Greece & Cyprus

Greece is a captivating land. As befits the cradle of European civilization, the ancient world is ever present, and the wild landscapes evoke that fascinating mix of legend and history. Equally, this is a country dominated by the sea, with beautiful islands and dramatic promontories immersed in the warm waters of the Aegean, and lit by the strong Mediterranean sunshine. Perhaps no other European country boasts a richer natural environment, with extraordinary wild flowers. Walking here is a real pleasure, with spring and autumn optimum seasons for discovery on foot.

Rugged landscapes & the classical world

Our four chosen regions – western Crete, the Aegean islands of Samos and Lesvos, and the Mani region of the Peloponnese – are spectacularly beautiful places, where the sea and mountains meet and ancient history truly comes alive. As you walk along the coast of Crete, your path passes a mosaic floor that might date from the 4th century BC; sip a glass of local wine on Samos and the vines that produced it will be direct descendants of those planted by the ancients. You feel this history at every step. We have developed our wonderful itineraries, full of cultural interest from ancient Greek remains to Byzantine churches, in cooperation with Dutchman Henk van Wijngaarden, a Greek-speaking expert in ancient history.

Simple comfort, warm hospitality

The Greek welcome is renowned, and we have been struck by the genuine hospitality we have received on our travels. Hotels and restaurants are simpler than those in other of our featured countries, with plain, simply-furnished rooms, and traditional country cooking. But the experience of discovering these truly special places more than compensates for this.

Cyprus, the island of surprises

Cyprus is an island of many faces – and many surprises. Few realize that it is so rich in flora and fauna, with such a wide range of endemic species, or that the Troodos Mountains, which rise from the hot southern plains, are so high that January brings a covering of snow. Traditional villages, frescoed Byzantine chapels and other treasures are scattered across the herb-clad slopes, but perhaps the best surprise of all is the Cypriot hospitality, some of the warmest you will encounter.

Our walking tours:

• Samos – an Aegean Island (grade 2)
• Lesvos, the Island of Surprises (grade 2)
• The Two Faces of the Mani (grade 2)
• Crete's Coast & Mountains (grade 3)
• Cyprus' Scented Slopes (grade 2)

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