The Mediterranean has long cast a spell on travelers, with its special mystique, and it’s about to be yours, at dollar-store prices. This March, the euro dived to a 12-year-low against the U.S. dollar. Meaning, for the first time in a very long while, the dollar and euro are almost equal. What that means in the long run is for economists to figure out, but right now, it means you can fit a lot more Mediterranean into your wallet for a lot less.
March is a swing month in Europe when airlines add more island routes and prices start to inch upwards, but the euro’s plunge means even some of the more marquee destinations like Ibiza are more affordable than any time in recent memory. Now is the time to plan your getaway, while the water is still too cool for swimming, Mediterranean latitudes get their sunshine starting right about now.
With the above in mind, here are some of my island favorites:
Rhodes
Long before the Roman Empire, many maritime trails led to Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, named for the native pink hibiscus flowers. That’s appropriate because, unlike some popular Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, Rhodes is lush and green, a veritable garden in the Aegean. Rhodes is also home to some of the most spectacular medieval fortifications anywhere, built by the Knights of the Order of Saint John in the 14th century.
The near-intact Palace of the Grand Master in the town of Rhodes is a Gothic jewel right out of a fairytale; this, combined with the Street of the Knights and some 200 winding lanes, creates a dazzling, living tapestry. That also makes Rhodes wildly popular with tourists, but if you go in April or May, you’ll dodge the madding crowds. My recommendation is to take a short flight from Athens on Aegean Airlines, named Best Regional Airline in Europe in 2014 for the fourth year in a row, overnight in Rhodes Town. After a day or two to explore, rent a car and drive down the coast to the smaller but magnificently situated town of Lindos.
Sicily
Sicilians like to think of their large, triangular island as being at the heart of the Mediterranean, and it’s a good thing they’re right because, believe me, you don’t want to argue with a Sicilian. You could easily spend two full weeks exploring and only scratch the surface, but for a first trip a must-see stop is Taormina, one of Europe’s most legendary old resort towns with mesmerizing views of volcanic Mount Etna on one side and the sea on the other. Stay at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo for a couple nights and succumb to the languorous rhythms: this is la dolce vita all the way. (Visit selectitaly.com for more itinerary ideas.)
In ancient times, the Sicilian city of Siracusa possessed great importance and today, it still possesses great beauty, mainly of the Italian Baroque kind. When you first set your sights on the Fontana Arethusa on the town’s ancient Ortygia Island, you will remember that you may have forgotten just how romantic some spots in Italy can be. Ancient Greek legend says that Artemis turned the nymph Arethusa into this fountain so she could hold onto her virginity, which was endangered by the randy river god Alpheus. Today, papyrus reeds, swans and gorgeous Mediterranean Sea abound, as do artisanal gelato shops.
Ibiza
This island, which has some archaeological links with Rhodes way to the east, lives up to its hedonistic reputation and then some. The club scene doesn’t really get going until the height of summer, but April and May are the months when the island blooms and truly is a Mediterranean beauty, with olive groves, red earth and green pine-clad peaks to prove it. There’s an old historic town here, Dalt Vila, but unlike in Rhodes Town, it’s not the star of the show. That honor goes to the dreamy landscape, beaches and posh hotels that let you experience it all at close range. Memorable ones include the luxe Atzaro Agroturismo and Ibiza Gran Hotel, though if you have a week or more, consider deploying the rock star option by renting a villa with sea view.
And, certainly, the more you see of the Mediterranean in springtime, the longer you’ll want to stay.
Anthony Grant has written on travel and style for The New York Times and Los Angeles Times. Follow him on Twitter at TGi24.
