Temperature: max 23°C; 17°C low
Season: spring
Travel time from the UK: 4 hours 15 minutes
Time difference: GMT+2
Think about the The Greek Islands and think of whitewashed stone villages illuminated against the blue of the Aegean Sea, ancient ruins and tiny little fishing villages. The Dodecanese Islands, a chain of 12 larger islands (Rhodes is the best known of them) and full of little ones, it’s all those cliches and more. For a real taste of Greek life, the volcanic island of Nisyros is wonderfully welcoming and an artists’ paradise. Symi, half an hour from the Turkish coast, has Michelin stars and is old-school glamour, Kastellorizo inspired Pink Floyd and Patmos has incredible Byzantine architecture, or if you can’t get enough, go for it. island hopping on the Calypso.
Sustainable Travel Tip: Reaching Rhodes without boarding a plane is possible, but you will need to be dedicated. The easiest way is probably to take the Eurostar to Paris, followed by a TGV to Munich (seven hours), and from here the night train Lisinski to Zagreb. The next day, take a train to Belgrade (seven hours) and spend a night and a day in the Serbian capital. An overnight train will then take you to Thessaloniki, from where you can enjoy a very scenic journey on an InterCity train to Athens (four hours). Finally, an overnight ferry takes you to Rhodes. Now here’s the catch: the couchette to Thessaloniki only operates from mid-June to mid-September. see the shine Seat61.com for an alternative route that involves a second ferry and more train changes.
Where to stay: Melenos Lindos, for decorative wooden ceilings, Ottoman-inspired hand-painted tiles, raised wooden sleeping platforms with elaborate carved paneling, and mother-of-pearl inlaid mirror frames. At the terrace bar and restaurant (which serves seasonal Greek cuisine), a vine-covered pergola is strung with tiny lanterns. For pure, Greek island relaxation, we love it Airbnb with a swimming pool.
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