But for something truly tranquil, head further west to the Ionian for a painting holiday on the island of Corfu where, away from the obvious tourist areas, there are deep green valleys, olive groves and tall cypress trees making a perfect backdrop. Classes are hosted by Wendy Jelbert, a professional artist, teacher and member of both the Society of Acrylic Painters and The Society of Women Artists. The medium is watercolour and classes cater to all levels. Pack an enormous reserve of energy and head straight for the Cyclades. You can't fly direct, and the island's clientele are mostly young backpackers, with so many of them originating from Ireland that Ios is sometimes said to be an acronym for Ireland Over Seas.
Visitors seem either to stay for an entire season or leave on the next boat.
The queen of the Cyclades however, is Mykonos. Ibiza and Sitges may have superseded it as gay Meccas of the Med, but Mykonos still has a thriving scene, and with its immaculate whitewashed houses and picture-perfect windmills, the main town is as beautiful as any in the Aegean. It was a sophisticated outpost of the Minoan civilisation until an enormous volcanic explosion in 1,550BC ripped the island apart. A direct bus from Athens airport goes to the port of Piraeus, from where you can board a daily ferry to Ios. Ferry services to the far-flung islands are often infrequent, so it's easiest to travel in peak season.