Holidays in Greece - In and Out of the Mainstream

There are many quieter, traditional areas of Greece which repay investigation and can provide an idyllic holiday, away from the more bustling tourist centres. The power of Greece is very much contained in its diversity - many different kinds of holiday are on offer in this ancient country with a traditional heart.

Without doubt, those looking for hedonistic holiday pleasures will never be disappointed - the sun, sea and sand; the warm, lazy days and nights; the waterside wining and dining - it is all here in abundance.

Greece has the second highest number of Blue Flag beaches of any country in the world - an award which confirms and demonstrates the quality and cleanliness of its beaches and sea.

But of course, Greece also has 4000-years of culture and history. Western civilization had its birthplace here, as attested by archaeological sites which include Olympia and Delphi as well as many hundreds of lesser-known location, representing cultures from the early Bronze Age to the sumptuous Byzantine era.

Meanwhile, anyone who has been to Greece will come back with many stories of the Greeks themselves, a friendly, lively and inquisitive people who will always go out of their way to make holidaymakers welcome.

Another great attraction is Greece's nature and environment. The country has fantastic mountain ranges - especially on the mainland, and so Greece becomes a magnet for walkers and hikers; springtime is an excellent time to go for those interested in flowers - Greece has over 6000 flowering plant species, a third of Europe's total.

Identifying Greece as a country for the adventurous, the country has literally hundreds of islands which range from little more than a tiny rocky outcrops, to an island as large as Crete, which is almost 180 miles long and has its own unique identity and spirit.

An example group, ideal for island-hopping and finding peace and tranquility as well as holiday hotspots, are the Cyclades. Located in the central Aegean sea, these are most the archetypal Greek islands, with bright, white villages to explore, quaint working harbours, fine secluded beaches, and small chapels all added in the mix. Each island in the Cyclades has its own atmosphere, giving wonderful contrasts with just a few short cruising miles in between

An example island to discover is Andros, which is just 2 hours by boat from Athens and is the second largest of the Cyclades group, after Naxos. Andros is great for walkers, with mountains and over 70 villages to explore.

All this is so much more accessible than in the past. These days, access to Greek Islands is becoming easier, with more flights arriving from Europe direct to such locations as Kefalonia, Mykonos, Santorini and Kalamata amongst others, a holiday in Greece does not have to start at the main international airport in Athens.