Greece
With all Covid-related entry requirements dropped in June, along with restrictions on the ground, summer travel to Greece just got easier, and more accessible for the unvaccinated — notably families with younger children for whom the country’s abundant beaches are a boon.
There’s a superb choice of flights, too with non-stop routes from across the UK to a temping range of mainland and island destinations, including newly launched routes from Turkish low-cost operator, Corendon to Crete and Rhodes. So, there should still be a reasonable choice for late bookers and those aiming to avoid airlines beleaguered by cancellations.
Avoid the crowds and make for mainland destinations. The pretty little port town of Nafplio never fails to charm, fringed by ancient ruins and lined with venetian villas, while the leafy city of Kastoria, in Western Macedonia does a great stand-in for a beach destination with pine fringed mountains and a fishing boat-populated lake.
Responsible travel tip: Fly direct to one of Greece’s larger islands and make a beeline for the less visited areas. Try eastern Crete, and visit Vai, home to Europe’s only palm forest and the UNESCO-listed Sitia Geopark, a mountainous wilderness lined with hiking and biking trails. If you’re travelling through Athens and relying on onwards transport, ferry instead of fly but book boat tickets in advance.
