Take a break on an idyllic island, and you can be assured of finding a place to recharge and relax. Away from the busy everyday hubbub, our island breaks inspire a slower pace of life, where scenic landscapes of enchanting coastlines, majestic mountains and charming villages captivate your attention and let the stresses of day-to-day life ebb away.
We’ve carefully curated some brand-new island itineraries for next year, self-guided holidays that will immerse you in the region and its culture and encourage you to step off the beaten path to discover the island’s intrigues. So, as we invite you to journey from place to place at your own pace on our new hand-crafted itineraries for 2023, take a look at three of these idyllic island holidays to get you inspired.
If the Greek islands conjure up visions of white-washed buildings dazzling in the warm sunshine beside surrounding turquoise waters, then our Walking on Kythnos Island will meet your expectations exquisitely. Kythnos is renowned for its beauty, but it also offers serenity, away from the typical touristy side of the Greek islands.
Exploring the island, your itinerary will take you to fascinating historical sites, stunning beaches and wild countryside. Discover Vryokastro, a 2,500-year-old ancient city, where excavations have revealed temples, public buildings and a port, providing exciting insights into early Greek cultures. Other historical sites of interest include the ruins of Orias Castle, which date back to the Byzantine era and a 10,000-year-old Neolithic prehistoric site.
The natural features of Kythnos come with immense history too. Your routes will take you to Katafiki cave, one of the biggest in Greece, where stalagmites and stalactites have formed over thousands of years. There’s also the chance to visit Loutra and its ancient thermal spa and hot springs. These waters, containing sodium bromide, iodide and chloride, have become well-known for their healing properties.
Of course, you cannot visit the Greek islands without sampling their fish dishes, and in Kythnos, the fishermen provide fresh produce daily. Meat-eaters will also be pleased, as Kythnos has a strong agricultural industry for its size, enabling the local restaurants to serve delicious dishes of local beef, lamb and goat, rich in Mediterranean flavours.
Combining three of the Channel Islands in one holiday on our Walking in Jersey, Guernsey and Sark trip showcases their unique diversity, colourful landscapes and enchanting culture. Following trails that are a walker’s delight, you’ll explore rugged cliff paths bordered by gorse and wildflowers, wooded valleys and welcoming fishing villages.
Starting in Jersey, you can linger around St. Helier’s harbour, taking in the views of Fort Regent and 16th-century Elizabeth Castle. Or, for a more energetic start, take the trail to the highest point of the Channel Islands, Les Platons. At 136 metres high, this mountain hike is not overly arduous but rewards you with panoramic views of northern Jersey on a clear day.
Continue to meander the clifftops to take in the lighthouse of La Corbière, then heading northwest along the dramatic rocky coastlines, you’ll finally reach the favourite sandy bay of Greve de Lecq.
Taking the boat across to Guernsey, you’ll discover an island of stunning natural beauty; from Fermain Bay, a beautiful beach offering crystal clear waters, tucked beneath the wild woodland-covered coastline, to the Bluebell Woods, near St. Peter Port, a stunning sight when in full bloom.
A visit to Sark is an incredibly unique and wonderful experience. With no cars and the roads unpaved, there’s a quiet, unspoilt feel to the landscape. A highlight of Sark is the route from ‘big Sark’ to ‘little Sark’, crossing the La Coupée. This high ridge sits around 80 metres above sea level and is 100 metres long. It is a compelling place to explore, with spectacular views and intriguing stories of past crossings.
The Channel Islands are well-regarded for their cuisine, with 16 restaurants listed in the Good Food Guide. Locally caught seafood is at its best here, and then there’s the sumptuous Jersey cream and the humble but tasty Jersey Royal potatoes.
Cycling from Bastia to Calvi on our new Corsica with eBike trip, you’ll be able to discover a lot more of the remarkable features this French island has to offer. There are the glorious, clear turquoise waters that lap powder-white sands and chiselled umber-coloured cliff faces. And, with a rich heritage, traditional villages and long-held stories, there’s plenty to captivate history lovers too
In Bastia, the old port and citadel exude authentic character. In a village within a city, you’ll find cherished traditions, warm hospitality and a proud creative culture. Ride on alongside the sea, through woodlands and fishing villages, perhaps pausing to sample lobster in Centuri or the wine at Patrimonio’s vineyard.
As the route continues, you’ll meander the Agriates Desert, an unblemished landscape rich with fauna, before spending the night in the picturesque village of Monticello. In this vibrant community, you may get the opportunity for a game of pétanque with the locals while enjoying a drink at the local bar, or perhaps you’ll prefer to relax in the shade of the olive trees listening to the rolling sea waves just yards away.
As the trip draws to a close, be sure to take time in the Genoese citadel, Calvi, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. With its winding streets and seafront, you’ll find buzzing bars and restaurants serving mouth-watering local cuisine of rich charcuterie, fresh fish, and seafood, all scented delicately with Mediterranean herbs.
Whether walking or biking, our self-guided itineraries offer exceptional opportunities to explore a different side of Europe, its unique coastline and islands, as well as other breathtaking destinations further afield.
If you enjoy discovering the hidden treasures of an area and delving deeper into the region’s character, follow the link below to take a look at our new and exciting hand-crafted itineraries for 2023 here.
