Of course, seven nights before the mast is not everyone’s idea of a perfect holiday. But it’s quite feasible to go Greek island-hopping without hoisting sail yourself, or backpacking and sleeping on beaches.
Ionian Island Holidays includes group A car hire in the price of its villas with private pools, self-catering properties and family-run hotels on Kefalonia, Ithaka, Lefkas and Meganisi. Weekend flights are from Gatwick and Manchester to Preveza for Lefkas and Meganisi, or to Kefalonia for Kefalonia and Ithaka. Motoring itineraries are flexible and are tailored to visitors’ specific requests. As well as return flights and car hire, accommodation and ferry transfers, prices (from pound;585 per person per week, or pound;755 for two weeks) include some thoughtful extras such as travel guides, a hamper, a cool box and even a mobile phone to call for help when you get thoroughly lost. And to aid half-term getaways this summer, the Kefalonian-run company has reduced the price of all its holidays by 10 per cent for TES readers for departures on May 24 and 25 from Gatwick and Manchester. A week at the Alexanna Apartments, a 10-minute drive from Fiskardo, is now pound;495 per person. Details: 020 8459 0777; www.ionianislandholidays.com.
