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Greece
Kos
It may be small, but Kos manages to squeeze in two very distinct identities. The first to catch your eye is its hostess-with-the-mostest side. Cue resorts perched right on the shore, designed purely to put you where the sun is. Bars, clubs and cafés practically falling over themselves to grab your attention. And enough duvet-soft sands thatll have you barefoot and bronzing in no time. Youll find this version of Kos strutting its stuff in places like Kos Town, Kardamena and Lambi. But dont let that heady combination of sun, sand and sparkling seas fool you. Head inland and youll find the islands shy and retiring side. Deserted hamlets ripe for exploring. Intimate beaches tucked into rugged coves. And dotted across the wooded hills, little pockets of peace in the form of whitewashed villages. But to discover this other, quieter side, you dont have to swap your flip-flops for hiking boots. Mini-resorts like Marmari and Mastihari delve into the real Kos fusing beach lounging with rustic living. But the best thing about this island is that, whichever Kos you choose, youre never too far from the other.
Thomson Destinations
Crete
Crete is the king of Greek Islands. Its the biggest. The oldest. And arguably the best. Which is hardly surprising - its had a pretty good head start. Folk have prospered on this island for over 4000 years. All across Crete youll find reminders of a bygone era, when the ancient Minoans stood tall and sowed the seeds of the Western civilization. Cue places like the Palace of Knossos, where the fearsome Minotaur is said to have lurked. But theres more to this island than just a flashy past. There are the beaches to think about, too. Turquoise seas whisper sweet nothings to long ribbons of sand that stretch from here to next Christmas. And keeping watch over this stellar shoreline youll find a grab-bag of places to stay. Everything from action-packed resorts that keep things frisky and full-on to old towns that flaunt their Venetian credentials. And then there are the little villages that lie just off the beaten track. Venture inland and youll find whitewashed farmsteads and sleepy stone hamlets. Here, donkeys still do all the work. Locals still live off the land. And herds of goats still rule the roads. That brings us nicely to Cretes other trump card - its unspoilt beauty. Rugged mountains cut through the island. Pines cling to plunging gorges. And flower-filled meadows add a splash of summertime colour.
Rhodes
Its not for nothing that Rhodes is the most visited of all the Greek islands. Boasting the best sunshine record and offering up plenty in the way of sprawl-on-me sands, its been flaunting its tan for years now. No wonder its such a firm favourite with beach-loving Brits. The east coast, in particular, is laced with golden nuggets and rocky coves, not to mention one of the Meds most famous party playgrounds - Faliraki. But theres more to Rhodes than just snorkels, bikinis and glow sticks. For starters, youve got the gorgeous scenery. Head south and youll come face to face with a lush wonderland of vineyards and wooded slopes. Get a map, pull on a good pair of walking boots and explore. And then youve got Rhodes event-crammed past to consider. Ancient ruins hark back to the days of Alexander the Great. Terracotta-topped churches remember the Byzantine glory years. And Ottoman minarets recall Rhodes stint under the Turks. Its as if history seeps from every cobblestone. And nowhere more so than the islands star attraction - Rhodes Town. Ringed by fortified walls and battlements, this Medieval citadel stands as monument to the Rhodes most famous overlords, the Knights of St John. A must on everyones sightseeing list is Rhodes Town, up alongside Venice and Dubrovnik.
Highlights
Crete: Minoan Magic Visit the most famous of all the sights in Crete 'The Palace of Knossos'. Join your expert guide on a journey into myth and legend as you learn the story of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth while unlocking the secrets of the ancient Minoan civiliasation. You have the option to visit the famous, archaeological museum (which houses the richest collection of Minoan art in the world) and see the many artefacts on display, or take some free time to browse around the bustling capital Heraklion. Year after year our most popular trip Rhodes: Simply Symi The view as you sail into Symi harbour is simply breathtaking: Venetian-style houses tumbling down the hillside make a colourful backdrop to this pretty harbour. The sea around Symi is famous for its natural sponges and the locals used to dive to great depths to retrieve them. There will be a chance to learn about the history and production of the sponges from our local guide. The sponges make a nice gift and you can buy them from one of the 'spice and sponge' stalls in the village. You can take the opportunity to climb to a great viewpoint above the town, or sample freshly caught fish from one of the seafront tavernas that line the harbourfront. With your guide you'll also visit the small coastal village of Panormitis. Here you will visit the monastery with its magnificent array of gold and silver icons. An ideal day out to enjoy attractive scenery and architecture and try the local fresh cuisine at a leisurely pace.
² Knossos
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