Greece
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      Greece is one of those countries which is a plethora of Islands, and archipelagos and a coastline that has more inlets and indentations than the face of  the late Sid James!     It has a variety of islands that offer everything from the Club scene on Corfu which can rival anything seen on Ibiza, if that is your scene, or the quiet solitude offered by the tinier islands that do not have their own landing strip and can only be reached by one if not two or more Ferry crossings.
       The most popular destination has always been Corfu, but the size and diversity of Crete is now a serious rival for the Holidaymaker who wants more out of their holiday than sun, sea, sand, and whatever else it is the 18-30 Club follower has wanted!   Corfu is the largest of the Ionian Islands situated on the west coast of mainland Greece.   The north-eastern coast is barely more than a few miles from the coastline of Albania, which was one of the last bastions of a closed community to survive, but now the proximity offers an easy route to Europe for refugees and those fleeing persecution and  the Albanians who were denied the freedom and prosperity so apparent in the West.   We first went to Kavos in the south of Corfu when it was still a sleepy little village with no more than 2 or 3 Tavernas, and the most marvellous beach, which always had plenty of room due to the fact that it took 2 to 3 hours even in a modern coach to reach from Corfu Town because of the appalling condition of the one and only road.   Now all has been modernised and the swarms of Clubbers have turned this lovely little resort into a Mecca for the 18-30 crowd, with the Tavernas vying for custom by trying to outdo the Disco volume coming from each of their establishments.   The authorities have tried to curb this with a curfew at 2 am, but be warned, if this is not your scene, then stay well clear.
       The quieter north-west and north-east offers a glimpse as does the centre of the Island of what life was like before the package holiday, but there really is little left of the “original” to attract the purist.
       The typical Greek island can still be found, but will invariably entail catching one of the very many ferries from Piraeus the main port that serves Athens, to one of the larger islands and from there to the island of your choice.   Be warned, most of the islands in the Aegian sea are small rocky and devoid of green vegetation.   They can be little more than sun-baked rocks in the height of summer, but the sparse landscape and small local populace will ensure a more peaceful holiday away from all the pressures of the modern world.   Do not be fooled either by reports of it always being hot and sunny in Greece.   In the height of summer strong winds blow which can make for a rough crossing by ferry, and if you go early, say in early May, you can be surprised to find that nowhere, least of all the sea, has warmed up by then.   I remember one year in Skiathos when we went in early May we learned  from the local Taverna owner that just 6 weeks before, they had had over two feet of snow!    He took great pleasure in showing us photos taken  from of his Taverna with a bank of snow covering the whole of  the flight of steps that led up to the door of his restaurant!   But we were rewarded with a whole wealth of colourful Spring flowers that will have packed up and be scorched brown by the time the main invasion army of Tourists arrived.
           As I mentioned earlier, Crete offers a great diversity, of scenery to see, different kinds of resorts to stay in and being the largest of the Greek Islands will defeat most, if not all those who would wish to explore it in any detail during their stay.   Staying near Chania in the West, you have beautiful sandy beaches, as well as Chania itself which is a very quaint town, with an unspoilt old quarter, and the nearby Samaria Gorge which is one of the deepest of the many such gorges on Crete, and providing it stays dry, offers an exciting day out with a walk from the entrance at the top down to the beach outlet some 11 miles away.    The steepness of the sides of the gorge can make it an oven with temperatures well over a 100, and with the start of the rainy season in October, it becomes a very large drain with the level of water some 30-40 feet deep!!!   Obviously then is not a good time for a walk!!     Most tour operators offer this excursion, with return journey being made by boat which meets you at the beach, to a nearby small fishing village and from there back to your resort.
           Talking of excursions, apart from something like the above which would be difficult to organise yourself, I would strongly recommend that you first of all identify from the resort you are staying in, and from postcards displayed just what there is nearby which appeals to you, and then  investigate to see if you can organise seeing it for yourself at a fraction of the cost charged by the larger Tour Operators.    Doing “your own thing” can be satisfying as well as very much more cost effective, if you are prepared to put yourself out a bit by making your own enquiries.   For instance, most Greek islands have a “blue grotto” hidden in caves somewhere off a most inaccessible part of the coast, but if you have already hired a car, find the nearest village and negotiate your own deal with one of the boatmen that are always keen to earn a little extra from the Tourists.   If needs be, pal up with another couple and share the cost of the boat hire out to the grotto, and not only will you get a local view and story about the place, but you can dictate your own timetable, so you are not dependent on a whole group of Tourists as to how long you stay.   Indeed, you may decide to make a detour, perhaps on the way back, to a deserted beach that can only be reached by the boat you`ve hired.   I am sure you will find that a little extra “hard stuff” in his hand will work wonders with your boatman, and you will have had a unique experience at a fraction of the coast of an organised coach tour to visit the same grotto.
          The small beachside Tavernas are definitely the best venue for a midday meal, and by law all such establishments must display their prices, and a printed menu which must include a Greek salad.   They even have inspectors to ensure that the Tavernas all come up to scratch.   It is hardly ever needed however when it comes to hygiene, as the owner will take enormous pride in the cleanliness of his restaurant, and will undoubtedly invite you back into his kitchen so you can admire the clean surfaces, and the excellent quality of the produce he is cooking especially for you!!!   With any luck you can even get to choose the fish you want, and this will be scooped from a holding tank and served to you.   Do not be impatient for your food however.   The Greeks do not eat their food piping hot, and you could well be waiting for up to an hour before your main course arrives.   But who cares?   You will have ordered ice-cold drinks beforehand, have a wonderful view to soak up,  and you are on holiday, aren`t you?