THE 10 GREEK ISLANDS THAT YOU SHOULD VISIT THIS SUMMER

Finally, this time of the year has come! It’s summer already and you need to plan your vacation! You have several thoughts about your destination, but then it strikes you! You want to visit Greece; you’ve always wanted to. Greece may be dealing with several financial issues at the moment but it's shaping up to be one of the world's hottest destinations this summer.

But with more than 200 to choose from, which one is right for you? You don’t need to worry! I have created for you a complete list of the hottest greek islands that you should be squeezing into your office calendar now!

1. Santorini

When you set your foot on Santorini, you might get the feeling of deja vu; you've definitely seen the stereotypical shots of domed white-washed houses set against the bright blue sea. Although, you might be surprised to find out that some of the beaches are in fact black! Santorini is made of volcanic rock, hence the unusual colour of their dunes and is loaded with great boat tours, wine tours, and, of course, fantastic hotels and restaurants.

2. Mykonos

If you dream of partying 'til dawn, Mykonos is the right place to go. It's a popular stop for island hoppers, looking for a good time. Head to the island's Town for the best bars and nightclubs; from classy cocktails in Caprice to pumping dance music at Argo Bar.

3. Paros

A pearl in the Aegean Sea, Paros is home to plenty of postcard-perfect villages. Head to Parikia (the main town), Lefkes and Marpissa to enjoy the white-washed houses and mountains of home-cooked meze, the Greek version of Spanish tapas. Also, the cosmopolitan town of Naoussa has loads of great seafood restaurants and tavernas and is near an array of fine, uncrowded beaches, that you should definitely try.

4. Milos 

Milos, the Cycladic island of the famous Venus de Milo statue, is where many Greek lovers go on their honeymoons or just to get away from it all for a few days. The unique geology has endowed the island with a wealth of gorgeous beaches, including Sarakiniko with its surreal white landscapes. Also known as 'the Island of Colours' Milos is relatively quiet, compared with it's bigger neighbours, so stop by soon to enjoy its unspoiled landscape.

5. Crete

Long a popular destination for Europeans, Crete is not only the largest of the Greek islands but in many respects the most spectacular. You should head to the north, where you'll find some of the most interesting cities, such as Heraklion and the nearby Minoan ruins of Knossos as well as Rethymno and Chania. Discover scores of beaches to top up your tan on, plenty of fun in party town Malia, and traditional tavernas tucked away in hillside villages all over the island. Make sure you try a plate of snails, steamed, fried or grilled, they're a delicacy and island delight.

6. Zakynthos (Zante)

With the bluest blue waters and sands achingly silky and smooth, everything looks heavily photoshopped. In Zakynthos, which is the largest of the Ionian Islands, music is a huge part of the local culture; you can catch a concert or festival almost any night of the week, and you'll be captivated by the sights and sounds of Zakynthos performers.

7. Rhodes

This marvelous island is full of historical sites, such as the castle of Kritinia, a 16th-century Venetian fort. In fact, there's so much ancient history here that Rhodes's entire city centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, with Colossus, a 30m statue to the sun god Helios, as its main attraction.

8. Corfu

Unlike many islands in the Aegean, Corfu is quite green and it has one of the most picturesque old towns in the Mediterranean. You'll find plenty of drama in the flashy bars and nightclubs in Kavos, but you should also try Old Perithia in the northeast to see a different side to the island. Explore peaceful vineyards and beautiful Venetian-style ruins at the foot of Mount Pantokrator.

9. Naxos

Naxos's incredible natural beauty has earned its reputation as the Hawaii of Greece. Almost 100km of white sand beaches are lapped by crystal clear waters. Feel like Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, and find yourself a maiden to marry on Naxos, or take your own beach goddess there for a romantic retreat.

10. Koufonisia

Koufonisia is actually a complex of two islands: Pano Koufonissi and Kato Koufonissi. Located between Naxos and Amorgos, Koufonisia island is an ideal place to relax. There are many fantastic beaches and many of them are actually nudist places.