The Greek isles, all 6,000 of them, are one of the world’s legendary holiday destinations, providing inspiration for travel classics like Henry Miller’s Colossus of Maroussi. And with Greece’s debt troubles, they are now more affordable than ever. A week-long holiday can run less than RMB20,000 and half of that is your airline ticket.

The Greek isles have it all–history dating back to the dawn of civilization (Santorini), party islands full of naked people (Mykonos), nature (Crete), jet set elite (Paxi) and fantastic beaches (Zakynthos). If you’ve less than 10 days (and considering there’s no air services between island systems), it’s best to confine yourself to one of the three main island groups–the Cyclades, Dodecanese or Ionian.

The Cyclades are known for its ancient history. The islands range in a rough circle around the sacred island of Delos. Known in mythology as the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, this uninhabited island (and UNESCO heritage site) is perfect for a day trip checking out ancient ruins and mosaics. Naxos has its share of antiquity but throws in medieval castles. Take a day exploring Hora’s stone-paved alleys. On Paros, visit the famed marble quarries which have been operating for 3,000 years. The volcanic island of Santorini is the most iconic of the Greek isles, in recent years becoming quite the famous honeymoon destination. Before you hit the Cyclades, visit the wonderful Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens.

The Ionian islands are the only major group not in the Aegean Sea, so places like Corfu feel like typical Italian cities. They are also known as hosting some of the world’s superyachts. It’s a high-end destination, quiet and with a high standard of service, a far cry from the anything goes attitude on Mykonos. Explore amazing sea caves on Paxi or the hidden beaches of Zakynthos–sandy spits protected by high sea cliffs and only reachable by boat.

The Dodecanese are where you find the remains of Byzantine civilization (Telendos) and old Roman temples (Kos). On the island of Patmos, sit in the sea cave where St. John penned the Book of Revelations. The Saronic islands are the closest to Athens, perfect for time-pressed travelers. Even better, they make a great jumping off point to the iconic sites of the eastern Peloponese such as Argos and Mycena). Nature lovers flock to Crete for Elafonnisi’s incredible beaches and hiking in the Samaria Gorge.

One of the prevailing myths about traveling the Greek isles is the need to book everything in a package. You can do everything yourself online including booking all-important ferry tickets. When you get to an island, you’ll want to book a car for the day (€30-40), as public transport is inconvenient at best. Organizing your own boat for a multi-day trip is also becoming very popular. Either book in advance (do your due diligence on TripAdvisor first) or make an arrangement with a local boat captain when you get off the ferry from Athens.

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