The Greek Islands are one of the most romantic places to visit. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and Apollo, the god of the sun, are worshipped here.

The blue skies and the bluer Aegean sea make these islands the perfect place to relax, enjoy good food and wine and explore the different landscapes.

Santorini

The sunsets on Santorini are meant to be the best in the world. When you sail into Santorini you enter a sea enclosed by the Burnt Islands. The cliffs are red, brown and green and have many white villages on the summits.

Eruptions of the volcano formed two small islands and you can visit both. One part is the youngest part of Europe, formed by eruptions in 1939 and 1950.

There are 150 hotels on Santorini, varying from 5 star luxury to small intimate ones. Most of them have views of the volcano and the legendary sunsets. Or you can stay in one of the many villas.

If you want an energetic holiday there are many archaeological sites and museums. You can visit the hot springs where the water is 33oC and contains sulphur which is good for the skin. There are also the donkeys to ride down the hill to the little port of Firo. If this is all too energetic for you there are lovely beaches to relax on.

Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the biggest of the Greek islands. This is one of the most touristy places in Greece but there are still a lot of unspoilt villages. Rhodes has a rich and varied landscape with arid and rocky costal areas and an interior of lush forest.

The capital, the city of Rhodes is well worth a visit. It is the largest, inhabited medieval town in Europe. This would make a good base to tour the island.

Symi

The island of Symi lies 24 miles to the northwest of Rhodes. It is only 8 miles long and 6 miles wide with Mount Vigla standing 2021 feet high.

The annual Symi Festival held from July to September is an important event on the island. Theatre, open-air cinema, dance, music, literary and art exhibitions are all included.

Symi also has a reputation for excellent restaurants, which serve traditional food and general Mediterranean cuisine.

Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands. It was the centre of Minoan civilisation, the oldest European culture. Crete is a mountainous island with fertile plateaus.

For centuries Crete has had a rich ethnicity. It maintains its own language of Cretan Greek and Cretan wine is a traditional drink. The island is also known for its music.

Heraklion is the capital city and a major cruise destination. There are many designer shops here but also, in the side streets you will find curios for sell that are different from the usual things found in gift shops.

There are many museums, an aquarium and the Palace of Knossos, a minoan palace. There are many attractive towns and old harbours to visit. Cretan food is available in all the towns. The food is made from locally grown, mainly organic, fruit and vegetables and is full of flavour. So relax and enjoy a meal with a glass of fruity Cretan wine.

Mykonos

Mykonos island is famous for its sophisticated atmostphere, its electrifying nightlife, its superb sandy beaches and its picturesque capital, Hora. Hora has beautiful whitewashed houses and blue domed churches.

This island can get very busy during peak season but for those who do not mind crowds, great fun and entertainment can be had. Most of this can be found in Hora but if you go further out of town you will find peace and tranquillity. Here you will discover spectacular, mountainous landscapes, clear blue sea and charming villages.

The Greek islands would make a good destination, with a great variety of things to do and see. So if you like peace and quite, museums or a great nightlife there is something for everyone.