Escapes to civilization: the Greek Isles remain places of profound beauty. (Destination: Greece).

Travel Agent, March, 2003 by Ruggia, James

People like to think of island vacations as escapes to remote havens away from civilization. Greece can't offer that: Its islands have plenty of empty beaches, but civilization in the form of ancient temples or churches, restaurants and nightclubs is never too far away.

For all of their serenity, the Greek islands feel more like the quiet eye at the center of the storm. "Greek island-hopping stays popular with FITs, even when other aspects of Greece aren't selling well," says Cally Pappas, president of New York-based Cloud Tours. "It remains the experience that ...