Laskarina Holidays today launches its 2006 holiday brochure with a new portfolio of exclusive properties on many of the small and unspoilt Greek islands. This announcement coincides with a celebration of the specialist tour operator's 30th anniversary.

With a lengthy list of accolades, including the best holiday brochure and best tour operator and 100% customer satisfaction levels, over the past thirty years Laskarina Holidays has built its success on providing holidays for travellers of all ages on the smaller islands of Greece. In 2006, the award-winning company aims to continue to build on this success.

Having seen a 15% rise in tourism in 2005, the Minister for Tourism is steering Greece towards becoming a high-quality tourist destination. Laskarina has been working on this premise for many years and this year has added luxurious and sophisticated apartments and hotels to its 2006 brochure on several exclusive islands, including Leros, Halki and Samos.

For the first time, Laskarina clients will be able to stay in the VIP suite at the Crithoni Paradise Hotel on the tranquil island of Leros. This exclusive suite is reserved for ministers and other high-profile dignitaries during July and August, however for the rest of the season it is available to book through Laskarina exclusively.

Continuing the elite choice of accommodation, the company has also added Villa Nitsa, which is on the beautiful island of Halki. This is where the President of Greece stayed this year and is undoubtedly the best accommodation on the island and has stunning views across the bay. Furthermore, in the delightful fishing village of Ormos on Samos island, the newly built Pantheon Villas have been sympathetically designed and each apartment has a private terrace and views over the communal swimming pool. Both of these private holiday packages are available to book through Laskarina.

Ian Murdoch, managing director of Laskarina Holidays, says: "Over the past few years, tourism in Greece has continued to grow and recently, there has been a shift towards more sophisticated tastes. This is reflected in our portfolio of accommodation for 2006, which includes accommodation regularly booked by the President of Greece and government officials.

"We have led the way in offering travellers what they want - 21st century comforts whilst not compromising on the Hellenic charm and unspoilt scenery of the small Greek islands. We also pride ourselves on our extensive knowledge of the islands and as such, are highly respected by the Greek people, which is reflected in their attitude towards our clients."

In 2006, the Greek holiday season kicks off celebrating Greek Easter on 23 April. Laskarina's island managers are already gearing up to help travellers experience the cultural wonders of this religious festival on the islands of Halki and Symi. This religious festival is the biggest celebration of the year for the Greek Orthodox Church and all visitors are welcomed to experience the diverse cultural and religious traditions. Bangers explode everywhere to represent the moving of the rock at the resurrection, eggs are painted and 'melomakarona', traditional Easter biscuits, are offered at every home.

Laskarina's holidays can be booked by calling 01444 880 380 or by visiting www.laskarina.co.uk.

Providing the perfect antidote to hectic British lifestyles, escape to a different world from a different time; the unspoiled Greek islands.

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Notes to Editors: About Laskarina: Laskarina Holidays was created in 1976 to provide holidays to the unspoilt islands of Greece.

Laskarina knows the Greek islands, its people and customs inside out - a fact reflected by both winning the Best Travel Company category in The Observer's and The Guardian's travel awards for eight consecutive years from 1995-2003 and the current Best Holiday Company award given by Which? Magazine.

Hugely respected by the local population of all the islands they visit, Laskarina and its clients are eagerly welcomed throughout the country and are treated as part of the community as soon as they arrive.

Laskarina treats its customers as individual travellers, not package tourists. Over 50% of Laskarina's clients re-book, returning to the Greek islands again and again.

Laskarina Holidays was named after the famous Greek heroine Laskarina Bouboulina who captained a fleet of sailing ships during the Turkish Occupation of Greece culminating in her starting the Greek War of Independence in 1821.

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