A brand new edition featuring illuminating text written by expert, local writers alongside over 250 inspiring full-colour photographs that will bring the Greek Islands' people and places to life, at the turn of a page. A brand new 'Best of' feature highlights the top attractions not to be missed, such as a visit to Panagia Hozoviotissa Monastery on a cliff above Amorgos' southeast coast and a memorable boat trip around the beautiful Ionian Islands. This section also features the editor's choice of exclusive and unique recommendations, including the best beaches, festivals and museums, along with some money-saving tips. An in-depth 'Places' section comprises twenty-three chapters covering all the islands, from Crete's great archaeological sites to cosmopolitan Corfu. All the principal sites along the way are conveniently cross-referenced by number to accompanying full-colour maps, to enable instant orientation and easy navigation at a glance. The information on each area is also accompanied by restaurant listings, including contact details and an indication of price range and local specialities. You will also find a fascinating history chapter and intriguing features that explore religion, wildlife, food and drink, outdoor pursuits and much more, to give you deeper understanding of island culture. A comprehensive 'Travel Tips' section provides essential practical information, covering transport, accommodation for all budgets, shopping, nightlife, sports, activities for children, money, health, language and much more, along with useful contact telephone numbers to help you book activities in advance. The unique combination of insightful exploration alongside practical advice means that this guide truly is a pleasure to read before, during and after your visit.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Best of the Greek Islands; The Greek Archipelago; Island Mentality. History: Decisive Dates; Waves of Invaders; The Islands Today. Features: People and Identities; Religion; Debunking the Bouzouki; Aegean Architecture; Food and Drink; Cruising Round the Islands; The Sailing Scene; Managing the Tourists; Outdoor Pursuits; Island Wildlife; Islands out of Season. Insights: Mini Features: New Immigrants; Island-Hopping; Coping with Piraeus; Working the Land; Turtles vs. Tourists; The Cycladic Bronze Age; Ancient Delos; Italian Architecture inthe Dodecanese; Sponge-Diving; The Islands in Film; A Cretan Myth; PhotoFeatures: Religious Festivals; Food an Drink; Wild Flowers; The Palace of Knossos. Places: Introduction; Athens Stopover; The Ionian Islands; Corfu; Southern Ionian Islands; Kythira; Islands of the Saronic Gulf; Argo-Saronic Islands; The Cyclades Islands; The Cyclades; Naxos; Santorini; The Sporades and Evvia; The Northeast Aegean; Thasos, Samothraki and Limnos; Lesvos, Hios, Ikaria, Fourni and Samos; The Dodecanese; Rhodes; The Southern Dodecanese; The Northern Dodecanese; Crete. Travel Tips: Transport; Accomodation; Eating Out; Activities; A-Z: Practical Information; Language; Further Reading; Full Travel Tips Index. Maps: Greece; Athens; Corfu; Southern Ionian Islands; Kythira; Argo-Saronic Islands; The Cyclades; Naxos; Santorini; The Sporades; Evvia (Euboea); Thasos, Samothraki and Limnos; Lesvos, Hios, Ikaria, Fourni and Samos; Rhodes Town; Rhodes; The Southern Dodecanese; The Northern Dodecanese; Iraklio; Crete; Inside front cover: Greece: Political; Inside back cover: Greece: Physical and Main Ferry Routes.