DESTINATIONS — greece and cyprus

3 May 2012 — travelweekly.co.uk • 39

greece’s smaller islands have real sparkle, says Katie Mcgonagle

They say the best things come in small packages, and that’s definitely true of the

gorgeous Greek islands. Getting to know some of the smaller islands – which offer a totally different experience from their larger, more commercial counterparts – can boost your sales by appealing to a wider market.

If clients are put off by the extended travel time to islands with no airport, suggest a twin-centre with the gateway island to get the best of both worlds.

Here, we profile some of Greece’s most beautiful lesser-known islands, with ideas on how to sell them and how to fit them into a wider itinerary.

l MEGANISSI

Where: Ionian Islands, west of Lefkas. Best for: Hiking and cycling.Getting there: Fly to Preveza then take the ferry from Lefkas.Island info: Meganissi is one of the biggest sellers in Cosmos Holidays’ 2012 programme,

5of the best

Also in DestinAtions

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go small with these greek gems

greeCe and Cyprus

40 • travelweekly.co.uk — 3 May 2012

which features 10 smaller Greek islands for the first time. It’s covered in lush greenery and packed with tavernas, markets and tiny villages. The island has great cycling and trekking routes, although fly-and-floppers won’t be disappointed by the beautiful beaches. Suggest wandering through the olive groves, watching fishing boats at Atheni Bay harbour, or visiting the cave of Papanikolis, named after the submarine that sheltered there in the Second World War.Sample product: Cosmos Holidays offers a week’s B&B at the four-diamond Hotel Esperides from £528 including flights but not transfers. cosmos.co.uk0871 423 8518

l SPETSES

Where: Saronic Gulf, near mainland Kosta.Best for: Upmarket escapes.Getting there: Two-and-a-half hours by hydrofoil from Athens’ Piraeus port.

Island info: Spetses has long been the weekend playground of rich Athenians, so it’s maintained an air of exclusivity – with prices to match. It’s a great couples’ retreat as there are no private cars on the island, so tourists rely on horse-drawn buggies. Wander to the Old Harbour to admire the yachts, stop for coffee and almond cake (a local speciality), or go out and explore the many secluded bays and charming little villages. It combines well with a few days in the bustling capital of Athens, but during Greek holidays it’s busy so book ahead.Sample product: Classic Collection Holidays offers seven nights’ B&B at the iconic five-star Poseidonion Grand Hotel from £1,045 in June based on two sharing, including flights and private transfers. Three-night prices start at £693. classiccollection.co.uk0800 294 9318

l ALONISSOS

Where: Sporadic Islands.

For clients who want to glimpse Greece’s smallest beauty spots without staying, suggest a day trip. If they like what they see, they may be tempted to stay there next year.

On holidays to Skiathos, Thomas Cook and Olympic Holidays recommend adding Skopelos, the island where smash-hit Mamma Mia! was filmed. It’s only 45 minutes away by hydrofoil and filled with cobbled streets, tiny chapels and excellent walking routes.

Ionian Weddings founder Jane Palikira recommends the unspoilt beauty of Amorgos, also made famous by the silver screen. She says: “This gem of an island was the setting for Luc Besson’s film Big Blue. With speedboat links to Santorini, I recommend Amorgos for those seeking a tranquil location and impressive views.”

Amathus Holidays suggests seeing the secluded coves and coastlines of Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Rinia, Ios and Santorini on a seven-night Cyclades island cruise, from £849 half-board including flights from Gatwick.

For clients in Crete, recommend Attraction World’s trip to Spinalonga Island, once used as a hiding place by Christians while the Romans occupied Crete, then as the site of a grand Venetian fortress and later a leper colony (£30 per adult, £15 per child).

tinY islAnD tAsteRs

spetses: the five-star Poseidonion

Grand Hotel has been a landmark

on the waterfront since 1914

fAST fAcT Children’s food

expert Fiona Faulkner

has revamped the

kids’ menu at Daios Cove luxury Resort, Crete

skopelos: location

for Mamma Mia!

3 May 2012 — travelweekly.co.uk • 41

DESTINATIONS — greece and cyprus

Best for: Nature lovers.Getting there: Fly to Skiathos then a ferry to Patiriri harbour.Island info: Alonissos is the largest of the northern Sporadic islands but the least touristic, known for its natural beauty and crystal-clear waters. It’s part of the National Marine Park and home to rare monk seals, birds and occasionally dolphins, and a haven for snorkelling and diving, with

Padi courses available.Wildlife enthusiasts will love

exploring on foot, either by themselves or with a guide. A boat trip around the coast and its beautiful coves is an absolute must, as is sampling local wines with the catch of the day in one of the many fish restaurants dotted around Alonissos town.Sample product: GIC – The Villa Collection features Villa

Paprouna from £3,105 for a week’s self-catering for a family of four, including flights and car hire. gicthevillacollection.co.uk020 8232 9780

l IKARIA

Where: East Aegean Islands, southwest of Samos.Best for: Old-world Greece.Getting there: Fly to Samos then a three-hour ferry.

Island info: Ikaria is a rugged island that doesn’t immediately lend itself to tourism, but has hidden gems for clients keen to get off the beaten track. Its mountains seem to rise out of nowhere – perfect for hikers and explorers – and it’s renowned for saints’ days festivals in summer.

Suggest visiting Christos Rahes, or ‘vampire village’, where the extra-long afternoon siesta

ikaria: rugged island is home

to traditional Greek customs

Alonissos: perfect for diving and snorkelling

Meganissi: Hotel esperides

has views over the ionian

sea to the island of skorpios

spinalonga: visit the

historic fortress island

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42 • travelweekly.co.uk — 3 May 2012

means shops stay open until the early hours. The natural hot springs around Therma are a popular attraction, along with stunning beaches such as Agios Giorgis. Twin with Samos to break up the journey.Sample product: Seven nights’ B&B at the secluded Eftichia Studios costs from £798 with Sunvil Holidays, including flights and transfers. sunvil.co.uk020 8758 4758

l SYMI

Where: Dodecanese Islands, north of Rhodes.Best for: Watching the world go by.Getting there: Fly to Rhodes then a two-hour ferry. Island info: Symi’s horseshoe-shaped Yialos Harbour is one of the prettiest in Greece. Avoid day-trippers from Rhodes by getting there first thing or waiting until evening. Next, wander through Chorio old town,

spend an afternoon in the small fishing village of Pedi Bay or visit Panormitis Monastery, which dates from the sixth century.

Photis Lambrianides, commercial director of Olympic Holidays, says: “Symi is my favourite Greek island. It’s small and beautiful, with very little traffic. It resembles a picture

postcard and is exactly how one would imagine a Greek island.”Sample product: Olympic Holidays offers a week’s half-board at the three-star Pedi Beach Hotel for £435 in June, including flights and transfers. olympicholidays.com 0844 499 4449 TW

symi: italian-style

mansions cover the

hills overlooking

Yialos Harbour

TOP TIP Visit Chrissi island, one of 81

uninhabited isles around Crete, with Attraction World (£51/£26)

3 May 2012 — travelweekly.co.uk • 43

DESTINATIONS — greece and cyprus

SAnI BeACH HOTel Halkidiki, mainland GreeceThis hotel unveiled phase two of its refurbishment to five-star standard last week. Improvements consist of a wider choice of rooms including doubles, junior and panorama suites, and one and two-bedroom family suites. New rooms are larger, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a seating area. Public areas have been updated, including restaurants and bars, and there’s a new children’s play area and Teens Club House with facilities including DJ equipment and archery. saniresort.gr

COlumBIA BeACH ReSORT Pissouri Bay, CyprusThis five-star property relaunched its spa last month. Now called Hébe, after the Greek goddess of youth, it offers treatments using the leading luxury skincare brand Elemis and introduces a Medi-Spa selection with three aesthetic treatments for face and body that mimic cosmetic surgery without invasive procedures. There will also be a new Signature Treatments range featuring essential oils and other natural ingredients from around Cyprus.columbia-hotels.com

mARBellA BeACH CorfuThis hotel, set in a tranquil location close to Agios Ioannis Peristeron, has just completed the first part of a two-year renovation. The first phase includes 265 entirely revamped rooms and suites, decorated with elegant furnishings in neutral tones, and large balconies and terraces with floor-to-ceiling windows. The beach has been upgraded with more sand and new sunbeds. Phase two will see the remaining 119 rooms undergo renovation next winter. A new spa and gym will also be added. marbella.gr

Hotel ReFURBisHMents