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Greece's islands offer a myriad
of coves, bays, inlets and beaches.
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Greeka.com
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By Tom
Beal
A person can tell a lot about someone
who has toured the Greek islands by finding out
which was their favorite. Someone keen on Amorgos
is more likely to be the quiet, reserved type while
you would expect a Mykonos fan to be fun-loving
and free-spirited. With around 100 inhabited islands,
there are lots of places to get familiar with. And,
like people, not all can be simply categorized as
‘quiet’ or ‘lively’. Indeed
most islands have multiple personalities, offering
a variety of busy beaches, beautiful scenery and
cultural history.
The jagged beauty of Corfu (or as
the Greeks call it Kerkyra) is best found in the
north-east corner. Walkers can enjoy the wealth
of footpaths or even venture on a stroll down the
donkey tracks which meander across the island. In
dramatic contrast the east-coast of the island is
populated with lively resorts full of revelers.
Corfu is part of the Ionians, the only group of
islands that lies off the west-coast of mainland
Greece. Due to their location the Ionians get more
rain than their east-coast counterparts and are
greener in consequence. Kefalonia and Zakynthos
are other interesting members of the Ionian family.
Both have been largely rebuilt after an earthquake
in 1953 and offer scenic hills and villages as well
as pleasant beaches.
The five Argo-Saronic islands are
the easiest to get to but their accessibility also
means that they can get very busy, particularly
during July and August. They boast among their number
Aegina, which lies just 21 kilometers off shore.
Here you can see the Temple of Aphalia, dedicated
to a fertility goddess and dating back to the 6th
century BC. Several of the Argo-Sardonic islands
are particularly good for day-trips to escape the
hustle and bustle of Athens. Hydra, for example,
has a ‘no cars’ policy and so has a tranquil
ambience. Non-walkers get from point A to B astride
a donkey.
Far to the east, near Turkey, the
Dodecanese islands can be found. The diamond-shaped
island of Rhodes provides a vigorous nightlife and
a wealth of culture. Indeed Rhodes old town is a
fortified medieval city with huge lengths of battlements
and pebble-mosaic lanes. Falaraki town is popular
with clubbers and has a multitude of venues open
until the early hours. In the day its large beaches
are ideal for water sports. Many of the islands
offer opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving
and sailing.
Other groups of islands include the
Sporades (renowned for their pine-forests and beaches)
and the Cyclades. The latter group consists of 56
islands and is one of the original centers of European
civilization. Cycladic history can be traced back
to before 3,000 BC. For a serious dose of culture
visit the Archaeological museum of Mykonos. Here
artifacts from the nearby island of Delos (birthplace
of Apollo) are kept.
A favorite with American visitors,
the island of Santorini boasts one of the most spectacular
sunsets in Greece. Blown apart by a volcanic eruption
in around 1470 BC, the island’s legacy is the
captivating sight of villages clinging to black
cliffs and houses buried beneath lava and pumice.
"Perhaps only in the fanciful reaches of science
fiction will you find anything quite like this extinct
volcano of white marble," writes novelist Lawrence
Durrell.
The largest of all the islands, Crete,
is 160 miles long. It possesses one of the archaeological
wonders of the world in the ruins of the ancient
city of Knossos. Crete also offers an 18-hole golf
course along with spas and health centers.
Indeed a visit to the Greek islands
these days can encompass all forms of modern leisure
as well as ancient history, scenic walking and unique
sun baked beaches.
The main hub for accessing Greece’s
islands is Piraeus port. A 20-minute metro ride
from downtown Athens, the port provides a good starting
point for travelers - unless the journey begins
with the Ionian islands or those in the north Dodecanese.
For these a flight is recommended to cut down on
journey times.
Island hopping may be done on a variety
of large and small ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils.
Ticket prices vary depending on the speed of the
boat. Timetables are often subject to change so
allow for some flexibility in travel plans. Some
island hotels, like the luxurious Santa Marina on
Mykonos, offer help with journeys by providing private
jets and helicopters to airports.
Cars, though impractical on some
of the smaller islands, are perfect for getting
around on the larger islands. Mopeds, motorcycles
and bicycles may also be arranged.
For more information, please check
Greeka.com.
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Greece 
