Greece
Greece is one of those rare places where ancient history is still very
much a part of modern life. Visitors are as much drawn to the country’s epic
intellectual history as its beauty and charm. Make time for the iconic features
of the Acropolis of Athens, which include the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and
the Temple of Athena Nike. Mythology buffs will appreciate Crete, Olympia,
Samos, and Naxos for their mythological significance. For a peaceful beach
vacation, the island of Santorini is perfect.
Culture & History
Greek culture in the present day is a glorious mix of great classical
and maritime heritage, music and dance, myth and legend, and a lifestyle that
has developed over centuries. Even the ultra-modern, urbanite Athenians are
still Greek to the core, and in rural districts and less-touristy islands, the
local lifestyle is as laid back as they were at the beginning of the century. Although
Greece has been heavily influenced by other cultures, it should be noted that
Western cultures were equally influenced by the Classical Greek period,
especially in the fields of literature, art, and architecture.
The
roots of Western culture are in Greece. Step into the ring where Olympians
first competed. Climb steps were hewn out of stone to Meteora’s monasteries,
perched atop towering rocks. Contemplate the oracle’s insights from the
grandeur of Delphi, take in a starlit drama at an ancient outdoor theatre, and
be stunned by massive marble sculptures dredged up from the Aegean. But then
you’ll encounter bold modern art, the melancholic throb of rembetika (blues
songs), and artisans creating new work from traditional techniques. Greece has
endless cultural pursuits and a calendar bursting with festivals, holidays, and
exhibits.
Nowadays, Greece is at a crossroads between East and West, with its
contemporary culture taking the best from its old traditions, religion,
cuisine, language, and music, and blending it with selected influences from the
21st century.
Flavors
Greek cooking offers an incredibly rich and
diverse array of foods and beverages that are the culmination of literally
thousands of years of living, cooking, and eating. While each Greek meal is
fresh and inviting, it is also a trip back through Greece's history.
The core ingredients of Greek cooking
are often found in the chef's garden. Feta and olive oil are universal across
the country, but unique regional produce and cooking styles make traveling here
a culinary adventure. Taste herbs and mountain greens you've never heard of,
mussels steamed in ouzo, bread baked with olives, and fish straight from the
sea. Taste-test crumbling feta, honeyed soft cheeses, and sharp, hard rounds.
Find Italian influences in risottos and pasta and Turkish spices woven into delicate
sweets. A traditional-cooking renaissance has chefs lifting time-honored recipes
to new gourmet heights.
Urban Experience
Socializing
is a way of life in Greece. Cafes overflow with youngsters gossiping or older
locals in a heated debate. Restaurants are filled with long tables for big
gatherings and friends amble arm in arm down the street. Squares are the focal
point, where life unfolds collectively. Immerse yourself, whether it's a
coffee, a shot of ouzo, a chorus on the bouzouki, or a local celebration.
Greeks are passionate and live life to the fullest, even at the most difficult
times. The result is a country seemingly riddled with challenges, yet full of
people loving life.
Whether you have already visited the historical center in the broad daylight
or not, we highly suggest you take a night stroll around Athens as well. Without
the heat of the sun, but with the beautifully illuminated paved pedestrian
street, that almost seems to sparkle instead, it is such picturesque scenery,
that it looks like it has been taken straight out of a fairy tale.
If you are in the mood for a cocktail after a long day of wandering,
there are various rooftop bars to choose from, which will allow you to sip your
drink while enjoying a breathtaking, panoramic view of Athens, including the
historical center and, of course, the Acropolis.
Outdoors & Adventure
Whether
you're a serious adrenaline junkie or dedicated beach bum, Greece delivers.
Wander along cobbled Byzantine footpaths, hike up volcanoes, watch for dolphins
and sea turtles, and cycle through lush forests. Meander through olive groves,
idyllic villages, and petrified forests. Thrill-seekers will discover
world-class kitesurfing, wreck diving, and rock-climbing locations with
dizzying views. Or simply hop on a boat and set sail into the glittering blue
beyond.
Feel the exhilaration of diving deep to underwater caves, ghostly
shipwrecks, and colorful reefs, from Skiathos to Lefkas, Zakynthos, Santorini,
and Corfu. Or go windsurfing and kite-surfing on Crete, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kos,
Limnos, Samos, and Lesvos. Water skiing and wakeboarding are excellent along
the Athenian Riviera as well as on Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Lefkas, Santorini,
Halkida, and Crete.
Mountain sports will bring you to another side of Greece’s natural
beauty, to lofty peaks, vertical cliffs, white-water gorges, rivers, lakes, forests,
and trails running through it all. Also, your trekking options are endless;
from the mountain of the gods, Olympus, to the pillars of Meteora; from the
Greek part of the European trail network crossing the country from end to end,
to the ancient Roman roads of Epirus; and from the paths through the forests of
Pelion to the donkey trails of the islands, each will etch itself onto your
memory. If mountain biking is your thing you’ll find excellent routes near big
cities.