Warning!  ITV’s new six-part travel series The Greek Islands with Julia Bradbury will have you packing your suitcase!

Julia visits the sun-drenched islands to explore her mother’s culture and her own heritage starting in Crete.

She said: “The Greek Islands are held with great affection in the hearts of us Brits – every year, three million of us head there for our holidays, and it is easy to see why.

“I have a strong affinity with the islands, my mum is Greek, although she despairs that I still can’t speak the lingo. But I’ve only holidayed here, and never really explored beyond the tourist trail myself, until now. This is a voyage of discovery and I’m taking you with me.”

In this series she uncovers the hidden side of well-known islands such as Corfu and Santorini as well as some lesser-known island gems including Symi, Thirassia and Skopelos, the Mamma Mia! island, plus Chios – the island of her heritage.

She starts her journey in Crete, visiting a sheep and goat farmer in the Dikti Mountains (did you know Greece is home to 5 million goats!) and travelling to the coastal town of Rethymno to see how baklava is made and meets Nico who makes the Cretan lyra, a violin-like instrument that is said to be the soundtrack to Crete.

During the series, she takes in 10 of the thousands of islands, and immerses herself in the country’s traditions, from trying on a seven-layer wedding dress to climbing a 1,500-year-old olive tree and visiting Spinalonga, the island of tears, which was Europe’s last leper colony.

Julia said: “I am going to see the hidden side, from the historical and rugged terrain of Crete to the glamour of a sunset in Santorini. But I’ll also be taking in the lesser known islands from the architectural splendour of Symi to the natural wonder of Skopelos, before ending my journey on the island where my family story began.”

Prepare to be blown away by the stunning scenery and mouth-watering dishes she tries (see our top foodie hotels in Greece) – and be inspired to book your next holiday to Greece with Olympic Holidays, the Island Specialist with more than 50 years’ experience of selling Greece and the Greek island holidays.

• The Greek Islands with Julia Bradbury series will be screened in six episodes on ITV from Friday, January 10 at 8pm