An AZ of Greek islands and how to plan the perfect trip – Telegraph.co.uk – Telegraph.co.uk

F is for Folegandros

Is this the quintessential Cycladic island? Sugar-cube village, clifftop monastery, luminous bays only accessible by boat or vertiginous dirt tracks check, check, check. Folegandros is no longer the hippy hideaway it once was, but it still has enough rustic charm and barefoot insouciance to be quietly, intensely cool.

Fly to Santorini then take the high-speed ferry (seajets.gr) to Folegandros. Family-run Anemomilos (00 30 22860 41309; anemomiloshotel.com) has stylish studios dangling on a cliff-edge, from 145.

You could have a perfectly lazy beach holiday on Crete, but the islands true nature is hidden in its spectacular gorges. Samaria is the most famous, but there are dozens of less challenging options. Maria Mylonaki, of Crete specialists Diktynna Travel, recommends the Aradena Gorge, which begins at an abandoned village and ends with a swim in the Libyan Sea; Agia Irini, shaded by ancient olive trees; or Zakros, whose caves contained Minoan tombs. The canyons resemble the Cretan character: rugged, rough, to be approached with caution, but always generous and by no means boring, says Mylonaki.

Diktynna Travels (00 30 28210 41458; diktynna-travel.gr) walking guides are not just wilderness and wildlife experts. They will unlock chapels covered in frescoes and pre-order fish soup at the best taverna.

Ouzo, intrigue, and Leonard Cohen, is how one review described A Theatre for Dreamers, Polly Samsons novel about an ingenues coming of age in the bohemian swirl of 1960s Hydra. The heady, languorous isle hasnt changed that much since then: its architectural integrity is intact, motorised vehicles are still banned, and courtyard tavernas draped in jasmine still thrum with artists, writers and muses. Yes, its craggy, costly, and has barely any beaches; but Hydras allure remains irresistible.

Bring the gang and shack up at Kamini House, (00 30 6932906377; hipawayvillas.com), the picture of blue-and-white perfection, with terraces shaded by exuberant bougainvillea. From 800 per night, sleeps 8.

A love affair between romantic Britons and the Ionian islands has been going on for 200 years, says Ileana von Hirsch, a native of Ithaca and founder of luxury villa agency Five Star Greece. The islands were part of the British Empire for 40 years. Edward Lear painted the Corfu landscape and Lord Byron was offered the crown of Ithaca by the locals (sadly he turned it down, but was tempted). The Durrells were following a respected tradition of fleeing Albions dank and grimy shores for the clarity of Ionian water, the soft breezes, sultry mountains and shady groves of cypress and olive.

With commanding views, elegant interiors, and access to a private jetty, Corfu MC is a testament to its Anglo-Greek owners fine taste. From 18,000 per week, sleeps 8 (020 8422 4885; fivestargreeece.com).

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An AZ of Greek islands and how to plan the perfect trip - Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph.co.uk