Athens is Greece’s iconic capital city, home to charming neighbourhoods, ancient ruins, seaside towns, open-air theatres, and countless landmarks, as well as a dynamic nightlife and glorious Mediterranean climate. Athens is also well and truly a foodie’s paradise; there are authentic Greek cuisines and local seafood dishes to sample in superb restaurants and tavernas dotted around the city. Book great value luxury holidays to Athens from UK with Brightsun Travel and look forward to discovering the hidden gems of this spellbinding city.

The ancient charm of Athens is what makes this city so appealing; the sightseeing opportunities are boundless. Amongst the city’s best icons is the Parthenon Temple, dedicated to the Greek goddess of Athena and showcasing historic Greek architecture. Another notable landmark is the Acropolis of Athens - an ancient citadel majestically towering over the city. If you climb to the top of the Acropolis, you’ll be treated to spectacular 360 degree views of Athens.

In the southern suburbs of Athens you’ll discover the Athenian Riviera, offering the perfect escape from the city with a stunning stretch of coastline adorned with emerald waters, golden sands, and rocky coves. We also recommend that you take a stroll around the districts of Metaxourgeio, Psyri and Exarcheia to admire Athens’s impressive street art murals. Finally, if you like a spot of shopping, don’t miss the chic boutiques of the Plaka neighbourhood and the bustling Monastiraki Flea Market.

Corfu, nicknamed the Emerald Island is situated off the northwest coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea, surrounded dazzling blue waters. This island offers a warm Mediterranean climate, charming historic sites, blue flag beaches, and scenic natural landscapes of hills, rock formations, and mountains offering incredible hiking experiences. There is lots to explore in Corfu, including the island’s pretty local villages.

Visiting Corfu will feel like stepping back in time to a bygone area; the island has a rich cultural heritage that is best discovered at the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage. This beautifully preserved ancient site is filled with Venetian, French, and British buildings, fortresses, and palaces among its narrow cobblestone laneways and hidden squares, plus quaint boutiques, tavernas, cafes, and souvenir stores.

Another highlight of Corfu is its top-class museums which allow an interesting insight into the island’s culture and history. The Archaeological Museum of Corfu is a must-visit, home to historic remains from the ancient city of Corfu, from marble statues to pottery and temple ruins. Another museum worth noting is the Casa Parlante Museum, a historic mansion recreating daily life in Corfu during the 19th century.

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, combining the best of all things Greek with a warm and sunny Mediterranean climate. This alluring island boasts around 650 miles of coastline which form an array of beaches, and also has some wonderful rural landscapes; there are rugged mountain ranges, lush valleys, olive groves, hills filled with colourful flora, and snow-capped peaks to admire. Brightsun Travel offers great value luxury holidays to Crete from the UK, so you can visit this stunning island in style.

Crete’s natural beauty is complimented by its rich history; the island dates back over 4000 years, so there is a lot of ancient charm to be witnessed here. Crete is also steeped in culture… The locals of this island are spirited and passionate about their nation, and many time-honoured traditions are still thriving, especially when it comes to cooking. Locals prepare their Greek dishes with vegetables gathered from hillsides, cheeses made from traditional household recipes and sauces flavoured by the herbs of the Cretan mountains.

The main hub of the island is Heraklion, offering bustling beaches and an immense night scene. Rethymno is a less hectic Cretan city, renowned for its exceptional locally-made wines and old quarter. Then there’s Chania, located on Crete’s north-western coast which boasts some of Greece’s best beaches and sightseeing attractions. Lassithi is another popular Cretan city with many historic sites and picturesque harbour-side towns to explore. We have a great package holiday to Elounda town in Lassithi at the 5* Elounda Bay Palace resort.

Kos, one of the Dodecanese islands is a truly special holiday destination, situated on the turquoise Aegean Sea with a coastline of golden sand beaches, coves, and bays, plus lush verdant backdrops. Kos, also known as Hippocrates' Island boasts charming villages, ancient monuments, and decadent local food, to name a few. Brightsun Travel offers cheap Kos holiday packages, allowing you to experience all of this and more!

There is plenty to explore and admire during a getaway to Kos. The island’s main town is filled with cultural and historical attractions, including Neratzia Castle – Castle of the Knights of Saint John, the best preserved medieval monument on the island, the Temple of Asclepius which is considered as one of Greece’s most stunning archaeological sites, and the Haggi Hassan Mosque, an awe-inspiring minaret dating back to the 18th century.

Once you’ve relaxed on Kos’s beaches and explored the town, why not let your hair down and take part in a thrilling adventure? In Kos you can enjoy a range of water based activities including surfing, scuba diving, and boat excursions to surrounding islands. Kos is located a short ferry journey from the charming Turkish city of Bodrum, which makes for an exciting daytrip.

Rhodes, the capital and largest of the Dodecanese islands is an authentic travel destination offering laid-back beach settings and around 300 days of sunshine per year - perfect for a chilled out holiday with plenty of awesome adventure and exploration opportunities. The island is a foodie’s haven, offering a great choice of local and international cuisine at Greek taverns, pubs, cafes, and gourmet restaurants, to name a few.

Rhodes has a long and rich history dating back thousands of years, and there are historic remnants to admire all across the island at archaeological sites and monuments. Rhodes’ Old Town is worth noting; this UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated within the grounds of a medieval castle with influences from ancient civilisations at old houses, walls, gates, and statues, plus there are market style shops, local eateries, and roof-top bars offering incredible sunset vistas.

When in Rhodes, we recommend taking a day trip to Lindos, a quaint fishing village and archaeological site. Lindos can be reached by coach or boat, and when you arrive you can look forward to exploring pretty whitewashed towns, beaches, and cobblestone laneways filled with local shops, bars, taverns, and ice cream parlours. The towering Acropolis of Lindos is one of Greece’s most important ancient sites, home to centuries’ old temple ruins.

Stunning Santorini forms part the Cyclades islands, and is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. This idyllic island has it all, from colourful cliffsides to delicious Mediterranean cuisine, historic sites, and best of all beaches with volcanic landscapes, allowing you to sit back and relax in the Santorini sunshine. There are also plenty of adventure opportunities on the island including jet skiing, horse riding, and scuba diving.

You’ll love strolling through the whitewashed towns of Santorini; there is some incredible architecture to admire across the island throughout its narrow winding alleys, from mansions to caves and churches, taking you back in time to a bygone area. Historical highlights include Akrotiri which is one of the Aegean’s most significant prehistoric settlements, and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, located in Santorini’s capital, Fira.

A trip to Santorini is incomplete without witnessing the island’s famed sunset, and there’s no better place to view it than the charming town of Oia. Head up to Oia Castle to witness the sun setting over Oia’s whitewashed buildings and hillside windmills and make sure you have your camera ready to witness the multi-coloured hues. Sound like your kind of travel experience? Contact Brightsun who can help you plan unforgettable Santorini holidays.

Visit Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city located on the Thermaic Gulf and look forward to an array of holiday highlights including charming pedestrian-friendly streets filled with taverns, an impressive gastronomic scene with cuisines influenced by several cultures, and amazing views of the Aegean Sea. Brightsun Travel offers a great choice of package holidays to Thessaloniki in partnership with Aegean Airlines.

History buffs will be in their element at Thessaloniki – the city is home to relics and ruins from ancient empires such as the Byzantine era. A visit to the Vlatadon Monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage Site is not to be missed, plus the Byzantine Baths. Delve deeper into Thessaloniki’s heritage by visiting the city’s impressive museums including the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture.

Thessaloniki offers an ideal base location for exploring the city’s surrounding regions in Northern Greece. You can embark on incredible day trips beyond the city to local vineyards, sandy beaches, plus the Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas National Park – one of Europe’s most important wetland systems just 10km from the city with dazzling lagoons, marshes, salt flats, dunes, and native wildlife and birdlife.