Take one small, traditional Greek town in a sheltered bay that is sandwiched between tree-covered hills and the deep blue Ionian Sea. Add a busy little harbour, the quayside lined with tavernas and small shops, but don’t add too many and spoil the taste.
Make sure there is a good mix of beautiful beaches along a rugged, twisting coastline, some long and sandy with sunbeds and beach bars, one or two with water sports, others secluded and private. Season it with beaches that can only be reached by boat and one on an island that you can wade to via a sandy causeway.
Place it all in the Riviera of Epirus, a gorgeous region of mountains, forests, picturesque villages, rivers and history that goes back to ancient times – and beyond.
And you have Sivota.
It’s a delightfully friendly little town in North-West Greece, immediately opposite the island of Corfu. Three uninhabited little islands stand guard and shelter Sivota’s horseshoe bay. Over the last decade or so it has become very cosmopolitan, but tourism hasn’t harmed Sivota.
It’s a great place to chill out. There are a couple of beaches in the town, plus Bella Vraka, the one you get to across a causeway. More sandy beaches can be found both north and south of the town. But if you want to explore further afield, the majestic resort of Parga is only 20 miles away. Or go to the charming village of Perdika, seven miles away. It has spectacular views and marvellous sunsets and is bursting with restaurants.
The nearby beaches of Arilas and Karavostasi are fantastic. One of Olympic Holidays' latest offerings, the luxurious MarBella Elix Hotel, overlooks the sparkling white sands of Karavostasi.
