Greece

The land of the ancient Greeks, a lineage of antiquity to Western modernity and a plethora of nature, Greece is an enticing location. The people of Greece, have hospitality ingrained into their DNA and language; ‘philoxenia’ which translates to being a “friend to a stranger” means that tourists and wanderers are welcomed into the proud culture of Greece. It would be impossible to define Greece in a page but below is a taste to get your adventure going.

Greece’s beaches, sea and sand

With some estimates of 3000 islands and islets (most inhabitable) but visitable by sea and boat, Greece boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. In common understanding, the best Beaches are often thought to be Crete, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Rhodes and Mykonos. Each location is known for it’s separate character, ridiculous myths and whether it’s nightlife keeps on giving (Mykonos, Paros and Santorini). Slightly quieter beaches include smaller beaches like St Paul’s beach in Rhodes or lesser visited quaint islands like Sifnos or Serifos. Whilst, the preservation of cute coastal fishing towns are generally good options to families (Crete). Understanding what you want or need from your holiday adventure will help you select a beach holiday that suits you and your party.

Greek Gastronomy

Known for its exquisite Mediterranean diet, which ties in some of the best dishes across the countries of the Mediterranean sea, Greece boasts an unlimited range of olives, garlic tzatziki, variations of cheeses, savoury souvlaki wrapped in fluffy bread and for dessert Baklava, the syrupy, nutty, flakey surprise of the region. The diverse landscape of Greece allows for sensational dishes that focus on making the vegetation of the land the star of the show. Greece is also known for its coffee culture that shares similarities with neighbours like Turkey and Italy, and whilst debates of who invented these methods are always flush at the end of the day, it does not matter as much as the variety of ways to drink this traditional treat.

Remarkable History

Greece is the country of capricious Gods and Goddesses who come head to head with humans who worshipped them through remarkable temples and where Kings of the old built palaces and theatres to highlight their superiority and power.Greece is composed of 277 hospitable Islands and manages to preserve a history that is highly important to people who trace their democracy and arts back to Greece. Seen as the cradle of Western Civilisation visitors can wander and learn about the countless mythologies, stories of defeat in ancient and modern history and hear the stories of love, love of food, music and patriot.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece

The city preserves 18 sites of UNESCO World Heritage:

Acropolis, Athens
It goes without saying that the Acropolis overlooking the city dedicated to Athena, the Goddess of War and Protection, is an emblematic symbol of Greece. Visiting the Acropolis is a great way to get to grips with how this ancient city survived to today.

Temple of Apollo Epicurius, Bassea (Day Trips from Pylos or Nafpolio)
The Temple of Apollo Epicurius was built to appeal for the God’s help during plague and disaster. The humongous columns signify the cry for help and the faith and hope of his followers.

Archaeological Site of Delphi
Delphi continues to be a spiritual site that attracts visitors for it’s beauty and spiritual knowledge.
In Ancient times leaders would travel far and wide to hear the Oracle of Delphi, today tourists can revel in the possible luck and charm of the place.

Meteora, Kalabaka
Dating to the later Middle Ages, Meteora depicts a picturesque yet both daunting vision of monasteries in the sky. These extraordinary rock formations are now home to Eastern Orthodox monasteries with incredible architecture that precipitously hangs and defy gravity.

Archaeological Site of Olympia, Peloponnese Peninsula

Birthplace to the ancient Olympic Games, Olympia once attracted different Greeks to compete against each other in a way different nations compete today. This small town became an axis of temporary peace as participants expended their energy in different sports instead of invading each other. Today, ruins of the sanctuaries, the barracks, the sporting structures and the Temple of Zeus where participants would have prayed for victory all remain.

The Old Town of Corfu, Corfu

This strategic island on the Adriatic Sea, in close proximity to the Balkans, was a town of great contention. Today, visitors can wander around this city of Venetian, Ottoman and Greek engineering.

Nature in Greece
Greece is regorging with nature, and wilderness aficionados can embrace the countless caves, gorges, rivers, mountains, forests, lagoons and even volcanoes. In fact, 80% of Greece’s landscape is mountains, perfect for hikers and summit seekers. Mount Pelion is a sight for sore eyes with it’s rose-tinted stone houses overlooking lush landscapes. Mount Olympus in Litochoro, now a national forest was once believed to be the mythical home of the Gods. The Waterfalls of Edessa, Pella are a truly magical encounter of height and the might of water. There are six volcanoes in Greece and only three are dormant, thrill seekers can visit Santorini’s volcano and Nisyros to see the incredible mars-like rock formations.