Explore the Greek Islands

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Explore the Greek Islands

Category: Destination Guides | 08.28.2019

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Whether it’s for a family trip, a couple’s retreat, or an adventure with friends, explore the Greek Islands and have yourselves a vacation of a lifetime.

Here’s a breakdown of where and how to travel throughout these islands to ensure the best possible experience:

How to Travel

Air Travel

Olympic and Aegean Airways are merged to serve airports on all 25 islands
Charters and European carriers (e.g., Air France, British Airways) serve 8 international airports
It’s wise to book at least four months ahead during peak season (April to October)
All domestic flights from Athens take less than an hour

Sea Travel

- Most islands have ferry service from lines such as Blue Star and Aegean Speed Lines
- It’s possible to book ferry tickets the day before a trip (booking during peak times requires more planning)
- Private catamarans and hydrofoils are the two quicker sea travel methods

Road Travel

Major car agencies can be found in Eleftherios Venizelos in Athens and the majority of island airports
Car ferries are necessary to get a car island-to-island, but this process involves complicated logistics
Automatic car rentals are expensive and challenging to book
- Two people traveling together can rent a Smart car – which is more cost-efficient, and easier to book

Where to Travel

Santorini

Found nestled away in the southern Aegean Sea, Santorini consists of a group of islands. It’s one of the most popular vacation spots in Greece—namely due to its mesmerizing buildings with blue roofs.

Here’s a couple of other irresistible attractions found throughout the island:

Due to the gorgeous weather, it’s a Santorini custom to take in an outdoor movie with director’s chairs, tasty cocktails, and popcorn.
There’s an Akrotiri archaeological excavation site with ruins buried by a volcanic eruption in 1700 B.C.

Mykonos

With a perfect blend of adult-friendly partying, family-friendly activities, and beautifully warm weather, Mykonos is a glamorous – yet affordable – vacation destination.

Below, are a couple of can’t-miss attractions of the world-famous Greek island:

For family-friendly fun, Ornos beach has shallow, safe water (for the kids) and an array of nearby restaurants and bars.
- Conversely, Super Paradise beach is ideal for adult fun—it’s known for peak-season midnight-daybreak parties hosted by celebrity D.J.s.
The white-washed houses in Mykonos offer unique aesthetic pleasure.

Corfu

Corfu’s sunsets, sandy beaches, and majestic seas only tell part of the Ionian island’s story. It’s also known for the alluring scent of pressed olives. Plus, there are the magnificent fortresses that emerge from the water.

Also, Corfu is well-known for these following attractions:

Corfu Town highlights much of the island’s rich history. It boasts architectural masterpieces such as the San Giacomo building (now called town hall) that was built between the 14th and 18th centuries.
The trademark Italian/Greek fusion cuisine produces delicacies such as a veal dish called sofrito that’s slow-cooked in wine, parsley, and chopped garlic. Furthermore, Corfu is famous for its homegrown kumquats and olives.

Crete

As home to Europe’s oldest civilizations, Crete’s ancient history is its most significant selling point. Furthermore, Crete is the largest island in Greece and possesses an atmosphere of sheer magic. Vacationers will enjoy the best of Greek cuisine, all while taking in the following attractions:

The Dikteon cave on the Lasithi Plateau is considered the birthplace of Zeus—this is a perfect excursion for families with children.
Crete is also famous for breathtaking castles—such as the Fortezza, a 16th century Venetian castle, located in the city of Rethymno.

With these pro-tips, you’ll have an absolute blast during your trip to the Greek Islands.

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