Regional units of Greece

Greek authorities say the coast guard has picked up 216 people in the Aegean Sea who entered the country illegally by sailing from the Turkish coast to nearby islands overnight, raising the total this week to more than 1,500.

Heavy rain, storms and hail were expected in several parts of the country late on Tuesday, with bad weather conditions persisting through early Friday, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service reported on Tuesday.

Bad weather was expected to hit the Peloponnese, the Cycladic islands, Crete and the Dodecanese islands on Tuesday before spreading to the rest of the country.

Kefalonia (Cephallonia) is the largest island in the Ionian Sea along Greece’s western coast. It is known for its crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, medieval castles and monasteries, and recently, as serving as the setting of the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”.

A day after the entire municipal council of Tilos resigned in protest at the lack of medical professionals, a doctor was dispatched to the tiny Dodecanese island late on Friday.

The “Dodekanisos Pride” high-speed ship on the new line, owned and operated by Dodekanisos Seaways, will link Samos with islands of the north Aegean and Dodecanese.

Besides popular Mykonos which offers its visitors amenities like never before, and Santorini which has become world famous with its romantic sunsets and beautiful vistas, Greece has many different destinations for all visitors, straight or gay.

Move over Mykonos? Dastsetters adds another seven Greek islands on its list of "must sees" for Gay travelers, as featured in the UK-based GayStarNews.

Specifically, the website highlights the following, with a short description of each:

MILOS

By Stathis Kousounis

Sports events in Greek tourism hotspots are increasing, with the Spetsathlon 2015 taking place on Spetses this weekend (April 24-26) including swimming, cycling and running.

Next month Deskati, near Grevena, will hold a paragliding event, on May 1-3, and Lesvos will host the 1st Molyvos Bike Tour on May 24.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived at Kavala on Friday for a three-day official visit to Serres and Nigrita, northern Greece.

Gay Star News explored the most gay-friendly islands of Greece beyond the famous ones of Mykonos and Santorini as listed by Destsetters.

1. Milos

CLICK HERE for LGBT hotels on the isle

2. Folegandros

CLICK HERE for gay-friendly hotels on Folegandros

3. Skiathos