From Large to Small: Which Greek island is right for you?

The Greek islands are a collection of over 6,000 islands and islets off the coast of Greece. Only 227 of these islands are inhabited by residents. Seventy eight of the islands contain more than 100 residents. The wide variety of the Greek Islands make it a perfect destination for holiday travel, whether you are looking for a quiet, private vacation or a busier holiday with plenty of attractions. Although exotic, a 2012 Greek island holiday is more attainable that you think.

Because of the vast numbers of Greek Islands, the inhabited islands are divided into six different groups.

The Cyclades islands are the best known Greek islands for holiday travel and they include Santorini and Mykonos, two popular holiday destinations. Although you can fly into the island of Santorini, many people opt for the ferry ride because it is visually stunning. Santorini is the most popular island in Greece, full of white, sandy beaches and delicious culinary experiences and plenty of nightlife attractions. For history buffs, the Ruins of Ancient Thira is a popular destination.

Mykonos is a wilder Greek island, with its primary focus on non-stop dancing and nightclubs. With its international airport and plenty of ferries, the visitors of Mykonos are not looking for a peaceful escape, but an entertainment haven. From Mykonos, you can take a short ferry ride to nearby uninhabited ancient island of Delos to visit the expansive ruins on the island. Although expensive, you can find an affordable Greek island villa on this island.

The Dodecanese chain of Greek islands are the most southern group of islands. Some of these islands are popular tourists destinations with resorts, beaches and restaurants while others are quieter and more quaint. Rhodes is the most popular island of the the Dodecanese chain. With an international airport, Rhodes offers a number of attractions for all different holiday travellers. Beautiful beaches, historical sites, stunning vistas, plenty of nightlife and impressive resorts, Rhodes is a perfect destination for your Greek island villa this holiday.

Halki is another island from the Dodecanese group. Halki is a mostly unspoiled island, perfect for travellers looking for a bit more quiet than action. With no cars on the island and a small industry, it can be tough to find a room. There is a daily caique but no ferries or planes go to the small island. Karpathos is a small, traditional island. It does have some hotels and beaches but you can still find the small town using medieval customs and crafts.

The other sets of Greek islands are quieter and not as popular as tourists destinations. These Greek island groups include Northern Aegean, Ionian and Saronic Islands. If you are thinking of taking a 2012 Greek Island holiday, there are many different islands to choose from depending on your personal taste and preference.