Greece Islands __EXCLUSIVE__

[Mavis Mcclory]

<div>Lord Byron was on to something when he waxed lyrical about the Greek islands. But with more than 200 inhabited to choose from, which ones are the very best Greek islands? Here regular isle-hopper Rachel Howard reveals the ones to get in a speedboat for in 2023 (in no particular order), with where to stay recommendations chosen by the editors of Condé Nast Traveller.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Corfu is the It Girl of the Ionian islands. The cosmopolitan capital is a charming clash of Venetian, British, and French colonial influences. Evenings kick off with cocktails on the Liston (a colonnade modelled on Paris's Rue de Rivoli), followed by dinner at Salto, an unpretentious wine bar and bistro on the edge of the Old Town.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>greece islands</div><div></div><div>DOWNLOAD: https://t.co/DOYGIKvPrp </div><div></div><div></div><div>Should you tire of frolicking on the shore, three supersized kouros statues are hidden in the hills and there are dozens of drowsy villages to explore. Try kitron, the local citron liqueur, at the Vallindras distillery in Halki or sample homemade wine and arseniko cheese under the plane trees in Ano Potamia village. No wonder Herodotus described Naxos as the happiest of islands."</div><div></div><div></div><div>Zakynthos, or Zante, has shrugged off its reputation as a destination for lads on tour (as long as you avoid Lagana and the built-up south coast) by rebranding itself as one of Greece's greenest islands. It's not just the emerald hills sliding into the electric blue Ionian: much of the south coast is a nature reserve where endangered loggerhead turtles hatch in the sand. The turtle beaches are off limits, but there are countless coves in every hue of green and blue. Favourites are tiny Xigia, with its bubbling underwater springs, and craggy Porto Limnionas, with sunbeds wedged between the rocks and palm-frond umbrellas positioned between the pine trees. Skinari is the starting point for boat trips to the most famous landmarks, the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach, where a rusting liner leans into the chalky cliffs. From Keri, you can cast away for Marathonisi island, another turtle sanctuary.</div><div></div><div></div><div>The nearest beach is Livadi, a sort-of-resort surrounded by citrus orchards. The rest of the island is stark and wild. Treacherous tracks hurtle down to shingle bays such as Vatses, with a rocking beach bar, and Kaminakia, where Linda's farm-to-table taverna serves the best roast goat in the Dodecanese. If you really want to be alone, rent a motorboat from Maltezana, an old-time fishing village, and putter to Koutsomiti and Kounoupes, tiny islands connected by a double-sided beach. At Vathy, a lagoon where erotic graffiti was etched into the rocks 2,500 years ago, the only taverna is called Galini (Peace). Which sums up Astypalea perfectly.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Greece has many islands,[Note 1] with estimates ranging from somewhere around 1,200[1] to 6,000,[2] depending on the minimum size to take into account. The number of inhabited islands is variously cited as between 166[3] and 227.[2]</div><div></div><div></div><div>The largest Greek island by both area and population is Crete, located at the southern edge of the Aegean Sea. The second largest island in area is Euboea or Evvia, which is separated from the mainland by the 60m-wide Euripus Strait, and is administered as part of the Central Greece region. After the third and fourth largest Greek islands, Lesbos and Rhodes, the rest of the islands are two-thirds of the area of Rhodes, or smaller.</div><div></div><div></div><div>The Greek islands are traditionally grouped into the following clusters: the Argo-Saronic Islands in the Saronic Gulf near Athens; the Cyclades, a large but dense collection occupying the central part of the Aegean Sea; the North Aegean islands, a loose grouping off the west coast of Turkey; the Dodecanese, another loose collection in the southeast between Crete and Turkey; the Sporades, a small tight group off the coast of Euboea; and the Ionian Islands, chiefly located to the west of the mainland in the Ionian Sea. Crete with its surrounding islets and Euboea are traditionally excluded from this grouping.</div><div></div><div></div><div>This list includes Argo-Saronic islands, which are located in the Saronic Gulf. The largest Argo-Saronic island is Salamis. The main islands are in bold. Uninhabited islands are indicated, including those that may have been inhabited in the past:</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Discover 90 Greek islands and Mainland destinations you can visit during your trip to Greece, sorted by region, category & popularity, and learn all their secrets for the most incredible vacation! In brief:</div><div></div><div></div><div>Taking the Greek Ferries and visiting more than one island is an ideal option especially if your holiday lasts more than a week. Many islands lie in proximity to others or are connected by ferry with other ports daily. Island hopping is very common among the islands of the Cyclades!</div><div></div><div></div><div>Athens, the capital of Greece is a large city located close to the sea, with mild weather all year round. Its historical significance, archaeological sites, shops, museums, upscale seaside neighborhoods, delicious restaurants, and its closeness to the islands make it ideal for first-timers.</div><div></div><div>Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is also ideal for first-timers. It offers some of the world's most dramatic sea views and lovely boutique hotels.</div><div></div><div>Mykonos is considered by many as the Greek sister of Ibiza. It is a Cycladic destination with numerous beautiful beaches, a charming traditional town, several luxury hotels, and wild partying nightlife.</div><div></div><div>Paros and Naxos are two islands in very close proximity. Their location makes them sisters but their characters are quite different from one another. Both flaunt shimmering sandy beaches, wonderful whitewashed villages, and excellent accommodation options.</div><div></div><div>Lastly, Crete and Rhodes are two very different islands, but both are considered perfect places for first-timers since they boast unparalleled seashores and picturesque villages. An additional important aspect is their very well-organized tourist infrastructure. Both are large and wide, hosting buzzing international airports for the convenience of travelers from abroad that may fly there directly.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Visit the islands of Mykonos, Naxos, Ios, Milos, Paros, Koufonisia in the Cyclades, Chania in Crete, Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Kefalonia in the Ionian, and Skiathos in the Sporades.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Crystal-clear waters are a trademark of the islands, although some beaches may be ranked higher than others. On the strength of that, some are more favored than others.</div><div></div><div> Mykonos boasts more than 28 sandy beaches with clear and calm waters.</div><div></div><div> Naxos hardly gets crowded on the west coastal side, which extends into a more than 9km beach.</div><div></div><div> Ios has managed to keep some of the most fantastic beaches of the Aegean away from the spotlight, although the island gets extremely busy during the summer.</div><div></div><div> Milos has uniquely white volcanic soil forming some of the most photogenic beaches in Greece.</div><div></div><div> Paros can satisfy any traveler with its variety of dazzling beaches.</div><div></div><div> Koufonisia are very popular for their sandy beaches, sea caves, and natural sea pools.</div><div></div><div> Chania in Crete has some of the most mesmerizing beaches: picture pink sand and different hues of turquoise waters!</div><div></div><div> Rhodes is an all-time classic option apropos spending days by the beach.</div><div></div><div> The beaches of the Ionian islands - Lefkada, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia - have ranked more than once as the best beaches in the world. Porto Katsiki, Navagio, and Myrtos are now synonymous with heaven on earth!</div><div></div><div> Lastly, the unique beaches of Skiathos are where the verdant pine trees and the azure Aegean sea intertwine.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Some islands boast a more romantic atmosphere than others. A combination of golden sunsets, dreamy boutique hotels, and delicious, candle-lit dining made those places the perfect places for love doves.</div><div></div><div> Whether a young couple, honeymooner, celebrating an anniversary, or simply planning an engagement during your holiday, those destinations will create the perfect background for any occasion.</div><div></div><div></div><div>If beach clubs, bars, and, fun from dusk till dawn are what you have in your summer plans, then those islands are the party hubs of Greece and welcome young people from all around the world every summer.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Greek cuisine is well-know for its healthy, hearty meals and delicious fresh products.</div><div></div><div> Some islands have a more emphasized gastronomic scene due to their fertile soil, local products, and recipes.</div><div></div><div> If you appreciate quality meals and want to savor memorable culinary experiences, those locations are ready to welcome you to their delicious tavernas and allow you to taste local cheese types, wine varieties, fresh seafood and meat dishes.</div><div></div><div></div><div>A few islands showcase the ideal weather conditions and have developed into hubs for adrenaline hunters and sports enthusiasts.</div><div></div><div> Naxos, Lefkada, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Lemnos, and Kos have the perfect seashores for that.</div><div></div><div> Windsurfing and kitesurfing schools exist on the bays, offering you lessons, or allowing you to rent sports equipment. A very committed community has been created over time, visiting yearly. If you want to enjoy kitesurfing or windsurfing sessions on a beautiful island, you now know where to go.</div><div></div><div></div><div>If you seek to experience a wonderful Aegean summer away from the crowds and immerse yourself in tranquility, low-profile islands are ideal destinations.</div><div></div><div> Once on one of these locations, you can tune out of the hectic routine and find peace and meaning in the details of life; the golden, blazing sun above, a rejuvenating dive in the indigo sea, savoring a juicy watermelon by the beach, an evening stroll in their picturesque villages and more.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Spreading in two main thalassic parts of the Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea on the East and the Ionian Sea on the West, the islands are divided into smaller groups.</div><div></div><div>In those groupings, islands of varying dimensions, coastlines, and sizes can be found, from very small to considerably large ones. Travelers can easily island hop by ferry between the smaller ones during their vacation while investing many days in exploring a larger one is recommended.</div><div></div><div> 31c5a71286</div>