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Gavdos is a tiny island in the Lybian Sea, just an hour and half of ferry from Crete South coastal village of Hora Sfakion (or Sfakia). Apart from August, when the island could be quite crowded, you can enjoy here the feeling to be away from the world (not necessarily too far away, it's up to you).
From the port you can get a lift to Korfos, where an easy path leads to Tripiti in an hour walk.
In Korfos there are a pair of good tavernas, where nice and clean rooms can be rented, but my wife and me, we spent a week on the Tripiti pebbly beach with our tent, only coming back to Korfos when we need to refill our water tank or to enjoy the local food, sitting in a taverna porch. It was September, the days were very hot, but the nights were incredible: fresh with a sky full of stars, the silence complete, only the sound of the waves.
But you don't need to be so naive; staying in Korfos (where there is a nice little beach) and going sometimes to Tripiti is a good experience.
Yet, when the last daily tourist (if there were someone) has gone, the beach and the cape are your, till next day. It's a unique experience. And consider that you don't need a lot of camping gear, a sleeping bag, some water and tinned food are enough. Don't be afraid to be alone, there isn't any danger at all, apart that ones that you can provoke: don't light fires!
With a fifteen minutes walk along the beach and then on a path over the rocks, you can get the big concrete chair just over the cape: climb over it and enjoy the sight!
From Hania (where you can arrive by plane) there is a bus service to Sfakia, where the ferry sets off to Gavdos.
Looking at www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/ferries.html you will find the ferry timetable for Gavdos as long as bus timetable for Hania-Sfakia service. Hania is the nearest international airport.
Sarakiniko is the Gavdos main hamlet, with a good choice of domata (rooms) to rent, tavernas and a wide sand beach. There is a supermarket, too.
If you travel in Greece by car you can get to Skiathos from the port of Agios Konstantinos on the mainland. There are many daily departures.
www.in2greece.com/english/places/summer/islands/skiathos.htm
One of the most beautiful Greek islands, with superb natural beauty and traditional villages, take visitors back in time.
On the island there are three Venetian castles; the impressive cave of Saint Sophia with the Byzantine frescoes of the 13th century, the enchanting location Watermills with waterfalls and lakes, and beautiful beaches with crystal blue waters.
Super beach near final stop for Koukinares bus. Cross road from bus stop and follow dirt road up and over using banana beach signs to guide you.
Beautiful water and sand with a couple of decent bar/cafe's. There is a nudie section up the far end if you want to get naked with all the other middle aged swingers. Expect to pay £8 parasol/lounger combi.
By the sea - last stop on island bus service 26(i think)
Maria's walls are illustrated with characters from children's fairy tales. This kooky charm extends into the handwritten jotter style menu's.
True to form the food is magical and if the characters could come to life they would surely follow cartoon wafts of delicious food all the way to your table. Pizza's are fantastic with a choice of mozzarella or feta cheese with more or less what ever else you want (the feta one is better). Feta stuffed garlic bread is the best I've ever had and jugs of house red and white are just as good as any of the overpriced bottles.
All this takes place al fresco under the leafy protection of a beautiful Mulberry tree. There is limited seating inside.
Only open at night. Expect to wait for a table at high season. A pizza and salad (both shared between two) + wine came to under €30. There is a great jeweller's/treasure trove next door where you can browse and chat to Harris(the owner) while you are waiting.
Skiathos sqaure near the church
There are many day-trips to the volcano. Most will collect you from the quayside for a run to the crater and straight back again.
If you want to see the quiet villages of Nikia or Emborio on the crater rim as well (and the view from Nikia in particular is terrific), you may need to make a few enquiries - there are a few guides who go a bit further, but not many!
Alternatively, there is a limited bus service into the interior.
If you are going to Mykonos, check this map, which has the locations of Mykonos' beaches on google maps. I recommend the Megali Ammos Beach.
In Fira is the locals' choice with delicious Greek cuisine and some top quality dishes, such as the Ouzo meat-balls and the Manouri.
Although it sits dauntingly high above the little town, the ruined castle is a straightforward, rocky, if tiring, 30-minute walk from the centre.
The path is fairly simple to follow - if in doubt, look for the ankle-level lights that mark the way. At the summit, you can scramble around the ruins and take in the view of Tilos's central plain and surrounding mountains, as well as the beaches at Plaka and Agios Antonios.
Arriving from Livadia, you may see a sign directing you. Failing that, just walk back along the road from the central bus stop.
Tucked into a secluded corner of beautiful Parasporos beach, is a rare treat. A restaurant serving top quality international and Greek dishes sourced entirely from local produce. The menu changes seemingly daily, (at least it did every time we visited), so there is always something for even the most jaded of palates, and with the wide selection of beers and wines it's easy to spend the whole afternoon eating, whilst drinking in the view of the sea as it laps at the edge of the beach, mere feet away.
Shirley Valentine would love it!
To the side of the big beach bar at the northern end of Parasporos Beach approx 2km from Parikia.
Either go by foot along the road to the airport and take the turning for Delphini beach, and keep going alomg the track for another 500m or so, or take a cab (about 5 euro from Parikia)
Avoid Corfu's grisly package resorts and club 18-30 rep-enforced 'fun' - if you really want a clubbing holiday with sun, sea and sand, it's far cheaper to stay in a hostel.
The Pink Palace is legendary on the backpacker trail for it's beautiful location on the beach, private rooms with (free!!) air conditioning and wild parties.
More like a bargain resort than a hostel, you never have to leave the Pink Palace - the staff will pick you up from the airport or port, and have devised a jam-packed events and excursions calender if you want to do more than veg out on the sand.
The price includes countless extras, from a delicious full cooked breakfast (the perfect hangover cure) to a traditional Greek home-cooked 3 course feast at night, served in the rooftop garden overlooking Agios Gordios Bay.
The 24-hour bar (with a 5-hour happy hour!!) and access to the Palladium nightclub will keep party animals entertained, and you can recover the next day on the private sun-loungers on the beach, in the jacuzzi or in the spa room.
We were amazed at the activities on offer - the 'booze cruise' took us around the island to sea caves, places to snorkel and cliff dive. The Quad Biking 'safari' was a more adventurous way to see Corfu, we found ourselves off-roading through olive groves and scaling the mountain tops!
There was also a Kayak safari, hiking and trail walking, volleyball and basketball tournaments... but we didn't have the energy to tackle them all!
Aside from all the extras, the hostel has all the facilities you'd expect from a hotel- lockers in the dorms, washing machines, a 24-hour reception, a swimming pool... and like some other hostels in Europe, there's no curfew.
The staff were super-friendly, and everyone staying there was out to have a good time.
This beautiful 17th century monastery is a hit with the tour buses, but even with the crowds it's a wonderful diversion from the beach, and a great way to see the entire island unfold from your car window as you climb Corfu's hills.
Perched high on a headland and surrounded by wild flowers, the orange buildings are wonderfully ornate inside, and you can look at the famous ceiling carving of the ‘Tree of Life’.
Be sure to cover your shoulders or wear respectable clothing, no matter how intense the summer heat!
Above the beach resort Paleokastritsa
A hangover from the island's British military and colonial past, we were surprised to find that cricket is a popular game in Corfu! The first game took place here between the two military groups on St George’s Day in 1823, and today you can have a game all over the island. The most popular greens are the Esplanade at Corfu Town, (although alot of that space is a car park now) and the brand new ground at Kontokali Marina. Things really kick off in July, and games last 35 overs.
Watch a game, or bring your own set and play!
Esplanade - right in the center of Corfu Town.
Kontokali Marina
A Greek Ghost town (or village), Old Perithia was built in Byzantine times, and is hidden in the hills of Corfu.
This mountain village was once the bustling home to 1,500 people, but today about six people live here, and the rest of the village is a tangle of crumbling stone walls and deserted squares.
An interesting insight into how tourism has affected the island - as the original villagers fled to the coastal resorts for jobs, leaving their olive groves behind.
We wandered around for a few hours in amazement at all the empty houses, and then cooled off in one of the remaining tavernas.
An eerie afternoon, but a refreshing change from our busy resort!
Old Perithia, off the main road between Kassiopi and Acharavi.
A great free thing to do, and a chance to escape from the overcrowded resorts.
Corfu’s highest mountain is a giddy 1000 meters high in the north of the island, and the views from the top are breathtaking. On a clear day you can spot the southern tip of Italy, and see neighbouring islands like Paxos.
Rent a car and take the scenic drive, or if you're feeling adventurous hike to the top - remember to pack lots of suncream and wear comfortable shoes.
Mount Pantokrator
A cobbled path uphill from the port town to the hilltop Monastery, via the Convent of the Apocalypse. Shaded in parts, it's not too taxing, although best avoided in the midday heat.
The higher you go, the better the views get - you can easily make out nearby islands, approaching cruise ships and abandoned windmills.
About a kilometre out of Skala, along the Chora road (it's signposted)
It is a really excellent hostel, friendly and simple with delicious home-cooked food every evening by Periklis the owner. It is the perfect place to stay for climbing Mt Olympus, and he will help you with maps and routes. It is also next to the beach and sea. The red wine and open fire are also extremely good. One day we picked olives at the grove down the road in return for food and board.
Summit Zero hostel
Nr Mount Olympus
Gritsa, port of Litochoro,
60200, Pieria, Greece
www.summitzero.gr
+30 6972 338348
The perfect place for a late afternoon or evening drink is from one of the terrace cafes by the castle overlooking Zante town. Great view and you can see the lights of the town twinkling and the whole bay stretching before you.
There's a beautiful little church there which isn't always open, but if it is take a look inside at the gilding and chandeliers - it's a favourite for weddings and christenings.
You can also climb the cobbled lane up to visit the stone Venetian fortress perched on the hill. There's a rather trendy nightclub on the way up if you want to mix with the beautiful people.
Take a taxi or drive up the hill at the back of Zante town and follow the signs - there's a big car-park nearby.
If you're interested in more than lying on a beach, Romas Mansion will give you an interesting glimpse into the history and culture of the island.
It's an old mansion built in the 1660s and was used in the 19th century as the seat of government on Zakynthos. It was the home of the aristocratic Romas family and has now been opened to show the interiors and furnishing of the home of a wealthy Zakynthian family in the last century.
You'll find beautiful furniture, family portraits, leatherbound books and furnishings which would not look out of place in a stately home in England.
You can see photos of how the house was damaged and rebuilt after the earthquake in 1953 which destroyed most of Zante town.
Romas Mansion, Louka Carrer 19, Zante town, Zakynthos, 29100
www.romas.gr/english/
SunRock is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the serenity of Corfu, the gem of the Ionian Islands. It is a family run hostel, but having stayed there I would consider it to be a resort. As a solo traveller, I know hostels can be ideal to meet other travellers, however sometimes hostels appear cliquish. SunRock flourishes with the kindness and acceptance one would expect to receive from a loving family. Indeed, I felt like part of a family when I stayed at SunRock. Everyone that was staying there got to know each other and EVERYONE stayed longer than they expected because no one wanted to leave the peace they had found.
The family that owns the hostel/resort cooks breakfast to order as you wake up in the morning after a long night of talking with friends and watching the moonlight on the Adriatic sea as seen from the beautiful terrace. Most hostels offer a free* breakfast with their stay, but I've stayed at many (+20) hostels and most are just dry toast with butter or jelly and if you're very lucky, you get a 6 ounce cup of juice. SunRock provided me with fresh breakfast of Greek pancakes and French toast while I was there as part of my stay! YES! No extra charge! They also hosted family style feasts for dinner (also at no extra charge) where everyone staying there would sit down together at a long table. No one ever ate alone! The family makes its own feta cheese and homecooks every delicious meal. It was such an incredible experience. It germinated a seed of acceptance deep within my heart.
I heard about SunRock from a fellow Couchsurfer/traveller. It wasn't in my itinerary to visit Corfu, but based on the recommendation I had to go and I'm very glad I did - it was perhaps the best place I stayed in all of Greece!
Sunrock (Vrachos) Resort, Pelekas Beach,Sinarades,49084
SunRock is located on the waterfront of wide, sweeping, sandy, Pelekas Beach of Corfu Island. I took a ferry from Venice, Italy and was picked up at the ferry port by a staff member at SunRock. They are wonderful to provide free transportation to/from the hostel and ferry port or airport! If you give them your ferry booking or flight schedule, they will pick you up!
2661 094637 or 26610 94056 (text) or 6948407545 (phone)
www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Sunrock/Corfu/663a
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
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