Crete and Rhodes are larger,
with many different places to stay. Enjoy the
carefree atmosphere of staying on an island,
whether you choose a couple of nights at a few
or a week on one. Pause at a flower-draped
terrace for coffee and honey-drenched pastries
or stop in an old town for an authentic Greek
feast. Grab a bottle of water and explore ruins
and cobblestone villages before cooling off in
the crystal clear Aegean Sea.
Crete Rhodes Patmos
Crete is a paradise if you seek sunshine,
beaches and culture. The capital, Heraklion,
is famous for its Archaeological museum
which houses the world’s greatest collection
of Minoan Art. Chania on the northern coast,
has the mountains, sparkling seas and ancient
history combined with the relaxed character
of the locals, making it a beautiful spot to
relax and explore. Plenty of history, tradition, exciting nightlife
and sumptuous Greek cuisine. Laze on golden
beaches, drink ouzo in waterfront cafés and
explore the labyrinthine lanes. Visit one of
the largest medieval towns in Europe through
the Gate of Freedom, to witness a mosaic
of different cultures and civilisations. The
cobblestoned Street of the Knights is one of
Europe’s best preserved medieval streets. Immerse yourself in Patmos’ chic and
upmarket atmosphere. This small island is
known for its idyllic way of life and religious
past, once home to St. John who wrote 'The
Book of Revelations'. Today, this mountainous
island with private coves and crystalline waters
attracts sun lovers. Explore the ruins of the
ancient acropolis in Skala and the imposing
fortified Monastery of St. John in Chora.
Zakynthos Skopelos Samos
Take an early morning cruise to Navagio
Beach to see the shipwreck and the stunning
beach it rests on. Enjoy a swim in the clear
blue water and explore the caves. Swim or
snorkel with the sea turtles, and trek the
hillsides. Most nights you can catch a concert
or festival as music plays a huge part of the
local culture. Skopelos is an island of medieval monasteries
and tiny rock chapels, with over 300 scattered
across the island, one of which is the Agios
Ioannis Chapel where the Mamma Mia
wedding took place. Proclaimed as the ‘Green
and Blue Island’ the island’s virgin pinewoods
and olive groves create a romantic scenery
for the outstanding architecture that is found
throughout the island. Explore ancient cultural sites or relax on the
beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters on
Samos. Once home to famous philosophers, a
mathematician and astronomer, this inspiring
island will have you enraptured from the
moment you arrive. It is just a short ferry ride
from Kusadasi - ideal to visit Turkey from.
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