Southeastern Europe
Greece
Thousands of islands, mountain villages and history you can reach out and touch.
Photo: Apostolos Zafeiriou / Unsplash
For many, Greece begins with white houses and blue shutters, yet the islands are remarkably different from one another. On Milos the sea has carved white cliffs into fantastical shapes, Naxos is known for mountain villages and farm cheeses, on Crete you can walk down gorges all the way to the sea, and the Ionian islands are green, with olive trees running to the water's edge.
Mainland Greece is another world: the monasteries of Meteora on their pillars of rock, Delphi on its mountainside, the fortresses of the Peloponnese and the stone villages of Zagori above the Vikos Gorge. It suits a week by the sea as well as a longer journey combining islands with mountains and history.
Experiences to consider
- 01
Meteora and the northern mountains
Monasteries perched on sandstone pillars, best seen early in the morning, and further north-west the Zagori villages, their stone bridges and walks through the Vikos Gorge.
- 02
The Cyclades, differently
The bays of Milos reached by boat, the villages and kitchens of Naxos and Sifnos, quieter islands beyond the famous names — hopping from one to the next by ferry.
- 03
Crete
The palace of Knossos, Chania's Venetian harbour, mountain villages and gorges running down to the Libyan Sea — an island worth a whole week.
- 04
The Peloponnese
Nafplio, Mycenae, the theatre of Epidaurus and the rock town of Monemvasia — antiquity, wine and quiet shores a few hours from Athens.
Ways to travel
Ways to experience it
Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.
Culture & discovery
The Acropolis, Delphi and Mycenae with a guide who brings the myths to life — and in the evenings, a taverna and local wine.
Honeymoons & special journeys
Sunsets over the Aegean, private boat days to hidden coves and quiet islands for two.
Family journeys
Shallow beaches, ferries between islands and myths children recognise from their books — Greece is wonderful for families.
Adventure & active travel
Hiking Crete's gorges and the trails of Zagori, kayaking along the cliffs of Milos and cycling in the Peloponnese.
Exceptional stays & escapes
Stone guesthouses in mountain villages, boutique hotels on the islands and villas looking out to sea.
Sample journey
More journey inspiration
10–12 days
All of Crete, on foot and at the table
Heraklion & Knossos, the Lasithi Plateau, Rethymno, Chania, the Samaria Gorge, Loutro & Falasarna
Adventure & active travel · Culture & discovery
11–14 days
Greece beyond the ferry queue: the Peloponnese and a quiet island
Nafplio, Mycenae & Epidaurus, Monemvasia, the Mani & Naxos
Culture & discovery · Family journeys
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