CAPITAL RING: SARONIC ISLANDS
The islands of the Saronic Gulf are so close to Greece's capital Athens that you can take a one-day cruise to visit the three most popular (Hydra, Poros and Aegina) and still make it back in time for a nightcap.
They are less touristy than some of the Greek isles and a good choice is to book a city break to Athens and then take one of the fast hydrofoils from Piraeus's Zea Marina for day trips (maximum journey time one hour). If you want to base yourself on just one island then car-free Hydra is the prettiest option.
Imposing manor houses converted to boutique hotels, bars and restaurants line the steep streets of the main town, while secluded coves are accessible only by donkey or by motor boat.
Gray Line (0808 189 0474/ www.grayline.com) offers boat trips to Hydra, Poros and Aegina islands from £90 per adult, £40 per child.
Hellenic Seaways (dialling from the UK: 0030 210 419 9000/www.hellenicseaways.com) offers return sailings to the Saronic Islands from £22pp.
Sunvil Discovery (0208 758 4758/www.sunvil.co.uk) offers a two-centre seven-night stay in Athens (three nights) and Hydra (four nights) from £932pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return BA flights from Heathrow and ferry transfers.

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CLASSIC: CENTRAL CYCLADES
The four main islands of the Cyclades chain (Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini) have long been on the favourite route of island-hoppers thanks to an amazing diversity that belies their proximity.
Paros has a number of high-end hotels and great windsurfing while Naxos is more verdant with excellent hiking trails and jaw-dropping beaches. Ios, meanwhile is a party island and Santorini the jewel in the Aegean crown.
Located around the sunken caldera of a volcano, the white houses and blue-domed churches of Santorini's capital Firá tumble down steep cliffs to the water, while two lava islands steam away in the natural bay. The island's beaches have huge swathes of black or rust-red sand.
Don't miss Oia, a village at the island's northernmost and highest point, to see the sun dip into the Aegean.
Olympic Holidays (0844 576 2386/www.olympicholidays.com) offers seven nights staying in a hotel on one of the four islands from £395pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Santorini and ferry transfers.
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays (01707 331133/ www.ramblersholidays.co.uk) offers a 14-night guided walking tour of Naxos and Santorini from £1,195pp (two sharing), half board. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Santorini, ferry transfer to Naxos, and the services of a tour leader.
For September departures.

MAMMA MIA! SPECIAL: THE SPORADES
The difficulty in getting to this island group just off the mainland's east coast (it's not served by ferry from Athens) meant tourists were mainly Greeks but then Meryl Streep et al turned up to film Mamma Mia! and demand went through the roof.
The two main islands, Skiathos and Skopelos are draped in pine woods and olive trees and have great beaches, coves, tiny chapels carved into rocks, quaint villages and a fine Venetian castle to explore.
Ionian Island Holidays (0208 459 0777/www.ionianislandholidays.com) offers a 14-night Aegean island break including seven nights on Skiathos and seven nights on Skopelos in private villas from £1,061pp (four sharing), self-catering. Price includes return flights from Gatwick or Manchester to Skiathos, hydrofoil crossings, car hire on both islands and transfers.

EASY TWIN-CENTRE: IONIAN DOUBLE
The islands of the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy are a verdant alternative to the more barren Cyclades thanks to the cooler temperatures and higher rainfall. Cephalonia, Zante and Ithaca (home of Homer's hero Ulysses) are all in the Ionian but the easiest island-hop is that from Corfu to Paxos.
Corfu has lost its share of young clubbers and returned to a more cultured tourism offering some lovely hotels and great restaurants, while Paxos is a real gem of an island.
Just a short hydrofoil ride from Corfu, Paxos's main port Gaios lies in a sheltered natural harbour, lined with Italian-influenced houses, giving it a feel more akin to Capri than Greece.
There are great walking trails and incredible coastal rock formations such as the Trypitos Arch to explore.
Olympic Holidays (as before) offers seven nights on Paxos at the Bastas Complex followed by seven nights on Corfu at the Othonas Apartments from £623pp (two sharing), self-catering. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Corfu and ferry transfers.
Departs September 26, 2011.

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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: THE SMALL CYCLADES
Of the 200 or so inhabited Greek islands, some have only a handful of people living on them.
These have ferry routes falling into the agoni grammi (unspoilt line) category which are heavily subsidised by the government to allow and encourage freedom of movement for the locals.
Five islands south of Naxos (Irakleia, Schinoussa, Donoussa, Upper Koufonisi and Lower Koufonisi) fall into that category and journeying to any of them is like taking a step back in time.
You'll arrive to discover that there are no huge nightclubs, no large hotels and very few tourists.
What they do offer, though, is perfect solitude, an odd taverna serving authentic food, secluded beaches and few other distractions.
Greek Sun (01732 740317/ www.greeksun.co.uk) offers 14 nights in Irakleia (three nights), Schinoussa (four nights), Koufonisia (four nights) and Donoussa (three nights) from £925pp (two sharing), room only. Price includes return flights from UK airports to Athens and all inter-island ferry transfers.
Various departure dates.
All prices quoted are for August departures unless otherwise stated.