Greece travel

Although located along the routes of the most valiant conquests, Crete has preserved the ardour of a civilisation imbued with a distinctive culture and soul. Cradle of the Minoan civilisation, its sites still bear witness today to a proud and glorious culture. From Heraklion to Chania, from Rethymno to Lasithi, the largest and southernmost Greek islands will welcome you with the warmth of truly authentic hospitality. As you explore its majestic ruins during your trip to Crete, you will discover hundreds of well-preserved villages, deep and wild gorges, and the subtle flavours of sophisticated cuisine. Rent a house or apartment, stay in luxury hotels, by the sea or inland, experience Crete in your own style!

Embodying the art of living, the Greek islands are numerous and each has its own particular character. That’s why it’s often difficult to make a choice. However, you should resist the temptation to visit more than two islands in one week or three in two weeks. This marathon would spoil your pleasure. With 39 islands, 24 of which are uninhabited, a journey to the Cyclades islands is a classic! Santorini, Mykonos, Sifnos, Naxos, Paros, Amorgos, Delos, islands with evocative names for a picture postcard stay: whitewashed houses with blue windows, Byzantine churches outlined against the azure sky, hilltop villages with steep, winding lanes, the Mediterranean dream within reach.

A journey through the Dodecanese archipelago, where East meets West. Twelve islands of Ottoman influence scattered along the Turkish coast. With 370 km (230 miles) of coastline, Rhodes, the largest of the islands, offers a magical immersion between ancient ruins and villages that sometimes give the impression of stepping back to the time of the Knights. It will reveal the infinity of its beaches and the authenticity of its stone villages, perched atop hills or built along the slopes. The sacred island where the Apocalypse was written, Patmos, which is fairly difficult to access and therefore well preserved, is another little gem where Orthodox chapels abound. Its highlights: the crystal-clear, deep blue sea, the charm of its coves and beaches, the village of Chora, its narrow streets and its houses with flower-filled courtyards.

Off the western coast of Greece lies the Heptanèse. From north to south: Corfu, Paxos (with Antipaxos), Lefkada, Kefalonia and Ithaca, Zakynthos, Kythira. The last one does not belong administratively to the Ionian Islands, which, strictly speaking, are therefore the first six. Other islands and islets are also included in a broader definition of the archipelago, its small fry, so to speak. Travelling to the Ionian Islands often means reconnecting with a maritime Greece that remains true to itself. The landscapes are full of character, infused with heady scents, and the villages gently adapt to the modern world, without reluctance or excessive zeal. There, you still have mastery over time. And blue.

From Mikri Prespa Park, a remarkable aquatic biotope in northern Greece, to the arid mountains of the Mani in the south, a journey through mainland Greece offers the full array of the country’s geographical and cultural diversity. Ancient or Byzantine sites, cosmopolitan cities, long sandy beaches or small hidden coves, mountains, lakes and forests are all invitations to enjoy discovering its riches. A city of contrasts where past and present coexist in harmony, Athens fascinates. The Peloponnese peninsula, where most of the sites of Ancient Greece are concentrated, is characterised by a varied landscape of wild mountains, deep gulfs and plains. In Central Greece, the famous Meteora and the celebrated site of Delphi stand alongside lesser-known regions such as Pelion and Ípiros.

A trip to the Thessalian Sporades takes you to an unspoilt corner of the Aegean Sea. This northern archipelago – on the scale of Greece – unfolds in a graceful triangle off the coast of Mount Pelion. The main islands are Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros. The first island, closest to the mainland, is the most sought-after by visitors; the second keeps the undecided at bay with its steep terrain; on and around the third, there is a nature park where the last monk seals of the Aegean live; the fourth stands out for the quality of its marble and the delicacy of its embroidery. Sailing from one to another (and staying in the small ports) reveals an authentic and intoxicating Greece, always true to itself and born of the blue of the sea.