Plan a Greek Odyssey
Greece will be a popular holiday destination as summer nears. SARAH MARSHALL learns more
A FIRM favourite with British and Irish travellers, Greece is set to become a prime holiday destination this summer, after its government announced it would be welcoming all vaccinated tourists from May.
But where to go? Here’s a selection of some of the most alluring spots.
BEST FOR HIPSTERS: Mykonos
A party isle popular with bohemians since the 1960s, this island was experiencing a renaissance in pre-covid days, as celebs filled clubs and bars.
Beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise are magnets for hedonists, but elsewhere on the island, there are more sedate spots. Of the 25 beaches available, family favourite Elia has the longest white sand sweep; Platis Gialos and Kalafatis are great for water sports.
Hora (also known as Mykonos Town) is a maze of narrow bougainvillea-draped streets, packed with boutique shops, cafés and picturesque churches.
BEST FOR ROMANTICS: Santorini
Sunsets are the number one attraction on this Greek island, a flooded caldera carved by a volcanic eruption almost 3,500 years ago.
Take a boat trip to the Nea Kameni and hot springs at Palia Kameni, or head inland to the village of Pyrgos to enjoy the slow pace of local life.
While cruise ships and Instagrammers flock to the north, the opposite end of the island is still sleepy.
BEST FOR CULTURE: Peloponnese
Some of the country’s most important archaeological sites can be found in this scenic mainland peninsula. The birthplace of the Olympic Games in 776BC, Olympia features a temple of Zeus, the ancient stadium, and a museum explaining the story.
At Epidaurus, tourists can wander
around a theatre famed for its acoustics, where performances are staged throughout the summer. Mycenae, with its giant stone walls, is famous for its connections to the Trojan War.
Beautiful beaches and seaside towns are an added attraction. Built against the slopes of a large rock, Monemvasia is one of the prettiest.
BEST FOR FAMILIES Halkidiki Coast
Fingers of sandy beaches are backed by forests along the Halkidiki coastline in mainland northern Greece.
While Kassandra is populated by tourist resorts, Sithonia is far less commercial and attracts adventurers to its traditional villages, Blue Flag beaches and secluded coves. But Gerakini and Psakoudia beaches both have a decent selection of tavernas and sun loungers.
Athos, is home to a traditional Byzantine monastic community. Although, only men with special permission can enter the sacred site.
BEST FOR ALL ROUNDERS: Corfu
One of the first islands to establish a tourism industry, Corfu is perennially popular.
Influenced by the Venetians, French and English, baroque and Renaissance architecture characterises the Old Town, declared a Unesco world heritage site.
One of the best beaches to visit is Mirtiotissa, on the west coast between the villages of Pelekas and Vatos. Set against rugged, steep cliffs, its beauty has been applauded by various poets and writers – but privacy has also made it a favourite spot for nudists.
RESIDENTS in remote parts of Nottinghamshire are set to benefit after almost £1.5 million was awarded to improve public transport.
Nottinghamshire County Council is set to receive £1,497,000 to fund around eight 16-seater, wheelchairaccessible buses, launch a new route and to make improvements to existing bus lines.
It comes as part of a £3 billion Government investment in bus networks across the country, with a new rural fund of £20 million launched to improve cut-off communities.
Changes as part of the scheme include “simpler” bus fares with price caps, more services on weekends and in the evenings, and contactless payment options.
Launching the scheme, the Government says the funding will support the Ladybrook, Oak Tree and Berry Hill estates in Mansfield, parts of Bassetlaw, Rushcliffe and Newark and Sherwood, to “better access jobs, healthcare and education”.
The Government adds many bus services in the county are “infrequent and do not cover the most rural communities”.
Ben Bradley, Conservative MP for Mansfield, said: “I’ve consistently been making the case to the Department for Transport about why local bus services are so important in places like Mansfield and Warsop.
“This new National Bus Strategy will give my constituents the chance to unlock new opportunities, boost businesses and support economic growth.”
Lee Anderson, Ashfield and Eastwood’s
Tory MP, also praised the scheme. He said: “At the last general election, I stood on a manifesto that promised to level up and improve transport connections, and this boost to our local bus services will help to deliver on that promise.”
As part of the scheme, the Government
will require Nottinghamshire County Council to franchise new services or work in partnership with bus operators. The council will also have to work with operators to meet targets on improving passenger numbers, the reliability of services and satisfaction of passengers.
If these criteria are met, the council will be able to continue receiving emergency Covid funding and apply for extra funds from the wider £3 billion pot.
Councillor John Cottee, chairman of the communities and place committee, said: “We very much welcome the announcement of the National Bus Strategy by the Prime Minister. [We] will work with local bus operators and adjoining local authorities to improve local bus services so people can access work, training, health, shopping and leisure opportunities; as well as helping tackle congestion, air quality and climate change.”
The launch of a new bus route across the county as part of the £1.5 million fund is also hoped to improve numbers at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre.
EIGHT WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES, NEW ROUTE AND IMPROVED TIMETABLES ON THE WAY
A “TRUSTED” former council finance officer has been jailed after she stole more than £60,000 from her employer.
Kerry Wheatley was a revenue finance officer for business rates for Bassetlaw District Council at the time of the fraud.
Over a 12-month period, between October 2018 and October 2019, Wheatley diverted refunds of business rates, due to be paid to a number of businesses, into a single bank account.
Wheatley, who had worked for the council for around 28 years, made 21 refunds from a council account totalling £60,745.44.
The fraud was discovered when Wheatley’s address came up on the record of a refunded ratepayer while Wheatley’s manager was reviewing the control reports.
Wheatley, 53, of Hillside, Whitwell, Worksop, went on to admit the fraud.
She told her managers that she had taken the money to pay off credit card bills that had built up. She was suspended and the police were informed. After an internal investigation, Wheatley was dismissed from her position with the council.
Wheatley was subsequently charged with fraud by abuse of position. She pleaded guilty and on Monday she was sentenced to 12 months appeared
Court.
Police Constable Dan Weaver, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This in at prison when she Nottingham Crown was a detailed investigation which involved looking at a variety of evidence and different sources.
“Wheatley made an early admission, the evidence against her was overwhelming.
“She was a trusted long-serving council employee but she abused her position by manipulating the system for her own gain and committing fraud.
“I hope this case sends a clear message to those who believe they can abuse their position for their own financial gain that offences will be uncovered and you will be brought before the courts to answer to your crimes.”
Neil Taylor, chief executive of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This was an act of fraud involving public money and is a regrettable abuse of a position of trust within this authority.
“This criminal act was uncovered by council staff and referred to the police as soon as it had been discovered in line with the council’s antifraud strategy.
“The employee was dismissed for gross misconduct and did not appeal this decision. Bassetlaw takes a hard line on all fraud cases and the fact that this was one of the council’s employees stealing public money is devastating for the organisation.
“I hope this sentencing reassures the public that fraud will be discovered, the council will take the firmest action and that the authority will stringently protect the public purse.”