Helen Iatrou

The cave suites offer a glimpse into Matera's lifestyle, while the Noble suites provide stunning views of the town.
From the rooms to the reception, contemporary Italian art pieces curated by hotelier Elsa Russo, catch the eye.
The spa, also built into a cave, has a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, cold plunge pool, and an outdoor relaxation area with spell-binding views.
A network of hiking trails that snake through Alta Murgia National Park is just a short walk from the hotel.
Enthusiastic local guides lead private walking tours of Matera and the nearby town of Altamura.

When the bougainvillea begin to blossom and the mistral starts to blow through the Mediterranean in spring, the yacht sailing season comes alive. From easygoing coastal regattas to challenging 600-nautical-mile races, the circuit welcomes sailors of all skill levels to experience the spirit of the sea.

Athens and I have been together almost three decades. Aussie-born with Greek roots, I was smitten with the rough-around-the-edges city the moment I stepped onto the airport tarmac and breathed in the summer air. Sure, we share a love/hate relationship. Motorbikes blaring outside my apartment window drive me mad. Wonky sidewalks planted with trees make traversing the city difficult. Summer traffic forces me to slow to a halt. But I adore Athens all the same.
Here’s my guide to navigating the best of Athens, including the top things to do, the must-try restaurants, and lovely hotels.

With its intriguing medieval Old Town, golden sand beaches, and hearty traditional cuisine, Rhodes has lured travelers for decades, many of whom return year after year. While the Dodecanese island is renowned for its 300-plus days of sunshine each year, you could be forgiven for thinking Rhodes is all about hanging out on the beach, feasting at homely tavernas, and partying at bohemian-styled beach bars. In recent years, Rhodes has evolved into a multi-faceted travel destination that attracts nature lovers, serious gourmands, and history buffs.

Greek food sings of the summer — it’s best enjoyed outside, from mainland mountaintops to island beaches. Mezze spreads celebrate punchy purple olives, garlicky dips and herb-sprinkled cheese, while salads of sun-ripened tomatoes, tangy feta and fragrant oregano are perfect with just-landed grilled fish or slow-stewed legumes cooked in outdoor ovens following recipes that date back to antiquity. Here are the nine essential dishes to try when in Greece.

Greek food sings of the summer — it’s best enjoyed outside, from mainland mountaintops to island beaches. Mezze spreads celebrate punchy purple olives, garlicky dips and herb-sprinkled cheese, while salads of sun-ripened tomatoes, tangy feta and fragrant oregano are perfect with just-landed grilled fish or slow-stewed legumes cooked in outdoor ovens following recipes that date back to antiquity. From Macedonia in the north to Crete in the south, we explore the country via its standout dishes.

In 2003, Greece was feverishly preparing a homecoming for the Olympics. Despite countless news headlines claiming Athens wouldn’t be ready in time, the 2004 Games were staged successfully, more than a century after the Greek capital hosted the first modern Games in 1896.
But if you ran a Google search for "Athens" at the time, the results would surprise you. Page after page listed links to information on Athens, Georgia. Sure, the southern US city, incorporated in 1806, was named in honor of the intellectual thought and higher learning that thrived in classical Greece.

Everywhere you look along Rhodes’ extensive coastline, you’re likely to spot a beach. From the family-friendly golden shores and ultramarine waters of Tsambika in the northeast to the rolling sand dunes of Mavros Kavos in the southeast, the choices are endless. Not only that but several beaches are linked with significant individuals and periods in the island’s history – even a Hollywood star. St Paul’s Bay is named after the Apostle who is thought to have paid a visit; Kallithea Springs was built during Mussolini’s reign when Rhodes was under Italian occupation.

The heart of Rhodes' nightlife is mostly split between the Old Town and the new town. Within the medieval streets, there are some excellent wine bars showcasing the country’s most formidable wineries, frequently with soloist performances. Locals tend to congregate at unpretentious, dimly lit bars on buzzy Arionos Square, or burn off energy dancing until late in small, lively open-air establishments. Rhodes Town offers curious diversity, from a craft beer joint to a speakeasy, most of which are hidden down alleyways.

Brimming with olive groves, fruit trees and vegetable patches, verdant Rhodes offers up a delectable array of culinary offerings that ranges from firmly old school to five-star innovative. While the choice of quality establishments in the medieval Old Town is slim, there is a diamond or two to be found in the back alleys. A down-home taverna hidden in a remote village and a fine dining restaurant at a resort on the northeast coast are both striving to reawaken local dishes almost lost to time, albeit in different ways.

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Rhodes, fittingly, gives praise to Greek sun god Helios. Beyond the myriad beaches, there lies historical drawcards such as the ancient Acropolis of Lindos and Europe's best preserved and liveliest medieval city. On the north-east coast, a trek to a hilltop monastery rewards you with a phenomenal beachscape. Inland offerings are plentiful: from a remote traditional village whose women's cooperative remains faithful to age-old recipes, to a young vintner quietly spreading the word on wine produced with the island's little-known grape varieties.

Despite being a classic bucket-and-spade destination, there is so much more to Rhodes than its 300-plus days of sunshine and long, sandy beaches. The grand Dodecanese island’s Unesco World Heritage-listed capital is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited medieval town and worth a visit in its own right. The Knights of the Order of St John, the Ottomans and Fascist-era Italian occupiers have all passed through, leaving an indelible mark.

With its intriguing medieval Old Town, golden sand beaches and hearty traditional cuisine, Rhodes has lured travellers for decades, many of whom return year after year. While the Dodecanese island is renowned for its 300-plus days of sunshine each year, you could be forgiven for thinking Rhodes is all about hanging out on the beach, feasting at homely tavernas and partying at bohemian-styled beach bars.

The fun starts early in Corfu. Long summer days spell carefree, feet-in-the-sand dance parties led by guest DJs that kick off well before the sun starts to set at the island’s dizzying array of sublime beach bars dotted around the coast. Many double as all-day restaurants and cafés, which means you can drink, dine, swim and dance from morning until late. In Corfu Town, it's a more subdued affair.

The warm turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea are hard to beat. From tiny pockets of pebbled perfection hidden beneath firs and pines along the somewhat swanky yet still unspoilt northeastern coast to surprisingly long, wide swathes of golden sand to the west, there’s a beach to keep everyone happy. Families gravitate toward the larger beaches that are furnished with sun loungers, in easy reach of a taverna or two and replete with water sports.