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Greece

When you think about your next possible holiday in Greece, what comes to mind that makes you dream already ? a Mediterranean destination, sunny, without being too far away? white and blue azure Cycladic houses and cobbled streets where you can wander quietly in search of a good tavern for dinner ? A sea of crystal-clear waters that hugs the dozens of islands that line the country from West to East? or renowned antiques and historical monuments that everyone wishes they had seen and visited at least once in their lives? We can confirm it to you! You will have all these treasures at your fingertips. Whether it is a holiday on the Continent, in the Peloponnese, in Attica, or on one of the many Ionian Islands, passing through the Cyclades or Crete, you will be in total immersion in a setting where life is good and where ancient lands and seas are harmoniously mixed. Greece ? one of the lungs of Western European history that will open its fraternal arms to you as a sign of welcome.

The Ionian Islands

Situated in the west of Greece, not far from Italy and Albania, the Ionian Islands will welcome you in the heart of a magnificent hilly, often mountainous and always green landscape. Six islands make up this archipelago : Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Zakinthos, Paxos and Ithaca. Once dominated by the Venetians, in these places, there are still today monuments to Italian architecture. Corfu, the northernmost island, and its main city are a must to visit. Corfu is also one of the most visited islands, as it is easier to reach thanks to its airport and direct flights from Paris during the summer season. Then, you will just have to leave the city, which you will have previously discovered during your walks, to find yourself in the coastal hinterland and thus enjoy all the advantages that this beautiful island will offer you. A word of advice : don't forget to stop for a few hours to visit the capital, a real cultural crossroads where the monuments and buildings of Venetian, British and French architecture are just waiting to be seen. The historic centre, with its cosmopolitan districts, delimited by the two forts and the old port, can easily be visited on foot. This will not be negligible. During your trip, you will have the choice between two holiday atmospheres, depending on whether you choose the north or the south of the island. If you like mountainous and steep regions with beautiful creeks and typical villages, you will go to the North. But if, on the other hand, you like agricultural plains, lakes and nature reserves where the fauna likes to refresh itself under a blazing sun, you will choose the South. If it is the southern part of Corfu, which has made your heartbeat, then we suggest you visit the two islands closest to the coast, namely Paxos and Antipaxos. Ideally, you should rent a boat and moor opposite Gaios. There you will see the most beautiful sailing boats and yachts that come to anchor there in search of refined places to enjoy the magnificent coastline of both islands. Paxos and even more Antipaxos remain preserved to this day. If you too wish to treat yourself to a holiday in an idyllic setting, far from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the most beautiful villas nestled in this nature of olive trees and cypresses. These two islands accessible from Corfu but also from Igoumenitsa on the mainland will suit you perfectly. If you pass Igoumenitsa: no doubt you will drive south to Preveza, and take the direction of Lefkada, another beautiful Ionian island, connected by a bridge to the mainland and therefore easy to access. But you can also drive to Lefkada: From Athens. Just take the road to Corinth and Patras, which takes about 4 hours on a pleasant road. Lefkada is famous for its most beautiful beaches of Greece of international renown such as Porto Katsiki or Egkremni surrounded by high and impressive white cliffs which marry below, turquoise water, unforgettable for the memories having tasted there. Before reaching Zakinthos (or Zante) the southernmost island, you will have to make a stop in Kefalonia and Ithaca. Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands with Mount Ainos and its unique fir trees. You can get there from Patras (1-hour crossing) or by plane with an internal flight from Athens. The main village of Argostoli with its pedestrian avenue Lithostroto full of small shops and the beach of Myrtos will be high places of your holidays. Kefalonia is loved by its visitors who find it noble in its art of living, with many small villages where you can find a gentle way of life and long sandy beaches that make people happy. Ithaca, situated in the North East of Kefalonia, takes its name from the son of Poseidon 'Ithakos'. But it is also the island where Ulysses returned after years of journeys. Ithaca, this small piece of land, connected by ferry to Kefalonia, Lefkada, Patras from Athens, is really worth the detour. You will be totally disorientated for a day or a longer stay. In Ithaca, you will discover beautiful drop-off points such as the port of Vathy and its archaeological and nautical museums, and the small bays that beautifully adorn its coast between cliffs and green hills. And like Ulysses the traveller, it is with memories and images full of eyes that you will leave the Ionian islands to better return.

The Cyclades Islands

Is it really necessary to present the Cycladic islands, so much so that they have become a must when one wishes to discover Greece. In the heart of the Aegean Sea, these 24 inhabited islands are internationally renowned. Accessible by plane for some and by boat for others, it is easy to stay there for a week and visit several islands during your stay. Santorini is perhaps the most spectacular island because of its magnificent rugged volcanic landscapes. Santorini has the advantage of having a small international airport which makes it easy to reach. A real postcard with its villages of cubic houses with blue domes interlocking one on top of the other, some even being troglodytes, they overlook and dominate the caldera and the cliffs that plunge vertiginously into the deep blue sea. If you arrive by boat, you will be surprised to see a funicular lift you up to the heights and climb its steep cliffs. You will be amazed by this volcanic environment with an incomparable charm. Leave the port and go to Oia, the northernmost village with a breathtaking panoramic view. To experience a sunset in this picturesque village will remain memorable. Head back down towards the centre of the island and explore pretty authentic little villages such as Fira, Megalohori or Pyrgos and enjoy some beautiful black sand beaches if you wish to relax before setting off again and continuing the adventure on another island. In two hours, a ferry will take you to one of the trendiest islands of the Cyclades : Mykonos. Considered as the small Greek Ibiza, Mykonos will bring you this festive note thanks to its beautiful beaches and its main village with the most luxurious signs. But Mykonos will also know how to bring you this more tranquil note on its hills facing the sea or its luxurious villas which seem to be set like diamonds on their cases. Take advantage of being in Mykonos to visit the neighbouring islands: Delos, a sacred island dedicated to Apollo, who in ancient times was the centre of trade in the Cyclades, and Tinos considered as the little Lourdes. On the 15th of August there is a procession from the port to the hill where there is the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Finally, Syros and its pretty village of Ermoupolis, land of Hermes, which is only a short distance from Mykonos. Another island has become unavoidable and rivals Mykonos. It is Paros ! In a short time, it has become one of the most popular and trendy of the Cycladic islands. Familiar, with many small traditional and authentic villages, it offers many excursions and activities to do on the island. Parikia main village on the west coast and its port will be the starting point to go to the south of the island to enjoy the beautiful creeks and beaches of Makria Miti, Farangas and Aliki. These are perfect spots to learn scuba diving as the waters are magnificent. But you can also, from Parikia, go up north where you will be captivated by Naoussa, this small seaside village. Naoussa can be considered as a small Saint-Tropez where yachts and sailboats moor in the bay of Kolymbithres which is preserved from the Meltem. It is not uncommon to see guests coming in the evening to storm this small fishing village. It is the place to be for a nightlife that remains friendly. All that remains for you to do is to stroll through the narrow streets lined with pretty little white houses, stop and browse in the trendy boutiques and then finally go for dinner until late in the evening in one of the many restaurants along the coast in a good-natured atmosphere. Finally, if you prefer to go to more authentic and less visited islands, we advise you to choose islands such as Kea Andros, Folegandros or Sifnos which, all as friendly, will ensure you a relaxing, sunny and exotic holiday.

Crete

Welcome to Crete, the southernmost island of Greece, at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia. According to Greek mythology, it is in Crete that Zeus, King of the Gods, and God of Heaven and Lightning, was born. Crete, therefore, could only be large and imposing. Great, because of its size, Crete being the largest of the Greek islands, but also because of its history and its aura throughout the world. Its reputation, which is well established, is partly due to its decisive role in the very history of ancient Greece. But its reputation is also due to its dietetic cuisine and its famous Cretan diet, based on fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals, aromatic herbs and olive oil. Imposing also due to its 4 mountain ranges which drapes it from West to East and which naturally delimit the 4 administrative districts of Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Lassithi. If you choose this beautiful destination to pack your bags for your holidays, you will find that it is very easy to get to Crete. The island is served by no less than three airports: Heraklion, Chania with direct flights from France and Sitia. If your choice is the Lassithi region or Heraklion in this case, you should choose the latter airport. The Lassithi, the most eastern region of Crete, is surely the most fertile, with in particular the Lassithi plateau more commonly known as the Valley of the Mills. And for the small history: At the time the mills were the tools that allowed the irrigation of the land. Today, this technique has been abandoned but the mills have remained and give the region an unexpected Provencal touch. The beauty of this region also lies in the splendid Gulf of Mirabello where the towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda are located, two very famous seaside resorts with town centres that have kept their charm of yesteryear. It is between these two cities that the most luxurious hotels and villas in Crete are located, between the sea and the hills overlooking the bay. Opposite Elounda, you will see the small island of Spinalonga, where at the beginning of the century the lepers were housed, or if you prefer, "the island of the forgotten" according to the novel by Victoria Hislop. Spinalonga has kept its fortress like a treasure of history, and it now offers a rich Ottoman and Venetian heritage to travellers who venture to its places. If you have been charmed by all that your eyes have seen so far, you will be eager to head west to explore other lands. We invite you to retrace your steps, pass through Heraklion and take the national road along the north coast in the direction of Rethymnon and then Chania. The region of Rethymno is one of the most mountainous and authentic regions of Crete in the hinterland but also very touristy on the coast that runs along the north of the island with its town of the same name. The town of Rethymnon is worth a stop and a visit. It is a surprising city where Venetian and Byzantine churches, mosque minarets and old houses are mixed. And all this through narrow streets and pedestrian crossings to the Turkish cannons on the small port and to the ruins of the Fortezza castle in the north of the city, on the Paleokastro hill. You can also enjoy the beach that runs along the city, which you can see in the distance from the beautiful villas that are set back from the coast and its hustle and bustle. Leaving the town of Rethymnon you will go a little further west where you will end your journey in beauty by the region of Chania. This fertile region with its beautiful agricultural plains has one of the largest gorges in Europe: the Samaria Gorge located in the White Mountains Massif in the south of this region. Lovers of beautiful hikes, although caution is required, will be amazed by this site of almost 16 km long which is offered to them. Thanks to its international airport which is located in the north, above the bay of Soudage, the region of Chania has become much more accessible for holidaymakers who will no longer need to pass through and land in Heraklion to visit the west of the island. The city of Chania is famous for its intact Venetian port and lighthouse. And if you take the time to stroll around the city, you will see tanneries still in operation, small shops selling local products and restaurants where you can taste the Cretan flavours. Treat yourself for an afternoon, take a boat trip to the beautiful Kissamos Bay even further west. You will definitely need more than one stay to visit the Crete from East to West. We recommend that you discover it step by step, one region after another, and you will see the differences and similarities that make Crete great and beautiful.