Just 17 miles from Athens and about 40 minutes away by Flying Dolphin lies the Saronic island of Aegina. It is so easy to reach but can provide you with that idyllic Greek holiday if you follow my guidelines and tips.

So to start with, a checklist of what I want for that perfect holiday. Of course, your list may well be different but I will try to justify my choices and who knows, I may even influence your thinking.

First of all, I want easy, low cost access. As you will see, that can have its down side but there are ways around everything. Athens has a typical international airport and most budget airlines fly there. From the airport, you need to get to the Port of Piraeus which is about 50 km. away. This is where tip one comes in. As you walk out of the departure lounge, there is a booth selling tickets that will allow you to take the X91 bus all the way to the terminus which just happens to be opposite the Port gate where you have a choice of ferries out to Aegina. Try to have some change to pay the man in Euros. I don’t know if he takes card but he did look a bit grumpy when I saw him last. The bus stop is next to the kiosk and the buses arrive every half hour or so. Don’t forget to validate your ticket in one of the machines on the bus. I’ve never yet been asked to show my ticket but one day there will be a first time.