Some of the best walking in Europe is to be found in the Pindos mountains, an area of semi-nomadic shepherds, stone hamlets and wild, rocky national parkland. Walking is mainly on old mule tracks passing richly-decorated churches, monasteries and some 6,000 species of flowers including 100 types of orchid. Athens is the best place to start a tour of Greece's antiquities. Easily accessible from Athens are Epidaurus, with its spectacular restored theatre, the Bronze-Age fortress of Tiryns and the extensive ruins of Mycenae, Argos, the oracle at Delphi, and Olympia, birthplace of the Games. Flotilla holidays, which involve a group of yachts loosely following the same route, are an excellent way to feel independent while retaining sociable and safe contact with other craft.
Yachts come in all sizes and cater to all levels - unskippered or fully crewed.
In the Ionian, you can take in popular islands such as Zakinthos and Cephalonia, along with deserted craggy coves along the mainland shore and less visited islands such as the charming and undeveloped Kythira off the southern tip of the Peloponnese. An alternative to flotillas for the more tentative sailor are club-based holidays where a variety of water sports and craft can be tried out on a daily basis. Courses include creative writing, sailing, singing, dance, reiki, massage and yoga. Further south, in Crete, you can take a holistic holiday at a renovated 17th-century olive mill. Based in the bay of Kissamos, the West Crete Holidays centre is run by an English couple who offer courses in everything from yoga and belly dancing, to bird watching and the Alexander technique.