Holidays in the Cyclades

Santorini is one of the most famous islands in the world – go and you’ll see why. This does mean that the island is commercial – every cruise-ship in the Aegean seems to call in at some stage. But this does not detract from the sheer spectacle of the place, its volcanic cliffs laced with white villages overlooking the caldera and islands below.

At the heart of the group are Paros and Naxos. Both are well-known and popular with Greek and foreign visitors alike. These islands are truly picture-postcard, full of whitewashed charm, working donkeys, derelict windmills and brightly painted fishing boats. They also have fabulous beaches. Each island is contrasting in mood and landscape, which makes for a very good twin-centre combination as Paros and Naxos are only an hour apart by ferry.

Amorgos is one of the most remote and beautiful of all the Cyclades. Our holidays here offer a range of guided walks and activities intended to give a real insight into this unspoiled island – see relevant pages for details.

On all these islands we have appointed local agents who can give information, book cars and excursions, and can be contacted if required. However, it is important to state that we do not employ our own representatives, nor are transfers escorted, so our holidays to the Cycladic islands are recommended for the more independent Greek traveller. Please also bear in mind that travel plans involving ferries can be disrupted at short notice due to the vagaries of ferry timetables, high winds etc. Although quite a rare event, should this occur we and our local agents will rebook your hotels and transfers accordingly in order to fit in with local conditions and ferries. This may involve shortening your stay on one island and extending on another, or taking you off an island a day or two early if bad weather is forecast.

All these islands receive a lot of visitors in the peak season (mid-July to end-August). This is also the time of the Meltemi – a strong wind which shows no respect for hats, taverna tables or ferry/flight schedules, but which can bring relief from the heat of the day. For space reasons we feature only four islands in this brochure, but we can arrange holidays on request to many others via Athens.

Getting to the Islands
Santorini
Tuesday day flights to Santorini from Gatwick and Manchester onward transfer to your accommodation (30 mins).

Paros & Naxos
Friday flights to Mykonos from Gatwick and Manchester.
Then transfer to the port for onward ferry to Paros/Naxos (tickets provided) where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. On the return the reverse transfer procedures apply. Please note ferry journeys are unescorted.

Transfer note: Paros & Naxos (via Santorini) Due to ferry connections it will be necessary to overnight in Santorini on arrival or (more likely) on  departure. In this event we will make all necessary arrangements and transfers for you but are unable to give advance notice. (There is no extra to pay for this overnight hotel, nor any reduction on your holiday cost. Please note the hotel may be of a different category to your hotel in Naxos or Paros). To avoid this we recommend where possible you opt for flights to Mykonos for these islands. If on a 2-centre with Santorini, book Paros or Naxos as the first centre.

Amorgos

Saturday day flights London Heathrow to Athens– see island description for full transfer details.