With more than five Greek islands back on the quarantine-free list, Katie McGonagle lines up breaks to book when the season restarts.
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Tinos
“Tinos couldn’t be more different from its glitzy sister, Mykonos,” says Chris Wright, managing director of Greek specialist Sunvil. “Though the third-largest island in the Cyclades, Tinos has kept its traditional Greek feel and laid-back way of life. Often bypassed by tourists, unless on a religious pilgrimage – Greeks crawl up the stepped hill on August 15, to mark the assumption of Mary – the island is ideal for those who love walking, plus it has secluded beaches and beautiful Greek villages.”
“Often bypassed by tourists, unless on a religious pilgrimage – Greeks crawl up the stepped hill on August 15, to mark the assumption of Mary – the island is ideal for those who love walking.”
Book it: Sunvil offers a week at En Tino hotel from £777, with flights to Athens, transfers to Piraeus and a ferry to Tinos, departing May 14, 2021.
sunvil.co.uk
Lesbos
The island of Lesbos, just off the coast of Turkey, is a living, working island offering a different experience from more tourist-oriented hotspots. This area has a history of olive oil and ouzo-making, plus buzzing towns and cities. Michael Vinales, managing director of Olympic Holidays, says: “Lesbos is one of Greece’s biggest islands, and one of the most historically rich. It’s full of pristine beaches, hot thermal springs and mountain walks.”
“This living, working island offers a different experience from more tourist-oriented hotspots. The area has a history of olive oil and ouzo-making, plus buzzing towns and cities.”
Book it: Olympic Holidays offers seven nights’ selfcatering at the Anaxos Garden from £372 in May 2021, with flights from Stansted.
olympicholidays.com
Zante
Zante rewards holidaymakers who are happy to swap the mass-market resorts and lively tourist towns of the south for craggy coastlines, clifftop sea views and traditional villages. The much photographed Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach tends to steal the limelight thanks to its dramatic setting, but there are plenty of other sandy stretches, some of which are nesting sites for loggerhead turtles.
“Zante rewards holidaymakers who are happy to swap the mass-market resorts and lively tourist towns of the south for craggy coastlines, clifftop sea views and traditional villages. “
Book it: EasyJet Holidays offers a week at five-star Meandros Boutique & Spa Hotel, for £467 including Gatwick flights and transfers, departing May 19, 2021.
easyjet.com/en/holidays
Serifos
White-washed houses stacked like sugar cubes tumbling from the highest hilltop peak to the calm water’s edge – Serifos really is what Greek island dreams were made of before the tourists flocked in. This ruggedly beautiful island is criss-crossed with walking and cycling trails, and its history is just as rich, playing host to one ancient civilisation after another, and more than a few pirate invasions to boot.
“This ruggedly beautiful island is criss-crossed with walking and cycling trails, and its history is just as rich, playing host to one ancient civilisation after another.”
Book it: Islands of Greece offers seven nights in a double room at the family-run Maistrali Hotel from £629 including flights and transfers in May or June 2021.
islandsofgreece.co.uk
Santorini
This ever-popular island, beloved by honeymooners for its black-sand beaches and epic caldera sunsets, is bound to be top of the list as demand returns. Planet Holidays’ commercial director Harry Kyrillou says: “Santorini offers a great choice for holidaymakers looking for small hotels with stunning views, and is a good location for those looking to island hop.”
“This ever-popular island, beloved by honeymooners for its black-sand beaches and epic caldera sunsets, is bound to be top of the list as demand returns.”
Book it: Planet Holidays offers seven nights’ B&B at Afroditi Venus Beach Hotel & Spa in Kamari from £599 with flights from Gatwick on May 6, 2021, and private transfers.
planet-holidays.co.uk
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