Discover the real Greece with those in the know

Jan. 5, 2012 - PRLog -- Expert operator to Greece, Sunvil Holidays, has launched its 2012 real Greece brochure, featuring an enticing mix of holidays to the more authentic parts of this captivating country.

Sunvil Holidays’ 2012 Greece programme reflects all that is great about Greece including: traditional, working villages that retain their authentic flavour; beautiful, mountainous inland areas; a wealth of ancient sites on the mainland; small – and often owner-managed – cottages, apartments and hotels of character. Its 2012 programme is amongst the best, and one of the most varied, Greece offerings in the UK.

New for 2012 is the emerald isle of Thassos, featuring the four-star Ilio Mare Hotel located directly on a Blue Flag beach, and the peaceful Geni peninsular on Lefkas. Sea kayaking safaris around the rugged island of Alonissos – located in the largest marine protected area in Europe – are also on offer for the first time.

Dudley der Parthog, Programme Director, comments: “I believe 2012 will actually be a good year to visit Greece. The nation’s economic woes should mean quieter beaches and tavernas, and an even warmer welcome than usual. Whatever the situation in central Athens, traditional life continues as it always has done on the islands and in the villages.

“We have been operating to Greece for over 35 years and have seen many other operators to this beautiful country come and go. I believe there are two main reasons for our longevity: we have always strived to maintain our values as a true specialist tour operator, and we have never tried to grow too fast.”

NEW HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2012
A new destination: Mountain villages, golden beaches and swathes of pine, chestnut and olive trees make up the lush isle of Thassos. The hill villages in particular ooze authentic Greek charm – venture to Kazaviti, only a few kilometres from the Ilio Mare Hotel. This elegant property offers comfortable rooms set amid tropical gardens and three restaurants, yet caters well for families – there’s a kid’s club, children’s pool and playground and baby-sitting services. Prices start at £750 pp (two sharing) including return flights (Gatwick), B&B (free half board in low season) and transfers.

A new region: The thickly-wooded Geni peninsular is a quiet area with some good country-style tavernas built directly above the water. This is a rural area perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds. The best way to get around is by hired motorboat – moorings are available close to the Ilios Club hotel, which offers simple studios and apartments set among olive trees. A seven-night stay costs from £591 pp (two sharing) including return flights (Gatwick), self-catering accommodation and transfers.

A new activity: Remote and wild, the Sporades isle of Alonissos is located in Europe’s largest marine protected area, with a population of rare monk seals. One way to explore the rugged coastline in the hope that you might spot one of these reclusive animals, among other marine life, is by sea kayak. Three sea kayak safaris (two half-days and one full-day) aimed at both beginners and experienced paddlers cost £133 pp. A seven-night stay at the Votsalo Apartments near Patitiri (the main port) costs from £588 pp (two sharing) including return flights (Gatwick), self-catering accommodation and transfers.

Nearly 40 new properties have also been added for 2012, with more choice on the islands of Alonissos, Ithaca and Tilos, and in Sivota, Pelion and Kardamili on the mainland.

The brochure lead-in price is £481 pp (including early booking discount) for seven nights’ self-catering accommodation at the Villa Irene in Aghios Gordis, Corfu, including return flights (Gatwick) and transfers, based on four sharing in May.

Early booking offers include ‘two weeks for the price of one’ and reductions of up to £40 per person on one week holidays, applicable to off-peak stays (book by 29 February 2012).

To request the new Sunvil Holidays real Greece brochure, call 020 8758 4747 or visit http://www.sunvil.co.uk for a pdf copy downloadable by island/section.

Ends                                                                                                                 05 January 2011

Press: For more information on Sunvil’s real Greece programme, please contact Anthony Sebastian at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email a.sebastian@travelpr.co.uk.

Notes to editors: Sunvil Holidays offers complete peace of mind. Unlike the potential risks of booking a holiday DIY-style on the web, your money is 100% safe, guaranteed by the company’s bonds with the Civil Aviation Authority and AITO Trust, and via its membership of both AITO and ABTA.  And, as Sunvil acts as the principal and not merely as an agent for its suppliers, the company takes full responsibility for every aspect of its holidays and customer welfare.

Sunvil has always stayed true to its original mission to provide sustainable, low-volume, low-impact tourism to areas off-the-beaten-track. Over the past three years, Sunvil and its clients have raised the impressive amount of £64,618 for various verified carbon offset projects. Carbon offset money donated by Sunvil helps fund many good causes, including the implementation of solar power for the visitor and community centres in Retezat National Park, located in the Southern Carpathians in Romania. A further £18,724 has, in addition, been raised for UK charity The Travel Foundation. Sunvil’s Managing Director, Noel Josephides, devotes a lot of his time to the charity.

Sunvil’s Real Greece – destinations, flexible fly-drives and activities
• 31 islands and the mainland: Alonissos, Amorgos, Andros, Astypalea, Corfu, Crete, Halki, Hydra, Ikaria, Ithaca, Karpathos, Kefalonia, Lefkas, Lemnos, Leros, Lipsi, Meganissi, Naxos, Nissyros, Paros, Patmos, Paxos, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos, Skopelos, Symi, Thassos, Tilos, Zakynthos. Mainland areas of Parga, Sivota, Epirus, Halkidiki, the Pelion and the Peloponnese (including Tolon, Nafplion and the south)
• Completely flexible, fly-drive itineraries to northern and central Greece, Epirus and the Peloponnese, including the monasteries at Meteora, classical sites such as Delphi and Olympia, the Vikos Gorge and much more
• Multi-centre holidays combining Patmos & Samos, Corfu & Paxos, Kefalonia & Ithaca, Tilos & Symi, north & south Peloponnese, Naxos & Santorini, north & south Crete and many more
• Painting holidays on Alonissos, Samos, the Peloponnese and Crete
• Sea kayaking and guided, full-day walks on Alonissos with the author of a local walking guide
• Flotilla, bare-boat charter and learn-to-sail holidays in the Ionian Sea (from Lefkas)
• Pre-bookable motorboat hire and watersports, including learn to windsurf, dinghy sail and waterski (from Lemnos and Tolon – family tuition from £78)
• Assistance with arranging an exclusive visit to Mount Athos on Halkidiki (men only)
• City breaks to Athens and island cruises from Piraeus
• Tailor-made holidays for odd durations, unusual combinations and non-standard arrangements

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