Greece Travel Tips and Guide

With the choice of basing yourself on the historic mainland or on one of the multitude of spectacular islands on offer, you are sure to easily find the perfect place to spend your holidays in Greece.  There are in fact over 70 islands with at least 100 people living on them, so whether you want a really quiet retreat or a big and brash lively resort the possibilities are endless. 

No matter where you end up, the summer season which runs mainly between May and October in Greece will usually ensure that you will be able to enjoy a hot and dry holiday.  It is not recommended though to travel in the winter months if you’re in search of the sunshine because the temperatures are very likely to plummet.  Many ferry services are available between the islands, meaning that it’s straight forward hopping from island to island if you fancy exploring still further.

Greece is also one of the best places around to find cheap holiday deals for single travellers who are looking to get themselves away.  Many places don’t charge under occupancy supplements which hinder single travellers so much in other destinations.  Many of the main tourist islands such as Rhodes, Crete, Corfu, Zante, Santorini and Skiathos (to name but a few) have a plethora of jaw-dropping, rugged scenery to enjoy with many beautiful bays on offer also.  

In Greece, you are certain to receive a warm and welcoming greeting from the friendly locals who will make you feel relaxed and able to forget all about your worries as you embrace their fascinating culture.  And despite the strong position of the euro against the pound, you will find holidays in Greece more affordable than you’re expecting as food and drink are both priced reasonably here, allowing you to make the most of your time away.

There are about 1400 islands in Greece, but only 227 of them are inhabited with 78 of these having more than 100 people living there. When you plan a visit to the Greek Islands, you have many options to choose from, but you should do your research to find the best places to visit on the top Greek Islands. Some of the islands are not geared up for tourists, although all of them are beautiful locations to visit.

There are four main islands: Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros and Alonissos. Much of the island of Skiathos is forested and contains more than 70 beaches, one of which is a nudist beach. There is an airport on the island and links to the mainland of Greece by ferry service. There is only one major road that connects the four settlements on the island. Skiathos town is the main town and is a haven for tourists. The villages on the outskirts are mainly farms and there is a bus that runs from one end of the island to the other and cheap taxis.

If you want to visit an island of legends, then Skopelos is the one for you. According to legend Dionysus and Princess Ariadne founded the island. Here you will see vestiges of the vitaculture introduced to the island by the Cretans. Since the economy is fully dependent on tourism you will find a wealth of accommodations and attractions. The town of Skopelos is a Traditional Settlement of Outstanding Beauty and there aer more than 300 churches and chapels on the island.

On Skyros, you will have an excellent view of Mount Olympus. You can also visit a castle that dates back to the 13th century, a Byzantine monastery and a archaeological site of a Bronze Age settlement at Palamari. There are many beaches where you can enjoy the sun and the sand as well as see the unique breed of horses on the island - the Skyrian ponies.

Alonissos is one of the Greek Islands where you can visit a protected area for monachus seals in the Alonissos Marine Park there is one main road through the island that will take you to the farming villages when you leave the main port. There are several unused roads if you want to enjoy walking without any danger of traffic. The old settlement of Patitri, which was destroyed in an earthquake, has been rebuilt as a tourist attraction. While there are many beaches on the island, they are most pebble beaches.

Syros is one of the main islands of the Cycladic group of Greek Islands. The capital of the island, Ermoupoli, is a natural amphitheatre and has numerous buildings dating back hundreds of years. There are numerous outdoor cafes and seating areas. Visit the magnificent churches in this city, which ahs been nicknamed the "City of Hermes". The second largest city is the medieval city of Ano Syros where the medieval atmosphere still prevails. You can walk the steps from the harbor to the top of the town and while the medieval part of the town is not accessible by car, it is serviced by marble steps.

Any of the Greek Islands will provide you with the vacation you are looking for. It really depends on what you are looking for in a vacation when you decide which of the islands are the top ones.

The Greek Islands consist of more than 6000 islets and islands belonging to Greece out of which only 227 have been inhabited. The most populous and largest Greek island is Crete and the second largest one is the Euboea. The islands have been traditionally grouped in the following the following clusters: Cyclades, Argo-Saronic islands, North-Aegean islands, Dodecanese, Sporades and Ionian islands.

In accordance to the tourist attractions, things to do and facilities available the top 10 Greek islands are Santorini, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Mykonos, Paros, Skiathos, Los, Naxos and Sifnos. Greece has a lot to offer to all those who travel to its shores. Many holiday makers come to the Greek Islands and stay in holiday rentals. There are many holiday villas and self catering holiday apartments that can be rented as holiday homes. Self catering holiday accommodation is a great and cheap way to experience the Greek Islands to the full. By renting holiday homes in Greece you are able to use them as a base to explore the local culture.

There are several ruins and museums in almost all cities of Greece and the Greek islands are incredible with their golden beaches and deep blue waters. The first thing you can do on the Greek islands is to step on a dream cruise which will take you from the Aegean Sea to the distant shores out of which the above mentioned islands are the most favorites. The second best thing to do that most travelers look forward to is shopping in the Greek islands. There are many booth and sidewalk stores that are laden with items that you can buy and present them to your family members back home.

Almost all types of goods are included in these shops including clothing, pottery, post cards, jewelry and local soaps. Although the variety of goods is huge, they are available at such a low cost that you will find it hard not to buy something. The third attraction for which a large number of people visit the Greek islands is its cuisines. Gyros is one of the most favorite Greek cuisines which consists of a slice of meat from a huge roast which can be chicken, lamb or beef.

There are several restaurants that serve this popular dish and also several take out stands which serve this dish in pita bread as sandwich. Calamari is also one of the Greek seafood specialties which is found in the menus of almost every restaurant. It is a fresh squid deep fried and cut into rings. Whether you are looking for an unspoilt deserted beach or an action-packed resort lined with several lively bars and tavernas, then you can explore the Greek islands here and enjoy whatever you are looking for on its beaches. Some of the beaches are even awarded for their excellence and cleanliness.

The fourth thing you should not forget to do on the Greek islands is to relax on their beaches and have a luxurious walk on their stunning coastlines. With this, you will be able to explore the past meadows and rural villages of the Greek islands that are full of spring flowers for the delight of the visitors. The fifth thing to do on Greek islands include its sports activities including banana boating, jet ski riding, wind surfing, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, surfing and parasailing. Other than water activities, you can also enjoy mountain biking, tennis, golf and horse riding on the Greek islands.