HEAD TO HEAD Greek chic Head to Santorini for views over the caldera to the glistening Aegean sea; (below) admire ancient ruins in Delos
GREECE vs
Both countries offer varied rugged islands, vast ancient history, cheerful
G
reece and Croatia boast thousands of islands – some large, some small – scattered among the brilliantly blue waters of the Adriatic and Aegean. No matter which you choose, you’ll find sunny skies, an abundance of dusty olive groves and family vineyards making hard-to-find wines. With such choice, it can be hard to decide where to go, so Laura and Stefany offer an overview to help you narrow down your options.
GREEK ISLANDS
By Laura Plansky Each of Greece’s 6,000 islands boasts a distinctive personality and culture. Though you can’t visit them all in just one trip, here are a few of my favorites. With whitewashed houses and sunset views over a sea-filled caldera, Santorini is probably the most photogenic Greek island. It’s certainly the most photographed. Glitterati flock here, drawn to the towns of Fira and Oia, which cling to the cliff overlooking the caldera. For something different, I’d suggest a tour of Akrotiri, instead. Once a Minoan settlement, Akrotiri was buried in the eruption that created the 28 | AUDLEY TRAVELER
island’s caldera. Now it’s an archeological site that uncovers the Bronze Age society that once thrived here. Neighboring Mykonos is similar to Santorini with its sugar-cube houses and glamorous visitors, but it’s also the launch pad to one of ancient Greece’s most sacred sites. Delos was once a prospering city and holy sanctuary, and archeologists have unearthed many of its mansions, temples, and statues. You can visit on your own, or take a private guide to help decipher the ruins. Milos is much less visited than its better-known brethren, even though it offers dozens of beaches. I enjoy Sarakiniko – a playground of wave-sculpted white stone curves and arches – but I also like Papikinou’s soft sands and Tsigrado’s sea caves. Many beaches are difficult to reach by
land, so take a private sailboat tour, and your captain will anchor in a turquoise cove, from where you can swim or admire the view from on deck. Closer to the mainland, Hydra is easier to access via a 90-minute ferry ride from Athens. Wheeled vehicles are forbidden (except for the garbage truck), and for heavy loads, the local residents use donkeys. With its indolent atmosphere, it’s a great place to unwind from your hectic island-hopping schedule. Get me there ∞ A 10-day tailor-made trip to Greece’s islands, including Santorini, Milos, Hydra and Athens, starts from $6,445pp. For more information, contact our Greece specialists on 1-855-800-7321.
