Kolymbia Holidays

In resort terms, Kolymbia is a bit of a wallflower. It keeps a low profile on the northeast coast of Rhodes, with just a handful of café bars, shops and restaurants along leafy Eucalyptus Road. A bay-side beach and mountain backdrop serve up the good looks – and if you need a bit of action, you’ve always got nearby Faliraki to up the tempo.

Set in a horseshoe-shaped bay, the sand and shingle stretch gives you the best part of a kilometre to play with. Here you’ll find a smart line-up of blue-and-white striped sunloungers with matching umbrellas. As for the water, it stays shallow for quite a way, so it’s great for kids. And you’ve got seafront cafés and tavernas when you need them.

Just next to the resort is Epta Piges – that’s Seven Springs. It’s a foresty area that comes with a lake, flowers and some unusual-looking plants. You’ve got top-notch walking trails here, or you can just do what the locals do and spread out a picnic and enjoy watching the ducks and peacocks.

Symi is one of Greece’s most photographed islands. When you arrive by boat it’s quite a sight – Venetian-style houses in pastel colours cling to the hills here. You’ve got lots to get round including churches, museums, a couple of really great monasteries and a ruined castle. And the narrow streets of the old town are filled with shops and bars. The boat trip takes about 2 hours.