When you are planning to go to Europe you end up flying to major European cities. If you want to visit and stay in specific European Islands like Krete or Santorini in Greece you may find it cheaper to fly to UK or Germany and zoom to any island by one of many European low fare airlines.

Just to start you with few:

Thomsonfly.com - Low fare flight from 24 UK airports to over 80 destinations. For example Greece starting from £ 4.02 (one way excluding taxes and charges)

Ryanair.com

Airberlin.com (from Manchester and Glasgow via London to seven destinations in Germany, to Majorca plus twelve destinations in Spain and three in Portugal. On way fare starts from £19

Excelairways Cheap flights within Europe

For European accommodation rentals check: www.exchangezones.com