Contents Crete here are hundreds of reasons to visit Crete at any time of year. The largest and most southerly Greek island has mild weather, pristine beaches, great offerings for food lovers and wine connoisseurs, hundreds of ancient sites, breathtaking landscapes and hiking paths and wild nightlife. It is the largest island in Greece, but has its own unique history and culture. Crete boasts the best beaches in Greece, and some are among the best beaches in the world. With 300 days of sunshine a year, almost every day is a beach day here. You’ll love the pink-sand beaches of Elafonisi, Balos and Falasarna and the palm tree forests at the beaches of Vai and Preveli. Keep your beach bag with you at all times, because you’ll surely encounter a beach you can’t resist while you explore the island. History lovers will find dozens of archaeological sites to explore throughout the island. Crete was the centre of one of the oldest known civilisations in the world, that of the Minoans, who made the island their home during the Bronze Age, from about 3000 to 1100 BCE. Since then, many empires and settlements have come and gone, each leaving their own distinct mark on the architecture and culture on the island. You can visit the ancient palaces of Knossos and Phaistos from More like a country than an island T Heraklion Chania Rethymno Knossos Agios Nikolaos Elounda Phaistos Crete Kerkyra (Corfu Town) Kontokali Kommeno Dassia Sidari Acharavi Moraitika Benitses Paleokastritsa Glyfada Agios Ioannis Corfu n island of rugged natural beauty, Corfu owes much of her historical identity to the State of Venice who controlled the island in the days of the Renaissance. The well-preserved city of Kerkyra (Old Town of Corfu) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many historic buildings from this period. Wander through the ancient alleys and you will discover ornate, Baroque churches and Renaissance palaces. Subsequent occupations by the French and the British has added further architectural layers to the winding medieval streets including ornate arcades lined with elegant cafés and the grand Palace of St. Michael and St. George. During the 19th century, Corfu Town attracted many European aristocrats, who built splendid neoclassical mansions. In 1864 the island was welcomed into the young, modern nation of Greece. A The Green Island with a long history Athens Corfu Vitoria (Gasteiz) Logroño Pamplona (Iruña) Bilbao (Bilbo) San Sebastián (Donostia) Tudela Olite Kefalonia Ithaca efalonia is an Ionian island off the west coast of Greece of dramatic mountains, thickly forested hillsides, pale golden beaches and a cobalt coloured sea. Covered by pine forest and carpeted with wild sage, oregano, thyme and rosemary, the entire island is surrounded by fantastic shorelines that sweep down from secret coves with white pebbles in the north, discovered by boat or on foot, to golden sands in the south, sloping gently into the warm sparkling sea. Essentially laid-back, there is however no shortage of activities for the holidaymaker: visit fascinating castles and museums which give an insight into the island's history and culture; explore Mount Ainos, the habitat of a breed of rare wild horse and one of Greece's ten national parks; or participate in the land or water based sports which abound. Ithaca, which lies just east of the northeast coast of Kefalonia, is the least developed and arguably one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian group, with pretty pebble beaches and a mountainous interior speckled with pine forests, cypresses, olive groves and vineyards. Hikers and discerning tourists love this green and tranquil island which is said to be the much-loved kingdom of Homer's mythical hero Odysseus. Islands worthy of an Odyssey K Gadiki Beach, Ithaca Sami Vathi Poros Skala Argostoli Assos Lixouri Kefalonia & Ithaca Kos Kalimnos & Simi 4 12 18 A series of focus articles on Greece with recommendations for a broad selection of 4 and 5-star hotels and resorts in each region covered. Click on page image to fast-track to specific article. Halkidiki Athens Riviera
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