Chartering a yacht is the money-no-object way to explore the Greek islands

Island-hopping is the quintessential way to experience Greece.

There are more than 60 inhabited postcard-perfect isles bobbing in its crystal clear waters and thousands more uninhabited outcrops to explore. And with myriad possibilities for travel between them, the simple, olive-oil drenched Greek island lifestyle has never been more accessible.

Despite seeing an influx of tourists every summer, life seems to continue on the Greek islands as it has for centuries: donkeys still transport produce and people around quaint hilltop villages; olive groves and vineyards are still lovingly tended; black-clad grandmothers still hobble down narrow alleyways; locals still pour into whitewashed cliffside churches for Sunday Mass; wrinkled old men still live in beachfront caves; and the catch of the day is still hauled straight from the net onto the port as the sun sinks into the sea.

Not a lot happens on the Greek islands: the sun rises, the sun sets and time is measured by your craving for the next Greek salad. Snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, mountain biking, hiking, sun worshipping, gawking at ancient ruins, eating and drinking in seaside tavernas and swimming in the turquoise sea are ideal ways to pass the balmy days and nights.

The islands vary greatly in size, architecture, cultural influences and terrain. They are divided into distinct island chains which include: Crete - Greece's largest island and home to the astonishing Samaria Gorge and Minoan Palace at Knossos; the rugged Cyclades islands - the domain of volcanic Santorini and Mykonos as well as lush and mountainous Naxos; the Dodecanese chain in the south with the unspoilt beaches on the islands of Rhodes, Patmos and Karpathos; the northeastern Aegean islands of which Samos - only 3km from Kusadasi in Turkey - is the verdant jewel; the relatively unexplored Argo-Saronic islands - home to lovely Poros, Hydra and Spetses; the well-trodden and mountainous Sporades islands; the enormous island of Evvia; and the fertile beauty of the Ionian isles nestled beneath Italy's boot heel and best-known for the package tourist hotspot of Corfu.

If you're short on time, the most accessible island from Piraeus (Athens' main port) is Idhra. For those planning on extensive island-hopping, set aside at least two weeks if you want to cover any ground. Crete, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese as well as a few islands in the Aegean are all relatively close to each other and serviced by frequent ferry connections.

It is possible to fly to Greece's larger islands; you can often score cheap deals on flights and it can be an ideal way to start or finish your island-hopping odyssey. However, sailing is a far more relaxing and romantic way to travel. If money is no object, chartering a yacht is the way to go. Alternatively, regular ferries ply the islands year-round, while in the summer, hydrofoil or high-speed catamarans offer the fastest way to get from A to B, often cutting inter-island journey times in half.

Most ferries leave the mainland from Piraeus (Athens' main port); however ferries to Mykonos, Andros and Tinos also depart from Rafina (35km northeast of central Athens).

Getting around the islands is possible by bus, on foot or by renting a motorbike, scooter or bicycle. July and August are the most unpleasant times to visit the Greek islands - the weather is simply sweltering, the crowds are maddening and the seasonal winds are often howling and relentless. May and early June are perfect as is September and October when the ocean is at its warmest. If you're travelling to Greece in the winter, Crete and Rhodes remain mild.