Ah, summer holidays. For a small slice of the year, it’s time to hit the beach, and do nothing but sip cocktails and cool off in the sea.
So, where should you go for ultimate R&R?
According to a new ranking, the Greek island of Mykonos is the number one relaxing holiday destination.
Chosen for its ‘small population and the number of wellness opportunities available from hiking trails to vegan and vegetarian restaurants’, the data also found that Mykonos is home to 21 spas and five wellness retreats.
It almost sounds too good to be true – and, it just might be.
With five-star resorts, a harbour full of yachts and glitzy clientele (Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski have all spent time there) an incredible two million tourists flock to Mykonos every single year.
But the Greek island is also a victim of its own popularity, with visitors complaining of overpricing, overtourism and inauthentic experiences.
Travel critic for the Telegraph, Heidi Fuller Love, described it as a ‘tawdry money trap’, while the amount of construction to build new developments across the island has been dubbed ‘wretched’ by the Greek courts.
The island’s notorious DK Oyster restaurant also regularly makes headlines, for all the wrong reasons, thanks to it’s eye-watering charges. In August 2022, a Canadian couple on their honeymoon said they were charged 400 euros (£335) for a beer, an Aperol spritz and a dozen oysters.
And tourists aren’t exactly leaving rave reviews about the place either.
The 'small but lovely' Greek island alternative to Mykonos
If you prefer a quieter (and cheaper) break, there’s another location in Greece blessed with similarly stunning views and scorching hot weather.
Nestled in the Aegean Sea is the Greek island of Paros. With its gorgeous beaches and crystal clear waters overlooked by breathtaking landscapes, Paros is often overlooked.
But it has everything you’d want from a sun-soaked getaway. There are a number of charming villages surrounded by nature here, such as Parikia, which is a port town and the island’s capital.
There’s lots to see for culture vultures too: the church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the 13th century Venetian Castle, the Archaeological Museum and a number of ancient sites, including the remains of the Old Temple of Athena.
And of course, there are a number of beaches on the island too. The top-rated on Tripadvisor is Kolymbithres Beach, described as a petite spot that has unique rock formations.
Paros actually featured in Netflix’s One Day – so book your trip now, before the TV fans discover it!
‘Skip Mykonos, can’t wait to leave’, wrote reviewer Dave, on Reddit, after his trip inSeptember.
‘Felt like everyone’s influencer or blogger brought them here,’ he wrote. ‘We were turned off by the price gouging, everything felt like a tourist trap.’
And another added: ‘The only thing keeping Mykonos alive is its reputation.’
While over on TripAdvisor, visitors complained of overcrowding. ‘Very busy with quite a few boats in the port, thousands of tourists jostling for position everywhere.
‘Completely swamped the Greek atmosphere that we had anticipated.’
Of course, that’s not to say that some people don’t have an incredible time on the island.
The best places to go to for a relaxing holiday
- Mykonos
- Phuket
- Ibiza
- Koh Phangan
- Santorini
- Zakynthos
- Hvar
- Tenerife
- Bali
- Capri
Source: Ibiza Summer Villas
‘Mykonos is pricy,’ wrote one Redditor, ‘but you are paying for the vibes of the island.
‘Whether or not those vibes of the island are worth the money is a personal decision. Mykonos is neither good nor bad; it is what it is.’
It might be time to go back to the summer holiday drawing board…
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