Hobbies on holiday: Meet

passionTRAVEL WITH A

Transferring your home hobbies to a novel location can really elevate a trip away. We asked three travellers, each with a personal passion, to tell us about their experiences of taking a hobby on holiday

IAN SKIING IN NORWAY

The adrenaline junkie

For 30 years Ian Vokes was a British Airways’ pilot travelling the world, with a sensational birds-eye view from his cockpit and a comfortable bed in a high-end hotel awaiting him wherever he landed. He was required to be cool, calm and collected in his day-job; but after hours he lived life a little on the edge, with the help of some adrenaline-boosting hobbies.

Ian challenged his body with extreme running and walking routes in the mountains in summer. In winter he sought soft powder in off-piste adventures, and hit remote glaciers on heli-skiing tours of Europe and North America. He took on unpredictable, off-road terrains on mountain biking trips, and hit the road on motorcycle tours all over the world. When he retired from the skies as a pilot, a new passion for paragliding was born.

TAKING FLIGHT

Having learnt the fundamentals of paragliding by jumping off Devil’s Dyke on the UK's south coast, Ian took his first international glide in Tenerife, with a small group and an expert guide. Now he is hooked, and it isn’t just riding the thermals that inspires him, but the incredible landscapes and remote local communities that paragliding gives him access to.

Ian has stayed in converted caves half-way up a mountain and in a bivouac made out of his ‘wing’. In the Alps he combined two passions by trying para-skiing. To date, he’s taken flights in Morocco, India, Spain and Turkey, and jumped off a glacier and snowy peaks in France and Switzerland too. In India he flew alongside Himalayan griffon vultures (the Labradors of the sky, with a three-metre wing span), and watched other fliers jump in wheelchairs, on tandem paragliders or with their dogs onboard. His longest flight had him airborne for over six hours, travelling 45 kilometres, to land close to the Dalai Lama’s home, in the foothills of India’s Himalayas. His worst flight ended tangled in a mountain tree (which saved his life) near Lake Annecy in France – with a 90 minute walk in 35 degrees without water to get help.

Ian says: “Part of the joy of paragliding is that there is a lot of waiting around for the right conditions to fly. That sounds annoying but you wait in absolutely incredible places with a fascinating mix of other people. You get to some remarkable, remote places and see a completely different side to a destination, even in those places you think you already know.”

Ian’s bucket list

A jump off Mont Blanc in France Colombia, known for its thermals The roof of the world – Nepal

The food fanatic

Ellie Baynard is a selfconfessed food fanatic. A Londoner who has eaten her way around the world just by travelling on the underground to find exciting multi-cultural cuisines among the capital’s restaurants.

By day, Ellie works as a recipe developer for a large recipe box business, helping to keep their offer fresh and exciting; and when she’s not cooking, she’s reading recipe books or chef biographies, scrolling online food blogs or compiling her list of ‘must-go’ restaurants and foodie destinations into a list that just keeps getting longer. In her spare time she is a culinary nomad, searching the globe for new flavours and the stories that go with them.

EATING LIKE A LOCAL

It's not just fancy Michelin-star restaurants and tasting menus Ellie is interested in – her budget doesn't always stretch to that – but quirky food trucks and creative cafes, back street bistros and produce markets – especially when she travels overseas.

“I always read up on local specialities before I travel and try and find out the best places to try that dish in the destination I am heading to. A food speciality usually gives you an insight into the local culture, takes you to places that are off the tourist trail and adds a bit of culinary adventure to the trip,” she says.

Ellie has tried oozing hot raclette cheese in the Alps, traditionally served with roast potatoes and invented by Swiss shepherds. She has combined bratwurst with fruity stollen cake and gluhwein for guaranteed warmth and festive spirit at Christmas markets in Berlin. She’s stood at bars trialling myriad plates of Spanish tapas and toured Italy on a quest for the best pizza and gelato, as well as juicy tomatoes and mozzarrella crammed with natural flavour. She’s tried spicy, sour Tom Yum soups in Thailand, Portugese sardines by the sea in Lisbon followed by the local custard tarts, and the infamous pie floater (a green pea soup with a pie floating on top of it) in South Australia.

“The local produce and favourite dishes of a destination really bring it alive for me. I love to join cooking courses and see a local chef cook their favourite dish. I enjoy hearing the stories of how a dish became a national favourite and seeing how trends change. If I see a café or

restaurant with a queue I have to join it to find out why; or I sit and watch what the locals order before I choose. The food isn’t always to my taste but it is always an experience and the menus always give me a tale to tell from my trip.”

Ellie’s bucket list

A South African braai Japan for its ramen and sushi Israel for its world renowned houmous and falafel

Trying a local food speciality usually gives you an insight into the local culture and takes you to places off the tourist trail

ELLIE IN VENICE

The great outdoors lover

Maggie Bowyer first pulled on her walking boots as an alternative to a traditional Christmas during her university days. With a group of like-minded friends, she rented a house in the Lake District each year and walked off the festive bingeing with some serious hikes into the great outdoors; learning survival skills and map-reading as she went.

The experiences bred a passion for the great outdoors that would last a lifetime, leading her to take up other hobbies like caving, river and sea-kayaking and cycling, too.

INTO THE WILD

The sea kayaking started in Greece, where Maggie has taken almost a dozen kayaking trips to date but she has also kayaked in Croatia, around the islands of west Scotland, and the Lake District where she now lives. Maggie says: “Greece is a great place to learn because the water is warm so you can practice falling in and rehearse the things that might go wrong without freezing! Once you have

the basics with kayaking you can choose your level of drama and challenge. The weather and the water conditions make every trip different but if it looks rough or difficult you can just sit it out in a beautiful place and wait for things to improve." For Maggie, the appeal is being outdoors, close to the sea and getting lots of exercise. But she also gets to see amazing birdlife, as well as seals, otters, whales and dolphins in their natural environment.

It is the natural elements that add a sense of adventure to both kayaking and walking trips, and Maggie loves it when her itineraries include pitching a tent in the bush for some wild camping. She’s pulled on her boots to walk at altitude in the Himalayas of Nepal and in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. She's walked through the African bush in Botswana, tackled cross-island trails in Corsica and

Kayaking in Kefalonia

Majorca, and trekked hut-to-hut in the Austrian Alps, crossing unstable glaciers in summer.

“These kind of trips reward you with a real sense of achievement each day, as well as taking you into some incredible places that you would never otherwise get to see. They are well worth the effort every time," she says.

Maggie’s bucket list

Fjord kayaking in Scandinavia Glacier walking in Canada Long distance walking tracks in New Zealand

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Joining THE DOTS

Island dots in an azure sea can be effortlessly joined together to create the sublime experience of an island-hopping adventure in Greece

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Discover more islands and find more about island hopping in Greece by talking to one of our travel advisors. We can help you put together the ultimate island itinerary. charitable.travel/greece

There is something special about an island holiday. Being surrounded by water puts an instant barrier between you and the worries of life back home – as your boat casts off, you cast off your cares. And if you are setting sail in Greece, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to islands to cast away on.

There are over 200 Greek islands to explore, sitting in ‘hoppable’ family groups in both the Aegean and Ionian seas and knitted together by a ferry system that is an adventure in itself. These waters have attracted travellers throughout history, from Jason and the Argonauts to the Romans; crusading medieval knights to Byzantine and Ottoman rulers.

Island-hopping in Greece has been popular since the 1960s. Since then, while tourist numbers have increased and the facilities on the islands have developed, the relaxed vibe, welcoming locals and authentically individual island cultures remain the same.

You could take a lifetime (and a lovely life it would be) to visit every Greek island, so it makes sense to focus on those that suit your interests and inclinations. Are you looking for an away-from-it all cove and a quiet local taverna, or a buzzing bar and club scene? Are you a culture vulture drawn by ancient monuments, myths and legends? Or are you simply seeking sun, sea, sand and ways to keep the kids happy? Perhaps you are looking to take a walk on the wild side, and explore remote mountains and forests away from the coastal crowds.

In truth many islands have a little something to satisfy all these inclinations, but with a little expert insight, you can create the perfect islandhopping itinerary for you and make the best out of the intricate ferry schedules.

The journey between islands is not just about changing location but about experiencing each island in its context. And the sparkling waters, the feel of the sun on your back and the smell of the heat-bleached ferry decks will be among the most evocative memories you collect along the way – sitting with those of the sunset bar you find at the end of the beach or the

Greece THE SPORADES

THE CYCLADES

THE DODECANESE

WATERSIDE SKIATHOS

step into the big blue

Discover more islands and find more about island hopping in Greece by talking to one of our travel advisors. We can help you put together the ultimate island itinerary. charitable.travel/greece

Fivos Avgerinos at Unsplash

Jack Barton at Unsplash deserted little cove you kayak to for a peaceful picnic.

Island hopping is also a great way to appreciate the unique cultures and cuisines of different islands. Local produce will certainly include fresh fish – pulled in at the local harbour and on the grill within hours – but also tangy cheeses, smooth olive oils, and the sweet honey crunch of baklava.

The architecture and style of each island is often distinctive too. Many cultural influences have paraded through these islands over the centuries, leaving their marks on walled cities, crumbling mountaintop castles, striking minarets and sparkling white churches.

With each new island destination, a new adventure begins. Get ready to leave your cares behind as we whisk you away on a virtual islandhopping trip to eight distinctly beautiful Greek islands in three groups ripe for hopping.

THE SPORADES

Alonissos

From the picturesque harbour waterfront of its capital, Patitiri, to its pine forests, olive groves and orchards, Alonissos is as authentically Greek as any traveller could possibly hope for. Its natural rugged landscapes reflect the fact that this is the most remote of the Northern Sporades island group, and perhaps this is also why its National Marine Park is such a perfect refuge for rare seabirds, dolphins and the Mediterranean monk seal, monachus monachus.

Chora, the old capital, is a town of stone houses and perfect shady courtyards, narrow streets with relaxed tavernas, and cool churches. Atop it all sits a medieval castle with sweeping sea views.

Traditional lifestyles persist here, including a culture of natural folk medicine you can best explore in Milia; along with myths and legends from the past that link the island to its viticulture heritage. It was from here that Jason and the Argonauts sailed to Kolhida to retrieve the Golden Fleece, and the ships of Achaeans sailed to Troy.

Add Alonissos to your itinerary if you’re seeking a laid-back atmosphere, peace and serenity, alongside opportunities to mingle with the locals. Make sure you leave time to sample the island’s delicious specialties, such as cheese pie, grilled figs with honey, kakavia (fish soup) and walnut pie.

GREEN HILLS INLAND

Tomas Eidsvold at Unsplash

PRETTY STREETS

THE SPORADES

Skiathos

Stunningly beautiful, Skiathos has more than 60 crystalclear water beaches set against a backdrop of pine forests, so it is perhaps not surprising that it draws the crowds. As a result of its popularity, the island’s infrastructure has a cosmopolitan vibe and there is a buzzing bar and open-air club scene with many vibrant restaurants and cafes.

Skiathos Town is built around a natural harbour, now a stylish haven for yachts and sailing boats. Its white houses, with their red tiled roofs and colourful gardens, are typically Greek and very photogenic. Nearby is Kástro, a natural fortress, famed for its breathtaking natural beauty, and the lush peninsula of Bourtzi, where the romantic ruins of a Venetian fortress still stand.

The island is perhaps best known for the popular beaches, including Koukounariés and Banana, but beyond these there are quieter, less developed beaches too with a classic Greek aesthetic and opportunities to get far from

Razvan Dumitrasconiu at Unsplash the crowd. Nature lovers can follow 25 well signposted walking trails through unspoilt areas, and beaches at Mandráki, Eliá, Agkistros and Asélinos offer peace and quiet. Lalária is a oneoff with impressive white rock formations, while Strofilia includes a rare protected wetland area.

THE SPORADES

Pelion

It’s not an island, but a peninsula – pointing into the scattered isles of the Sporades. Pelion is dominated by Mount Pelion, which is snow-covered in winter, bright with flowers in spring and summer and always surrounded by untouched wilderness areas and traditional villages. Hike it, horse ride it, mountain bike it, or just admire it from afar, Pelion’s highest summit, Stavros, is 1.624 metres up from where its soft slopes stretch gently to the Aegean Sea.

At the foot of the mountain sits bustling Portaria, with luxurious hotels, restaurants and a cosmopolitan vibe and Zagora, popular for its citrus-orchards that inspire local speciality sweets, marmalades and liqueurs. On the slopes you’ll find pretty villages like Tsagkarada, defined by its chestnut and plane trees; and Vyzitsa and Makrinitsa with their stone-paved alleys, renovated mansions (known as archontika) and lush greenery.

Makrinitsa is nicknamed ‘the balcony of Pelion’, thanks to the fantastic views it offers over the island. Or alternatively fill your instagram feed with stunning views over the Pagasetic Gulf as you board the panoramic steam train of Pelion from Milies.

Alexandra Torro at Unsplash DRAMATIC BEACHES

James Ting at Unsplash

OIA IN THE EVENING

Hello Lightbulb at Unsplash Probably the most iconic of the Greek islands, Santorini was created by 12 huge intensive volcanic eruptions over thousands of years. As you approach SantoriniTHE CYCLADES it from the sea, sheer cliffs soar above the azure sea and you are actually sailing in the huge crater of the defunct volcano. The main villages of Fira and Oia line the cliff top and trickle over the terraced rock, defined by their bright white Cycladic houses. Post your snap and watch your ‘likes’ soar. Head up to Fira, the picturesque capital, and take your seat 260m above sea level. You will be perched on the top edge of the volcano’s caldera with breathtaking views. Move along to Oia to see houses carved out of the rock, and check out the villages of Imerovigli and Firostefani where at sunset you and your fellow visitors will likely burst into spontaneous applause at nature’s magnificent display.

Take your pick of the high-end restaurants and luxurious hotels, stylish night spots and pretty romantic wedding settings, explore the vineyards, hike black sand beaches or take a road trip to ancient sites, it is all here and waiting. But it will be the villages’ distinctive topography and the way the whitewashed houses and alleys are contrasted by the lavablack terrain and spectacular rock formations that will ensure images of Santorini stay in your memory a lifetime.

THE CYCLADES

Mykonos

This is a place where style meets simplicity and a party ensues. The island’s popularity cuts across all classes and ages because it welcomes all equally and somehow offers something for them all, whether they island hop from elsewhere, come from the cruise ships or are drawn by its fun-loving reputation.

The capital town, Hóra, is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture you’ll find and is overlooked by the town’s famous windmills. Here, narrow marble streets are lined with whitewashed houses and the colourful doors and window frames are draped in pink and purple bougainvillea, whose heady fragrance fills the air.

High-end shops and classy cafes draw the rich and famous who come here for luxury stays and smart parties, but students and families are equally at home admiring the fishing boats in the harbour, meeting the resident pelicans or trying the spicy local sausages, almond pastries and honey pies.

OLD TOWN RHODES

Tamara Budai at Unsplash Despina Galani at Unsplash

SEASIDE DINING

THE DODECANESE

This is the largest and historically the most important of the Dodecanese islands, and whilst it is one of the most popular, its size means there’s plenty of room for everybody to explore. It is a quieter, family-friendly island where echoes of Greece’s medieval past provide cultural interest and a contrast to its modern cosmopolitan resorts, fun waterparks and all-inclusive hotels.

Here you can, for example, combine the fortified medieval old town of Rhodes (recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site) with the natural beauty of pine covered mountain slopes that lead down to lovely beaches. Or, combine seaside favourites like Lindos – winding up the hillside to its own ancient Acropolis – with luxurious stately homes and vibrant nightlife. You’ll find climbing opportunities and watersports; vineyards and mountain villages; coves and castles. Whether you seek archaeological insights and ancient monuments, authentic local communities or sophisticated sea views, Rhodes will deliver, and it will do so with its own unique style of traditional charm always at hand.

La Khai Way at Unsplash Rhodes

THE DODECANESE

Kos

Corinthian columns, medieval castles, ancient Greek ruins – Kos is nothing short of an open-air museum! While the majority of people come for the warm hospitality and magnificent beaches, the numerous archaeological sites and monuments never fail to impress. Kos town reflects the many influences of the past, with wide streets, squares and parks to wander or pedal through, via a network of cycle paths. Seaside towns and villages such as Kardamena, Kefalos, Mastihari and Tigaki are never far from both a beautiful beach, historic interest and good quality family activities, including a water park.

Beyond the coast, the rugged Dikeos mountains majestically mark areas which retain a natural wilderness feel. Here you can join together picture-perfect rural villages, full of local charm. Some head here for the bird watching too.

Home to the father of medicine, Hippocrates, the island even boasts a 2500 year-old plane tree (in Kos Town) whose vast shady canopy is believed to have been the great man’s first consulting ‘room’ and ‘lecture theatre’. It’s trunk circumference is over 10m long.

Dimitris Kiriakakis at Unsplash

CATCH OF THE DAY

Siret Kiisla at Unsplash Danielle Suijkerbuijk at Unsplash

A VIVID TAVERNA

THE DODECANESE

Symi

For jaw-dropping visual impact and knockout first impressions, few islands can beat Symi. Its dramatic jumble of indigo, ochre and terracotta-painted stone houses with red roofs and dainty balconies are spectacular and have the cameras working overtime.

As you head into this fairytale vision, complete with a castle at the top, the postcard scene splits into two – the main town, Gialos, and the village of Chorion, sprawling gently down the slopes. Welcoming cafes and tavernas stand ready to serve, and look out for the elaborately decorated ceilings, skylights and neo-classical decor when you step inside.

You can head out to a monastery on Symi’s southern tip, but it is the blue coves and small beaches that are the real draw beyond the town. Fuss-free and with a relaxed awayfrom-it-all vibe, the beaches are varied – some sandy, some pebbly – but all with crystal clear water. Many are truly off-the- beaten track, and some are only accessible by water taxi.