Travel + Leisure: 25 Secret European Villages

Two Greek destinations are ranked among those in which one can “discover a country’s soul”

In the latest electonic edition of its monthly travel magazine, Travel + Leisure devotes its Trip Ideas – Romantic Getaways section to “25 Secret European Villages.

Among those listed, two are Greek: Folegandros, ranked 10th and Kardamili, ranked 20th.

T + L, which has a 4.8 million readership and lists its main competitors as Condé Nast Traveler and National Geographic Traveler, has showcased two exquisite Greek destinations, showcasing the beauty and romanticism of some of Greece’s least known parts to a global audience.

In its preface, Travel + Leisure says: “Medieval churches, cobblestoned streets, and endless olive groves: head to these small European towns to discover a country’s soul.”

Of Folegandros, it says:

There’s no mistaking it, this tranquil spot in the Cyclades has nothing in common with neighboring Santorini: no building stands above two stories, no cruise ships pull into port, and there are no boutiques or fancy restaurants. Instead, on this remote island in the Aegean, waves crash on pebbled beaches, goats scurry up the hills, and an old wooden windmill twists in the salty breeze. It’s a delightfully quiet escape for those who have grown tired of Greece’s more trammeled getaways.”

Of Kardamili, it writes:

If you’ve heard murmurs that the jagged mountains and white-sand beaches of the Mani region are worth the trip from Athens, you’re not alone. Insiders head there for a traditional experience: authentic Greek salads and moussaka at Lela’s Taverna before spending the evening at the Elies Hotel’s outdoor patio, which overlooks the Gulf of Messenia. About three hours away on the Ionian Sea is the 765-room Costa Navarino resort with an observatory and tourism office dedicated to sustaining the village’s community and seafront.”

Giornico, Switzerland, was listed first out of 25.