Cyclades Islands

The Cyclades Islands are a constellation of sun-kissed jewels scattered across the Aegean Sea. Long a haven for luxury travellers, they're famed for their whitewashed cubist villages and fine beaches. Behind all that lies rustic villages, caves and canyons steeped in myth, craggy mountains, and herb-scented forests of pine and fir. From the lively streets of Mykonos to the ethereal sunsets of Santorini, the laid-back atmosphere of Paros to the culinary delights of Sifnos, there are oodles to pick from and oodles of luxury villas in the Cyclades Islands to match.

Santorini usually leads the way. It lurches from the inky-blue heart of the Aegean in a series of 300-metre-high cliffs topped with wisps of white – not cloud, but traditional Cycladean villages punctuated by the occasional bright blue church dome. The village of Oia offers unrivalled luxury stays there, not to mention sunset shows you'll never forget.

Mykonos is the party capital of the Cyclades. By day, relax on the golden sands of Psarou or Ornos beach. By night, head to the maze-like heart of Mykonos Town to clink cocktails in the hidden bars or devour fresh-cooked fish in the multi-coloured tavernas of Little Venice.

Paros is the third-largest of the Cyclades Islands, offering a plethora of beautiful sandy beaches. Enjoy seafront meals or cocktails in the capital, Parikia, or wander the streets of the quaint fishing village Naousa.

You can also pick luxury villas in the Cyclades Islands that sit on lesser-known isles. There's Antiparos, a small, secluded island blessed with a pretty port town. There's Kea, a bean-shaped isle at the north end of the chain with rust-tinged headlands and sleepy fishing villages. There's Syros, with its UNESCO-protected main town and neoclassical architecture. Or Sifnos, known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culinary scene.

No matter which of these Greek islands takes your fancy, a luxury villa holiday in the Cyclades will provide memories to last a lifetime.