ANNABELLE THORPE offers a guide to some of Greece's less-discovered islands

WITH A financial rescue plan in place to help its economy, Greece, and especially its islands, could be just the place to head this summer as prices plummet in an effort to attract tourists.

With excellent ferry links from the Athens port of Piraeus, many destinations are still the preserve of holidaying Athenians and relatively undiscovered by mass tourism.

These islands offer charming studios and bed and breakfast accommodation, both of which are affordable and authentic.

KEA
A n hour's drive from Athens is the port of Lavrio, Greece's second main ferry gateway to the Cyclades. Kea, or Tzia as it is known colloquially, is the first island on the route that goes on to Andros, Tinos and Mykonos.

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The island boasts white sand coves without a sun lounger in sight, fantastic "ouzeri" that serve authentic Greek cooking at bargain prices (try Anna's in the sleepy village of Otzias) and walks along ancient footpaths.

The capital, Ioulis, clings to a steep hillside and is an atmospheric warren of cobbled alleys dotted with tavernas and shops.

This is Greek island life as it used to be.

Get there: Car ferries from Lavrio take an hour.

Stay: SunIsle (0844 482 0202/www.sunisle.co.uk) offers seven nights in Harbour Cottage, Korissia, from £539 per week (three sharing), self-catering.

SIFNOS
Larger than Kea but part of the same group, Sifnos is a walkers' paradise, criss-crossed with ancient footpaths that thread between the picturesque monasteries and ancient ruins that litter the island. Nightlife is restricted to the laid-back bars and authentic tavernas that line the cobbled streets of the main town, Apollonia, while days can be spent lazing on glorious beaches such as Platy Yialos, one of the longest in the Cyclades. The village of Kastro is one of the most picturesque in Greece. A medieval fortress town, it offers panoramic views from the bars that line its outer walls.

Get there: Car ferries from Piraeus take five hours; fast catamaran ferries take three hours.

Stay: Holiday Rentals (0208 827 1971/www.holiday-rentals.co.uk) offers seven nights in a traditional villa (sleeps five), self-catering, from £128 per week.

AEGINA
Just 12 miles from Piraeus, Aegina, part of the Saronic islands that include Poros (not to be confused with Paros), Hydra and Spetses, is the closest holiday island to the capital. As such, it works well for twin-centre breaks. Climb to the top of Mount Oros, stroll through the pistachio orchards or laze on the beautiful beaches of Kima.

Get there: Car ferries from Piraeus take 80 minutes, fast hydrofoils take 40 minutes.

Stay: Kavos Bay (dialling from the UK: 0030 210 935 5311/www.kavosbay.com) is a simple, traditional Greek hotel that offers studios from £260 per week (two sharing), B&B.

HYDRA
Hydra owes much of its unique and upmarket feel to the fact that there are no cars on the island. Transport is by donkey, horse or water taxi. The island's one town, Hydra port, has a satisfying bustle, with steep stone streets lined with galleries, ouzeris and tavernas. Elsewhere, the island is fairly sleepy, although the tiny fishing hamlet of Kaminia is a good place for a waterside lunch at one of the fish tavernas.

The one thing that Hydra lacks is beaches but there are plenty of flat rocks to laze on before dipping into the crystal waters.

Get there: Car ferries from Piraeus take 3.5 hours; fast hydrofoils take 1.5 hours.

Stay: Sunvil Holidays (0208 568 4499/www.sunvil.co.uk) offers seven nights at the Hotel Nefeli from £738pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Heathrow and transfers.

SPETSES
Covered in pine forests, Spetses has some glorious beaches that can be reached by boat from the harbour town of Dapia each morning. Two of the most beautiful are right across the island from Dapia: Agioi Anargiri and the quieter Agia Paraskevi.

Dapia itself is a great place to stay, with a pretty harbour lined with authentic tavernas (try Ayios Grill and Ayios Antonis) and small boutiques.

Get there: Car ferries from Piraeus take four hours; fast hydrofoils take 2.5 hours.

Stay: The Ayoclima Residence (229 807 4981/www.ayoclima.gr) is a converted mansion with rooms in the heart of Dapia. Doubles from £80 per night (two sharing), B&B.

POROS
Poros is actually two islands connected by a road bridge.

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Tiny Sferia is dominated by buzzy Poros Town and the larger island, Kalavria, is covered in lush pine forests and has long stretches of sandy beach. One of the best beaches is Love Beach but if you want to escape the hordes, head to Vagonia, on Sferia, a sandy cove with a simple taverna.

Get there: Car ferries from Piraeus take 2.5 hours; fast hydrofoils take one hour.

Stay: The Villa Dolphins (210 937 3113, www.villadolphins.com) is just 100 yards from the beach near Poros Town and offers comfortable doubles from £50 per night, (two sharing) room only.

GETTING THERE:
easyJet (0871 244 2366/www.easyjet.com) offers return flights to Athens from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted from £160.

Ferries GR (281 034 6185/www.ferries.gr) offers information on ferry companies and routes.

Greek National Tourism Organisation: 0207 495 9300/www.visitgreece.gr