Lured by sun-kissed landscapes, world-class cultural sites and lovely islands lapped by limpid turquoise seas, more than 30 million overseas tourists arrived in Greece in 2019 – roughly three times the country’s population. 

Greeks, who are well aware of their country’s charms, firmly believe that there’s no better place in the world for a holiday. “Why bother going anywhere else when we have islands as good as in the Caribbean?” you’ll hear one person say to another at the supermarket checkout. 

“And our food! It’s the best and healthiest in the world,” the other will inevitably reply. 

Unlike the British mania for getting away from it all, however, staycation Ellada style is all about ‘parea’ – the people who keep you company, whether in your own family unit or in the wider context of where you stay. This is why – in the past – Greek hotel rooms were quite Spartan. Spend time on your own? Away from your friends? Not likely! 

Although younger Greeks are generally found striking Instagrammable poses round pools and clubs in Mykonos and Santorini, in summer – as the August full moon rises like a ripe watermelon over the Acropolis – most will return sto chorio, ‘their’ village, the place where their family originates from, which is usually some wild mountain hideaway where goats cheese comes direct from the udder; granddad made the (ropey) wine and grandma does the cooking (and no-one, not even that top celebrity chef, cooks quite like grandma).

Extravagant and exuberant, Greek holidays are all about enjoying the simple pleasures: good food and good company in one of the world’s most glorious countries. Here’s how to do the same.

Kimolos

If Mykonos is a magnet for the rich and famous, its fellow Cycladic island Kimolos, sheltering in the lea of big sister Milos, is its antithesis. Favoured by Athenians in high season, this bijou atoll is popular with waterbabes who come here to lounge on pristine beaches which are amongst the best in Greece. 

Stay: For a feet-in-the-sand holiday it has to be Thalassa Beach House. Rooms from £140 per night (ariahotels.gr)