Popular Sunshine Holidays

The Greek Islands

Islands
Kos - Corfu - Rhodes - Crete

Kos
A member of the Dodecanese group of Islands in the South East Aegean Ocean, Kos is steeped in history. The most famous resident was Hippocrates, the father of medicine and the beautiful old plane tree, where he sat to read and teach, still has pride of place in the leafy town square. Excellent day trips are available from Kos to Turkey and neighbouring islands of Kalymnos (where fishermen stil dive for natural sponges, Pserimos and Nissyros. Known as the island of bikes, this is the most common and attractive form of transport on the island. Essentially a pleasure island, Kos is now an extremely lively destination combining all the important factors for fun in the sun.
Kos Town
The bustling harbour area is crammed with colourful fishing boats and lined with lovely local tavernas and street cafes. Bar Street (aptly named) is paradise for nightbirds and is simply lined with a succession of music, dance and video bars. The excellent sandy beach is perfect for sun lovers and the ideal antidote for de-stressing.

Corfu
It is remarkably easy to have a love affair with Corfu as the island has an indefinable quality of peace and timelessness which gives it a completely unique character. With the wonderful climate and beautiful scenery, it is not difficult to understand why Corfu is quite so popular. A lush and green Island (due to abundant rainfall in Winter months) with mountains and many Cypress trees, Corfu is flanked by turquoise seas. One of the Ionian groups of Islands, Corfu is small, being only 40 miles long and 17 miles in width and despite the concessions to tourism, the island is still very rural and not to the fore with modern facilities and basic conveniences. Corfu itself is the main town on the island and the cobbled streets are excellent for shopping and the lovely Church of St. Spiridon (patron saint) has gorgeous fresco work and painted icons.

Rhodes
A wonderful combination of modern and ancient Greece side by side, Rhodes has a proud and intense history. In mythology, the famous Colossus of Rhodes straddled the harbour, keeping its waters free from foreign invaders. It has long since gone, (and indeed there is speculation as to whether this was the real site or not) but either way, Colossus purportedly guarded for a relatively short fifty years before being toppled by an earthquake. The harbour still appeals to cruise ships which cluster in the safety of the sheltered walls and mingle with opulent yachts and pleasure craft.
Rhodes has plenty of beaches for sun-lovers, some crowded, some quite deserted and they vary from pebbly to shingly to sandy. One of the most idyllic resorts is Lindos, being the epitome of the picture postcard village. Picturesque and narrow streets are crowned by a mini Acropolis, which is accessible by donkey train or a hot, dusty climb - but definitely worth the effort.
The beach is situated just below the village and is a silver sand paradise. Although usually crowded in Summer, the swimming is perfect, windsurfing and sailing ideal and sunbathing incomparable. A couple of little tavernas at the water's edge complete the picture - so what are you waiting for?
Rhodes has a strategic position within the Dodecanese group of islands and, being one of the largest and most important, has good ferry connections to other islands nearby. A favourite boat trip is a day excursion to the pretty island of Symi, where a riot of colour and shape assails the eye in a most asymmetrical way - hardly why the island got its name!
From Rhodes, one can also travel to Patmos, the island made famous by St. John, who supposedly wrote two books of the Apocalypse there. The island of Kalymnos is also accessible from Rhodes and the local fishermen still dive for natural sponges in this area. A beautiful poem by Pinday encapsulates the myth of Rhodes: "Forth from the watery deep bloomed the island of Rodos, Child of the love-goddess Aphroditi, to be bride to the sun."
The town of Rhodes is easily divisible into an old and new quarter. The lovely old walled town is the legacy of the Crusaders and in particular the Knights of St. John, who arrived in Rhodes about 1309. The walls, which are about 40ft. thick are specially curved and were perfect to deflect missiles. The old town has magical medieval atmosphere with cobbled streets and tiny shops, festooned with brightly coloured garments. There are also many local cafes and tavernas, where a coffee stop is imperative to watch the world go by.
The new part of Rhodes town is quite cosmopolitan and is now the main tourist centre. This area has lots of smart shops, restaurants, bars, banks, boutiques and cafes. A local market is an interesting stop (and a noisy one!) with the taxi and bus terminus located directly behind.
The harbour front is a pleasant place by nightfall when locals and visitors sip cocktails or indulge in sinful ice creams, no doubt mulling the myth of Colossus straddling the water and viewing the distinctive harbour walls guarded by a stag and fawn. Rhodes even has a glittering casino, housed in the Grand Hotel, which is ideal for a harmless flutter.
Ialyssos / Trianda
Ialyssos/Trianda This small typically Greek village has grown into an important commercial centre and its located almost midway between Rhodes town and the airport.
The resort now has many amenities and a particularly good choice of tavernas, restaurants, cafe bars and shops.
It is still possible to savour the true flavour of Greece in the local "cafeneions" and the atmosphere is warm and friendly.
Ixia
Ixia is almost a continuation of Rhodes town now as so many tourist properties have sprung up over the past number of years.
Located on the west cost of the island, this popular resort is only a couple of miles from the centre of Rhodes itself.
Ixia has a nice beach area and a good choice of tavernas and bars, many of the large hotels are located in this area which is on the main road connecting Rhodes town to the airport.
Kremasti
This charming resort has burgeoned from a tiny, sleepy and very typical Greek village to a thriving and well known tourist centre.
Kremasti has lots of traditional type tavernas which now compete with international style restaurants. The atmosphere has certainly become more cosmopolitan over the years, but thankfully none of that essential "Greekness" has been lost.

Crete
Crete is one of the last places in Europe where you can be a wanderer rather than a tourist. The island is sliced into sections by four great mountain ranges and, being large, it lacks the slightly claustrophobic feel of its smaller relatives. It is quite unsophisticated in parts with out of the way hamlets and villages almost untouched by commercialism or the hand of time.
The main allure has to be meeting the people and experiencing their life style and way of living, albeit for only a few hours or a day. One is never left too long waiting for service and nobody will raise an eye-brow if 10 Ouzos or ordered.
There are many good things about Crete, not least being the weather. In mid-April, it is warm and balmy, getting hotter as the year progresses and returning to milder temperatures after August. There are also excellent beaches dotted all over the island, including some secluded areas where one can be alone to enjoy the sun and swim au natural. Be warned though as this may be frowned upon and tourist police are quite vigilant.
The capital city, Heraklion, has many charms, although at first sight it may appear unexciting. Greater exploration rewards with the discovery of a good museum, a harbour are with a yellow Venetian castle, plenty of small shops, a local marketplace and a splendid archaeological site, just outside the town, which is internationally renowned. Knossos deserves a brochure itself, being a superb example of the Minoan dynasty architecture and absolutely warrants a visit.
An island of contrasts, Crete both ancient and modern is a fascinating combination. Authentically Greek in many ways still, her people preserve a uniqueness and retain a proud lifestyle, persisting in ols customs that no amount of tourism will alter for years to come.
Crete is a large island, so transport is beneficial. The west coast is less developed, so this is an ideal opportunity to "go native" and enjoy a corner of Greece that is old and new, but essentially Greek. The towns of Rethymon and Chanea are delightful and typical. In the south, the resort of Matala was made famous years ago by communes of hippies who resided in natural caves. Aghia Galini is another tiny village with a lovely beach and a flavour of the real Greece.

Stalis
Crete
A marvellous sandy beach, excellent for bathing and with many facilities for water-sports, is the main attraction of Stalis by day. The village itself has grown considerably over the past few years and now abounds in good tourist shops, bars, cafes and taverns. Stalis is located midway between Hersonnissos and Malia, on the main coastal highway which serves Heraklion and Aghios Nicholaos at either end.
A regular bus service operates every 30 minutes (10 minute ride to Hersonnissos of Malia), so access to different resorts is both easy and cheap. Stalis is the perfect choice for sun-lovers as the beach is really first class and is well serviced by many good beach bars, cafes and tavernas.
Stalis was always considered less frenzied than its nearest neighbours Hersonnissos and Malia, but is now rapidly catching up in terms of nightlife and amenities. The resort comes alive at sundown when the bars fill up and tavern as overflow with happy holidaymakers.
In addition, Stalis is an interesting drive away from the pretty typical village of Mochos (a nice hairpin bending drive over the mountain side!) where life continues virtually untouched by tourism.
Gouves
Crete
For those who prefer the quiet side of life, Gouves is the perfect holiday choice. On the regular bus route and located just 18 klms. east of Heraklion, the capital city, a service operate severy 30 minutes to Hersonnissos and takes only 10 minutes. Gouves is like a country townland, relatively peaceful by day and with a good sandy beach which is large and fairly unpopulated.
The area has a good sprinkling of local style taverns in the direct vicinity and, of course, the option of the bright lights of Heronnissos twinkle in the distance.
Hersonnissos is Gouves' nearest neighbour and is a hotspot of nightlife, restaurants and lively bars. Taxis are plentiful for return in the early hours of the morning, so it is not too far distant to travel for a change of scenery!
Gouves is on the main coastal highway between Heraklion and Aghios Nicholaos and is situated on Crete's northern coast.
Hersonnissos
Crete
Hersonnissos is now the hotbed of nightlife in Crete, matched only possibly by Stalis and Malia. Hersonnissos is a seaside resort with a pretty seafront cluttered with excellent restaurants, lively bars and interesting tourist shops.
The waterfront simply hops with activity once the sun goes down and the parade of people starts promenading, window shopping, eating and drinking and having a good time. This is not a resort for the faint hearted, rather it is ideal for those with stamina, lots of engery and a propensity to disco the night away.
Hersonnissos has a primarily young population in the Summer months, as is evidenced by packed bars and discos every night.
The latest music strains blare from every doorway and the fashionable, chic and sometimes outrageous flaunt their lissome figures and lithe, bronzed bodies up and down the promenade before choosing the bar of the moment.
Piskopiano
Crete
Piskopiano is located on the hill overlooking Hersonnissos and is a village equal in attraction. Originally, a tiny Greek hamlet, virtually untouched by commercialism, Piskopiano is now vibrant, lively and an extremely popular Irish resort.
While still retaining its native charm, the village has some delightful taverns and true Greek nightlife. In addition, Irish bars are even becoming a popular feature in the village, so this is now a busy haunt at nightfall when visitors and locals come out to play!
Pay a visit to Granny in her "ouzerie" on the main street and experience a hearty welcome and some strong drinks at ridiculous prices!
Malia
Crete
Roughly 45 mins. drive eat of the capital, Heraklion, Malia is situated just 5 klms. from Hersonnissos. Popular, lively, hectic and fun describe Malia well as the emphasis here is on a good time.
The resort has a large sandy beach and the long main street is crowded with shops and bars. The old town is delightful with its tiny winding streets and super local restaurants.