True Colours

Pretty whitewashed villages, ancient Greek history and ree owing local wine make the clades a dream destination or an island ho ing adventure with friends, says Rhian Colley

- Rhian Colley

An expanse of dazzling white rocks beaten into lunar-like formations surrounds us as big blue waves crash into the other-worldly rock-scape, and children and adults alike hover nearby, eagerly awaiting to be cooled down by the wild sea spray. It’s a sizzling 32°C and I welcome the refreshing shower with open arms.

We’re on Sarakiniko beach on the Greek island of Milos, which we’re visiting as part of a seven-night Idyllic Aegean cruise with Celestyal Cruises.

The excursion that takes us to this surreal shore-side spot is a highlight for me as we get to spend a dreamy afternoon being seduced by the little island’s unspoilt natural beauty and sampling some of the best bathing haunts the Aegean Sea has to offer.

We began by navigating Milos by coach. Every corner reveals either a pretty whitewashed village (Plaka was my favourite) or dramatic coastal scene, and after exploring Sarakiniko and another short drive, we are soon clambering onto a little clipper ship and setting sail in search of Kleftiko, a secret cove only reachable by boat.

The gentle rocking motion of the ocean almost sends us into a trance as we approach the cove. Translated as ‘Bandit’s Lair’, it was once a pirates' hideout but today the tantalizingly translucent waters, which reveal the limestone rocks below, beckon us in for a dip.

With a snorkel at the ready, I glide among the striking rock formations, through tunnels and into hidden caves. And although the only marine life is little sparkly fish, the ripples of water spiralling around my body and the panoramic views across the horizon are utterly blissful.

Our island-hopping adventure across the Cyclades, a sun-drenched group of Greek islands, began four days ago in Athens where we boarded