Luxury experiences in the heart of the Greek islands
An elegant retreat on Crete's north coast
Set in postcard-pretty Rethymno, on the north coast of Crete, Grecotel's LUXME White is all about airy elegance, with crisp, white hues throughout. Several of its rooms are swim-up and there are spacious family options – including a handful of new, ultra-plush Yali Seafront Villas with their own pools.
The resort sits on its own beach with a tranquil adults-only area and there's a sprawling, palm-fringed pool and a new family activity pool to cool off in. PADI courses, water skiing, beachfront yoga, wine masterclasses and e-bike tours are among the activities on hand.
If you'd rather indulge with a spa treatment, drop little ones off at the kids' club and head to the Hippie Spa. On the food front, there are seven restaurants – among them adults-only tasting menu venue The White and Lobsteria, where creative lobster dishes are served on an ocean-facing terrace. Finish it off with a sweet treat at the pâtisserie and chocolaterie, before dancing the night away at one of the renowned LUXME White Parties.
Deluxe dining and standout facilities in Rhodes
A 100m-long pool, a shiny new beach club, lush gardens and excellent fitness facilities are among the lures of LUXME Dama Dama, which sits in the picturesque beach town of Kallithea in Rhodes.
A 15-minute drive from Rhodes's medieval Old Town, it makes an ideal base for island explorations – if you can tear yourself away from the sweep of amenities. For families, there's a 700 sq m pool complex with water slides, a Blue Flag beach and a raft of activities at the kids' club. Adults can enjoy fitness sessions at a new Yoga & Pilates Club, alongside an indoor gym, sauna and glass-roofed pool.
Beyond this, you'll find water sports, island tours, cooking classes and more. If all that works up an appetite, you won't be disappointed – nine bars and restaurants span the gamut from adult-only tasting menus to Greek, Italian, Japanese and beyond and, under a new dine-out concept, you can enjoy a complimentary meal at a selected local taverna.
Accommodation includes rooms, apartments and suites with fresh décor and a palette of blue, gold and coral inspired by the island's vibrant colours. And vibrant they are; expect sunsets painting the sky in peach and magenta as you explore this striking island.
Fun at heart
For a holiday that really puts the focus on fun, look to LUXME Costa Botanica, which perches on a gold-sand beach in Acharavi, on Corfu's north coast.
On top of a brand-new spa centre with a huge indoor pool, hammam and Jacuzzi, this recently renovated property has a 40,000 sq m Aqua Park; here you'll find slides and lazy rivers meandering through the palms, adding to the resort's four outdoor pools.
There's also a cutting-edge gym with an all-new boxing ring plus fitness classes, a tennis academy, new padel courts, basketball and water sports. If you're looking to explore the area, hire an e-bike or e-scooter to explore the surrounding trails, head out on a tour of the local villages or take a trip to colourful Corfu Town. Keep younger ones entertained with a trip to the Botanist Lab to see the resort's edible garden.
When hunger strikes, you'll have 12 bars and restaurants to choose from, including Botanica Fine Dining, which serves wine-paired farm-to-table dishes and a collection of elegant degustation menus offering a flavourful journey through Corfian cuisine. Expect standout service and a warm, friendly welcome that's quintessentially Greek to the core.
British Airways Holidays packages include a generous checked baggage allowance for each customer and come with full Atol protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your all-inclusive holiday to Grecotel Resorts with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*.
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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
The Greek island untouched by tourists with white beaches and rolling hills
GREECE is home to many beautiful islands that are a magnet for holidaymakers in the summertime, but one small island offers a serene escape for those who like their streets and beaches empty. The picturesque Ionian island of Meganisi sits between Lefkada and the Greek mainland, and takes 45 minutes on the ferry to reach the island from Lefkada. 5 5 The lesser-known island is known for crystal clear waters in sprawling bays and white pebbly beaches. For example, a favourite is Abelaki Bay, where visitors moor up and enjoy a calm night in the bay with scenic rolling hills surrounding them. And one of the island's best beaches, Limnonari, which is a peaceful alternative to many spots on some of Greece' s popular tourist islands. One visitor said: "Beautiful bay with an absolutely lovely beach restaurant - a great place to anchor for lunch if you're passing through." Another added: "Beautiful Limonari Beach, with crystal clear waters and an amazing backdrop. For a historical spot, head to Agios Ioannis beach, which is named after a small church nearby. The church was built on the foundations of a monastery, which was sadly destroyed by pirates in 1477. The island has a few towns and villages to explore as well, including Katomeri - the capital of Meganisi. Visitors can expect to find mini markets, a bakery with fresh bread and some cafes and bars. The adult-only Greek hotel with laid-back DJs and hidden beach Thanks to the lack of tourists, by day the town is quiet - with locals emerging to socialise in the evenings. It is worth exploring the main port too, which is located in the town of Vathi - a traditional fishing village with several churches. Not much has changed in the town over the past century, with many of the day-to-day activities revolving around the arrival and departure of the ferry. Along the waterfront, visitors can explore a number of quaint tavernas and cafes as well, with many boasting traditional dishes and views of the harbour. From Vathi, you can also head along the coast to Spartochori - a picturesque village 50 metres above the sea level, with narrow winding alleys. Once in the village, visitors can experience breathtaking views across the ocean and on clear days, the islands of Lefkada, Skorpios and Madouri as well. 5 Astonishingly, Spartochori only gained electricity back in 1973 and until more recently, two cars were shared between the entire community. If you get hungry, there are a few traditional tavernas and a pizzeria in the village as well. Spilia, which is the smaller of Meganisi's ports, then sits just in front of Spartochori. Here, travellers can find three waterfront tavernas to enjoy a bite or drink whilst look out at the water. And after a short walk around the bay, you'll find a sandy beach with snack bars. Alternatively, for those exploring the coast of the island via boat, make sure to head to Papanikolis Cave. 5 According to Greeka, the cave used to be the hideaway of a submarine, which would tuck itself inside the cave after its blitzkrieg on the Italian armada. The cave is the second largest in Greece, nestled in one of Meganisi's white cliffs. For those who do want to explore the cave and surrounding water, they can hire a boat from Lakis Boats. There are a number of places to stay on the island, including Kavos House, a short distance from Spilia Port in the hills, with amazing views of Lefkada and the island of Scorpio. How to do two Greek islands in one trip TRYING to choose one of the 6,000 Greek islands for a holiday can be a tricky decision to make. The islands are so close in proximity that hotel groups like Kivotos Hotels & Villas, often have incentives in the form of discounts and private transfers so you can save yourself cash and tick off two places in one hit, says The Sun Travel's Kara Godfrey. The Mykonos property was one of the first boutique resorts to open on the island and was inspired by the nearby sacred island of Delos, which is said to be the birthplace of Greek gods Apollo & Artemis. The interior blends classic Greek architecture — think marble floors and bright-white walls — with modern art in the shape of pop-style busts and multicoloured glass lighting. Most of my time was spent in my own suite, one of 40 at the hotel, the majority of which have their own swimming pool. It took us just two hours by ferry to reach Kivotos Santorini from the Mykonos resort. The only thing that could tear me away from the tranquillity was the promise of a delicious breakfast at the rooftop AM du Chef restaurant. The sunsets are just as gorgeous on the neighbouring island of Santorini, where I was heading next. A Greek expert has shared their four better value islands - including ones with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches. Plus, a woman went to the Greek island that's the 'birthplace of marathons' and ran the most beautiful 13 miles in the world.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
I tested the Butlin's all-inclusive drinks package to its limit – here's everything I drank in one day for £30
WITH Europe's mega hotels luring Brits abroad with the promise of free booze, Butlin's has now launched its own all-inclusive drinks package that can be added onto your reservation. Known for its great-value family breaks, Butlin's offers a lot for guests staying at one of its three UK seaside resorts. 11 Last year, the holiday park chain launched an all-inclusive drinks package for £30, so I signed up and headed to Bognor Regis to see if it was really worth the money. Within the initial cost of your stay, your booking includes accommodation, evening entertainment, a huge swimming pool with a wave pool and slides, playgrounds, children's activities and shows, and an on-site fairground where the rides are free. Four-day, mid-week, term-time breaks start from just £49 for two adults and two children, which is great value for younger families wanting a fun-packed holiday on a budget. The three-day breaks, which typically fall over the weekend, are usually priced higher. During the summer holidays, a weekend break at the Skegness Resort costs £348 for two adults and two children, which works out to £87 per person for three days. For a family weekend and with so much on offer, it's still a very good deal. So how does the all-inclusive booze package work? Geared up for my holiday, I did wonder if the deal would be worth it and whether the drink on offer would be half decent. In the school holidays, the Butlin's all-inclusive drink deal is £30.95 per adult (15+) per day and £10.50 per day for kids aged 6-14 years (children under five drink for free). On a three-day break, this would be an extra £92.85 per adult - but is it worth it? Never one to shy away from important journalism, I headed to Butlin's in Bognor Regis with my mate Gen and four kids ranging from five to fourteen. I wanted to know if we would drink enough over three days to justify the £304 extra spend for all six of us - and to see how easy it was to use the plan and get into the holiday, ahem, spirit. I tried the new Gladiators event at Butlin's with some of the TV stars… and my kids were obsessed Our basic holiday package for one adult and two children, staying in a Comfort Room was £468 (£52 per person, per night). I had one room, sharing with my two children Finn, eight, and Isobel, five, and Gen had a separate room, sharing with her sons Cole, 14, and Stephen, 10. To add the all-inclusive drinks package onto the booking, it was an extra £41.45 for us and £51.95 for Gen and the boys per day. An overall £124.35 and £155.85 respectively. When you check in, you are given a wristband and a QR code to use when you want to order drinks during your stay. But with with the amount of activities and entertainment, I was unsure whether I would get through £42 worth of drinks in one day. Ever keen to hydrate, we checked in at midday on Friday and headed straight to the on-site Costa coffee shop. After a 2.5-hour drive from London, a large caffeinated beverage was a must, and Butlin's heavily advertises that Costa coffee is included with the all-inclusive drinks deal. Joining the line of fellow, sleep-deprived parents, I eventually made it to the front where I hit my first roadblock… Despite Costa Coffee being included, I soon realised that, crucially, you can't order said coffee from the dedicated coffee shop at the resort. If you have an all-inclusive package, you have to head next door to the generic bar, where Costa-branded coffee is served from a coffee machine. No barista-whipped macchiato with this wristband, pal. The big kids went for Coca Cola and Sprite, which usually cost £2.50, and my younger kids opted for a small orange squash (usual cost 80p). Gen and I stuck with the coffee that would have been £3.85 to purchase, which I actually thought was on the high side, given the instant coffee machine situation. However, despite my initial disappointment, it was perfectly pleasant. We grabbed a table outside in the sun. Cocktails and mocktails are included With people arriving for their weekend of fun, the resort was already starting to get lively, so we headed to the fairground for a spin on the Waltzer and a slide down the classic Helter Skelter. I was impressed that the fairground rides are no extra charge to enjoy. As a parent, amusement parks where rides are priced individually can become very expensive, so I generally avoid them at all costs. Of course, the kids wanted to go on the Go Karts, which are slap bang in the middle of the fairground. These are not included, but at £7 per kid, I stumped up for tickets. Besides, it was almost 1pm and with them occupied for 15 mins, Gen and I could enjoy our first cocktail of the weekend along with some adult conversation. Alcohol is served from 11am at the resort. A glass of house wine is £4.90 and a pint is £5.95. I'm more of a cocktail girl, so I decided to get into the holiday spirit with a margarita, usually £7.75, but free with my wristband. Gen had a 'Butlin's on the Beach', the family-friendly version of the Sex on the Beach cocktail. From the main pub, The Beachcomber, the pre-mixed cocktail tasted fine, but was unsurprisingly pretty basic. My margarita had no salt rim or picturesque garnish and came in a plastic beaker. But, with the sun shining and the kids tearing up the race track, there were no complaints from me. Doing a quick tally, it wasn't even lunchtime yet, and I'd spent over a third of my initial £30 a day outlay already. The kids had gone wild at the fairground and large outdoor playground, so they were keen to neck their all-inclusive drinks too. However, you can only order drinks on the all-inclusive deal at selected places and with both the wristband and a QR code, which is sent to your email. Only the adults wear the band, so it does mean that kids can't go up and order their own drinks. If you have a big brood, expect to be in and out, whipping out your iPhone and flashing your wrist every 15 minutes when one of them inevitably spills their drink or wants something else. However, it was easy to get drinks, and despite the resort being very busy in high season, none of the bars were too crowded or had a long wait. I liked that you could pick up a drink in a plastic cup, rather than a glass, and roam around the resort with it. That meant you were not restricted to designated places, and the kids could have fun while the grown-ups relaxed. For lunch, we got a takeaway Papa John's pizza from the on-site restaurant and had a picnic on the grass. With my purple arm candy, I paired it with a cold beer AND a Coke. Hey, it's all-inclusive, so I went wild. I am on holiday, after all... Meanwhile, the kids were thrilled to be stuffing their faces with pizza and guzzling the unlimited soda drinks. I certainly needed the caffeine and sugar, as after this, we headed to the new state-of-the-art indoor PlayXperience. This massive games room is 50,000 square feet and has Lazer Tag, Neon Golf, Glow Pong, Escape Rooms and a VR arcade. The games here are charged separately, but I thought £9 per person for laser tag and £7 for golf was pretty reasonable considering the prices places elsewhere charge. There is also a cool bar here, HotShots, and the cocktail game was much stronger. This time, my margarita did come with salt and a slice of orange on the side, while my friend had a mojito, complete with fresh mint. Better still, happy hour at this bar starts at 4pm, so it was two cocktails for £12.50 for anyone not on the drinks plan. The setting at HotShots was much calmer and classier than at the main bars in the resort, so we stayed for an extra round, and the kids were happy because they nagged us into a few more plays of golf and a go in the VR room. A small price to pay for some adult conversation and a relaxing drink. 11 11 11 There is a huge choice of entertainment options at Butlin's, including a Peppa Pig show and a circus (which has an extra charge). However, we were all excited for the Stephen Mulhern 'Out of this world' magic show, which saw the TV star doing his trademark tricks on stage and performing stunts. All the kids loved it. The theatre was packed and the audience was clapping and cheering for the TV star. It was a great atmosphere. Here, I went for a Gin and Tonic (usually £5.20). There was a bar outside, and I managed to get two in before the end of the show. Luckily, it was 6pm and time for dinner after this, otherwise I might have got too tipsy to keep a tally. By now, I had easily eclipsed the £30 outlay for my drinks of the day. There was still time for a cheeky wine at dinner and another cocktail at the evening show on the main stage, Iconic. Should you book the all-inclusive drinks with your Butlin's holiday? There is no question, if you like a beer or cocktail in the sun or you plan on drinking at lunch and dinner, with a few extras like coffee and a lemonade in between, £30 a day is well worth the money. Even non-alcohol drinkers would likely break even with two or three coffees, a few Cokes and a non-alcoholic beer or mocktail, but it wouldn't work out such great value. One catch to the deal is that everyone on your booking must pay for the package. So if you have one non-alcoholic adult in the party, they can't opt out. All the kids on the booking also need to pay for the package. The daily cost for two adults and two children (over 6) is £82.60 a day. Gen's older kids definitely made use of the all-inclusive Coke Zero and Sprite, but my children, who are younger, probably only just reached the minimum spend. With squash only 80p a glass, they needed to drink more than ten glasses in a day, and generally, they drink water. It's worth factoring that in when you are calculating for the whole family. All in all, we drank the equivalent of a £69.45 bar tab, exceeding the £42 outlay, but not by much. Even without the package, drinks are very reasonably priced. It wouldn't be a jolly holiday without a happy hour, and Butlin's is no exception. In fact, if you bar hop, starting at Beechcomber Pub at 2pm, and moving to Bar Rosso in the main pavilion or HotShots at PlayXperience, you can actually enjoy Happy Hour(s) until 6pm. By then, some people were very happy indeed. The following day was much the same, but we did spend over three hours at the incredible pool and water park, Splash Waterworld. As well as a huge wave pool, there are seven slides and a kids splash pool. It's absolutely fantastic, especially considering the cheap term-time package prices. I was only able to get the kids out and dried off with the promise of more unlimited soda and orange juice. 11 11 11 Despite the fact we were at the pool for a good proportion of the day, we still managed to drink our quota of beverages. I was impressed with the drinks package but I do think after five days and nights, the novelty of all-day drinking and downing cups of sugary drinks would wear off. Certainly for me, but probably for the kids too. And cold water is free across the whole resort. They actually do seven and 10-night breaks at Butlin's too. For seven nights, the adult deal would be £350 on drinks alone - that's a big spend for a budget break. It's worth doing the maths in advance and making sure it's within budget. I would certainly not drink enough over a whole week to make it worthwhile, as I doubt I would want to drink alcohol every day. I'm generally a light drinker though, so if you do like your beer or wine and you want to relax and have fun on your holiday, it's easy to get your money's worth and excellent value. However, on the three-day breaks I would definitely recommend the all-inclusive package. It's a worry-free way to have a drink and enjoy yourself while the kids are also having a great time. Just remember, your code will stop working at midday on the day you leave - so make sure you get a big coffee in before the drive home.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Overcrowding, earthquakes and extreme heat: The Greek holiday could be changing forever
When Icarus made his escape from the island of Crete with wings made of feathers and wax, he ignored the warning not to fly too close to the sun. Overcome by the thrill of flight, he soared too high, the heat melted the wax, and he fell into the sea and drowned. Icarus's story is a cautionary tale on the dangers of overambition. It also serves as an effective metaphor for the crossroads Greece 's tourism industry finds itself at today. Tourism has long been one of Greece's economic pillars, contributing €21.7bn to the economy in 2024 alone. But after decades of growth, cracks are beginning to show. The country is grappling with overtourism, infrastructure strain, housing shortages, and the escalating impact of the climate crisis – all of which threaten to upend the very charm that draws millions of visitors each year. Last summer, Greece's ombudsman issued a report calling for urgent reform to address these issues. 'Our country's economy relies heavily on tourism, which makes the need to manage it in a sustainable way even more urgent,' the report said. It warned that Greece must not 'exhaust its potential, wasting it and making our tourist destinations unattractive over time'. Santorini's slowdown One of the most iconic victims of this pressure is Santorini. The Cycladic island, famous for its sunsets, whitewashed buildings, and volcanic beaches, has seen a drop in visitor numbers this summer. Airport data from January to May shows arrivals decreased by 24.4 per cent annually, according to reports – a notable shift for an island that has hosted more than 5.5 million annual visitors despite having just 15,550 residents. 'In Santorini, even tourists complain about the great number of tourists,' a 2024 report said. Cruise tourism, although recently capped at 8,000 visitors per day, has brought up to 18,000 passengers to Santorini daily during peak season, straining the island's resources. Rapid growth has led to overcrowding, congestion, and environmental damage, all of which have been noticed by prospective visitors. A widely reported swarm of 1,200 earthquakes between 25 January and 7 February this year also did little to help. While the mass anti-tourist protests seen in Barcelona and elsewhere in Europe have yet to erupt in Greece, frustration is mounting. In Athens, locals are increasingly concerned about the proliferation of Airbnbs and the hollowing out of community life, claiming central neighbourhoods are becoming a 'tourism Disneyland'. Paradise Iost As visitor numbers fall in Santorini, other islands are seeing a surge, forcing local governments to effectively 'spin plates' with tourism management – not ideal for a country more famous for smashing them. Dimitri Vayanos, a professor of finance and member of Greece's influential Pissarides Committee on economic growth, is watching closely from the island of Ios, where he has been involved in local efforts to combat overdevelopment. 'There's been little change since the ombudsman's report,' he says. 'It's more of the same.' Vayanos believes many smaller islands are now repeating the mistakes of Mykonos and Santorini: 'They're being overbuilt, with little concern for protecting their character.' He adds that authenticity, agriculture and local products are at the heart of Greece's tourism product. 'But tourism is draining the resources that sustain them.' Water shortages, exacerbated by climate change, are also a major problem. 'Even where water is scarce, people are building big developments with pools,' he adds. Though Vayanos sees potential for growth in underdeveloped areas, he fears Greece is playing a dangerous game of tourism 'whack-a-mole'. Where one island declines, another rises and sees similar issues. The tide turns Ferry companies are already reporting shifting travel patterns. According to Ferryhopper, routes once centred on Santorini are seeing reduced interest, replaced by island hopping between Ios, Milos and Mykonos. Rival site Ferryscanner reported a 50 per cent drop in bookings to Santorini by American tourists and a 33 per cent drop to Mykonos. In contrast, it claims lesser-known destinations like Aegina and Poros have seen surges of more than fourfold. British tourists are also breaking away from traditional destinations. Lefkada, Sougia, Fournoi and Kastellorizo have all seen interest soar by more than 200 per cent, with Lefkada recording a 1,167 per cent spike in ferry bookings compared to 2024, according to the Ferryscanner data. The Greek National Tourism Organisation welcomes the shift, adding that any drop in Santorini does not reflect waning interest in Greece overall and that the country is encouraging a more diverse spread of destinations. 'This tourism season, Greece is experiencing an overall increase in visitor numbers compared to last year, in general and from the British market specifically, reaffirming its strong position as one of the world's leading destinations,' says Eleni Skarveli, Greece's national tourism director for the UK and Ireland. The tourism board also claim a surge in interest for smaller, lesser-known islands like Naxos, Tinos, Kythnos, Kea, Sifnos, or Kythira. The Greek government has said it is taking steps to future-proof its tourism model. Eleni reports an ambitious €322m (£277m) strategy. The plan includes €160m (£137m) to upgrade tourist ports and €56m (£48m) for developing mountain and winter tourism, including ski resorts. Overcrowded islands On Zante, the alarm bells rang earlier this year when a report by Which? Travel, based on EU data, named the Ionian island Europe's most overcrowded resort. With only 40,000 residents, it recorded six million overnight stays in 2023 – 150 per resident. Locals report roads, sewage systems, and other infrastructure buckling under the pressure. But Bluebell Tuck, a British expat who has lived in Zante for 30 years and owns O'Callaghans Loft bar in Laganas, claims that any suggestion of overtourism hasn't caused friction with the locals: 'They welcome it with open arms, they know that tourism is our industry. We all know there's no way the island can survive on olive oil and farming alone.' She claims Zante is set to be as busy as ever this summer, but the rise in all-inclusive hotels sees less money distributed across the island's other businesses. Despite the continued flow of tourists, she says that those who rely on tourism in Zante are not complacent and have seen cautionary tales from elsewhere in Greece, comparing it to Kavos in Corfu and Faliraki in Rhodes, both of which have seen a reported drop in British tourists in recent years. She says that her bar's DJ has recently left Cavos after 10 years, describing it as 'dead'. Though Tuck believes Zante still has a future – thanks in part to constant reinvestment by local businesses – she, like many others, is critical of a lack of government investment: 'Here people are building really beautiful beach bar venues, they are investing in boats for tourists to rent out, we have nice restaurants and beautiful shops. We are actually investing our money back into the island. The problem is the government doesn't.' She points to issues with waste collection as an example of a lack of investment. Water scarcity is also a long-standing concern. In Zante, many businesses now rely on privately purchased water to keep running, and on nearby Lefkada, residents faced water outages for much of this summer. Wildfires and the climate crisis Earlier this summer, the Acropolis – the nation's ancient iconic attraction – was forced to shut its gates to visitors as temperatures in Athens soared above 40C. Meanwhile, firefighters again battled devastating wildfires across Greece, with Zante burning for much of August. As the Acropolis bakes under the relentless sun, it stands as a stark reminder that even the strongest monuments are vulnerable. Greece's tourism sector, for all its might, is no different. A study by the National Observatory of Athens suggests that the country could see 15 to 20 more 'extreme heat days' per year by 2050. Hotels and resorts are scrambling to respond. Some are redesigning their outdoor spaces to include shaded areas, misting systems, and heat-resistant landscaping. Greek Tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni recently announced plans to promote 'climate-resilient tourism'. The Greek National Tourism Organisation has worked hard to promote the country as a year-round destination, urging travellers to visit in spring or autumn to relieve the peak summer strain. Yet many argue these measures fall short and, without coordinated reforms, fear the country risks repeating Icarus's fatal error: 'Mykonos and Santorini have already been overbuilt. It's irreversible.' Dimitri warns, adding that unless Greece rethinks tourism from the ground up – balancing economic benefits with sustainability – the country could risk losing what makes it special in the first place.
