Blessed with warm sunshine, sparkling seas, and delicious seasonal cuisine, springtime in Greece will take your breath away. Amid the lush green vegetation, wildflowers and herbs burst into life, covering the landscape in a riot of color and filling the air with their rich, fragrant aromas. There’s nothing more enchanting than Greece in full bloom.
If you’re looking to beat the summer heat and avoid the crowds associated with high season, a spring break on a Greek island may be just the ticket. But with dozens of islands to chose from (277 inhabited islands, according to the Greek National Tourism Organization), where do you start?
Based on our own archive, we’ve come up with a list of seven islands to suit a wide variety of tastes and interests. In it, we offer a few handy tips on what to see and do.
Hydra
A short ferry ride from Athens, the small Argosaronic island of Hydra has its own unique character. A popular draw for artists, poets, writers, and musicians since the 1960s, including Leonard Cohen, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, and his novelist wife, Polly Samson, the island also played a major role in the 1821 Greek Revolution, providing many ships and skilled sailors in the fight against the ruling Ottomans. Walk around the harbor and the surrounding narrow streets (no cars allowed!), and marvel at the imposing mansions that showcase the island’s past economic prosperity. To learn more about the island’s fascinating history, get in touch with Hydra Walking Tours (Tel. (+30) 6976.901.736) for a in-depth guided tour.
