Luxury Boutique Holidays in Greece

Greece is renowned for its magnificent culture, perfect blue seas, quaint whitewashed architecture and olive grove laden hills. This ancient land has so much to offer, and in recent times has become the ideal destination for a luxury boutique holiday with more and more magnificent residences opening all the time. Here's our pick of a few favourites:

The Island of Skiathos:

The magnificent island of Skiathos boasts sublime golden beaches lined with native Greek pines, perfect crystal clear seas and magnificent greenery. The Aegean Suites is the perfect stylish base from which to experience this cosmopolitan island.

Aegean Suites: Megali Ammos, Skiathos:

Known for its private, luxurious and stylish aura and magnificent personalised service, this chic adult-only retreat is a beautiful combination of modern art and Mediterranean architecture. Overlooking the Aegean Sea and literally over the road from a beautiful beach this all-suite boutique residence boasts a great pool, Jacuzzi, relaxation terrace and spa as well as 3 restaurants and Champagne bar.

The Island of Santorini:

One of the most southern of the Greek Islands of the Cyclades, set in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is renowned for its beautiful sunsets and is increasingly popular as a romantic luxury destination. The island was volcanically formed and because of this, it features dramatic sheer landscapes and intriguing, beautiful black sand beaches.

Santorini Grace: Imerovigli, Santorini

The Santorini Grace is located in the picturesque, whitewashed village of Imerovigli and sits 300 metres above a deep sunken volcanic basin named Caldera which only adds to the mystique of this stylish hotel. This chic whitewashed property is carved into the cliffs and provides luxury, privacy, magnificent personalised service, combined with fine food and drink; everything you could want from a luxury boutique experience. Every room is uniquely styled, some featuring private plunge pools, and the hotel also features a stunning infinity pool looking over the Aegean Sea, a second pool, two pool bars and an amazing restaurant.

Kirini: Oia, Santorini

Situated in the beautiful village of Oia looking out onto the Aegean Sea with stunning views of the Caldera basin's volcanic islands is the Kirini. The Cycladic architecture combined with modern luxury and individual design makes this chic residence ideal for a stylish luxury break in the sun. As you'd expect the personalised service here is exquisite. The hotel features a large outdoor pool, the White Cave Pool Lounge & Cocktail bar, the magnificent White Cave Restaurant, a vast wine cellar and possibly the best spa on the island. Every room in this all-suite residence is uniquely designed and has magnificent facilities; this whole stylish package oozes luxury while remaining unique.

Take a look at the luxury holidays Greece section on tailor-made holiday specialist, W&O Travel's website, for the above and more luxury boutique hotels in the Mediterranean

Historical Sites to See on Turkey Holidays

Museums of Istanbul
If you take your holidays in Turkey in Istanbul, you won't need to visit the museums to get a sense of history, because you'll see it all around you. The city itself is full of amazing ancient streets and walls, towers and palaces. However, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum is a good value visit for Turkey holidays since it is not one museum but a combination of three: the main Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Museum of Islamic Art. There is an array of relics to see here: ottoman artefacts, a number statues, columns, and sarcophagi. The most well-known sarcophagus here is the one intended for Alexander the Great. Alexander was history's greatest military commander responsible for amassing a huge empire that included Turkey, stretching from Greece in the West to India in the east and south into Egypt.

Troy
If your holidays to Turkey take you near the western Turkish town of Çanakkale, you will be on the boundary of two continents, similar to Istanbul. Many people on holidays in Turkey come here on tours to visit the ruins nearby at Truva, which is believed to be the site of Troy. According to Homer's Iliad this is the site of the great siege between the Trojans and the Greeks, where the Trojan horse was used to sneak inside the walls. It's also the origin of the phrase "beware of Greeks bearing gifts." If you come here on your Turkey holidays you'll be able to see the Trojan horse that was used in the film Troy, starring Brad Pitt. It now features on the seafront of Çanakkale.

Ephesus
If you had taken your holidays to Turkey more than two and a half thousand years ago, you could have see one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" here, because this is the location of the Temple of Artemis, a symmetrical edifice with a triangular roof and pillars that could have been eighteen metres high. Although this wonder has been lost to time, you can see a miniature reconstruction of the temple in Istanbul's Miniature Park.

Luckily, the rest of Ephesus has survived the years much better, and is a well-preserved example of Greek architecture. This is a great place to visit on Turkey holidays as part of a guided tour, or for a day trip. You can wander along ancient roads, among classic Greek pillars and imagine that you were here when it was complete. Ephesus is also the site of the impressive Basilica of St. John, which was built to mark the tomb of John the Apostle, who wrote several parts of the New Testament.

Miniatürk
If you don't have time on your Turkey holidays to visit all the amazing historical sites that Turkey has to offer, you could visit them all at once in Istanbul. There's a park called Miniaturk which has reproductions of the major buildings you might visit on holidays in Turkey, as well as some from the former Ottoman Empire. A walk around the Miniaturk Park is no substitute for visiting the real buildings, but it is a fun display of what Turkey has to offer.

Shereena Lingiah is the Marketing Manager for Anatolian Sky, a specialist travel company that provide the very best Turkey holidays at extremely competitive prices. They provide tailor-made holidays to Turkey and North Cyprus, including the entire Anatolian region.

Cheaper Greek Island Holidays

With Christmas and New Year out of the way and the UK being hit by really bad winter weather, we are all getting ready for our summer 2010 holiday. Where to go, where to go? where to go? Well, I am thinking you can't go wrong with booking a nice cheap holiday to one of the Greek Islands. Greece has some beautiful islands to pick from, but I am swaying with the idea of stunning Corfu.

There is so much to do on the island of Corfu including fabulous architecture, inspirational history and stunning scenery. Some of the top attractions of Corfu include the Taverva White house, which over looks Kalami Bay, this is where the famous Durrell family lived with their family and resided here for four years and after this period remained in Greece for many years. The brothers were inspired to create some of their greatest work here in Corfu and the Durrell School of Corfu in Corfu Town was created in their honour. The school is located in Corfu Town and can be visited by all. The Angelokastro is another must see. It is one of the greatest and most important Byzantine castles of Greece. It is located at the top of the highest peak of the island's coastline on the north west of the island near to Palaiokastritsa. When you arrive at the top you will encounter some amazing views of the surrounding area.

I have researched Corfu quite a lot and I don't think you will be disappointed with the beaches Corfu has to offer. Corfu's beaches are mostly sandy and have fabulous, safe, blue Mediterranean seas to bathe in. You will find beaches of all sizes from the large touristy beaches to the small secluded coves with no-one on them.

I'm thinking that hiring car on the island is going to be the best way to explore the island. With friends and colleagues recommending car hire and travelling everywhere on the island, this has got to be a cheaper and more exciting way of spending the duration of your holiday. Corfu is not a very big island and I think you will get to see most attractions with in your duration here.

Corfu holidays are there to have and you will probably find, as I have, Corfu is one of the cheaper islands to travel to and in the current world economical situation this could be the answer to our summer holidays 2010 on a budget.

Yvonne also writes informative and fun new stories for Travelnewz.

Top Five Tips For Greek Islands Holidays

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Greek islands holidays attract a great many people from both Greece itself and many other nations across the world. In this article we'll look at some of the most popular things to do whilst on holiday here.

1. Laying on the beach. It might seem obvious, but the beaches commonly featured as part of Greek islands holidays are considered by many holiday makers as being very attractive. When you realise that there are 6000 islands in the Greek state, you begin to understand why so many people take beach holidays here.

2. Go snorkelling. Snorkelling is just one of the various sea based activities that you might want to sample on one of the various Greek islands holidays available. The abundance of sea life coupled with the clear water means that many people head to Greece for activities such as this. Speedboats, jet skis and scuba diving are all possibilities whilst in this area.

3. Go island hopping. It is a fact that although there are 6000 islands only 227 of them are actually inhabited, but still you can go island hopping on one of the various boat trip services available. This kind of activity is great for getting a real feel of the scale of the islands, and how many there are. Many people would consider this as one of the most typical things to do on Greek islands holidays such as this.

4. Hire a yacht. There are a great many yachts sailing between the many islands in this area of the Mediterranean. You can charter a yacht whilst on one of the many Greek islands holidays available these days. While there is certainly a cost issue here, it can give a good sense of a lifestyle that many people might not experience on a regular basis. You can club together as a group to minimise the cost and spend what you save on feta cheese and salad - and of course some of the famous Greek wine.

5. Absorb the arts and culture. As anyone who has even a basic understanding of Greek history will tell you, there is a huge amount of art and culture in this part of the world. Greek islands holidays offer the opportunity to discover this history and culture close up. Painting, weaving, jewellery making, architecture - all these things are really interwoven, and if you're seeing one, you'll probably see one or more of the other ones.

Gino Hitshopi is highly experienced in the realm of Greek islands holidays, having worked in the tourist industry for many years. For more information please visit: http://www.nisosyachtcharter.com/

Family Holidays in the Sun

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Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands located off the west coast of Africa. With temperatures that barely dip below 20° Celsius all year, this is the place to come for sun holidays. In the summer months, you could see temperatures in the 30s, perfect for sizzling on a sun lounger and enhancing that tan.

As well as soaking up some rays, your holidays in the sun might include a walk into the craggy mountain ranges and the National Parks. Mount Teide is the highest peak, at the centre of the island. It reaches a commanding height of 3718 metres, and you can take a dramatic cable car ride to the top.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is another of the Canary Islands with dramatic National Parks to explore on family holidays, but one here in particular is very different. At Timanfaya National Park you can see volcanic landscapes with ashen sand and giant volcano craters. There are tours of the area by bus or on camel back over the lava landscape.

There are beautiful beaches on Lanzarote often with facilities for water sports. You will be happy relaxing on the golden sands here or enjoying the sea on your holidays in the sun. Because of the volcanic activity, some of the beaches have black sand too.

Cyprus

This island in the eastern Mediterranean has good beaches, beautiful views and plenty of sun. Holidays here will benefit from summer temperatures that can reach 36°C with almost no rainfall.

Paphos, the former capital of Cyprus, is a historical coastal city with a number of examples of ancient Greek architecture. There are some grand hotels around Paphos such as the Alexander the Great Hotel and the St George Hotel, which are made with family holidays in mind. With well kept grounds, palm trees and sea views, these are relaxing and comfortable places to take your holidays in the sun.

Croatia

Croatia doesn't get the attention it deserves, and may not be the first place you think of for family holidays. It is a green place with fresh air and rich forests, such as the ones that surround the beautiful lakes at Plitvice National Park, which is a great place for nature lovers - there are even wolves and bears here.

Croatia has plenty to offer holiday makers looking to see come culture too. In the cities of Split and Dubrovnik you can find medieval forts, graceful churches, and gothic palaces. A visit to the historic City of Trogir will show you a well preserved example of buildings from the renaissance and the preceding Greek and Roman empires. It's once of six historical sites in Croatia protected by UNESCO because of its cultural importance.

What's more, with seaside resorts on a long varied coastline, and temperatures to rival Italy on the other side of the Adriatic, Croatia makes its case for being a venue for holidays in the sun.

Jane Wilkinson is head of Marketing for Essential Sun. The travel company offers a great range of family holidays with their trained advisors available to help you find your ideal holiday at an unbeatable price.

Rhodes Holidays Tour to Rhodes National Theatre

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Among all Greek islands, Rhodes is one of the most beautiful island and posses its own cultural and historical importance. In Mediterranean region it is considered to be a popular resort and favourite tourist destination.

Rhodes Island is blessed with unlimited attractions - both natural and man made. One should go for a long Rhodes Holidays trip in order to experience this island's beauty and culture to the fullest. If you want to make your holidays memorable for a long period of time you must visit this island at least once in a life.

The beautiful sea shores, marvellous nightlife, natural beauty, amazing sun shines, awesome parks and last but not least friendly atmosphere will make your holidays unforgettable. In short Rhodes Holidays will completely change your idea of a vacation.

Different Rhodes Holidays ideas will refresh you completely. Rhodes Island has some amazing tourist infrastructures. One of these great infrastructures is the Rhodes National Theatre.

National Theatre of Rhodes:

National Theatre of Rhodes is an impressive building located on the Town Hall Square. The area is a unique combination of different styles. The building has been constructed in a fascistic and international style.

History of the building:

National Theatre Of Rhodes was built around 1937 and its architect is not known. The building was known as Teatro Puccini and was a modern building and theatre of that time. The design of the theatre makes it suitable for opera performances.

The theatre was built during the time of Italian domination and in the honour of Italian composer. The history of theatre is really fascinating and it has been a centre of Italian operas

The building must be given a visit during Rhodes Holidays.

Architecture of the Theatre:

Those who have some understanding of architecture will find it very imposing and remarkable achievement. Not only historians' and architects but also the local people and travellers find it magnificent and must plan a trip to the theatre during their holidays.

National Theatre Of Rhodes is an example of the cannabic technology and has been made using glass bricks. An impressive part of the whole structure is the performance hall which is very well built. The hall is very long and high. It has theatre boxes, a bar and a balcony.

Today the imposing structure is used as a cinema and theatre and is one of the cultural heritages of Rhodes Town. The building is magnificent and must be visited during your trip to Rhodes.

Activities at the Theatre:

The National theatre of Rhodes is a cultural centre where folk's representations and performances are arranged from time to time. If you are going for Rhodes Holidays with family or friends or even alone, the place will provide great entertainment.

The theatre of Rhodes provides all time fun and is best place to spend entertainment filled time at the beautiful island of Rhodes.

Rhodes is best holiday destination for people having different tastes and interest and also for those who belongs to different places of world. Adults, youngsters in fact people belonging to all age groups are attracted towards Rhodes Holidays. No matter you want fun or some calm environment, Rhodes will be the ideal place for you. If you want to have a memorable, outstanding and energetic place to spend your holidays then Rhodes is the best place for you.

If you want to enjoy Rhodes Holidays to the fullest then book your stay at one of the top Hotels Rhodes on Island Rhodes.