As Cyprus’s most popular resort, you know you’re in for a wild time when you visit Ayia Napa. Best suited to the young, fun-loving crowd, this resort has emerged as a real contender to Ibiza’s party capital crown. And with a huge choice of stylish bars and clubs it’s easy to see why.

But the real difference between Ayia Napa and Ibiza comes in the music. Wheras Ibiza plays to a predominantly dance music crowd, Ayia Napa almost exclusively centres on the upcoming grime, r’n’b and hip-hop scenes. Places like Club Ice and the Black & White Club pump out brilliant music until the early hours.

After all that partying, you can sleep off your sore head in the sun at Nissi beach! Its long stretch of sandy coastline has all sorts of watersports on offer, as well as a bungee jump for those adventurous enough! With lots of cafes in the area serving up tasty pizzas and authentic kebabs, you’ll be feeling ready to party again by sunset.

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As one of the westernmost islands of Greece, Rhodes has an amazing mishmash of cultures in its roots from Turkish to Venetian, Roman to Ottoman. What that means for you is a great selection of sights including the Acropolis of Rhodes, the Castle of Monolithos and the Grand Master’s Palace.

But of course, Rhodes is not just a history buff’s delight, it has some great places for a simple bit of rest and relaxation too. Kiotari is a great choice for sunseekers, as the Rhodes climate virtually guarantees great weather over the summer months. It’s a quiet resort with stylish hotels, traditional tavernas and a lovely long beach.

If you want a mix of peace and partying, you’d be best off going to Koskinou. Set on a sloping hill with pine-tree lined streets, it’s a beautiful area, but also close enough to the party central of Faliraki if the mood takes you. Rhodes Town is also a short bus hop away, and it’s worth a visit if just to enjoy the atmosphere of the historic old town with its medieval walls.

History, scenery and nightlife – that’s Rhodes in a nutshell! Whichever one takes your fancy, you can book a brilliant bargain holiday there with Sunmaster right now.

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For such a small island, you have a huge choice of holiday options when you visit Kos. If you just want a tranquil atmosphere in beautiful surroundings, head to Kefalos or Agios Fokas. Or you could opt for something livelier, amid the bustle of Kos Town and the buzzing nightlife of Kardamena.

A feeling of calm comes with the territory when you take a trip to Kefalos. Situated in the quiet hillsides, you’ll discover plenty of traditional tavernas for an authentic Greek experience. Likewise in Agios Fokas, its best feature being the nearby volcanic Nissyros beach, which has hot springs that make the water wonderfully warm. What a way to relax your muscles!

If all that sounds far too sedate for you, go for the carnival atmosphere of Kardamena. Over the summer months the bars are packed with young tourists enjoying the warm nights and cheap drinks. It’s your best bet for clubs too, alongside Kos Town, with places like Status and Heaven offering great music and the ideal surroundings to get dancing!

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Being the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, Crete has the size and the space for real depth of diversity. So sitting alongside all the usual attractions of beach holidays, you’ll also discover quaint little villages untouched by time and even some of the oldest ruins in Europe.

That Crete has such a rich history is largely thanks to it being the birthplace of the ancient Minoan civilisation. We’re talking way back here – almost 5,000 years ago! That’s older than all the Athenian and Spartan legends you’ve probably heard lots more about. The Palace of Knossos in Heraklion is still standing as a fantastic monument to Crete’s Minoan roots. One of the best historical sites in the world, let alone Greece, it features 1300 rooms and remarkably well preserved frescoes. It’s an absolute must for anyone visiting Crete with even a little interest in history.

Bringing things slightly more up to date, the Fortezza in Rethymnon dates back to the 16th century when the Venetians built it as a defence against the Ottoman Empire. Aside from being a fascinating artefact, it also offers stunning views of both Rethymnon town and the Mediterranean sea.

So you see, Crete can be so much more than just your standard sunny beach holiday. But it can also be just that if you want it to be! Visit Sunmaster to choose your ideal Crete holiday either way.

(Image courtesy of Nenyaki)

We’ve a volcano to thank for the beautiful way that Santorini looks. The after-effects of nature’s cannon blasts can still be seen all over the island, from the black volcanic beaches to the steep rocky cliffs of the south. It has also added to the island’s history as the blast from 4,000 years ago is considered to be one of the biggest of all time and could even be responsible for bringing about the demise of the Minoan civilisation!

Perissa is the best beach to head to if you’re after some spectacular views. The mountains loom large across the dark, dusty sand to make sunbathing much more interesting than your average summer holiday. Many hotels are strategically placed to make the most of the scenery, perched on a myriad of mountain tops, with huge vertical cliff faces peering over the water.

For an area so rich in natural history, you’ll be surprised how lively some of the hotspots can get at night, especially in Thira, the island’s capital. All in all, you’ll have an explosive time in Santorini.

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Parts of the massively popular Mamma Mia movie were filmed in Skiathos, and it’s easy to see why it caught Hollywood’s eye. Almost every area of this quiet, classy island has a stunning sight, or an equally welcoming beach. It’s also small and compact, but don’t let that put you off as it’s beautifully proportioned! Inside under 50km2 you’ll find designer boutiques, lively nightclubs and calming lagoons. Basically everything you could ever want from a resort, packed into one beautiful place.

History buffs will take interest in the old capital Kastro, which is now just a series of ruins which offer some amazing views of the whole island. For beaches, you’re spoilt for choice, as there are – can you believe it, over 60 on this little land! And for a slap-up meal, make the sophisticated Greek restaurant 1901 your first port of call.

Close by the airport, Skiathos Town is your ideal place to touch down for people watching and window shopping. The glitterati all gather here due to the chic bars and cafes plus the glamorous clothes shops.

So you see, good things do come in small packages! Plan your trip to Skiathos with Sunmaster today and see how much you can save.

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The peaceful atmosphere of Halkidiki works surprisingly well with the contrast of its dramatic mountainous scenery. Perhaps it’s because the area has a history of holiness, in particular Mount Athos which is still home to over 20 monasteries. Some of them seem to literally grow out of the mountain, such as the way the Gregoriou Monastery has been blended beautifully with the natural rock. The area is so pious, you may not actually be able to visit it, but you can get a great view anyway from the many boat trips that pass by to see the fascinating structures.

Amazingly, that’s not the only claim to fame of Halkidiki. It is also the region where the most ancient European remains were found – over 700,000 years old! They can now be viewed in the nearby Petralona Museum.

After all that history hunting you’re bound to be feeling a bit peckish. We’d wholeheartedly recommend Zorbas, it offers lots of tasty traditional fare like dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and the classic cucumber dip tzatziki which is way better in its homeland of Greece than the poor imitation we have over here in the UK!
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If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, Zante’s are some of the best in the whole of Greece. They’re clearly a big draw for sunseekers, after all, who doesn’t want to relax on powder soft sand amid seas of turquoise and emerald? The famous Shipwreck Bay here will also give you the chance to take a photo that will wow all your friends. The boat that’s stranded there is only 30 years old, but the delight is more in the rugged mountain landscape which encloses the cove on all sides.

After you’ve topped up your tan, the best place to head for a fun night out is the lively resort of Laganas. Truly a town that never sleeps, the bars and clubs in the centre are crammed with young partygoers enjoying the cheap drinks and free entry to most music joints.

Of course, you could always head off in the opposite direction to get away from it all. The family-friendly Kalamaki or the ever-so-tranquil Tragaki offer another, more peaceful side of Greece. You’ll find plenty of traditional tavernas round here to keep your belly feeling just as great as the weather too!

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Amazing what a bit of literature can do for a country isn’t it? After the novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, became a bestseller in 1993 captivated readers just couldn’t get enough of Kefalonia. The beautiful Greek island is described vividly throughout the book, but to be fair you really have to visit the place yourself to actually appreciate what all the fuss is about.

Bathed in brilliant sunlight throughout the summer months, and with velvety beaches of gold, it’s easy to see what makes this resort worth writing home about. Sharp cliffs and dense forests of pine add drama to almost every backdrop of the island too. Kefalonia has a rich natural history – take a trip to the Drogarati Caves to see the dripping rocks or view the shimmering black underground lake in Melissani.

Although a tranquil atmosphere flows through most of Kefalonia, the capital Argostoli has a busy town square with many traditional tavernas. Wherever you travel on the island, you can always be sure of an authentic Greek experience.

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Sitting on Corfu’s Northern coast, Sidari has become something of a touristy hotspot in recent years. This is largely thanks to its sandy beaches hidden away in cosy little coves of their own. Dust winds have carved the mountains that cover them into spectacular shapes too, with layers of yellow rock capped off with grassy knolls. There’s nothing like laying back in whirlpool warm sea with the feeling that you’re (almost) in a private beach made specially for you!

After a hard day’s sunbathing you have quite a few choices for how to spend your evenings too. You could grab a quick bite to the eat in the many cheap and cheerful pizza places then spend the night partying away in the lively clubs and bars. For boogieing, Ceasar’s is the biggest and best, but E-Metro Bar also pulls in the crowds, with pumping music till two in the morning.

For something more sedate, take a stroll around the main street of Sidari and stop by at the many quality restaurants there. Our top tip for something tasty would have to be Olympic. This traditional taverna is incredibly popular with the locals – a sure sign of great Greek food.

Take a trip to Sidari with Sunmaster and you’ll be amazed by how much you can save. After all, a few more quid in your pocket will give you more to spend on cocktails when you’re out there!

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