Ideas for a sun soaked Greek Island holiday
Greek island holidays are hugely popular with British tourists. Greek holiday brochures are filled with images of impeccable beaches, breathtaking scenery, atmospheric tavernas and endless sunshine. Whilst the increasing popularity of Greek island holidays has turned some Greek islands into party resorts, a little knowledge and access to privately owned villas in the Greek islands means you too can experience the dazzling Greek island holidays of old.
Top five Greek Island holiday destinations
Every style of beach holidays is available in the Greek Islands. Islands including Kos and Mykonos are ideal spots for enjoying a lively combination of beaches and bars in the Greek Islands, but if you prefer to escape the crowds and discover the authentic Greek islands, there are plenty of idyllic villas in Greece to choose from in the less known islands including Alonissos, Thassos and Paxos. With so many villas in the Greek Islands to choose from, you can always find absolute peace, without fail, despite their huge popularity. If this is your first planned visit to the Greek islands, hopping from one to another and exploring a range of islands is a perfect solution, letting you find your dream Greek holiday villa for your next visit!
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Greek rental accommodation on one of the 227 inhabited Greek islands (there are over 1,400 in total), you and your family will never run out of activities. Whilst the unbelievably beautiful soft sand beaches, timeless tavernas and scenic walks into the mountains can take up much of your Greek holidays, it is the crystal clear waters of the Aegean and Ionian Seas that offer the most adventure. Greek sailing holidays are among the best in the world, allowing you to go Greek island hopping, discovering serene bays in which to drop anchor, head to the beach and enjoy a picnic or the best of Greek snorkelling and scuba diving. Greek sea fishing is also exceptional, especially if you can cook your catch for dinner over a barbeque or in your Greek rental property.
Ionian Islands
Stay in this apartment in Achillii, Greece
These seven Greek islands are among the most popular places to a take privately owned villa in the Greek islands, from the bustling island of Corfu to the traditional little Greek island of Lefkas or the unspoilt Paxos.
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Aegean Islands
Stay in this home in Firostefani, Santorini
These 7 Greek islands are among the most popular places to a take privately owned villa, from the bustling island of Corfu to the traditional little Greek island of Lefkas or the unspoilt Paros. Santorini holidays is also a great base to explore this area.
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The Cyclades
Stay in this villa in Ia, Greece
The 39 islands of the Cyclades offer staggering contrasts, from the party island of Mykonos to the uninhabited, unspoilt and absolutely stunning island of Antikeros whose sublime beaches are only accessible on Greek sailing holidays.
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Saronic Islands
Stay in this villa in Spetses, Attica, Greece
The closest islands to the mainland, the Saronic Islands, are naturally beautiful with excellent, clean beaches, ideal for Greek island holidays with the family. Islands include Aegina, Poros, Salamina, Spetses and Hydra.
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Crete
Stay in this villa in Kissamos, Crete
Crete, the largest Greek Island, is world famous for its 1,000km of stunning sandy coves, amazing historical relics and vibrant culture. Greek rental accommodation in Crete is perfect for first time visitors to the Greek Islands.
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Find an idyllic base for a Greek Island holiday
A self catering Greek villa for rent in the Greek Islands is an ideal destination for traveling with children. The Greek Islands are wonderfully safe and children are warmly welcomed. Of course, the safe bathing beaches and vast array of leisure activities makes traveling with your children to a Greek rental property a real joy, as keeping children happy, excited and entertained is easy. There are some great child care centres offering Greek snorkeling and scuba diving, watersports and sailing courses allowing you to have a couple of hours to yourself if you wish.
The Greek Islands are still a great destination in winter, contrary to popular belief! In fact, winter is sometimes one of the best times to take self catering Greek rental accommodation. There is not a crowd to be seen anywhere, the landscape remains green and lush and the sea is still easily warm enough to swim in, especially if you enjoy a dip off the British coast in the summer. The winter is when you can really experience the Greek islands at their traditional best, with tavernas once again catering for local tastes, archeological sites deserted and sprinkled with wild flowers and the finest privately owned villas in the Greek Islands available for rent at off-season prices.
Greek villa holidays are easy to arrange. Many Greek islands have their own airports receiving direct flights from the UK including Rhodes, Crete, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, Kos and Zante. As with most holidays, the earlier you book your flights to the Greek Islands, the cheaper you will manage to find flights. Athens (ATH) acts as the major transport hub for all the Greek Islands, and if you cannot find a convenient flight to an airport near your Greek villa direct from the UK, try flying to Athens and getting a connection from there. You may be able to save some significant money too. Many of the other Greek islands are easily accessible from the mainland by ferry. The port of Piraeus (15 minutes from central Athens) has a vast range of ferry routes throughout the Greek Islands, making your remote self catering Greek villa seem a whole lot more accessible. However, you must remember, the more peaceful, remote and traditional your Greek rental property is, the more effort will be needed to reach it!