5 Greece Vacation Locations for a DIY Multi-Centre Journey
From the silky delicate sands of Crete to the volcanic black seashores of Santorini, the variety of idyllic Greek vacation locations are as infinite as they’re enchanting. However whereas limiting your self to only one island (or metropolis) on a trip to Greece is perhaps tempting for topping up your tan, planning a multi-centre Greece vacation is sort of as simple as reserving an all-inclusive.
The most important problem? Whittling down which of the 200-plus inhabited islands to go to on a multi-destination Greece vacation. The best approach to see as many of those stunning seaside locations is to hop on a crusing tour or cruise. Nonetheless, with first rate prepare hyperlinks on the mainland, and loads of native ferries to select from, you don’t essentially should sleep onboard to go to a couple of sultry shoreline.
Whether or not you’re looking for feta-filled days and citrusy-wine nights paired with myths and legends, or historic archaeological finds mixed with blue-and-white panoramas, these Greece vacation locations can all seamlessly be was a multi-centre journey.
Pair Kefalonia’s wines with Ithaca’s myths
The blissful Ionian Islands provide a few of Greece’s best to entry seashores, with the airports on Corfu, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos all receiving worldwide flights. However there’s additionally no scarcity of ferry routes between this cluster of islands, making a multi-destination Greece vacation to Kefalonia and airport-free Ithaca – linked by ferry in lower than an hour – a breeze.
On Kefalonia, you’ll discover loads of beautiful seashores comparable to Skala, Myrtos, Avithos and Foki Fiskardo to solar your self on, spectacular boat journeys alongside the coast (and into the Melissani Cave), and panoramic hikes by the dense forests of the Ainos Nationwide Park. The vineyards of Kefalonia, recognized for his or her Robola whites, are additionally nicely value visiting for those who can tear your self away from the shoreline. Because the bigger of the 2 islands, there’s no scarcity of high-end villas in Kefalonia, making it a greater base – with daytime temperatures over 20°C from Might till October, looking for out shoulder-season offers is a strong concept.
The second Greece vacation vacation spot of this journey is the smaller and extra peaceable isle of Ithaca, finest recognized for the myth of Odysseus. The Greek legend of this greater than lives on, with common readings of Homer’s Odyssey well-known poem offered within the island’s cultural areas. Past, it’s simply as mystical, with turquoise-fringed bays and secluded sands providing a barely extra offbeat Greek expertise.
Distinction Kos’ seashores with Nisyros’ volcano
These two Dodecanese Islands aren’t geographically far aside, however they will really feel a world away from one another if you’re on them. Kos, a protracted liked seaside vacation island is a good getaway from the UK because of the abundance of seasonal flights and bundle offers. In the meantime, to go to volcanic Nisyros Island on this multi-centre Greece trip you want solely plan a day journey –nonetheless, I’d recommend scheduling a few nights to benefit from the serenity of this distinctive island.
For probably the most half although, I’d recommend basing your self on Kos. For slightly extra tradition, keep in Kos City, the place the Roman open-air theatre, archeological museum and mosaics, and sea-facing fortress convey some historical past to an in any other case beach-focused break. Different extra typical seaside resort cities embrace laid-back Kefalos or extra vigorous Kardamena, the place the ferry to Nisyros departs.
The second Greece vacation vacation spot of this journey, Nisyros, is much less about golden sands and extra in regards to the sulphur-spewing Stefanos Crater – one of many largest on the planet. On the ferry method, you’ll see the anticipated whitewashed downs that embellish the sting of this fiery island, however when you’ve taken the bus or hiked as much as the crater – which you’ll really stroll within – it’s a distinct world. Considered one of my favorite offbeat European locations, I adored my time in Nisyros, and as soon as the day-trippers have passed by sundown, it turns into much more serene.
Island-hopping across the cinematic Cyclades
The Cyclades are one in all Greece’s most well-known and visited island teams. Though, it’s the Santorini’s azure-domed roofs and black sand seashores which have turn out to be the family identify. But with crowds ever-growing on this overtouristed island, it’s by no means been a greater time to think about one of many different islands within the beautiful group.
With greater than 200 islands within the Cyclades group, seeing all of them could be a mammoth endeavor. Among the different hottest locations embrace gay-friendly Mykonos, recognized for its nightlife, the idyllic and lesser-visited Milos the place sandstone cliffs plunge into bath-like waters, charming Paros, and the biggest island, Naxos.
When you can’t resolve which of the Cyclades to go to, why not bundle a handful collectively into an island-hopping journey. You’re not simply restricted to the enormous floating-city-style cruises that ply the Mediterranean in summer time both, there are many small ship cruises of Greece to select from, and the crusing season normally runs from spring till autumn. With all of the legwork carried out for you, you’ll be able to get pleasure from just a few of probably the most stunning Greek vacation locations trouble free.
All aboard from Athens to Thessaloniki
When you’re travelling to Europe in winter, or would like to concentrate on Greece’s mainland somewhat than islands, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious spending a minimum of just a few days in Athens, the nation’s timeless and ethereal capital metropolis. Laden with legends, landmarks and luxurious choices, there’s lots extra to see past the world-famous UNESCO-listed Acropolis. However why restrict your self to only one Greek vacation vacation spot when Thessaloniki can simply be reached by prepare?
My largest tip in the case of Athens is don’t rush; I made this error on my first whirlwind journey to the town after which subsequently needed to return a few years later to see every thing I missed. In fact, you’ve received the key highlights such because the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, the linked museum, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus Roman amphitheatre. However then there may be a lot extra, such because the half-day worthy Nationwide Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum with its standout mosaics, and the all-marble Panathenaic Stadium.
Making a visit to Athens right into a multi-centre Greece trip can be easy, with the prepare linking the capital to the underrated second metropolis of Thessaloniki in lower than six hours. Whereas not fairly as wealthy in historical past as Athens, there’s greater than sufficient historic ruins and archaeological sights, such because the Roman Discussion board, Archeological Museum and Arch of Galerius to fill a day or two. The Museum of Byzantine Tradition can be an excellent shout for those who missed the one in Athens, whereas the waterfront is good for a stroll and to go to the White Tower. You’ll need to spend the vast majority of your time in Athens, after all, however an evening or two in Thessaloniki will help you see slightly extra of the nation, particularly on the prepare experience.
Mix cultured Corfu with the Albanian Riviera
For me, Corfu is likely one of the finest islands to go to in Greece. I’ve been thrice, and it by no means disappoints. You’ve got every thing you can need from a Greek vacation right here, with dramatic-yet-blissful seashores and bays – Paleokastritsa and Rovinia are two of my favourites – sufficient historical past and cultural points of interest within the capital to fill a day or two, and first-class nightlife regardless of if you would like stylish cocktails, a beachside bar, or an all night time get together – plus, it’s a fantastic place to be taught to scuba dive.
However it is a Greece multi-destination vacation with a twist, as as an alternative of taking a ferry to a different Greek island, you’ll as an alternative board to move to a distinct nation: Albania.
I actually didn’t realise how shut the 2 nations have been earlier than we have been driving alongside the coast of the Albanian Riviera and I checked to see what island was on the horizon. For sure, we took the two-hour ferry throughout to profit from the chance.
Albania itself additionally appears to be having a minute, but with not too many flights but, reaching the nation’s south coast from Corfu can generally be simpler, faster and extra reasonably priced. I wouldn’t recommend doing this as a day journey, however splitting your time evenly between exploring Corfu and visiting a few of the spectacular seashores alongside the Albanian shoreline – the stretch round Ksamil being probably the most dreamy.
