Tulip time

North-west Crete is glorious in April. The White Mountains, covered in snow,  make a glorious backdrop to the flower-filled olive and orange groves. Drive   up the mountain road to the Omalos Plateau, and see rare tulips and the  Samaria Gorge. Take the Sougia road out of Omalos, before heading inland   through walnut and chestnut groves, alive with migratory birds. Stop at   Deres for Greek coffee and yogurt at Yanni’s taverna, and buy his olives and   honey raki.

Visit the huge cave of Saint John the Hermit, in the tiny village of   Marathokefala, where the view of the coast towards Maleme is spectacular.   From there, it’s a few minutes’ drive to Vouves to see the world’s oldest   recorded olive tree, ancient and gnarled, and still bearing fruit. Visit the   Minoan harbour at Falasarna, then avoiding the goats, drive along the windy   coastal road to Sfinari, and lunch by the sea with Eleni and Yanni at their   Sunset Taverna. Perfect.

Juliet Robson, from Hampshire

Picture postcard

While on holiday in Kalkan, we heard about a tiny Greek island called  Kastellorizo (Meis in Turkish) a mile or two off the Turkish coast in the  eastern Mediterranean. So we went to Kas to catch the ferry to the island  and were met by the most stunning, colourful harbour, which was like a   picture postcard. The island is about five square miles and most of the  action is around the harbour with its bars and tavernas. Strolling around  the unspoilt village was wonderful. Historically the island has been in the  hands of the Turks, French, Italians, British and Greeks, and there is a   small museum to visit.

We hired a water taxi, which took us to an isolated beach where we were   deposited with the promise of a pickup in time for the ferry back. Four of  us had a couple of hours there swimming totally alone. It was absolutely  magical, and sure enough the water taxi returned to deliver us back to the   harbour as promised. What an unforgettable experience.

Alan Simpson, Berkshire

Wartime memories

A day trip on Crete to little-known sites with no entrance fees and few  tourists. From Rethymnon take the road to Armeni to explore the Minoan  cemetery, more than 200 chambered passage graves in a grove of olive and oak   trees. Nearby is a tiny bakery, where we drank peach tea and ate cheese and   spinach pies, tiny apple pies and mushed grape desserts in the sunshine.   Next we drove to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery by the sea  at Souda Bay then headed farther west for the German war cemetery on a   hillside known as Hill 107 at Maleme, the site of early fighting in the  battle for Crete where the German invasion began in May 1941. Next to the   entrance is a small café with a huge collection of Second World War  memorabilia inside and out.

Rosemary Wyeth, Wiltshire

Asklepion is one of the many sights of historical interest on Kos. Photo: AP

Island to island

Travel “light”, to enjoy the freedom offered by the Greek islands. Arriving at   Athens airport take the 96 bus to Pireaus and an overnight ferry to, say,   Amorgos in the Cycladic group, sailing your way back through the beautiful   islands. Arriving at any island, before docking, scan the horizon for   seaview rooms, ignore the touts and head straight to the rooms you located   and negotiate with the owners direct. Rooms are often basic but clean and   with friendly owners. Amorgos has a sense of solitude and an    “away-from-it-all feel”. It is a rocky island with dramatic walks along its   spine from Katapola to Eyiali passing the impressive Hozoviotissa Monastery   carved into the mountainside. Returning, visit Koufonisia on the way to Paros and eat at the Mouragio fish   restaurant in Parikia, where the octopus hang out to dry. Sifnos next – great walking, hilly landscape, sprinkled with white Cycladic   villages. Visit Apollonia for its “windmill topped” views. The south coast   has several white sand beaches. Buy “Topo” maps, available on most islands,   and I suggest you spend two to three days on each, using the relaxing   ferries and not the claustrophobic hydrofoils to get around.

Adrian and Fiona Brown, Devon

Stunning Symi

You must visit Symi, one of the Dodecanese Islands. This is a beautiful,   mountainous island with many secluded coves and beaches. It is easily   reached from Rhodes via regular ferry services. The approach to the island   town of Gialos is quite magical with the neoclassical houses spreading out   from the harbour, clinging to the steeply rising hills beyond. On the   island, the gorgeous bays and pebbled beaches are best reached by small   boats that leave the harbour regularly – St Nicholas and Nimborios are my   favourites. There are many lovely restaurants along the quayside but for a   great dining experience take an evening walk up the 500-step Kali Strata,   which is lined with old classical mansions painted in warm colours, and   choose from several restaurants that give magnificent views over the town   and harbour. Stay at Hotel Nireus and get a sea-facing balcony room.

James Logan, Northern Ireland

The landlady knows…

On the relatively undiscovered island of Milos, Cyclades, rent a bijou   self-catering apartment, with simple blue and whitewash airy rooms, from   Terry’s Tours (terrysmilostravel.com), right on the edge of the main   village, Adamas. Ours had a private shady terrace, sheltered by undulating   vines, right on pretty Lagada beach. Terry’s is not listed in guidebooks or   online, but the landlady knows the island inside out, provided free bikes,   tips from daily tidal information to how to barter for best moped deals and   left traditional cakes by her mother-in-law in our fridge for our return   each day. Bring binoculars: from the balcony you can spot celebrity yachts   coming in to dock at the harbour.

Emma Jamieson, London

Perfect pitch

If you want: the joy of a short ferry ride where you watch the ancient harbour   slowly come into view. An island with so much history, an amphitheatre and   ancient ruins open to the elements as well as the children who use them as   their playground. An idyllic temperature and climate, which adds to the   delight of the soft sand beaches and calm seas. The most wondrous sunsets   which set light to your heart as much as the sky. Folk who welcome you like   long-lost friends, and will never forget you. The smell of pine trees which   wafts through the air and warms you. A mountain full of drama within which   you just know the gods abide, feasting on the honey from the local hives.   Then this is for you. Where is it? Thassos.

Jacqueline Ellis, West Sussex

Reborn youth

The short breakfast flight from Athens to Kalymnos provides idyllic views of   the coastal geography and an exciting mountaintop landing. The   mountainside-hugging taxi ride to the working harbour should be enough to   convince even the most hardened BlackBerry user that one’s holiday has   begun. After eating al fresco on the harbour, take the pre-booked ferry to   Patmos, which allows an opportunity to endure deck-top wind burn. The Patmos   dock is larger than expected. Convenient scooter hire allows reborn youth   its head as hidden bays and the historic clifftop Greek Orthodox church   become accessible.

Another ferry into the crescent harbour bay of Leros is rewarded by instant   access to the local delicacies. For the historian there’s the chance to   visit the immaculate Second World War graveyard and the peak-top fortress,   the battle for which was critical to preventing German dominance in the   Aegean.

Jim Doyle, East Yorkshire

Ithaka is one of the smaller, less touristy, islands. Photo: AP

Bread of heaven

I recommend Ithaka, one of the smaller, less touristy, islands (as there are   so many beaches many of them are just numbered rather than named). The whole   time I was there we went to different beaches and rarely had to share with   other people. The people of the island are very friendly, and there is   plenty of history to keep you occupied if you’ve had too much beach time.   The sunrise was so amazing. We went to the bakery early in the morning to   get some fresh Greek baking then sat and watched it every day we were there    – an unforgettable experience.

Cheryl Mabbett, by email

Super Santorini

You can afford to visit the stunning island of Santorini. You really can.   Toast your arrival with tasty dolmades and a glass of sweet local vinsanto   wine – there is a taverna opposite the airport. Hire a quad bike, and chase   the sunsets at the romantic Akrotiri lighthouse in the south, or from the   charming whitewashed hillsides of Oia to the north. Enjoy al fresco   breakfasts with the sights, scents and sounds of the Aegean Sea. Treat   yourself to beautiful handcrafted gifts from the enchanting alleyways of   Thira. Enjoy stunning views, wonderful weather and warm hospitality, you   will create magical memories on this romantic island, that will have you   aching to return.

Jon Jason by email

Costly battle

The Souda Bay War Cemetery, on Crete, is the most beautiful one you will ever   visit. The whiteness of the headstones and simple central cross monument is   accentuated by the deep blue of the sea and sky. The cemetery appears to be   situated by a large lake, but is actually on the edge of an isthmus, with a   large mushroom-shaped peninsula on your left, as you admire the peaceful sea   view. Maintenance is impeccable; the lush, freshly watered grass is cool and   moist on your feet, as you explore.

The headstones tell the story of 2,000 brave young men from Commonwealth   countries, who never returned home. On May 20 1941, German troops invaded   the island and the 10-day battle of Crete commenced. It was a German   victory, but a costly one, as more than 4,000 Germans were also killed or   missing.

Gillian Morrell, West Midlands

Crystal clear

I’d suggest going to the beautiful Greek island of Kos. We stayed in an   all-inclusive hotel – Club Magic Life. It had a wonderful variety of   activities going on inside and outside the hotel. However, the highlight of   the trip was going on a three-island boat trip around the area, on which we   enjoyed authentic Greek cuisine cooked by the boat’s captain. We then   explored the crystal-clear seas and the wonderful Greek fishing communities   on each of the small islands. Brilliant.

Lesley Whitham, East Sussex

No hesitation

So, I pondered “If I could revisit only one Greek island…?” And I had to   conclude with little hesitation; Folegandros. I’d wander its cliff-edge   Kastro, built to repel pirate attacks, now a maze of narrow, flower-filled   alleyways; stroll into the exquisite Chora – a tumbling succession of leafy,   bougainvillea-scented squares of colourful kafenions and small whitewashed   churches. Traditional tavernas tempt with goat, rooster and rabbit from the   farmsteads of this arid, yet surprisingly productive, small Cycladian   island.

I’d take the island bus to the unspoilt, rural Pano Meria and walk back along   the dusty spinal track; hire a car for one day and explore the secluded   sandy beaches. Just before dusk I’d stroll up the whitewashed zigzag path to   the Panagia church high above the Chora to watch the sunset stain the   buildings pink. Three, four, five days, that’s all I would need. And leave   wanting more.

Marjory Wright, Gloucs

Celebrity appeal

My Greek friend once recommended the island of Mykonos, 14 years ago, as the   hot spot for the jet-set lifestyle, lively nightlife and beautiful sunsets.   The island is small and secluded and this is part of its charm with sandy   beaches pulling you in and many café bars located along the shoreline.

The perfect location to view the shoreline is high up in the Blu-Blu Lounge,   which frames views of the Aegean Sea and mesmerises you when the waves   collide and glisten with the sunlight to make you feel on the edge of the   world. Takeaway bars are popular and remain hidden down the narrow   backstreets, with Jimmy’s takeaway a popular choice. My favourite was   chicken souvlaki with chips and tzatziki sauce. It’s the perfect snack to   enjoy the views outside and see the local mascot, which is a pelican called   Petro, wander around the town as if he’s the main celebrity.

Caroline Porter, Lancashire

Source: Τelegraph