All Greek islands are very different it almost feels as if you are visiting a different country with each visit. Island hopping as a vacation began as a way to experience the real Greek Islands with freedom, and as a local, well almost.

Some islands, such as the Ionian Islands are much greener and have a little more rain. Samos in the Saronic Islands has a much drier and hotter climate.

The one consistency is the warm welcome that Greek people give to visitors as they are all equally welcoming.

Island hopping in and around the Greek Islands can be an entertaining, enjoyable, fun and rewarding way to explore and have a great holiday. It is suitable for all ages but would need to be adapted for the less able-bodied traveller. The cost can be reasonable and the possibilities are endless.

Here is some advice on Island hopping in Greece, for the novice.

There are so many islands to choose from. Some are near to mainland Greece so to visit these islands you could base yourself on the mainland and hop to and fro. The Greek Islands are in groups such as the Dodecanese, Aegean, Ionian and the Saronic. You could hop around the islands in a particular group or travel further distances. The choice is yours.

To organise an island hopping holiday you have a few choices.

• You could hire a boat and ferry yourselves around, perhaps staying on the boat.
• You could book to join an organised island hopping holiday. This could be a formal booking through a travel agent, with organised stops.
• Alternatively, you could join a small boat which may have a handful of other passengers and a small number of crew members.

For me, however, the best way is DIY, 'Do It Yourself'.

Most islands have regular ferry services which local people use to get to work or go shopping on the bigger islands, for example. If you travel on these ferries you have the freedom to pick where and when you will travel, and go native.

Research your islands well.

Some Greek Islands are great if you want a peaceful laid back atmosphere with gentle country walks. Others have wild night-life for the young and young at heart. So consider what you want to get out of your holiday before choosing the islands. Check out the Internet when considering your holiday. This will enable you to finalise ferry timings and prices, and cost your holiday out fully or just roughly.

You can probably book through a travel agent.

Some visitors will want to know that they have accommodation waiting for them whilst others will be happy to find something when they arrive. Remember though that at certain times of the year the islands will be busy and accommodation, which is good and good value, may be hard to find.

Don't pack as you would normally. If you are going to be constantly travelling you need to travel as light as possible.

An example of an organised hop