Many of us dream of a holiday in the Greek sun where we can. There is so much to see and do in these beautiful islands. Each one is also so different from the next. If you are unsure as to where you want to go, there are some key considerations to make. Keep reading to help narrow down your ideas.
History
Many people choose to visit Greece because they have a love and affinity for the mythology and history of Ancient Greece. If you want to take a trip to the islands because of this, you will be truly spoilt for choice. You are probably going to have to limit your interest down to just a few stories or some points of interest.
For example, if you love stories about the ancient gods then you should go to Mykonos. Right beside this major hub is the island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. This uninhabited island should be on the list of any history buffs.
Another island you might want to visit is Crete. The largest of the Greek islands is home to the ancient court of Knossos. If you love classic stories like the Labyrinth or the escape of Daedalus, you should definitely head to this island.
Relaxation
Obviously, many people choose to go to the Greek islands to relax. They are filled with hotels and rental accommodation which can offer plenty no matter what your budget might be. Many people love to rent villas so they have complete freedom over where they go and do.
BlueVillas has the best villa Paros selection you could hope for. The island of Paros is packed full of things to see and do at all hours of the day and night. If you and your friends are looking for a chilled luxury holiday then staying in one of these villas might be for you.
The clear white walls and blue roofs of Santorini also help to attract people from around the world. If you don’t mind people walking past your villa as they explore, you could easily find a bolthole with fantastic views of the sea.
One of the nicest things about Greek accommodation is that it is very often the perfect blend of modern and traditional. Old homes have been completely renovated to be packed with all the comforts of home you could ever ask for. If you want to spend your days lying by the perfect infinity pool before curling up inside at night to watch one of the latest releases, you can do so.
Food
Greece is known for its stunning food and you will soon find that each of the islands has its own gastronomical delicacies for you to discover. While you can get the famous Greek dishes across all of the islands, you might want to go to a specific island for its food.
One of the best to try is Sifnos. It was the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes who wrote one of the best books about Greek food so you can be certain that this is an island which understands food. In addition to having some brilliant fish restaurants, the Cycladic Gastronomy Festival is hosted here in September. This could be a fantastic trip for you if you want to still visit when it is warm but avoid some of the high summer crowds.
Another island you should head to for peace and amazing food is Chios. This is still fairly off the beaten track for tourists. However, there are some real delights to be found here. Chios is a big producer of mastic and you can find many products here with this treasured flavouring. This island is also known for its fruit trees so get ready to tuck into more mandarins and figs than you could ever want.
Tour as Many as You Can
If you feel like you can’t settle on just one island, why not visit several? Island-hopping is as popular as it has ever been though it has changed significantly in the past few decades. You can easily plot a route through some of the best islands which will allow you to take in all their beauty in one holiday.
Another way to see the islands is by sea. Whether you are sailing your own boat or joining a cruise, one of the best places to take in the islands is through the water. It has to be said, there is a simple luxury about being able to sail around the islands and stop off as you like. Just make sure that you spend a few days onshore in your favourite place so you can experience some island life too.
The Greek islands are waiting for you to visit them! Which one is a must for you? Start planning a trip there now.