Retrace the steps of the Ancient Greeks and visit some of the most spectacular and historic monuments in the world!

Athens is the perfect starting point for a Classical Greece Tour and if you haven’t climbed up to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, then you really haven’t started your journey of ancient exploration…

Approach the majestic Acropolis from the Plaka and Monastiraki side as it is traffic free, and visit either early or late in the day as it can get very hot taking the steep walk.  Let your imagination go as you walk through the Propylaea, where you can see the port of Piraeaus on a clear day, and walk onto the small temple of Nike Athena.  From the area around the acropolis spot the ruins of the huge Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Olympic stadium as well as the National Gardens and First Cemetery.  You may be lucky to watch a concert or performance at the theatre of Herod Atticus built in 161 AD or at the stone Theatre of Dionysious.

From Athens you may drive to the ancient Epidarus theatre, before heading via Argos, to Mycenae to visit the Tomb of Agamemnon and later (or the next day) to Olympia where the first Olympic Games were held and the Temple of Zeus archaeological site and Museum, is located.  Most Classical Greece Tours (guided) will then take you via Patras to Rion by ferry, which is across the Corinthian Bay, and onto Delphi’s archaeological site and museum.

There are many tour companies if you wish to take a guided journey through Greece, but if you would prefer to travel at your leisure, then do book a hire car.  In July and August, car hire prices start from less than £25 per day with easyCar for a Super Mini 3 door (based on 7 days hire total £173.58), with September from less than £20 per day (based on 7 days hire £137.34).  Collect your car hire at Athens Airport (be aware that there are two airports).

Athens International Airport (Elefterios Venizelos) – ATH – is located around 30 km east of Athens, with a journey time into the city centre by road of about 35 minutes (depending on traffic).  Athens Airport car rental desks are on the Arrivals level with the rental area a short walk north of the main terminal building.

Set in the Aegean Sea, the beautiful island of Rhodes or Rodos is the largest of the Greek Dodecanese Islands, yet closer to Turkey than mainland Greece.  Rhodes is one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations in Greece and it won’t be long before you realize why!  Historic Lindos, ancient walled Rhodes Town with its famous harbour and UNESCO site, bouncing nightlife in Faliraki, and outstanding surf in Ixia – Rhodes has something for everyone!

There is an excellent choice of cheap flights to Rhodes from the UK, with airlines departing from many regional airports. Fly from London Gatwick to Rhodes on 17 July 2010 with FlyThomasCook and return on 5 August for just £251.96 based on two people including taxes (£126 per person). Lowcostholidays have fares from £155.50 per person for flights from East Midlands to Rhodes departing on Wednesday 21 July, returning 1 week later.

With cheap flights come cheap holidays to Rhodes, and there is a great selection of budget accommodation on this Greek island.  Choose a beach holiday in Rhodes staying in a hotel or self catering apartment, or how about a villa in the countryside or overlooking the sea?

Thomson Holidays’ cheapest holiday to Rhodes departing on 14 July 2010 for 7 nights starts from just £188 per person including coach transfer and staying in the Rafael Studio complex near historic Lindos in south east Rhodes.  They also have other excellent special deal holidays to Rhodes at around £200 per person for the same period, staying in Afandou, Pefkos, party town Faliraki or surfing town Ixia.

Olympic Holidays currently have a four star all inclusive holiday to Rhodes available on either 14 or 15 July starting from £475 per person for 7 nights, staying at the Golden Odyssey Hotel in Kolymbia, less than 1 km from the beach (daily transport by private bus available to beach). Flights, accommodation, taxes and transfers are included, as well as all meals and most drinks. A great way to budget on a holiday to Rhodes!

For cheap holidays to Rhodes in late August (25th), Directlineholidays has a self catering holiday in Ixia from £295 per person for 14 nights staying at the Parasun Studios and flying from Gatwick.  Transfer is an additional £20.00.

If you are only able to holiday whilst the schools are closed, have a look at Holidayharpermarket.co.uk who currently has self catering accommodation and flights available from 7 August  for a week from £295 flying from Gatwick. The holiday with flights from Manchester starts from £304 pp, from Birmingham at £314 pp and from Newcastle prices from £342 per person.

Beautiful Skiathos is one of the Greek Sporade islands set in the Aegean Sea to the east of Pelion region of mainland Greece.

Magnificent sandy beaches, crystal clear sea, superb choices of watersports, a great selection of accommodation, fantastic Greek restaurants and plenty to keep all holiday makers to Skiathos happy, a great summer holiday in Greece is there for the taking!

Skiathos is only 12km by about 6km with the north of the island generally hilly. Most holiday makers head to the glorious sandy resorts of the south and west.

Skiathos Town and airport are to the east of the island, and it is here that you can pick up a ferry to Skopolos island where Mama Mia was filmed or to the mainland ports of Thessaloniki or Volos. Skiathos Town buzzes throughout the day, but it is as the sun goes down in the evening, that it really comes to life! Watch out for the speeding motorbikes, but do explore the tiny meandering streets to find hidden craft shops and fashionable bars and clubs, away from Skiathos Port.

There is an excellent bus service that starts at Skiathos Town and runs regularly along the south coast to the final resort and home of one of Greece’s most beautiful beaches, Koukounaries (bus stop 26). Koukounaries Beach and the nearby Banana Beaches (Big Banana and Little Banana), offer long stretches of golden sand and are excellent daytime locations. Koukounaries resort is small and family/ couple friendly, with a handful of restaurants and bars as well as a couple of supermarkets stretched along the main road. There is a good choice of self catering accommodation, a few small hotels, the area is pretty and Skiathos Town is easily accessible by bus or hire car.

The nearest beaches to Skiathos Town are Megali Ammos Beach and the two part, Vassilias Beach, both of which get busy with locals during the summer. The sandy, sheltered bay of Achladies is accessed from Bus Stop 10 with walks possible to Platanias, Kolios, Livetakia and Kechria or a water taxi to Skiathos Town. Take the bus to stops 11 and 12, and you are in the Sklithri area where Tzaneria/Nostos Beach is situated with taxi boats travelling to the family orientated Kanapitsa Beach (2 km from stop 12).

Skiathos is an ideal holiday destination for families with children of all ages, or for couples. Party goers should stay close to Skiathos Town or at one of the larger hotels which offer entertainment on the south coast of Skiathos.

Greece is the perfect location for a family holiday. A Mediterranean country where families include children in all their activities, every member of your family will have a great time!

Choose from mainland Greece or one of the stunning Greek islands, a quiet seaside village or a bustling sandy beach resort, a cheap self catering accommodation or an all inclusive hotel holiday.

Whilst on a family holiday in Greece you will be able to enjoy boat trips, plenty of watersports, island hopping as a two centre holiday or for day trips, relax in inviting tavernas, laze in the sun and explore some of Greece’s ancient history.

For families who love lots of activities including a host of watersports such as kitesurfing, sailing and windsurfing, have a look at the Mark Warner holidays in Greece.  Located on the south of the Greek mainland is the Peloponnese region and the delightful San Agostino resort, built along a wonderful stretch of sandy beach and boasting childcare for children from 4 months to 17 years (book in advance).

Thomson Holidays offer numerous all inclusive holiday packages in Greece, where many alcoholic drinks, snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee, all meals and many activities and entertainment are included in the holiday price. The beachfront four star Hotel Nana Beach in Hersonissos, Crete has five fantastic swimming pools, 3 a la carte restaurants and a whole host of watersports and activities to enjoy. There is also a spa centre, 3 tennis courts, a mini football pitch, basketball, a gym, archery and lots more.

Hiring a car, if staying on an island or the mainland, even if just for a few days, is highly recommended.  If you choose a quiet Greek resort and get itchy feet, it is the perfect way to explore at your own pace, so you can pack up the car with everything your family needs and just disappear for days away.

For a more independent family holiday in Greece, the island of Kefalonia (Cephalonia) is a superb choice. Book a cheap flight to Kefalonia Airport and collect your prebooked car hire.  For small sandy beach resorts look along the south west coast (Lassi, Gradakia, Trapezaki) where there are many villa and self catering apartment properties, or for a wide expanse of Blue Flag sandy beach and one of the busier resorts, head south to Skala. Picturesque Myrtos Beach is on the north east coast and a short drive away from the quaint seaside village of Assos with its small pebble beach with clear waters; a very relaxing holiday destination.

It’s not too late to book a May Bank holiday break!  Start packing your bags now and if you want to book a short city break or a week on the beach, there is still availability.

Lastminute.com is offering 7 nights bed and breakfast at a three star hotel in Tsilivi on the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante) from £389 per person with flights from Gatwick Airport departing on Sunday 30 May 2010. There is also holidays departing tomorrow (29 May 2010) from Birmingham and staying in Niederau in Austria for 7 nights from £259 per person and on the 30th May from Manchester to Egypt staying at a four star hotel in Sharm el Sheikh (from £494 per person).

For a countryside retreat holiday in England, lowcostholidays.com has a double room at the impressive Barcelo Walton Hotel, a four star hotel set in 65 acres of countryside located between Warwick and Stratford Upon Avon.  The total price for two nights, two people, from Saturday 29 May is £210.00 on bed and breakfast basis.

If you fancy popping over to France for a Bank Holiday city break, how about taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille? In less than two hours you could strolling through the cobbled streets of this beautiful and historic city, enjoying the delights of the fancy designer stores and the huge modern Euralille shopping centre. Leave London on the 0953 Eurostar on Saturday 29 May and depart Lille Europe at 1835 on Monday 31 May for £270 per person (fully flexible ticket).  Book directly with the Hotel des Tours in the heart of Lille Old Town and the cost for a double bedroom is 227 euros for two nights including “stay tax” (about £200).

For just £324.46 (includes taxes and online check in), two adults could fly with Ryanair from Stansted to La Rochelle in North West France departing on Sunday 30 May to return on Wednesday 2 June or £328.10 for two people flying on the same dates into Poitiers in France. 

Staying in central London doesn’t have to be expensive!  The Park Grand Hotel in London Paddington has Westbourne Double Rooms for £90 per night (book directly), whilst the Hilton London Metropole has King Guest Rooms from £119 per night, a hotel located 10 minutes’ walk from the fantastic shops on Oxford Street with the UK’s largest shopping centre, Westfield, a mere 10 minutes’ away by tube.

Please note that all last minute offers are subject to availability and change.