Frewin Poffley, the writer and researcher of Greek Island Hopping, writes, 'The perfect island-hopping itinerary requires three basic ingredients: a convenient starting point, a good mix of island-hopping destinations, and a reassuringly easy means of getting back to your flight home.'
In its 20th Edition the Island Hopper's Bible is Back
Each year the Greek Island Hopping guidebook is fully updated, giving the reader and traveller the most comprehensive information available about the Greek islands. With its 1,425 islands, 166 of which are inhabited–and 78 of them connected by ferry service–a good guidebook to the islands is essential. Poffley is the expert on travelling around the islands, and his book meets his own three basic ingredients.
Ferry Schedules, Routes, Example Itineraries Between the Islands
With its reliable information on all of the islands and how best to travel to and between them, Greek Island Hopping will suit both the experienced and the first-time traveller to Greece. Island hoppers need up-to-date information on the mainland ports, and its ferries, hydrofoils and tour boats–all of which this 720 page book has. The book also contains 230 route maps, and includes typical inter-island 'deck' fares in Euro prices–for example, Mykonos to Skiathos, is €21.00. Advice on ticket agents, who can be devious in their dispensing of information on schedules, is an invaluable feature.
The Book Covers Every Greek Island That is Accessible by Ferry or Boat or Hydrofoil
This book prides itself on having the low-down on 'all known Greek island ferry services' and as it is annually updated one might say that the author is the world authority on Greek ferries and on island- hopping. In fact, the book claims to be the only guidebook to have full ferry information. Poffley also reviews over 1800 places to stay on the islands including addresses and telephone numbers of a variety of accommodation options. It includes descriptive island ratings, colour 3D-view sightseeing maps, and even contains street maps of the top 60 islands' major towns and ports. Important telephone numbers like police and hospitals are listed for each island and interesting and little-known facts. For example, the island of Leros used to be where the Greek government placed all of the country's lunatics and called it the 'State Therapeutical Hospital of Leros'.
Greek Island Hoppers are Supported by an Updated Website
In addition to annually updating the Hoppers Bible, Poffley also runs a website to which he is continually adding information and valuable news items. As Alison Cook, a journalist wrote in 2001 in a review 'This is an unashamedly practical book. It is well laid out and easy to use.' What made the book a 'valuable travel tool' nearly ten years ago seems to have changed little, in fact, it's even better. The powerful website provides more information and updates. It's the kind of guidebook a traveller to the Greek islands wouldn't leave home without–an essential ingredient for a perfect island-hopping holiday.
Readers might be also interested in Prospero's Cell by Lawrence Durrell
Greek Island Hopping 2010 by Frewin Poffley is published by Thomas Cook Publishers ISBN 978-1-84848-313-2
Christine Breen-Williams - Writer, Homeopath, Gardener Christine has a MA in Literature from University College, Dublin and is a published writer.
