Greece may be synonymous with peak summer, but some of the most interesting reasons to visit begin once the August rush starts to ease. As September brings warm seas, fewer crowds and the start of Greece’s traditional grape harvest, the country enters one of its most compelling seasons. Across its islands and mainland coast, a new generation of hotels is offering a fresh perspective on the Greek escape: creativity is becoming part of the travel experience, destinations such as Paros are evolving beyond their familiar image, Mykonos is revealing a quieter side, and wine and gastronomy are giving travellers new reasons to visit outside peak summer.