Greece Travel Planner

Greece - Where ancient lands meet idyllic waters

Greece is the cradle of some of the most ancient and prosperous European civilisations, as well as being home to idyllic islands, great food, a relaxed lifestyle and vibrant spirit. It fuses centuries of tradition with 21st century luxuries, offering the traveller the best of both worlds. From the gravitas and splendour of its ancient structures to the achingly beautiful white sands and blue seas of its islands, little wonder visitors are drawn back time and again.

History and culture

Modern day Greece is a country of extraordinary history and diverse cultures, its infl uences drawn from its location at the junction between east and west, and the many occupations endured by the Greek people throughout its remarkable history.

Greece’s antiquity dates back to 3000 BC when the powerful Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations flourished in Crete and on the mainland. The evolution of powerful city-states, especially Athens and Sparta, between 800 and 500 BC, produced the classical age of Athens, and Ancient Greek civilisation, epitomised by the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. Widely considered to be the foundation of western culture, its influences span the time of the Roman Empire through to Europe’s Renaissance and the neo-classical period of the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the deep history of Greece is told by the ruins and relics that are found throughout the country.

Crowned by the Acropolis and Parthenon, Athens is a wannabe-archaeologist’s delight, and a fascinating playground of ancient sites and historical structures, but the culture and history extends far beyond the capital city. Mykonos, Crete and Rhodes are just a selection of the islands that hold fine examples of centuries-old life, the myths and legends of ancient Greece and some of the country’s most important archaeological sites.

Nature

Aside from its extraordinary history, Greece is famed in equal measure for its outstanding natural beauty, scenic coastline and idyllic islands. Nearly a fifth of the landmass of the country is made up of thousands of islands, which nestle serenely in the warm, blue waters of the surrounding seas, and are the world’s most popular cruising grounds.

The islands themselves are typified by historic and picturesque villages, fertile valleys, beautiful sand and pebble beaches, and impossibly blue water. Sheltered bays and coves, and rocky caves are home to a unique population of marine and coastal life, offering endless opportunities for diving, snorkelling and bird spotting, while inland waterfalls, gorges and sweeping plains are home to a diverse floral life.

Not to be missed, is Santorini, one of the Cyclades group of islands, which offers a unique ecological structure of its own. Created by a volcanic eruption in 1500 BC, the heart of the island sank into the sea leaving a crater behind, the rim of which today forms the land. A stunning landscape of steep dark rock formations sits alongside white and black volcanic sand beaches, while the whitewashed buildings of the small villages hug the face and rim of the crater, creating the most famous visions of Greece.

Shopping

Just like most Mediterranean countries, the Greek people have a real appetite for shopping and the cities and towns are widely populated with shopping centres, trendy boutiques and lively markets selling all kinds of wares from European fashions to traditional souvenirs. In Athens, head to Plaka, one of the most popular areas of town for shopping, wandering through cobbled streets or sitting and watching the world go by in one of the many tavernas. You’ll also find a huge range of authentic handcrafted souvenirs on the islands, bustling with street stalls and roadside artists.

Dining

Like the people, Greek cuisine is unique. It is strong and vibrant, mixing classical Mediterranean cooking with ‘oriental’ influences This sun-kissed nation is blessed with a bounty of wonderfully fresh, flavoursome foods: olives, lemons, tomatoes and grapes are the staple for many of their dishes and combine with fresh seafood, succulent lamb, souvlaki and moussaka to create a tempting smorgasbord of cuisine.

The Greek preference for appetisers, or meze, makes it easy to try a taste of everything – all washed down with plenty of white wine – and the cosmopolitan streets of Athens, or the charming tavernas of rural or island Greece are great places to settle in and enjoy the experience.

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One of the most ancient civilisations in the world, Greece is home to a vast collection of mesmerising archaeological sites, none more stunning than the Acropolis in Athens. Widely considered the most important ancient site in the world, Pericles set about transforming the Rock into a city of temples in the 5th century BC. The Parthenon was built to house the giant statue of Athena as well as the city’s treasury and is the largest Doric temple in Greece. Apart from the Parthenon, the Acropolis is also home to the Temple of Athena Nike and The Erechtheion. During the summer it’s open daily from 8am to 7.30pm – arrive early to avoid the worst of the crowds.