Mark Owen: Greece has the best sunsets
Go island hopping by ferry or buzz around by air
Tuesday, 24 October 2006
Take That's Mark Owen says: 'Santorini in Greece is my ultimate holiday destination. I've been there a few times and it has the best sunsets in Europe, And legend has it that it's the place where vampires come from.'
Create your own perfect holiday in the playground of the gods
What could be lovelier than drifting from Greek island to Greek island under a blazing blue Aegean sky, exploring villages, swimming in clear waters and enjoying a glass of chilled wine at some rustic taverna?
The Greek island experience is legendary and now there's a new way to enjoy it. If time's limited and you want more islands for your money, you no longer have to rely on a slow ferry to chug you along.
Sky Express in Crete zips passengers around the islands in smart new 18-seater planes. So far, 10 routes have been launched – linking up nine islands – and more are planned.
The shortest flights take 30 minutes and the longest 1½hrs. But make sure you travel light – Sky Express only allows 12.5kg (about 5lb) in luggage.
Island hopping by sea
If you prefer sea travel, there's a good network of large ferries, smaller inter-island ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils – known as 'Flying Dolphins' – from which to choose.
Sailing vs flying
Unlike flights, ferries aren't always direct – to sail from Crete to Mytilini on Lesbos you have to change ferries several times. Ferries tend to be cheaper, though.
• Santorini to Mykonos by air takes 30 mins; by ferry it's 3hrs.
• Rhodes to Crete by air takes 1hr; by ferry it's 3hrs.
• Crete to Kos by air is 1hr; by ferry it's 6hrs.
• Crete to Mytilini by air is 1½hrs; by ferry it's 10hrs.
Santorini
(Pictured)
Why go there?
One of the most romantic of the Greek islands, Santorini has stunning views and plenty of candlelit restaurants. Beaches to the east and the south are very popular. They're blisteringly hot in summer, but will appeal to those who like black volcanic sand.
Must see, must do
Fira Town
Clinging dramatically to the edge of a huge extinct volcano crater, Fira's especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset when the light sets off the white buildings against the black rock backdrop.
La
The prettiest village on the island, it's quieter than Fira and has two picturesque harbours.
Karpathos
Why go there?
Karpathos remains relatively unspoilt because it used to be difficult to reach. A mountainous cloud-topped spine divides the wilder north from the gentler south.
Must see, must do
Olympos Village Spilling down from a ridge, the village was cut off from the rest of the island for centuries. Today, it's a mix of medieval and modern, its houses huddled in a maze of alleys.
Lefkos
This is the jewel of the island's low-key resorts. It's a stunningly pretty hill village clustered round three horseshoe-shaped bays.
Mykonos
Why go there?
Mykonos is on the up, with a wave of new smart boutique hotels and bars opening in the past year and a revived nightlife. This is the island to pose, preen and party on.
Must see, must do
Mykonos Town
The clubs, bars and designer clothes stores cater for the hip crowd, while waterside fish tavernas, tiny churches, white alleys and cobbled streets will satisfy traditional holidaymakers. Little Venice is the part of town that currently reigns as groove capital, with lots of waterfront restaurants and the best nightlife.
Beaches
Fleets of buses leave the town for the south-coast beaches every morning. Platys Gialos – 3km south of Mykonos Town – is the most popular with families. Those who want to sunbathe nude head for Elia beach, while Super Paradise attracts a mainly gay crowd.
Lesbos
Why go there?
Greece's third largest island is less busy and boasts smaller-scale resorts and less crowded beaches.
Although the countryside is rocky and dotted with thermal springs, its olive groves, shaded oaks and pine forests make it good for gentle walking.
Must see, must do
Beaches
Pine-covered slopes provide a dramatic backdrop to the island's beaches that stretch out either side of a rocky promontory at Agios Ermogenis. Ayios Ermoyenis is a beautiful sandy cove, while Vatera in the south boasts five miles of beautiful beaches.
Natural spas
If you're after a rejuvenating hot bath, head for Polikhnitos – a well restored vaulted spa house with separate pink tinted chambers for men and women. Ayios Ioannis, a few miles on, has mixed hot springs in elegant whitewashed rooms.
Also popular
Skiathos
The hedonist's dream, with more than 62 lovely pine-scented beaches.
Samos Famous for its countryside, wildlife and vineyards. Walkers love its cobbled paths, while wine lovers head for the villages of Manolates and Vourliotes.
Rhodes
The capital of the Dodecanese, with its medieval walled city, is packed with attractions and history.
Kos
It's main town – lined with palm trees and grand, Italian-built public buildings – is like a miniature Rhodes.
Ikaria
Tucked between Samos and Mykonos, it boasts forests and beautiful beaches.
Fact File
Currency: Euro.
Language: Greek.
Weather: May to November 21°C-30°C (70°F-86°F).
Price: A beer costs £1.40, a glass of wine £1.20 and a two-course meal around £9.90.
How to get there: Check out cheap flights at
www.flightline.co.uk. To book an inter-island flight, call 030 2810 223 500/800 or visit
www.skyexpress.gr. Most ferries can only be booked at the quayside, but for long routes book through
www.ferries.gr or
www.viamare.com.
Food and drink
Typical meals include mezedes and pitta bread (including olives, hummus and haloumi cheese) and grilled fish or meat and baklava (honey and nut pastry). Red wines tend to be better than the whites. And try 'souma' – a smoother variant of ouzo.
Philip Blackmore
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