Janine Kelso rustles up some Greek holiday options to suit different types of holidaymaker
With a whole host of resorts offering sun-soaked beaches and plenty of culture, it can be hard to know which Greek destination to suggest for each client. Below is a selection of Greek holiday options for choosy clientele.
Greece for culture seekers
Where?Rhodes
The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is a treasure trove of cultural attractions. Top sights include a 13th century castle in the Old Town which houses an archaeological museum containing artefacts dating back to 1st century BC.
The Mandraki Harbour also merits exploration as this is where the Colossus of Rhodes is believed to have stood.
Libra Holidays’ product manager Darren Hitchcock said: “Rhodes has always been popular with holidaymakers wanting to experience a more cultural holiday.
“The island is an ideal location for those wanting more than sun, sand and sea. Its ancient charm continues to draw visitors back.” When you’re all cultured out, Rhodes has miles of sandy beach and picturesque natural beauty.
Sample package: Libra Holidays offers seven nights’ half-board at the four-star Belvedere Beach Hotel in Rhodes Town for £430 per person in June, including flights and transfers.
Greece for clubbers
Greece for clubbersWhere?Mykonos
Anyone who loves to party will have a ball in Mykonos, rated one of the Mediterranean’s top clubbing destinations alongside Ibiza and Ayia Napa.
Superstar DJs draw in the crowds at bars such as Cavo Paradiso, Super Paradise and the Skandinavian Bar in Mykonos town. It’s cosmopolitan and gay-friendly with a huge raft of beach bars and palatial clubs which throb all night long.
When nursing a hangover, relax on one of the island’s fabulous beaches and watch the beautiful sunset before beginning the night all over again.
Sample package: Olympic Holidays offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Porto Mykonos hotel, in Mykonos Town, for £725 per person in June, including flights and transfers.
Greece for couples
Greece for couplesWhere?Santorini
A massive volcano eruption in 1500 BC gave Santorini its soaring cliffs and red sandy beaches.
Hailed as one of the world’s most romantic islands thanks to its dramatic sunsets, spectacular scenery and sun-soaked beaches, it’s no surprise that this island is a top wedding and honeymoon destination. Operators such as Kosmar, Libra and Planet Holidays can all help couples to tie-the-knot here.
The island’s capital Thira is a hub of narrow winding streets lined with boutiques, restaurants and bars. The black sandy beach Kamari is one of the island’s most popular bays and it has a raft of tavernas for when the sun goes down.
Sample package:Amathus Holidays offers seven nights’ half-board at the four-star Venus Beach in Kamari for £454 per person in June, including flights.
Greece for young families
Greece for young familiesWhere?Corfu
Popular with Brits thanks to its hundred miles of coastline, Corfu has resorts to suit everyone.
Dassia is a peaceful village with top watersports, including waterskiing, pedaloes, windsurfing and parascending. The beach has a string of bars, tavernas and cafes.
The resort of Sidari is a hit with families owing to its safe beaches and choice of watersports. Kids love Canal D’Amoput, a small creek full of sandstone coves, each one of which has a natural swimming pool of warm shallow water with its own sandy beach.
Nearby Roda has warm shallow bays ideal for swimming with a mountainous backdrop. The surrounding countryside is flat and ideal for cycling from village to village.
Sample package: Thomas Cook offers seven nights’ half-board at the four-star Hotel Nissaki Beach for £479 per person in June, including flights and transfers.
Greece for the over-50s
Greece for the over-50s Where?Halkidiki
Forget the islands and give the mainland a try by paying a visit to Halkidiki in the north of Greece.
Awash with villages, sumptuous white sandy beaches and archaeological sites, the destination has a good range of accommodation options to suit all budgets.
Just spitting distance away is Thessaloniki, the second biggest city after Athens. Enjoying a rich history, the town has numerous archaeological sites.
A popular day trip is to take a boat ride around Mount Athos, an area forbidden to enter as 1,700 monks reside here.
Preston Holidays’ sales and marketing director John Markham said: “For people who want to stay on the mainland, Halkidiki is an interesting place to stay with plenty of fantastic walks which are popular with the over-50s.”
Sample package: Amathus Holidays offers seven nights’ half-board at the Anthemus Sea Beach Hotel for £485 per person in June, including flights and transfers.
