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Welcome to

GREECE

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TOP 5 COASTAL CITIES

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TOP 7 people, food
& fun

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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS

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TOP 5 COASTAL CITIES

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Athens

Athens, the modern capital of Greece was once the center of Ancient Greece, a great and mighty empire and civilization.

 

In Athens you will find numerous ancient landmarks dating back to the 5th century BCE that dominate the city. Here are some of the intriguing sites that await you in Athens:

 

  • Acropolis: the iconic ancient site, one of the most visited sites in the city. It includes the Parthenon, the largest Doric temple in Greece.

  • Acropolis Museum: the gateway to understanding the history of the Acropolis and admire all of its treasures.

  • Ancient Agora: the political, social, and administrative center of Ancient Athens.

  • National Archeological Museum 

  • Panathenaic Stadium: Built in the 4th century and restored in 1895 to host the first modern Olympic Games.

  • National Garden 

  • Syntagma Square

  • Monastiraki neighborhood

 

Santorini

Santorini

Considered by many to be the most dramatic of all the Greek isles, Santorini was created by a gigantic volcano eruption in prehistoric times that created a huge caldera, providing the island with its dramatic cliff scenery.

Crystal clear blue waters and volcanic-sand beaches, combined with whitewashed Cycladean buildings and picturesque cobblestoned streets make this a romantic destination, often used for weddings and honeymoons.

Its two main towns, Fira and Oia are totally captivating. Fira is a stunning cliff and scenic perched town featuring charming whitewashed houses with numerous hotels and alleyways with bars, cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.

Ola, another beauty, is best known for its unforgettable sunsets and narrow romantic cliff-side paths.

Other sites you will not want to miss include Ancient Acrotiri. a prehistoric city which dates back to the 16th century BC, home to a Minoan colony that is believed to have been evacuated before the big volcanic eruption.

 

The Museum of Prehistoric Thira in Fira houses this site’s findings, with fascinating findings from this era.

Finally, Santorini is home to glorious beaches.

The Red Beach, featuring red sand, is surrounded by breathtaking red and dark volcanic cliffs.

The nearby White Beach is a smaller and quieter beach and that is paved with white pebble.

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Mykonos

Mykonos, an island of the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea, is considered by many to be Greece's most glamorous island destination. Popular among international celebrities, it is known for its spirited nightlife and world-renowned DJs, not to mention its frequently visited beaches.

 

Mykonos Town (Chora) is made up of a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed steps that are enchanting to venture through any time of day or night. Landmarks of this town include a row of 16th-century windmills which sit on a hill above Mykonos town.

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Crete

Crete is Greece's largest island and features a diversity of landscapes ranging from the fine-sand beaches at Elafonisi to the White Mountains.

 

Mount Ida is the tallest mountain of that range and it boasts the Ideon Cave which, according to Greek mythology, was the birthplace of Zeus.

 

In the capital of Heraklion one can visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, housing Minoan artifacts, and Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement.

 

One of the special attractions of Crete is the Samaria Gorge measuring 16 kilometers in length and at its narrowest point, only four meters wide. The gorge runs from Omalos (1,250 meters) in the White Mountains down to Agia Roumeli, on the Libyan Sea.

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Rhodes

Rhodes, the largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, is known for its beach resorts, ancient ruins, and the remnants of its occupation by the Knights of St. John during the Crusades.

 

Rhodes Town, the capital of the island, is one of Greece's leading destinations and a UNESCO destination.

 

Rhodes is surrounded by a fortification system, including towers and gates built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century.

The enchanting car-free cobbled streets of the old town are a special favorite of tourists. Other nearby sites include the hillside coastal town of Lindos, and Marmaris on the Turkish coast.

TOP 7 people, food & fun

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Alexander the Great

While technically not Greek, but rather Macedonian, Alexander the Great is the most famous Greek personality that ever lived. His short life of 32 years and brief 12-year reign shaped the course of western civilization.

 

His daring, unparalleled and vaunting military campaigns culminated in the defeat of the great Persian Empire. And, as a result, Alexander, the prized student of Aristotle, spread Greek culture across the known world.

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Aristotle

Aristotle, student of both Socrates and Plato, and teacher of Alexander the Great was the leading philosopher of ancient Greece. He was the founder of the Lyceum and the Peripatetic school of philosophy and is considered to be one the "Fathers of Western Philosophy".

 

Aristotle studied and wrote about nearly every important subject. He invented the study of logic and was a great experimental scientist with an expertise in astronomy, biology, meteorology, physics, botany and much more.

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Archimedes

Archimedes (287-212 BC) was acclaimed as the greatest mathematician, engineer, inventor, and astronomer of the ancient world. He was born in the Greek colony of Syracuse, today modern Italy.

 

His most famous theory is the Principle of Archimedes, the enduring principle of hydrostatics, according to which when an object is immersed in liquid, the amount of liquid displaced is equal to the volume of that object.

 

Archimedes is also well known for measuring the circle.

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Hippocrates

Hippocrates of KOs (460-377 BC) is the most famous physician of ancient Greece. He developed cutting edge innovative theories, and practices for his time.

 

He combined medical observation and philosophy in his attempts to cure illnesses; and believed that the human body had the power to heal itself.

 

The Hippocratic Oath, historically taken by physicians worldwide when starting their medical practice, is attributed to this great physician.

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Olives and Olive Oil

With thousands of years of experience cultivating olives and olive oil, Greeks enjoy their meals accompanied by their local olives.

 

Greek olives are often cured in a hearty sea salt brine; some enjoy throubes, or wrinkly black olives, eaten uncured from the tree. 

 

Similarly, olive oil, the magic ingredient of Greece, is widely used in cooking and salads, and drizzled over most dips and dishes. 

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Taramasalata

Taramasalata or taramosalata is a Greek meze made from tarama, the salted and cured roe of the cod, carp, or grey mullet that is mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, and a starchy base of bread; or sometimes potatoes and almonds.  It is usually served as a meze or appetizer along with other small dishes.

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Dolmades

Greek homes feature numerous variations of Dolamdes, or stuffed vine/grape leaves. The Dolamdes stuffing often consists of minced meat with long-grain rice. But vegetarian versions also abound, boasting rice that is flavored with combinations of herbs such as thyme, dill, fennel, and oregano.

 

Other common vegetables that can be stuffed include tomato, pepper, onion, zucchini, and eggplant.

TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS

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Acropolis of Athens

The paramount symbol of Athens, Greece, and all Western civilization is the Acropolis. Today the Acropolis citadel rises up in the heart of modern Athens, reminding visitors of the grandeur of ancient times.
The Acropolis is crowned by three temples dating from the 5th century BCE, including the famous Parthenon, originally made up of 58 columns supporting a roof and decorated by ornate pediments and a frieze.
The 2.5-kilometer walking path, known as the Archaeological Promenade, connects the Acropolis to Athens' major ancient attractions such as the Ancient Agora, the Roman Forum, Kerameikos, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.  

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Meteora

The Meteora, one of Greece’s most popular tourist attractions, is a rare and unique geological phenomenon. It features a gigantic rock formation that is an amazing marvel of nature that is home to a remote monastery complex, 600 meters high. This compound houses six monasteries (of an original twenty-four), that appear to be “suspended in the air”, providing visitors with a breathtaking view of these holy sites.

 

Situated at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly in central Greece, these monasteries are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visitors must climb stone steps carved into the ancient rocks to reach each monastery, providing amazing views and testimony to the wonders of ancient architecture.

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Knossos

Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site, located on the island of Crete, has been called Europe's oldest city. Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years, beginning with a Neolithic settlement sometime in the seventh century BCE. It covers about 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters), the size of more than two football fields.

 

The site came to prominence in the early 20th century when it was excavated and restored by a team led by British archaeologist Arthur Evans. The restoration includes large parts of The Palace of the Minoans that provides its many visitors with an appreciation the grandeur and complexity of the structure.

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Ionian Islands

Corfu, the northernmost island, of the Ionian islands is a cosmopolitan island, combining the charm of Venetian, British and French colonial influences. Corfu Town, the island's capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and features Renaissance, baroque and classical architecture as well as palaces, noble mansions, beautiful museums, and charming squares.

 

Some compelling Corfu attraction include numerous monuments from Medieval times, including the Old Fortress, the New Fortress, Liston Promenade and the Church of Saint Spyridon, protector of the island.  All in all, this small island is packed with historical attractions as well as contemporary appeal.  

 

There are also many beaches on Corfu, the most popular being the Paleokastritsa, on the west coast, about 25-kilometers from Corfu Town. This beach boasts a collection of deep, curving bays and pebbled beaches surrounded by huge green cliffs and many sea caves that can be visited by boat, all leading into the clear blue Ionian Sea.

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Temple of Olympian Zeus

The ancient city of Olympia, located in the valley of Peleoponnesus, was home of the Olympic Games, held every four years, beginning in 776 BCE. It houses the remains of all the sports structures erected for these Olympic Games. It also contains the highest concentration of some of the most important masterpieces from the ancient Greek world.

 

The Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the largest in Ancient Greece, originally featured 104 Corinthian columns of which only 15 remain standing today. The site also includes the ancient stadium, the gymnasium, the temples of Zeus and Hera, as well as the workshop of the ancient Greece sculptor Phidias.

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Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, located in the north, is Greece’s second largest city.

With a rich and vibrant history, Thessaloniki boasts many Byzantine churches and Ancient Greece treasures. But perhaps its claim to fame is that it is the gateway to Macedonia, with connections to Alexander the Great and his tutor Aristotle. It has two major universities that attract hundreds of students, giving it an eclectic and youthful vibe.

 

As the crossroads of European and Ottoman cultures, Thessaloniki contains many museums, among the most notable being, the  Archaeological Museum that houses a large collection of remains from Greek Macedonia and the Museum of Byzantine Culture that features artifacts from that period.

 

As far as historical sites, you won’t want to miss are the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda, as well as the Thessaloniki Citadel with its walls located in the upper city, famous for its beautiful sunset views.

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Epidaurus

Epidaurus, located in the Peloponnese region, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features the well-preserved Ancient Theatre, constructed in the late 4th century BCE to host religious ceremonial events in honor of the god Asclepius. Known for its great symmetry and incredible acoustics, it can seat up to 14,000 people is still used today for antique Greek plays during the summer.

 

This site also includes the sanctuary of Asclepius, dedicated to the healing god; the Archaeological Museum and the Little Theatre.

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Mystras

Mystras is located about 10 kilometers from Sparta on the slopes of the Taygetus mountain. It was once one of the capitals and fortified cities of the Byzantine Empire and after years of decay was restored and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage.

 

Mystras features numerous historical sites, among them the Palace of Despot, the second most important palace of the Byzantine Empire. It is also home to the Cathedral of Agios, founded in 1292 AD, one of the most important churches of Mystras featuring a mixed architectural style combining 13th and 15th century styles.

 

It also features several other glorious churches and monasteries built in 13th and 14th centuries; and in the Archaeological Museum of Mystras, you can find exhibits and fragments dating back to the of the Byzantine era.

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The North Aegean islands

The North Aegean Islands, close to Turkey, includes many attractions and fantastic beaches. Comprised of several islands, the visitor can spend a few glorious days exploring these diverse sites.

 

The island of Chios features many medieval villages and magnificent beaches. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful paved alleys and oriental influence of Lesbos and its picture postcard villages.

 

Samos is known for its sandy beaches and small coves. The goddess Hera (wife of Zeus) and the famous mathematician Pythagoras were born on this island.

 

Icaria is home to Panigyria, a traditional Greek festival with dances and alcohol. Icaria’s beaches are considered to be the most beautiful of the Aegean Sea.

 

Lemnos is a breathtaking volcanic island with large beaches.

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Delphi

Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is built on the lower slopes of Mount Parnassus, 180 kilometers northwest of Athens.  Sacred in the ancient world, it served as a pilgrimage location for the worship of Apollo and for those seeking advice from the mythical Oracle.
 
Today it consists of the crumbling ruins of numerous temples, a theater, and stadium, dating back to ancient times. Only a few of the Doric columns remain standing from the Temple of Apollo but its imposing foundations conjure up the strong image of the Temple’s glory from ancient times.
 
The Delphi Archaeological Museum displays an impressive collection of finds from the site.

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Greece Adventure Trips

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Greece Adventure Trips offers amazing travel packages for your Greek vacation!

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