As the cradle of European civilisation, Greece is wall to wall with archeological sites — including Olympia itself, where you can still sprint along the track where the first athletes performed.

For most of us, however, it is blue seas, rather than Blue Guides, that lie at the heart of our love of Greece. The country has been fragmented by Zeus and co into hundreds of tiny islands, 70 of which are not only inhabited, but put a large welcome mat out for visitors.

With each island distinctively different from its neighbours, it’s rather like having the whole of the Caribbean, or the archipelagos of the South Seas, right on our doorstep.

And if you can’t make up your mind which blob on the blue is for you, there’s always a ferry to take you to another, or a yacht to sail between a few. You can also combine blue seas and Blue Guides by staying on the mainland — nowhere in Greece is more than 60 miles from the coast.

As well as the tangible attractions, there’s another endearing aspect to Greece that makes it such a rewarding place to holiday. The pace of Greek life is the least frenetic in Europe, driven by a laid-back, “no problem” philosophy that would no doubt drive you crazy if you were going on business, but is just what the doctor ordered if you’re on holiday.

Greece is a destination of simple pleasures. Don’t go for luxury resorts, palatial villas, impeccable service, fancy cuisine or — apart from Santorini and Mykonos — cutting-edge style. But do go to recuperate from the everyday pressures of home. Whether you go on a package or, just as easily, under your own steam, you should have a perfect holiday.

Unless stated, prices are per person per week, based on two sharing, and include transfers. Where packages include flights, prices are based on London departures: direct departures from UK regional airports and Ireland are often available, usually for a small supplement. In several cases, we have given two prices, the first for departures in June, the second in August, to give an idea of the savings to be made outside school holidays

GREECE FOR BEACHES

Most holidays to Greece are all about the deep blue yonder — swimming in it, lounging beside it, boating across it and goggling under it. There are beaches all over, but where are the best? To narrow the field, we’ve picked three areas, each with plenty of strands to choose from.

SKIATHOS

You can find good sands on a number of Greek islands — Zakynthos (Zante), Cephalonia, Lefkas, Thasos, Corfu, Crete — but Skiathos has some of the best. The most famous beach in Greece, Koukounaries, is here, but there are at least 40 others.

As well as having beaches, Skiathos is a mixed bag of pleasures: it’s green and scenic, nightlife is lively without being yobbish, the town is a 10-minute cab ride from the airport, and, if you’re coming down with island fever, you can hop on a hydrofoil to its more peaceful neighbours, Skopelos and Alonnisos.

Sample package: a week at Villa Kerassi, on the relatively undeveloped Kanapitsa peninsula, costs £519/£639, based on four sharing, including flights, through Islands of Greece (020 8940 5157, www.islands-of-greece.com). Or try Argo (0870 066 7070, www.argoholidays.com); Manos (0870 753 0530, www.manos.co.uk); Simply Greece (020 8541 2203, www.simplytravel.com); or Simpson Travel (020 8392 5852, www.simpson-travel.com).

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