00:11Rugged coastlines, ancient monuments and azure waters. There's a special kind of
00:15magic to the Greek islands and a pace of life that makes you forget to check the
00:18time. But which island you choose can completely change the type of break you
00:22have. In this episode of Travel Smart we've hand-picked three of our favorite
00:27Greek escapes. One built for easy family adventures, another for more slow romantic
00:32moments and a third for getting out into the wild and discovering something new.
00:37So whether you want to switch off or go exploring we've found the perfect Greek break for you.
00:48With over 200 inhabited islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas,
00:53Greece isn't just one destination, it's hundreds of possibilities. Many of the most exciting
00:58islands are only around a four hour flight from the UK so you can be by the sea on the
01:03same afternoon
01:04of the day that you left. Jet2.com runs direct routes from airports across the UK into islands like
01:10Corfu, Santorini and Samos and booking a Jet2 holidays package keeps things simple, bundling flights,
01:17hotel and return transfers into one easy booking. You also get 22 kilograms of checked baggage and 10
01:24kilograms of hand luggage included as standard so there's room for beach gear, walking shoes and a
01:30few local fines along the way. Plus there's flexible durations rather than fixed 7 or 14 night stays
01:37so you can plan anything from a long weekend to a proper extended break. And if you book early,
01:43a low £66 per person deposit and free child places on selected holidays make a big Greek escape feel
01:49even more within reach.
01:54Corfu is one of those rare destinations that really works for every age group. You can keep things as
01:59relaxed or as adventurous as you'd like without going far. You've got long sandy beaches, this shallow
02:06swimmable water that's perfect for kids or head a little further south and you hit wilder stretches of
02:11coastline like Arcudelis or Gardens where it feels wonderfully untamed and less busy. One of the best
02:18easy days out is following a short circuit around the Corfu trail, winding through olive groves to
02:24dramatic cliffs above the sea. It's a chance to surround yourself in nature but it's still very doable as
02:30a family walk and you're never far from a beach stop or an ice cream break afterwards. Nearby hilltop
02:36villages like Clomos, known as the balcony of Corfu, offers sweeping views across the south of the
02:41island. Tucked into this countryside you can stumble across hidden history like the Byzantine castle of
02:48Gardaki, while Corfu town itself is packed with grand fortresses and elegant Venetian streets. Boat
02:55trips along the west coast are also a great excursion for families skimming past cliffs into clear blue
03:00coves and up in the northwest around Pala Katritsa you can also explore sea coves and glassy bays that
03:06feel like a slice of paradise. It's easy to mix beach time, gentle exploring and cultural stops all in
03:13one day. The food here is wonderfully unfussy and local. Southern Corfu is full of family-run farms, olive
03:20groves and vineyards so ingredients are always incredibly fresh and seasonal. A typical lunch might be
03:26grilled fish, ripe tomatoes and horta which is what locals call a type of wild greens usually
03:32served with a heavy squeeze of lemon and meant to be eaten slowly while looking out over an unspoiled
03:37stretch of coast. Santorini has a reputation for being busy but the reality on the ground can be
03:48surprisingly calm and intimate especially if you time your day's right. Strolling through the cobbled
03:53lanes of Ier in the morning you can find quiet corners where it's just you, the whitewashed cave
03:58houses and that deep blue Aegean stretching out below the volcanic cliffs. It's in these slower
04:04moments, coffee in hand, bougainvillea hanging overhead that the island really earns its place as one of the
04:10most romantic spots in the Mediterranean. One of the most memorable things you can do together is follow
04:17the legendary caldera path between Fira and Ier. It's a rewarding cliff-top hike that can take a few
04:23hours but you're gifted with huge views the entire way, passing little chapels and lookout points where
04:30you'll keep stopping just to take it all in. Down in Fira you can ride the old cable car to
04:35the port
04:36then head back up to check out the Newseans and tiny back streets that fill a world away from the
04:41postcard
04:41viewpoints. With fewer crowds outside the peak rush you'll often get those views almost to yourselves.
04:48Beyond the famous room of the volcano the island has a softer more local side. Inland villages like
04:55Pyrgos and Meglachory are a maze of narrow lanes, vine-covered courtyards which are perfect for an
05:01unhurried explorer round. You'll stumble across little workshops, art galleries and quiet squares where you
05:08can sit with a drink and watch everyday life drift by. It's a lovely contrast to the drama of the
05:13cliffs
05:14and it's also a good reminder that Santorini isn't all about that one sunset spot.
05:23Samos feels different from the moment you arrive. It's greener, wilder and far less polished than the
05:28postcard islands. One minute you're hugging a sunlit coastline, the next you're driving through deep
05:34shade with the scent of herbs and running streams in the air. It's an island built for exploring,
05:39not just sunbathing. If you like to get out into nature, hiking here is on another level. Trails
05:45climb up into the Kirkus mountains above Marathakampos leading to the peak of an extinct volcano where the
05:51views stretch out across the Aegean. The island is dotted with remote monasteries like Zodoshu Pijas
05:56clinging to the eastern cliffs or Timios Stavros in the heart of the island perched on the hillsides
06:02and looking out over empty bays. Water is everywhere in Samos. You can call off beneath the waterfalls
06:08near Kalavasi, wander through wetlands alive with bird life around Aliki or simply follow the sound
06:14of running streams through shaded valleys. It's the kind of place where a wrong turn often leads to your
06:19favourite part of the day and there's serious history here too. Near the airport stands the Haraon,
06:24once the great sanctuary to the goddess Hera. Around Pythagorean you can trace ancient streets and stand
06:30where mathematicians and sailors once shaped the island's story. Yet for all that heritage, Samos
06:36never feels like an open-air museum. It's a working island with its own rhythm where you might end a
06:42day's hike with a swim off a quiet beach, a glass of local Muscat wine and a simple meal in
06:47a harbour
06:47where fishing boats still come and go. Adventure here isn't about ticking off a list of sites, it's about
06:53following the road, the coastline or the footpath and seeing what's around the next corner.
07:00Three islands, three totally different experiences that all share that unmistakable Greek magic.
07:06Whether you're craving a laid-back beach day or ready to head off on a new adventure,
07:11there's an island for everyone. Fly direct with Jet2.com or plan your whole trip with Jet2 Holidays
07:17and find your own perfect corner of Greece. For more insights and tips from the Independent Travel
07:23team, go to independent.co.uk forward slash travel. See you next time!
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