Like many of us, you may be wondering where could I have travelled to in the past couple of years if circumstances had been different? Have I missed out on idyllic island escapes in the sun that used to be the highlight of the year?
To catch up on missed opportunities in recent times there is one type of holiday that provides the ultimate multi destination experience with a combination of flexibility, freedom and fun.
Of course, we are talking about our incredible selection of bespoke island hopping holidays, giving you free reign over your next holiday with a choice of authentic, off-the-grid, luxury and family friendly getaways.
Here are some of our favourite combinations for 2 and 3 island holidays that will deliver unforgettable memories to look back on in years to come.
Rhodes & Halki
A ferry journey of just over 60 mins separates these Dodecanese delights. Start off your adventure on the popular and historic island of Rhodes. With over 30 Blue Flag beaches and 300 days of sun a year, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to days spent relaxing on the soft sands before cooling off in the sparkling sea. Delightful Old Rhodes Town has a labyrinth of narrow, cobblestoned streets, full of boutiques, bars and restaurants and you step into history as you go through one of the medieval city wall gates. For those seeking fabulous food choose from a selection of informal Greek grill houses and tavernas or if you are after a more luxurious dining experience there are plenty of there attractive restaurants serving tasty Greek delicacies like Symi shrimps and grilled octopus.
Your journey continues to Halki, an island where time really has stood still and where friendly locals welcome visitors like long lost friends. Arriving into the beautiful port of Emborios, you are greeted with a view of Pastel-coloured houses with red-tiled roofs that cluster around the horseshoe-shaped bay. Taverna tables are sprinkled along the quayside where colourful boats bob. Explore this tiny Greek gem with its remote beaches, deserted ghost town, Monasteries and medieval castle. Halki’s peaceful and charming nature guarantees a calming end to your island-hopping holiday.
Malta & Gozo
If you've tried Greece, you might want to consider the warm and welcoming islands of Malta and Gozo that enjoy year round sun and make for fascinating places to explore on an island hop. Malta, bursting with history and plenty of sights to see is where your journey begins. History buffs can learn about 7,000 years of activity on the island whilst visiting the 16th-century, St John's Cathedral and Casa Rocca Piccola, a grand palazzo and explore fascinating cultural museums and palaces. For those in search of natural wonders, the Blue Grotto caverns to the Blue Lagoon are both beautiful highlights of this magical island. Once you have built up an appetite exploring Malta’s many wonders, why not try a seafood platter or try some local dishes with a mix of Middle Eastern and Sicilian flavours?
Malta's sister island, Gozo offers a relaxing retreat with its crystal-clear waters that are ideal for swimming in and many secluded coves that you can have all to yourself. The island’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites. Picture postcard villages and beautiful countryside walks make the charming island bursting with character, a true tranquil haven.
Athens, Poros and Spetses
You will find true “authentic Greece” on this island hop to Athens, Poros and Spetses. Start your journey in the country’s bustling capital where thousands of years of history combined with its exuberant and lively atmosphere make it a magnificent metropolis with so much to see and do.
As you arrive into Galtos Harbour on Poros, you will be greeted by the sight of a famous bell tower and a scenic hillside full of Cypress trees and red roofed houses. American writer Henry Miller said Poros was “a joy too deep almost to be remembered”. Experience this joy for yourself as you explore this lush green island that is packed with beautiful bays, beaches pine trees, olive trees, lemon groves and beautiful bays.
The final stop on your journey is the stylish island of Spetses. What makes this gorgeous island truly extraordinary is the fact that all cars are banned and planning restrictions prevent high-rise buildings and “modern” designs allowing it to retain a true sense of authentic Greece with a history that dates back over 10,000 years. Spetses is also the setting for Olivia Colman’s gripping new film “The Lost Daughter” and with its effortless beauty and enchanting atmosphere, the Oscar for “Authentic Greece” undoubtedly goes to this glamorous Greek island.
Santorini, Naxos & Mykonos
Romance thrives on the glorious Cycladic Islands of Santorini, Naxos and Mykonos. Spectacular sunsets, unrivalled beauty and iconic whitewashed villages with cobbled streets make this island hopping holiday a firm favourite for couples seeking a romantic retreat.
Santorini, famous for its blue-domed churches, traditional villages, black larva beaches, an ancient site known as the Greek Pompei and buzzing bars ensure your adventure gets off to an incredible start. For the best views on the island head to the village of Oia, on the island's northern tip.
Next its Naxos the largest and greenest Cycladic island. As you sail into harbour look for a sun-catching historic ruin and castle on a hill of crisp white buildings. Find a spot to relax in the sun on the island’s 100 kilometres of mostly sandy beaches. Discover an ancient marble statue of a giant and the highest mountain in the Cyclades where legend says Zeus, father of the gods, was born.
The finale to your Cycladic island hopping holiday is the magical Mykonos. Have your camera at the ready as you glimpse the legendary windmills above the harbour. Finish off your amazing adventure in style with fine Greek cuisine at one of the island’s top-rated restaurants overlooking the glistening Mediterranean sea.
