Greece is the land of ancient mythology and thick layers of history. Having lived here for a long time now, I would have thought I would have got used to its charm and grandeur, but the truth is, Greece continues to amaze me every single day. Every wave that hits the Myrtos beach, every ray that shines on the Parthenion, every tree that grows on the Samaria Gorge, all entice me and enthuse my senses, as if I were a foreign traveller on my first visit to the country. Greece is one country where I can just hoist my backpack and get going - perfectly safe for women and travelling alone, and both together. What's more, it is easy on the pocket too! No wonder then that you see so many foreign faces dotting the country during the peak season, usually May to September.
There are of course the big and the famous monuments that one must absolutely see in Greece, like the Parthenion, Mount Athos, Mystras and so on. The real Greece is, however, seen when you go island hopping. And there are quite a number of them - the islands - and an equally, if not more, number of amazing activities to do in these islands. With more than 3000 islands in the Aegan and the Ionian Sea, the islands of Greece are verily a traveler's dream come true. These islands offer something to almost every type of traveler. So you have ancient temples of Greek gods, yatching facilities, cruises, nature trails and a thriving party arena.
When visiting Greece, it is a given that you would be spending some time in Athens. The seasoned travelers however suggest that you should keep Athens to a couple of days, or 3 at the most. The real action lies outside, on the islands and other lesser known cities, and that is where you have to head if you want to fully savor the country.
Athens is the epicentre of the Greek civilization, and till date carries in it the charm and grandeur that made Greek civilization one of the biggest civilizations in history. No surprises then that you will find the city dotted with monuments and museums. The Acropolis and the Parthenon are two of the most famous Greek monuments you will find here. The city is also home to a number of sprawling amphitheaters, out of which, probably, the gladiators fought their opponents.
The Argo-Saronic islands are one of the many island clusters that belong to Greece. They are located off the Saronic gulf, and are close to Athens. Home to a great many historical attractions and natural wonders, these islands attract a large number of tourists all around the year. Some of the noteworthy islands in this group are Aegina, Hydra and Spetses.
Romance is another name for Santorini, for if you will not fall in love with this beauty, you will not fall in love with anything else. Dramatic cliff tops, overlooking the striking blue Aegan sea and the sparkling white architecture make this volcanic island the coolest place to be for honeymooners.
Don't miss Spetses if you are an old-world lover. This is one of those islands that still untouched by mass tourism, and that means this is one of those few places in the world where you still get to travel by horse drawn coaches and pass through magnificent villas hedged with bougainvilleas. And not to mention the peaceful, deserted beaches and cobbled streets.
The best place in all of Greece to taste the authentic Greece cuisine. There are not one or two dishes that are specialties here - every restaurant owner will have a different dish to offer. This is paradise for a foodie, and if you are one, it would definitely be a big task to get you to leave the city once you have tasted the food here.
If small and secluded towns have started to grow on you, its time to revel in the luxury of Costa Navarino. A well developed island with multi-cuisine restaurants, elegant resorts and a most handsome golf course. You would find a lot of families here since the resorts offer lot of activities for both kids as well as adults.
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