Corfu
Corfu is the second largest of the Ionian islands and has much more to see in terms of historical and archaeological interest than its neighbours.
In Corfu Town, visitors can choose between the Modern Art Museum, Byzantine Museum and Archaeological Museum. Other attractions include Corfu Cathedral.
On the outskirts of town, the Mon Repos estate contains the most accessible archaeological remains on the island.
The most famous excursions from Corfu Town are to the islets of Vlakherna – the white convent (one of the most photographed images on the island) and Pondikonissi, or Mouse Island.
For those who want to paint the town red, Corfu Town has lots of bars and restaurants. Many of its nightclubs are north of the town, towards Kondokali.
Northeast of Corfu Town is the most typically Greek part of the island, mountainous with a rocky coastline. The village of Strinilas is a popular base for walkers.
From Sidari, a popular day trip is by boat to the Dhiapondia Islands of Mathraki, Othoni and Erikoussa, 13 miles off the northwest coast. Many operators combine a trip with a beach barbecue.
To the northwest, Paleokastritsa is the most picturesque resort on Corfu. Ayios Yeoryios is growing in popularity as it has a large sandy bay and is good for windsurfing. Ermones is one of the busiest resorts.
Operator view: Argo Holidays managing director Mathilde Robert: “Corfu is very green. The air is very scented and you can find any herb you want. It is very much the garden of Greece. There is every kind of water sport, paragliding, an excellent golf course and even cricket is played in Corfu village square. But the best activity by far is yachting with a crew or bareboat charter.”
Verdict: an excellent destination for the young, old, couples and families. St George, Paleokastritsa and Sidari are most suitable for families, couples and older visitors, while Kavos – known as the Ibiza of Greece – and Ipros are great for young people.
At the beginning of the 1900s, excavations confirmed an advanced Cretan society existed here centuries ago.
According to legend, the island was the birthplace of Zeus, king of all gods.
Sightseeing highlights include Samaria Gorge, Europe’s longest gorge and one of the most spectacular in the world; and Knossos Palace, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Crete.
The palace was the home of the legendary King Minos, whose wife Pasiphae bore the half-bull, half-man creature known as the Minotaur.
A labyrinth was constructed at the palace to contain the monster.
Nearby Heraklion Museum houses many Minoan treasures from the Knossos Palace.
For the more adventurous, or for families, Crete has waterparks to provide plenty of thrills and spills.
From Crete it is easy to take a day trip to nearby Santorini or Spinalonga, a tiny island just off the coast of Elounda which is a former leper colony.
Most visitors to western Crete stay either in the town of Kalives or in one of the busy resorts to be found along the coast west of Chania.
From Ayios Nikolaos, another resort, you can take a trip to Kritsa, a traditional village where local crafts, such as weaving, ceramics and embroidery are sold at good prices.
Operator view: Sunvil Holidays director Dudley Der Parthog:”The island is varied. Mountain ranges rise up to 8,000ft, while Europe’s deepest gorge winds for 12 miles.
“It is a good idea to hire a car and explore.”
Verdict: a good destination for culture vultures and those interested in nature.
Crete
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is to many people more like a separate country.
It is on the same latitude as Tunisia and has the longest summers in Greece.
Visitors can get a tan from May to November.
Crete is well known as the home of Europe’s earliest civilisations.
At the beginning of the 1900s, excavations confirmed an advanced Cretan society existed here centuries ago.
According to legend, the island was the birthplace of Zeus, king of all gods.
Sightseeing highlights include Samaria Gorge, Europe’s longest gorge and one of the most spectacular in the world; and Knossos Palace, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Crete.
The palace was the home of the legendary King Minos, whose wife Pasiphae bore the half-bull, half-man creature known as the Minotaur.
A labyrinth was constructed at the palace to contain the monster.
Nearby Heraklion Museum houses many Minoan treasures from the Knossos Palace.
For the more adventurous, or for families, Crete has waterparks to provide plenty of thrills and spills.
From Crete it is easy to take a day trip to nearby Santorini or Spinalonga, a tiny island just off the coast of Elounda which is a former leper colony.
Most visitors to western Crete stay either in the town of Kalives or in one of the busy resorts to be found along the coast west of Chania.
From Ayios Nikolaos, another resort, you can take a trip to Kritsa, a traditional village where local crafts, such as weaving, ceramics and embroidery are sold at good prices.
Operator view: Sunvil Holidays director Dudley Der Parthog:”The island is varied. Mountain ranges rise up to 8,000ft, while Europe’s deepest gorge winds for 12 miles.
“It is a good idea to hire a car and explore.”
Verdict: a good destination for culture vultures and those interested in nature.
Kefalonia
Kefalonia is one of the less-commercial islands with relaxed, uncrowded beaches, mountainous scenery and little fishing villages.
In World War Two, it was overrun by Italians and Germans, the story of which forms a key part of the Louis de Berniere’s novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which details life on the island before the war to the present day.
The resort of Lassi, which is only a few miles away from the capital Argostoli, is good for families. The beaches of Makris Yialos and Platis Yialos are great for children as they slope very gently into the sea.
Most accommodation here is situated within a few minutes walk of the main street and beaches.
There is plenty of activity along the waterfront, and banana boats and paragliding are available from the wide beaches.
For some lively nightlife, head to Argostoli, which is a typical old Greek town full of character. It is picturesque and unspoilt, due to Kefalonian law, which outlaws buildings over three storeys high.
Operator view: Priceright Holidays sales and marketing director Kim Wonnacott:”Kefalonia is my favourite Greek island. It is an unspoilt island that caters for quiet family holidays or couples looking for peace and relaxation. The beaches are among the best in Greece and are renowned for their cleanliness.I have also never seen such aquamarine sea anywhere else in Greece.”
Verdict: ideal for couples and families.
Kos
Compared to many Greek islands, Kos is relatively small but has a lot of varied attractions. It is also an ideal base for island hopping.
Like its close neighbour Rhodes, Kos has a busy main town, lively nightlife and an international airport for easy access.
The best known resort on Kos is Kardamena, which spreads along the island’s eastern coastline, about 40mins drive from Kos Town.
The beach is excellent for families, with plenty of water sports. The original village square and small fishing harbour are still at the heart of the resort but are now surrounded by lots of tavernas, bars and tourist shops.
For something a bit more peaceful, Tingaki has quiet cafe bars and traditional tavernas, while Kefalos offers a taste of the traditional Greece.
Popular trips include the island of Pserimos where there are beaches and a monastery; Nissyros, a dormant, volcanic island, and Bubble Beach – a natural whirlpool bath.
Operator view: First Choice Greece marketing manager Denise Hibbert: “Kos attracts customers of all ages. The supercharged nightlife of Kos Town and Kardamena is popular with the youth market and the quieter towns of Kefalos and Tingaki are very popular with couples and families.
“First Choice’s Greece programme features the resorts of Kos Town, Tingaki, Kefalos and Kardamena. The programme includes two Familyplus hotels with the Nippers (three to six-year olds) and Surf Seekers (seven to 11-year olds) children’s clubs.
“There are also two four-star plus hotels offering complimentary champagne, fruit and flowers for honeymooners.
“Excursions offered include day visits to a crater on the volcanic island of Nisyros, an evening of Greek dancing in an old amphitheatre in Zia, night visits to Kos, and a day sailing around the island.
Verdict: Kardamena is ideal for young people, while Kos is also good for families and those who want to get away from it all.
Rhodes
The largest of the Dodecanese islands, there is plenty to do on Rhodes.
Popular day trips include Petaloudes, a wooded gorge with pine and storax trees which is the home to hundreds of butterflies; Profitis Ilias, a pine-wooded forest; Kalithea, where the well known drinking waters are supposed to possess healing abilities; and Seven Springs, where you can walk barefoot through a long tunnel to an open lake.
The island of Symi is a short boat ride away, while Lyndos, with its sugar cube-shaped houses and cobbled streets, is one of the most photographed spots in Greece
For young people, Faliraki is a popular resort. Loud, proud, vibrant and pulsating, it is the fun capital of the island. During the day, there are lots of sports, including waterskiing and paragliding. There are also lots of bars, restaurants, tavernas, discos and clubs. Operators describe it as a buzzing resort for people looking for some serious activities and serious partying.
Afandou, by contrast, is only a few miles away but is a laid-back resort with shingle beaches. Here is the only golf course on the island. There is a variety of restaurants and bars, but the nightlife is low key.
Operator view: JMC product manager Liz Westcombe:”As one of the most sophisticated of the Greek islands, Rhodes caters for everyone. JMC features a broad spectrum of holidays from the less expensive self-catering to exclusive five-star hotels, suitable for couples and groups of friends as well as families.
“Families are JMC’s main target audience to Rhodes. We now have a Kidsworld and a Familyworld property on the island which are both extremely popular, alongside a wide range of all-inclusive properties which also appeal to the family market. Our weddings package has also been successful and is now the most popular short-haul wedding destination for JMC.”
Verdict: a good all-round destination, suitable for families, couples and young people.
Zante
Also known as Zakynthos, Zante is the most southerly of the six main Ionian islands.
Much of the island is still relatively unspoilt and quiet, while some resorts, particularly Laganas, are pretty wild and not for the faint-hearted. Others, such as Kalamaki are great for families.
The capital, Zante Town, has a busy harbour and souvenir shops but for culture vultures there is little to do apart from visit a small museum devoted to the poet Dionissios Solomou, the island’s most famous son.
The vast majority of visitors to Zante find themselves in Laganas, which has a lively beachfront full of bars and restaurants, some of which are open 24 hours.
The neighbouring resort of Kalamaki is quieter and attracts a lot of families, however, both are very near the airport and suffer from noise of aircraft flying overhead.
To the north, Volimes is the centre of the island’s handicraft industry, where embroidery and rugs are sold by street vendors.
From the north of the island you can get a ferry to nearby Kefalonia or Ithaca.
Zante is one of the main breeding sites for the loggerhead sea turtle, an endangered species.
A wander along any main resort road and you can pick up a boat trip to Shipwreck Cove, Cape Keri caves, or to see the loggerhead turtles.
Operator view: Airtours marketing manager Shilpa Gupta: “Zante combines the greenery of Corfu, the rugged beauty of Crete and the glorious sands of Kos. Known by the Venetians as the ‘flower of the east’, this is a very beautiful island. Zante Town has a long promenade which is ideal for evening strolls.”
Verdict: good for young clubbers and families.