Spotlight on Samos and the north-east Aegean

With the summer season approaching rapidly, in this edition of our newsletter we would like to focus on the smaller Greek islands of the north-east Aegean, namely Samos, Ikaria, Fourni and Chios. Whilst each of the four islands has its own unique appeal, all retain an authentic Greek atmosphere and traditional charm.

New accommodation choices in Samos

Of the four islands, Samos is the only one with direct flights from the UK, and as such has the most developed infrastructure, without having succumbed to any of the excessive trappings of mass-market tourism. Boasting beautiful beaches and majestic mountain scenery, the island appeals both to keen walkers and to dedicated relaxation-seekers.

For those seeking comfortable and stylish accommodation with a good range of facilities on hand, whilst preferring to stay in a relatively small, family-run property, we are delighted to add the Sirena Residence & Spa in Votsalakia to our programme. Quietly situated towards the back of the resort, yet still within easy walking distance of the long beach and wide selection of tavernas, this attractively designed aparthotel comprises 27 studios and apartments suitable for couples and families alike, and boasts spa facilities, a gym and its own beach club. Over in the east of the island, the beautifully situated Villa Nafsika Apartments and Petra Mare Villas make a welcome return to our portfolio. Naturally, we continue to feature our well-established favourites such as the Princess Tia Studios in the sleepy seaside hamlet of Balos, Anema by the Sea in the harbour town of Karlovassi and the charming Kerveli Vilage Hotel.

Ikaria, Fourni and Chios

Samos's smaller neighbours, Ikaria and Fourni, are ideal for those wishing to get truly off the beaten track. Fourni is a tiny island with only one village of any size and scarcely any traffic, making it a real island escape, whilst mountainous Ikaria offers more diverse scenery whilst remaining resolutely uncommercialised. Both these islands require a ferry transfer from Samos (alternatively, Ikaria can also be reached by air via Athens with an overnight stop), and depending on timetables you may need to spend a night or two on Samos, which makes them a popular choice for a two-centre or island-hopping holiday.

With its picturesque coves, extensive orchards and walled medieval villages founded on the cultivation of mastic gum, Chios remains surprisingly undiscovered in spite of being Greece's fifth-largest island, offering visitors plenty of scope for exploring, as well as an ideal environment in which to relax and unwind. There are no direct flights from the UK, but we can arrange convenient connections via Athens.

Remaining spaces on our walking holidays in May

If you fancy the idea of joining our guided walking week along the Lycian Way in south-west Turkey from 10 to 17 May, you better be quick as we only have two spaces left. Based at our exclusive Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotels, the holiday comprises a range of coastal and mountain walks as well as visits to historical sites such as Cadyanda and the atmospheric deserted village of Kayakoy, all conducted in a small, friendly group under the expert guidance of our very own MD, Ghislain.

We also have a few places left on our Walking holiday in Central Crete from 28 May to 4 June, which takes in the island's central mountain ranges, hillsides covered in forests, vineyards and olive groves, unspoilt stretches of the coast and visits to ancient Knossos as well as some of the lesser-known Minoan sites, all from our comfortable base at Pendamodi Villas.

Canary Island advance bookings for Winter 2019/20

We are still finalising our programme for next winter with our accommodation partners in the Canary Islands, and waiting for some airlines to publish their routes and schedules for the new season, but we are happy to provide individual quotes for travel from November onwards now. Over the last few years, the Canary Islands have been recording record visitor numbers each winter, so booking early is advisable in order to secure your preferred choice of location and accommodation, especially for the most popular period from Christmas through to March.

To browse our holidays in the Canary Islands, please click here, or contact us on 020 8847 8700 to discuss the many different options with our friendly team.

For more information about these or any of our other holidays, please call our friendly team on 020 8847 8700. We look forward to hearing from you!