The holiday destination is particularly popular because, in addition to its sun, sea and sand, it has the "extra dimension" of its cultural sites, states Nick Edwards, co-author of the Rough Guide to Greece. Furthermore, the people are very welcoming and there is a "great" nightlife, he states. "It's easy for people to combine cultural sightseeing with lazing around in the sun and watersports," Mr Edwards suggests.

One aspect of the appeal of the Greek islands is that they all have different characteristics, he adds, meaning that people often return to a different one each time, as "one of the things they like is the variety". The Greek National Tourism Organisation states that the country boasts an "abundance" of cultural and ecological attractions. It lists 17 archaeological sites and cultural areas which have been designated monuments of cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.