I need a holiday. Actually I don’t really need a holiday. But I’d like one. Just a week. On a Greek island. I want to do very little beyond spend my days on the beach working on my tan (safely of course) and working my way through a suitcase full of books, fuelled by breakfasts of Greek yoghurt and honey, lunches of Greek salad washed down with a bottle of Mythos and dinners of caught-that-day fish, accompanied with a glass of chilled white wine. Er, yes, it’s going to be pretty much all about the food.
Since the last time I went on a Greek island holiday (at least ten years ago, possibly more) the specialist travel company I booked some ridiculously pretty and astonishingly affordable villas with is sadly no more. Which has left me all confused. There are so many islands to choose from and I’m not sure where to start.
I’m happy to get to my Greek island via a combination of plane and ferry. It could be a quiet spot on one of the larger islands where you need a car to get around, a medium-sized island where a moped makes most sense, or a teeny island where a bicycle is the best bet.
I’m happy to stay somewhere that’s traditional in style or go more down the boutique hotel route. I’m looking to relax as opposed to party (it’s some time since I went on holiday to party tbh). I’d like there to be sandy beaches that aren’t more crowded than the Central line at rush hour. My schedule being what it is I’m looking at a week towards the end of August but, as I’m not travelling with children, I’m looking for something that’s more adult-friendly than family-friendly. While I don’t want to spend silly money I do appreciate that during the school holidays nowhere is going to be as cheap as it would be earlier or later in the season.
Knowing how well-travelled the Rock My Style readership is, and how generous you are with your recommendations, I’d love to know which Greek islands you reckon I should try and why. And if you have time to share your favourite places to stay, beaches to while away the day on, and restaurants to eat at whilst I’m there, that would be even better. I’m already planning my holiday wardrobe (hoping some of the pieces from this feature are still on sale!).
Ithaca. It doesn’t actually have an airport, so you HAVE to get a boat to the island.
We stayed here in the back end of June: http://www.ithacagreece.eu/
It was beautiful, quiet beaches, we hired a small boat to take us around the island, there are a few places to eat all of which just present you with a tray of fresh fish if you ask if they have any… It was a while ago that I went, but if it’s still anything like that, then it fits all your criteria.
Ithaca sounds wonderful Sara and, as you say, exactly what I’m looking for, thank you!
Skopelos is gorgeous and you may recoginse some of the scenery if you have ever watched the incredibly cheesy Mamma Mia as some of it was filmed there. It’s beautiful, only have 3 main villages on the island, beaches, food, peace and quite! The food is incredible. Again it doesn’t have an airport so it’s a ferry from the mainland. Worth the effort though!
Ooo, when did you go? I heard it got a bit crazy after the film came out but I’m wondering whether it’s calmed down a bit now!
I’ve been to Skopelos Bryony (I think it was before the film came out, so a long time ago now!) and I agree, it was gorgeous. And I remember eating some incredible food there. Agree, definitely worth the effort!
We went island hopping for our honeymoon last year.
We went to Tinos (quiet and rocky (great for rock climbing!) and Andros
I love Andros and i’ll return there again and again ..
keep this place a secret 🙂
http://onar-andros.gr/el/
I won’t tell a soul Michelle – thank you!
Hi Miranda
Slightly bigger island but I can recommend Santorini (which may be where the cover photo for this post is from). Went there last early September for a week with the other half and it was bliss.
We hired a car which gave us the flexibility of getting round the island and also allowed us to avoid the tourist hot spots at the busy times of day when the ferry’s stop by.
In the summer months you can get direct flights from London so much easier to get to for a week.
There is a secret swimming spot on the island which allows you to swim round into the edge of the Caldera – that was something special!
Hi Emma, Yes the picture is of Santorini! I’ve never been but it sounds heavenly.
Santorini is amazing! I went there a few years ago and rented a quad bike to zip around the island….beautiful sunsets, hidden beaches, and great food. It was a very last minute break that was booked without any research on hotels etc…just what was cheapest on teletext?!?!…total gamble, but ended up with a nice, if basic, but quiet apartment in a small village which was a perfect spot to explore from!
For more adventure and off the beaten track try Amorgos …its a 5 hour ferry ride from Athens, but beautiful and quiet! Our trip there was more of a backpacker style and ended up just booking a room when we arrived 🙂
I’m trying Kefalonia in 5 weeks – can’t wait!!
I don’t think any Greek island can really disappoint! 🙂
I do love a good sunset Laura! I’m worried Santorini might be crazy busy in August and is perhaps somewhere to save for another year when I can get away in May or September? I like the sound of Amorgos. Enjoy Kefalonia! I think you’re right, I have never been disappointed by a Greek island!
I went to Santorini in May and had a great time (I’d say 5 nights is enough there, any more and you might want to fit in somewhere else). There are indeed beautiful sunsets!
If I were you, I’d avoid going in August though, as while it’s totally beautiful, it’s not really set up for hoards of people and I think the busy-ness would really spoil the experience.
I’d recommend Imerovigli as a nice area to stay, away from the more touristy Oia and Fira town, but still in a good place to access both. There are loads of fantastic boutique hotels there to choose from (ours was Chromata) if you want to splash out a little bit and laze next to an infinity pool with an outstanding view 🙂
Oh – and not regarding this post but there is no way of posting comments on the ‘Healthy Haul’ post???
How peculiar Bryony, we’re looking into it. Thanks for mentioning it x
I love Santorini, we stayed in Perissa in a beach front hotel called the Veggera. We went in May right at the start of the season so it was really quiet still. But in the height of summer I can just imagine Oia (which is where your picture was taken) would be heaving with tourists. We honeymooned on Mykonos which again was stunning, but had a totally different vibe. The beaches are beautiful, but you definitely need a car to get to the best ones.
I’ve been to mainland Greece (Halkidiki) and Cyprus too and have never been disappointed. I’m not entirely sure there is a bad Greek Island, but there are so many you get a totally different holiday with each new island. Next on my list is either Ios or Paxos…or Rhodes…or Skopelos…or….Good luck choosing!! 🙂
Thank you Alex! It’s so hard to decide, I want to visit them all!
http://www.zakspitaki.com We stayed here a few years ago, on Paxos. So lovely.
Oh my goodness, Zakspitaki is so pretty Kate, thank you so much for sharing, I’m going to see if they have availability immediately!
Not sure it’s Greece but I heard the Penepolese (spelling?) is amazing! X
We flew to Athens, had a fab few nights there, then hopped to Paros (one of my faves for ‘authenticity’), then hopped to Naxos (not sure I would visit again) and then finished with an amazing time in Santorini, staying at ‘On the rocks’ – this was my first lovely trip w the now husband, 3 months after meeting. We went in the heat of August (being a teacher with little choice in that matter!) and the wheels on my suitcase burst on the heat of the Athenian roads and my havianas started to melt – quick replacements were needed. I fell in love with how relaxed and magical all of the places were. Ohhh, now I’m feeling nostalgic… There has never been a sunset to rival the one on the caldera in Santorini, simply stunning xxx
Ooh, I was thinking I would like to spend a couple of nights in Athens Mrs R, I’ve never been, despite holidaying on the islands several times. Crikey, your Havaianas started to melt?! That is hot! x
Flying in to Athens was relatively cheap Miranda, I think we stayed at the Hilton which has an amazing roof top bar with great views and from there we caught the boat to Paros. Transport around Athens was really easy from the Hilton (using the equivalent of the tube – there’s a stop right by the hotel) & we just hired a car on our second day in Paros, we did the same in Santorini – I was too scared to brave the quad bikes on the winding roads! If you decide to go to any of these places I also have loads of restaurant recommendations that have been tried and tested by friends too! Happy Friday! Xx
Thank you and happy Friday to you too Mrs R! x
We went to the Pelopponese last year for our honeymoon. It’s much quieter then the islands, but it’s where the Greeks go for their hols, a bit like our version of Cornwall? We flew to Athens, drove straight to Nafplion which we loved, it’s an old Venetian fort town on the coast with a great castle to climb up to and lovely views. Also, geleterias, nommy! From there we drove to a place called Ban Sala just outside of Koroni, which had AMAZING sunrises over the Mani mountains on the other side of the bay. It was to die for, only five small villas for couples and a pool, and the friendliest family running it. I’d go back in a heartbeat. Then we drove around the bay to spend a few nights where the mountains meet the sea in Kardamyli, and finally back to Athens for a few more nights before flying home. You can get flights in the summer to Kalamata airport (yes, where the olives come from!), instead of the drive from Athens, which is about four or five hours I think. Would also like to have gone to Monemvasia, but we didn’t have time. Where ever you go, have an amazing time. I’m not at all jealous. Honest! x
PS They filmed Before Midnight in the Pelopponese too. Makes me a little bit weepy whenever I watch it now!!
The fact that they filmed Before Midnight would be reason enough for me to go Faye! What a wonderful sounding honeymoon – thank you so much for your super-detailed response and all your recommendations! x
Oh my God so many options. I have been 7 times to Greece and lots of the places I stayed at or recommend via friends are listed on my blog here http://fromthepoolside.com/category/destinations/greece/
Hydra is great for a quick getaway, Folegandros is smaller but as charming if not more than Santorini and my sister really liked Naxos (the lovely hotel where she stayed is also viewable via the link above).
Lucky you, a holiday in Greece is always a perfect holiday.
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