If you need your holiday to include more than just laying on a sun lounger, joining a TUI Tour is the ideal way to get out and about. Not only are you in expert hands with our local English-speaking TUI Tour guides but you’ll be guaranteed an authentic experience that gives you a true flavour of the destination you’re in – whether you’re interested in food, wildlife, history or you love a bit of action. To put this to the test, Julia Bradbury set off to discover the Greek Islands. On her journey, she saw for herself how getting off the beaten path – and linking up with the locals – gives you a true taste of life beyond the tourist trail…
The Greek Islands with Julia Bradbury is currently on ITV on Fridays from 8pm to 8.30pm. Tune in to watch her adventures as she explores Greece’s lesser-known islands, and learn how you could get to the heart of the destination for yourself on an organised TUI Tour…
Learn how ultra-thin filo pastry is made as Rethymnon’s local baker, Mr Giorgios shows off his skills. Join our Culture Hit Crete tour and you’ll be able to make some for yourself. The tour also includes a visit to the deserted island of Spinalonga, once home to Europe’s last leper colony.
Julia discovers the history behind Corfu’s olive oil production as well as tasting spice-infused pastitsada – the signature dish of the island. The 220-kilometre-long Corfu Trail is the best way to delve into Corfu’s untouched landscapes, and explore the abandoned ‘hidden village’ of Old Perithia.
Julia explores hidden Santorini away from the luxury hotels and Instagrammable infinity pools. Discover inland hiking trails or head over to Thirasia – baby Santorini – where you’ll see a slice of what life was like 60 years ago. Treat your tastebuds to a local speciality, fava bean dip, and learn how fishermen are upcycling and recycling plastics from the sea around the island.
The Sporades are a cluster of 24 islands in the Aegean Sea and Julia gets to grips with two of them in this episode – Skaithos and Skopelos. The former is known for its emerald-green pine forests and exotic beaches while the latter was the backdrop for Hollywood film Mamma Mia! Jump on a traditional fishing boat for an insight into secret Skiathos, or head inland where you’ll uncover the island’s many monasteries.
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and is sunny for an impressive eight months of the year. Join the Rhodes, Simi & Beyond TUI Tour and, like Julia, you’ll explore Rhodes Old Town before heading over to Simi where you’ll visit a sponge workshop to find out more about the history of the island and its sponge-diving community.
Chios is one of the most undiscovered and unspoilt of all the Greek islands, and just happens to be where Julia’s ancestors originate from. Follow her journey through the ancient medieval castle village of Mesta to Vrondados. Watch as she stops along the way to learn about Mastica – an ancient aromatic resin that’s exported to over 50 countries – it’s what the island is most famous for.
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Greece
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Greece
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Greece
