Greece – Greek islands guide – Pick one

Do not let the Greek debt problems put you off visiting, after all the sky is not any less blue, the sea any less warm or the sun any less shiny.

Plus the Euro rate has dropped making a Greece holiday all the more attractive.

Greece and the Greek Islands advice – let us pick the right one for you – families, Couples, history, first time visitors, night life, Greece has it all.

For families
A safe sandy beach has to be number one on most families’ wish lists, and Sunvil recommends the Peloponnesian resort of Tolon and Aghois Gordis on Corfu. Both resorts also have friendly beach cafes and tavernas close to hand, so everything is in easy reach.

We suggests Kos for its water parks and choice of child-friendly hotels, which are often less busy than similar hotels on larger islands.

First Choice is opening a flagship resort on Rhodes – Seven nights’ all-inclusive starts from £1,070 for adults, £284 for a first child and £424 for a second child, sharing a double family room and flying from Gatwick on August 28.

For first-timers

First-time visitors looking for a quintessentially Greek experience can’t go far wrong with one of the larger islands to give them plenty of diversity. We suggests Rhodes for its dependable weather and wide range of accommodation.

Corfu gets the nod for its lush vegetation, mountains, golden beaches, fishing villages and lively resorts. Glyfada, in particular, is famous for its fine beach, and the operator offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at the four-star Louis Grand Hotel from £519.

For repeat visitors

Operators tend towards smaller, more out-of-the-way islands for repeat visitors who may well be looking to find somewhere authentically Greek. We suggest Symi, via Rhodes, or Skopelos or Alonissos via Skiathos.

It offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Dionyssos Hotel in Skopelos Town from £465 in September, departing Gatwick.

For couples

You can’t get more romantic than Santorini (see this week’s Santorini feature for more on the island). Manos, Planet and Olympic all tip it as the top spot for couples.

The capital, Fira, stands on a cliff edge and is a maze of winding streets. Nearby Oia is picture-perfect, with whitewashed buildings overlooking the spectacular caldera.

On the other side of the island there are more affordable properties on Perissia’s black-sand beaches. Depending on the couple’s focus and budget they can stay in one area and visit the other.

As an alternative, Thomson suggests cosmopolitan Mykonos, popular with celebrities and packed to the brim with fantastic boutique hotels – a great choice for young professionals.

For affordability

Corfu and Zante top the value list for most operators. Both islands offer budget hotels, plus a wide selection of self-catering options. Clients can pick up a no-frills week in an apartment from about £250 each, even in the height of summer.

Thomson offers seven nights’ self-catering at the two-star Theodosia Studios in Sidari, Corfu, from £268 per person twin-share, departing June 28 from Gatwick.

Olympic offers seven nights’ self-catering at the Lofos Studios in Alykes on Zante from £255.

For older visitors

Peace and quiet is often the name of the game for older clients, so suggest Paxos, says Olympic Holidays, where it offers a number of villas with free car hire so they can do a bit of exploring. Properties start from £345. Thomson tips beautiful Kefalonia, with its stunning scenery and laid-back feel.

For nightlife
Select your nightlife spot depending on your client. Cosmos suggests Laganas on Zante for the young market wanting to party, and offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Alkyonis from £259 with flights from Gatwick.

Olympic recommends Cretan towns of Malia, Hersonissos and Aghia Marina. We recommend Rhodes for a broad choice of nightlife, and Mykonos for a more sophisticated set.

History

Of the islands, both Cosmos and Thomson recommend Rhodes. Rhodes town itself is a Unesco World Heritage Site, where visitors can walk around inside the fortified walls and see the Street of Knights and the Grand Master’s Palace.

Lindos has a 3rd‑century Acropolis overlooking its old town, and visitors can hop over to the tiny island of Symi just off the coast to see the steep streets of pretty Chorio and the 18th-century monastery at Panormitis.