Greece. Itineraies, routes, information

The most amazing islands of the Saronic Gulf and the Peloponnesian coast in seven days. 7-day-route-to-the-saronic-islands1

The most picturesque islands of the Cycladic archipelago in one route: Paros, Serifos, Mykonos, Syros and Kythnos. 7-day-route-to-the-cyclades-islands

Sea cruise from Lefkada to Ithaka, Kefalonia, Meganisi, Kalamos, Kastos and Atokos. 7-day-route-to-the-ionian-islands1

Amazing islands of the Ionian Sea in one cruise: Lefkada, Zakynthos, Kefalonia and others. 7-day-route-to-the-ionian-islands

Of all the Greek island resorts, the prize for most romantic definitely goes to Santorini. The name is commonly understood to refer to all five islands of this small archipelago: Thira, Therasia, Palaia Kameni, Nea Kameni, and Aspronisis, shaped in a ring and rising from volcanic origins. Santorini’s unusual history resulted in some dazzling natural attractions: beaches with black sand, turquoise seas, cliff-side grottos, and exquisitely beautiful sunsets. The backdrop of such a stunning landscape helps to underscore the snow-white houses and blue church cupolas. This color combination has become Santorini’s calling card and now adorns hundreds of advertising photos. The island’s largest population centers are Thera, Oia, Phoenicia, Athenos, and Kamari. Some are frequented for the chance to enjoy the view of the caldera and volcano, while others for their proximity to the beaches. In Thera, an almost mandatory point on the itinerary is a visit to the church of St. Mina. The best beaches are considered to be Monolitos, Kamari, and Perissa. In the summer there’s no shortage of vacationers, so it’s better to head for some seclusion at Columbo beach in the eponymous cape.

The epithets “elegant,” “expensive”, and “fashionable” were worth thinking up if only for the purpose of describing the resorts of Mykonos. This island in the Cyclades is just as popular among affluent, beach-loving celebrities as the Alps and Aspen are among skiers. Politicians, musicians, and international movie stars flock to Mikonos every year to sail on yachts, learn windsurfing, or just stroll and tan. The island owes its name to one of Apollos’s sons, and its history to the centuries-long influence of passing Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Mikonos got its modern look after the First World War, when Europe’s creative intelligentsia started frequenting the island. Movers and shakers followed the painters and artists and began to build up the island with fabulous hotels, villas, restaurants, and shops. Mykonos is distinct from its archipelago neighbours because of its milder climate, rocky hills, and wide-open bays. The main beaches – Ornos, Agios-Yannis, Platis Yalos, Psaru, Paranga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia – and resorts are concentrated on the southern coast. Mikonos’ capital is charming all by itself with fishing boats alongside massive yachts in the harbour, white houses with blue balconies in “Little Venice,” the maze of narrow streets in the Castro district, and the most postcard-worthy view of the whole island – the five windmills on Hora hill.

Situated in the south-eastern part of the Aegean Sea, Kos is the third-largest island in the Southern Sporades after Rhodes and Karpathos. The two main descriptors commonly used in referring to Kos are “garden of the Aegean Sea” and “birthplace of Hippocrates.” Both are true. The island’s natural terrain is highly varied with cliffs, ravines, coniferous forests and beaches to suit any taste. Kos is filled with the springtime scent of blossoming lilies swirling into summer where it then gives way to the aroma of ripe citrus fruit. The main attraction on Kos is its large temple complex, built in honour of Asclepius the Healer. Its three stories used to house a medical school, a museum of anatomy, thermal-water baths, and a shrine. Today, the ruins of the Asclepion serve as a theater stage. Kos’ other attractions include its Joanite fortress, Hippocrates museum, ancient Agora, and the old mosques in the capital city of Kos. The entire island is also sprinkled with numerous monuments, fortresses, and basilicas. The island’s main cities are concentrated along the northern and southern coasts. Yachts most commonly enter the Kos marina from the north and maintain course towards the south. You can even sail around the whole island if you wish, stopping in the port of Kardamaina, the Kefalos bay, and in the northern villages of Marmari, Mastichari, and Tigaki with its 10-kilometer-long beach.

Warmed by the rays of the Mediterranean sun and the gentle Ionian Sea, this island on Greece’s west coast boasts two names at once – the Greek Kerkyra and the Italian Corfu. The first derives from the mythical Kerkyra, Poseidon’s beloved, and the second from the Byzantine “Corifo”, meaning “city of the mountains.” The entire island is covered in orange gardens, vineyards and olive groves, and its shoreline is dotted with cozy little towns and soft beaches. Kerkyra,the capital of Corfu, is located in Cape Sideros. The city’s historic center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its stunning fusion of architectural styles from Ancient Rome to modern-day Great Britain. The Venetians made the greatest contribution to Kerkyra’s aesthetic, ruling here for more than 400 years. Today, Kerkyra overflows with fabulous landmarks: the forts of Paleo-Frurio and Neo-Frurio, the neoclassical St. George Cathedral, the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, and various museums, galleries, and churches located both in Kerkyra itself, and beyond.