EXPLORING THE GREEK ISLES

By Lara Becker

What’s your pleasure? All-night parties? Ancient archaeology? Pink sand beaches and charming mountain villages? Views of clear blue water? Food, music and wine? Here we help you do your homework to determine which Greek islands might be the best for your next vacation.

If you are searching for a picture-perfect vacation with crashing waves and ancient ruins—or maybe a trip where you can live out Mamma Mia dreams by the water—then look no further than the gorgeous islands of Greece. They’ve got the perfect balance of rich history, relaxing beach lifestyles, and everything in between.

Kyriakos Xydis, managing partner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Athens Properties, gives a glimpse into life on these islands, and where to go based on the type of locale that suits you best.

MYKONOS

When you think of Greece, you might picture cerulean skies meeting white sand beaches, and rows of spiral staircases etched into spectacular landscapes. “Our unique islands and seaside locations have wonderful beaches and cool blue waters that you can only find in Greece,” Xydis says of his home country.

If you’re looking to achieve this classic snapshot, similar to what is captured in Mamma Mia and other films, Mykonos may be for you. But as the day goes on in Mykonos, the party emerges.

Xydis says this island has the perfect “summer party” atmosphere. The most famed beaches here are Paradise and Super Paradise, where booming music can often be heard for miles. Famous DJs travel from across the globe to lead these all-night events, at massive beachfront clubs that often stay open way past dawn. But after the partying is over, Xydis notes that there are iconic landmarks to travel to as well—particularly a row of 16th century windmills, sitting atop a small Mykonos town.

Santorini

Just as popular is the beautiful Santorini. “Santorini was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C., forever shaping its rugged landscape,” Xydis notes. “The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its two principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west, and beaches made up of black, red, and white lava pebbles.”

Santorini’s distinct look and feel came to be because of this volcano, which is still active to this day. Perched high in the sky, Santorini is now known for this unique geology, which people come from all over to see. Sunsets with out-of-this-world views are a favorite of visitors here.

CRETE & CORFU

When searching for more wonders of the world, many travel sites recommend Crete and Corfu for even more history and beauty. Crete was a focal point in ancient Greek mythology and had a booming civilization—it is the largest Greek island, with many adjacent archipelagos of its own.

For the best experience, travel aficionados recommend staying on the main island of Crete, and not on one of its subsequent islands. Here, make sure you take some time enjoying Crete’s pink sand beaches, traveling through the plentiful mountain villages, or experiencing the joys of Cretan wineries.

century villas to stay in on Corfu, which allow you to take advantage of poolside lavishness, or explore the olive trees on the land.

In Corfu, make sure to travel to Old Town, where you can discover winding stone streets with Italian-inspired architecture and food.

Euboea

When asked what the “hidden gem” of the Greek isles might be, Xydis did not hesitate to mention Euboea island. If you’re looking to travel off the beaten path in Greece, this is an example of a locale with far less crowds, but just as amazing of an experience.

“It is an extremely big island, with so many diverse destinations that cover the needs of the most demanding customers,” he says.

-KyriakosXydis

Corfu is another fantastic location for travel, and is a part of the Ionian Sea. It offers a more down-to-earth feel, with lush grass and rocky peaks all over the island. There are many historic, 18th

Euboea is the second-largest island geographically. Evia is the most common beachfront here, with all-access views to the clear blue water. It also has a rich history with ancient ruins of theaters, a once-famous trade center, and the thought-to-be location of Aristotle’s death.

Euboea is connected to the mainland with a bridge, just a few hours outside of Athens International Airport by car.

Dining

“On every Greek island, in every hidden corner of Greece, there are unique restaurants and bars for all tastes and all wallets,” Xydis notes. There’s everything from Michelin-star restaurants, to traditional taverns with centuries-old recipes and stories.

But above all, he encourages travelers to interact with residents in order to find the best fare: “Greeks are very friendly. What I strongly recommend is, in each destination, ask two to three Greeks (the one who owns a small mini market, the waiter in a cafe, et cetera) to recommend a place with good food, nice music, and drinks. This is how you will discover the real secrets of our country, islands, and destinations.”

WHEN SHOULD I BOOK?

For Mykonos or Santorini, it’s best to book as soon as possible. Travel authorities report 220,000 visitors in a single week in 2022, and some hotels in Mykonos reaching up to 90-percent occupancy.

For the other islands, and as a general rule, travel agents recommend booking a Greek vacation as early as six or seven months before your intended departure date.

“Every Greek tourist destination, every Greek island, even the smallest, has at least 10 beaches with amazing clear blue waters—visit as many places as you can,” says Xydis, who has helped many travelers secure the ultimate Greek villa of their dreams. Arrving

Cascais, Alcabideche, Portugal

This stunning villa offers a garden, garage and pool all set next to the Estoril Golf Course. Full of character and charm, it offers security and privacy amid its 828 square meters (8,912 square feet) of living space. There are 6 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, a kitchen and office, plus a ground floor complete with a lounge, games room, and dining room. Enjoy two open patios and a guesthouse with 2 en suite bedrooms, close to the center of Estoril. €8,500,000 ($9,193,218 USD)

Loulé, Querença, Tôr e Benafim, Portugal

This 6-bedroom villa has a pool and garden, in the heart of the Algarve region, where traditional culture and modern bio-climatic architecture are found, preserving the townhouses and olive groves that have persisted there for generations. Turnkey management allows you to enjoy a resort with golf courses, at your doorstep, amid the vastness of these ancient groves. Each villa offers 3 floors, terraces, fine finishes, and fully equipped kitchens. €4,000,000 ($4,325,864 USD)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Atlantic Portugal

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