Country Life

The main attraction

CRETE or Mykonos? Or what about less-trodden islands, such as Icaria or Ithaca? Every year, thousands of holiday-makers set off to Greece in search of sun and sea from the Ionian isles to the Dodecanese. But, although there might be 2,000-odd islands to choose from, four-fifths of Greece’s territory is actually on the mainland—gloriously pristine and, with the possible exception of the Peloponnese, largely overlooked.

The landscape is dramatic—craggy, mountainous terrain that, at various points, stretches forward into the Mediterranean like gnarled fingers. This rugged beauty is paired with a rich, unparalleled history—Ancient Greek, Byzantine and Ottoman empires have all left their mark. It’s a year-round destination that’s as close to the gods as

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