Zante - Home of Loggerhead turtles

Zante is one of the largest of the Ionians covering an area of 150 square miles of mountainous terrain to the West and dense fauna to the east. Zante represents one of the best Greek islands for a heady mix of fantastic nightlife and infectious entertainments, and with its amazing beaches in the north and east you'll find an all-rounder that will keep you on your toes for the duration of your holiday.

The first place you should visit on your Zante holiday must surely be the famous Navagio bay. This isolated beach lies off the south-west coast of the island and is only accessible by boat due to its remoteness. Tourists flock from all over the island to see this intriguing bay and the shipwreck of the boat lying on the white pebbled beach which gives the bay its name.

Zante is also famous for its nesting Loggerhead turtles that visit the island between the months of July and August. Laganas beach is the best place to spot these shuffling giants. The stretch of sand here is not just a great place for tourists to lounge around on, but also provides a perfect hatching site for the hundreds of baby turtles that head towards the sea at the end of the season.

In terms of places to stay, Zante has plenty! Kalamaki is the choice for you if you are looking for excitement and partying. This is a paradise for those who love the sea along with all the activities that are associated with it. Kalamaki is home to a well developed hotel set-up and numerous accommodation options offering both cheap and luxury holidays. There are a few bars in the town centre that light up the town at night and despite Kalamaki not having a thriving night-life, you will be charmed by the great quality entertainments that are on show in the evenings.

For somewhere a little more traditional and a touch quieter you should certainly consider the beach town of Vassilikos. Situated at the south east, this quaint town is home to a number of quality self-catering villas that offer the perfect retreat for those who are coming away in large groups looking for a beautiful place by the sea. The beaches on this peninsula are amazing and you will wake up every morning to wonderful views of crystal clear waters and olive grove covered mountains. The beaches are also home to plenty of water sport activities for those looking to really get in touch with the waters surrounding this picturesque town.

Zante's turtles

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Santorini - The picture postcard Greek island

Santorini is perhaps home to the most iconic of all Greek island landscapes. You'll instantly recognise the white washed buildings that sit upon the steep cliffs produced by the once active island volcano, for this is an image that has enured over the years and has been printed on many a postcard symbolising the Greek islands as a whole. Despite lying 100km away from the mainland, this is an unmistakeably Greek destination and one that will endure in the memory once you have visited this white isle.

The beaches are perhaps Santorini's most popular draw. Unlike most of the beaches that lie in the Greek islands, Santorini is one of the few to boast volcanic beaches that are made up of red and black sand spewed from the country's dormant volcano. The most recognisable of Santorini's beaches has to be Red Beach. Located near the ancient city of Akrotiri. A path leads down through the rocky red and black volcanic hills to this eye catching beach with sand that can be hot to step on so take a good pair of sandals to protect your tootsies!

Kamari is the most famous of the resorts on the island and is also home to a great beach. The black sandy beach here is perfect for those looking for plenty of space for ball games and activities whilst remaining within close proximity to the town's touristy amenities and restaurants. Kamari is possibly the best choice for a Santorini holiday, especially if you are looking for somewhere that can offer you a little it of everything. The gorgeous beach, the placid water and the great range of touristy amenities makes it a fantastic all-round choice.

For a day that doesn't involve relaxation on one of Santorini's beaches, you must make time to visit the island's volcano. There are many tours that take you in and around the volcano that are perfect if you would like an in depth look at this wonderful site whilst learning a few things along the way including how the island itself was formed and how it was responsible for the destruction of a whole Empire. Another fantastic place to visit on the island is the ancient ruins of the city of Thira. This town was once the most important on the whole of the island and is still home to public baths and century-old tombs.

Santorini is also one of the most popular islands for producing wine in all of Greece. You will fine fine wines being offered all over the island with indigenous white wines having an extremely dry and citrus taste that can be attributed to the volcanic soil of the island itself.

The iconic scenery of Santorini

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Lefkas - An active Greek island retreat!

Lying off the mainland of Greece, Lefkas is the Greek island of choice for those looking for peace, quiet and heavenly beaches. It has a unique landscape in comparison to many other Greek islands, being covered in greenery and verdant plantlife creating a contrasting blend of white and green that makes a spectacular backdrop for your Lefkas holiday.

Nidri is the main hub for beach resort holidays and is located on the east coast of the island. It is a haven for those looking for boat trips and island hopping and there is ample opportunity for snorkelling and swimming. Whilst on a boat tour around the tiny islands of Madouri, Sparti and Skorpidi you will have time to soak up the sun when your captain drops anchor at one of the island's hidden beaches, just be sure to pack your snorkelling gear as the waters around here are clear and begging to be explored. The nearby hills of Nidri are also fantastic for those looking for a stroll and the views that await you at the top are perfect for capturing your holiday to Lefkas on camera.

If you enjoy sailing and windsurfing, head to the beach town Vassiliki. You will feel the strong winds as soon as you arrive and spot flotillas of yachts coming into the marina to moor up. Sailing holidays and tours are big here and come highly recommended from the most seasoned of enthusiasts. Even for the newbie, you will find plenty of opportunities to climb aboard a vessel and learn the ropes in preparation for your next Lefkas holiday! Once on your boat you may even have the chance of spotting dolphins or turtles who frequent the waters and beaches in this area.

If you're a cycling enthusiast, you should certainly consider taking your bike! The scenic hills are perfect for cyclists looking for adventure and you will find the roads are both accommodating and popular with local cyclists who are often more than happy to guide you on a few choice routed through the mountains!

Windsurf Lefkas!

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Paxos – The traditional Greek Island

Paxos is the smaller cousin of nearby Corfu. This is a place where you can truly immerse yourself in Greek island living. It's far more reserved than Corfu, with life moving at a slower pace and lacking in any of the huge European mainland resort accommodation.

The island itself is eight miles long with the west coast of the island being dominated by huge, steep, white cliffs that are also home to numerous lagoon, blue caves at sea level. The interior of the island is primarily made up of hilly landscapes covered in thick olive tree groves. You'll find that a boat trip is the best way of exploring the island upon arrival, with plenty of excursions leaving from the main ports of Gaios and Lakka.

You will find a variety of accommodation options for your Paxos holiday in Lakka. Budget options are a little harder to find due to Paxos' size and lack of sprawling hotels, but last minute deals can often drive prices down if you;re willing to wait. Instead, Paxos is very popular with those looking for luxury accommodation to enjoy their surroundings. This idyllic setting is very popular with daytrippers, and for good reason. You'll find that the village of Lakka is nearly as beautiful as its two beaches, Kanoni and Harami. Kanoni is a pebble beach which attracts those looking for a picturesque stroll, whilst Harami is great for sunbathing on soft, golden sand. The town itself is classic Greek. White-washed buildings and narrow streets are what you can expect here and you will find plenty of Greek tavernas and restaurants waiting for you at the end of a hard days holidaying!

Gaios is another port town that is a great base for your Paxos holiday. Watch from the dock as expensive looking yachts come in to moor and sea planes slowly come into land from the Greek mainland and Ionian islands to bask in Paxos' sunny climbs and deep blue waters. Situated on the East coast of Paxos, Gaios is perhaps the liveliest town on the island ans is certainly one of the largest. There are many amenities that are geared towards tourists to keep you entertained throughout the day and night and plenty of good quality souvenir shops for gift buying.

The smallest of Paxos' holiday towns is Loggos and this is by far the best spot if you are looking for a simple holiday where you can escape the crowds and find your own little patch of isolated beach for pure, blissful solitude. The town itself sits astride a horseshoe shaped bay punctuated by a sandy beach and the olive groves that add a splash of green to this little town. Head out of the town a little further and you will find the larger beach of Levrecchio which is perfect for wiling away the hours on your Paxos holiday.

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Rhodes for Ancient Greek history and stunning natural beauty

Rhodes is a land filled with history and intrigue. It was once the home of one of the ancient seven wonders of the world, The Colossus of Rhodes and is packed full of historical artefacts and sites from ancient, bygone eras. Being the site of a once amazing monument, Rhodes attracts visitors from all over the world and is especially busy in the summer months with tourists exploring the island in search of Rhodes many intrigues.

A Rhodes holiday has something for everyone. From the party resort of Faliraki in the north east offering you budget holidays, to the quiet towns that lie on the ribbon of sand leading down the length of the east coast such as Lindos and Kolymbia.

If you're on the look out for some of the best partying in the whole of Europe, then Faliraki is certainly the choice for your Rhodes holiday. As well as the usual cheap accommodation and lively resort atmosphere that comes with a holiday here, you can also treat yourself to a trip to Faliraki's very own waterpark or perhaps even a tour around the island on a quad bike. This is also home to one of the finest beaches on the island, a sweeping 4km stretch of golden sand which is perfect for soaking up that ever present sun.

For a stay that is a little more low-key you could head to somewhere a little more 'Greek' and to Rhodes town. This place is packed full of historical sites and the world-renowned Collossus which was once the spearhead of Rhodes' famous Mandraki harbour. Statues of deer now stand in its ruins symbolising the island and its importance in Greek history. As well as the harbour, Rhodes town also boasts the palace of the Grand Masters as well as the old Jewish and Turkish quarters of the city- perfect for immersing oneself in after a day of sunbathing on the shingle beach of Psaropoula. 

For a real treat and a little taste of Rhode's paradise, stay at Lindos. You'll be paying a high premium to stay in this protected area, but for the price you get Lindos' fantastic St Paul's bay and waters that are fantastic for bathing and snorkelling. You could spend a whole day admiring the view of the town once you scale the ascent to the top of the hill on which Lindos acropolis stands. The old architecture of Lindos has been beautifully preserved and the castle that acts as the backdrop for the town is also wonderfully intact and is a great place to discover more of the island's rich history - all-in-all a perfect place for a luxurious Rhodes holiday.

Beautiful Lindos by night

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