04/27/2024
GREEK ISLANDS EXPLAINED!
Greece has more than 6000 islands and islets under its name - of which just 227 are inhabited. The islands are clustered together into 6 "island groups" - all have wonderful beaches and clear waters but each group also has its own unique style of character, scenery, architecture, culture and things to do.
THE CYCLADES - meaning islands forming in a circle. The most famous of the island groups comprised of 222 islands. Known for iconic white houses, churches with blue domes, beautiful beaches, barren landscapes and hospitable locals. The Cyclades include MYKONOS the cosmopolitan party island with its white windmills and blue skies. DELOS the UNESCO World Heritage site and considered a sacred island. SANTORINI with its spectacular volcanic backdrops, villages with breathtaking views and red sand beach. MILOS with its jaw dropping beaches and coves and NAXOS the largest, most fertile island of the group - to name but a few.
THE SPORADES - meaning the "scattered islands" consisting of 24 islands - 4 of which are inhabited and are very accessible from Athens. SKIATHOS - with its beautiful beaches and vibrant night life. SKOPELOS with its lush forests, wildlife and stunning scenery. The movie Mama Mia was filmed on both Skiathos and Skopelos. SKYROS famous for its ancient breed of Greek horses and ALONISSIS the quietest of the Sporades with pine forests, olive groves and orchards.
THE SARONIC ISLANDS - the island group consisting of 7 main islands, closest to Athens (reached in an hour or less by high speed ferry). Popular amongst wealthy Athenians as well as Greek and international artists, writers and filmmakers. Islands include HYDRA with its beautifully restored town with a cosmopolitan flair. Car free island and former home of Leonard Cohen. POROS has forests reaching the beach, inexpensive accommodation, water sports and a big cafe culture. SPETSES has stunning Venetian style architecture, rich history and beautiful beaches.
DODECANESE ISLANDS - large island chain in the Aegean Sea. Although its name means “Twelve Islands” in Greek, the island chain includes 15 large and over 150 small islands - rich in history. Islands include RHODES a UNESCO listed medieval City with beautiful beaches, SYMI has the most picture perfect harbor with stone houses painted in bright colors on its hill slopes. KOS has 100kms of rugged coastline, endlessly long beaches, lively nightlife and Italian style archetecture.
IONIAN ISLANDS - located west of the Greek mainland, in the Ionian Sea, close to the sea border between Italy and Greece. Strong Italian/Venetian architectural influence. 20 lush green islands with beautiful beaches and emerald waters. CORFU has lush hillsides, beautiful beaches and Corfu Town is a UNESCO heritage site with the best examples of Venetian architecture. KEFALONIA has turquoise water, picturesque villages and mysterious caves. ZAKYNTHOS has a world famous shipwreck, endangered sea turtle species and spectacular nature and beaches.
NORTH AEGEAN ISLANDS - in the very northeastern part of the Aegean sea close to the coast of Turkey. Both larger and smaller islands offer lots of options with green landscapes, crystal clear waters and rich history on each island. THASOS is the northern most island in the group also known as the Emerald Island, mountainous, densely wooded pine forests and olive groves, churches and monasteries and water sports. LIMNOS formed from volcanic eruptions, huge sand dunes, wetlands, fortresses and traditional villages. SAMOS, a smaller island with amazing beaches and excellent ferry service - including ferries over to Turkey
Call or email me for further information. I have extensive personal experience with these island groups and ferry transportation between each one. [email protected] 403 606 1317
