Spending a holiday in the Greek Isles is on many travelers' to-do lists, and one look at the beautiful island of Ios will clearly demonstrate why. With beautiful white sand beaches and a wealth of historical monuments, booking a luxury vacation rental on the island is a must for adventurous travelers with an eye for culture.

A member of the Cyclades chain, Ios is a small island in the Aegean Sea found halfway between the isles of Naxos and Santorini. At only 11 miles long and 6 miles wide, Ios is far from the largest island in the area, though its beautiful scenery and hillside city of Chora have made it a popular attraction with local travelers and film producers, as the isle has served as the setting for many European films.

While there are many modern attractions for travelers to enjoy on the island, including a unique collection of nightclubs, bars and restaurants, it is Ios' classic mysteries that draw many tourists. Ongoing excavations on Skarkos hill have revealed a number of classic structures from ancient times, notably the Odusseas Elytis open-air theater and la Tomba do Omero.

Of course, a day exploring the past is best capped off by staying in remarkably modern villas in Greece, which allow vacationers all of the comforts of home in the midst of this island paradise.