It’s the sunshine that makes Greece important these
days, but its history is undeniable, and pre-Christian ruins
are liberally spotted all over the mainland and islands.
Most visitors arrive in Athens and spend a day or two
exploring the gob smacking Acropolis, with
its Parthenon, Erechtheion and Ancient Theatre of Dionysos.
There is good shopping in the Agora ancient market and plenty
of ouzo and moussaka in the lively Plaka district.
The closest islands to Athens are the Saronic
Gulf islands - Salamis, Hydra and Poros,
but they are all over-visited. Further north, the Sporades,
an archipelago comprising of Skiathos, Skopelos,
Alonnisos and Skyros are also
popular and easy to get to.
Most popular are the Cycladic islands,
epitomising the Greek islands atmosphere and image. Santorini
is a spectacular volcanic caldera, Paros is central and
family orientated, Mykonos is camp and
lively, Ios is for a younger party crowd,
while Andros, Kea, Serifos and Sikinos,
Anafi and Naxos are visited infrequently.
Crete is somewhat remote and popular with
package deals. Strung along the coast of western Turkey
are the Dodecanese, rich in history and
culture, particularly, Rhodes,Kos, Symi
and Patmos. Samos, Chios,
Limnos, Samothraki and Thasos are
isolated to the north, somewhat exclusive and more temporate.
Within easy reach of Athens is the historically rich Peloponnese
peninsula, featuring ancient sites at Epidaurus,
Corinth and Mycenae.
In the north is the breath-taking Meteora monasteries,
a World Heritage site, situated on inaccessible butts. Nearby
Mount Olympus, Greece’s tallest.
