The Island of Santorini, Greece

Greece without Santorini is like a Greek salad without Kalamata olives – it just doesn’t taste the same. Santorini’s breathtaking Caldera, a sea-filled crater, and its vineyards and unbeatable nightlife make it a popular vacation destination. Hit the beaches or just explore. An island rich in ancient treasures, Santorini’s ruins from the Minoan period at Akrotiri and the wall paintings of Thera reveal one of the most fascinating prehistoric settlements of the Aegean. I toured the wineries and art galleries and bought an official hand-painted “Exact Copy” of a 7th-century B.C. pot with octopus design.

Our top 10 guide to Greece's best unspoilt islands and undeveloped villages

The makers of Mamma Mia! chose to film the movie on Skopelos because the island looks much as it did a generation ago. Skopelos Town is the prettiest port in the Sporades, with a harbour where you can watch the boats land their catch. The island is almost completely wooded with trails through pine, olive and plum groves that run down to the shore. The only downside is the shortage of sandy beaches, although Velanio is attractive and wider than more popular Stafylos near Skopelos Town.

Opening of new museum in Acropolis, Cvetkovic in Athens

Big celebration is being held in Athens regarding the opening of a new museum in Acropolis, where many European officials have been invited, including Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic. He will travel to Greece after the invitation of its Prime minister Kostas Karamanlis, and the delegation will also feature ministers of foreign affairs and culture, i.e. Vuk Jeremic and Nebojsa Bradic, respectively. During the visit, the Serbian Prime Minister will have talks with his host Karamanlis, as well as Cypriot President Demetris Christophias and Turkish Prime minister Tayip Erdogan.

[ Back ]

Greece: the inside track

Robin Gauldie, author of Thomas Cook guides to Mainland Greece and Greek Islands; Charles Arnold, author of Mediterranean Islands; Chris Deliso, co-author of Lonely Planet's Greece guidebook; Andy Bostock, author of the Bradt Guide to the Greek Peloponnese (out early 2010); Jane Foster, freelance writer based in Athens; Katerina