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Why go? Like its flag, Greece is a land of blue and white: myriad islands with azure seas, Mediterranean skies, white-washed chapels, tumbling villages. It is picture-postcard stuff. Santorini’s sea-crater, Mykonos’ windmills and Crete’s palm-beaches are classic holiday images. And there are fifty more islands to choose from… But there is also another Greece. Venture into the colourful mainland and you’ll find the green of fir forests, the silver of olive groves, the brown of stone villages and frescoed monasteries, the mosaic of spring flowers beneath snowy peaks. Some parts, like the culture-rich Peloponnese, are well-known; others, like the mountains of Epirus, are visited only by hardy hikers, Vlach shepherds and the occasional bear. Wherever you go, there is that famous hospitality. Even now you will be greeted and invited by strangers wanting nothing more than a friendly chat, the latest football scores or some English practice. An ancient temple or mythical site is never far away, the pace is relaxed, the food delicious and healthy, and, if you know where you are going, you’ll find some surprisingly decent places to stay, many of them newly refurbished after the Olympics. What's where? Need help planning your trip? Read our guide to Greece in a nutshell Any downsides? The summer heat is intense, but the Meltemi wind cools most islands. It's not as cheap as it was, but it is less corrupt. Greek food is too oily for some. It's impossible to find a genuinely deserted beach in summer. Many places close in winter. It takes a while to reach some islands (but that's the point!), and reliable travel info is scarce. Be aware that Athens is a huge, modern metropolis, but don't write it off: the Olympics have breathed new life and soul into the city. Current time/weather In Athens:  |
Activities *Sightseeing There are ancient temples, theatres and acropolis (citadels) throughout Greece, plus Frankish and Turkish castles, frescoed Byzantine chapels and dramatically-sited Orthodox monasteries. Crete boasts Minoan palaces, Santorini an ash-preserved city, Mykonos a ‘mythical islet’, Epirus an oracle-theatre, Athens its Parthenon, and the Peloponnese a bit of everything. *Island-hopping The classic hippy adventure has grown up: hydrofoils and ‘superferries’ now ply the waters between neighbouring Cyclades islands, some of which have turned stylish (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros) while others have remained charmingly quiet (Folegandros, Tinos, Andros). Secluded luxury hotels, converted windmills and Neoclassical villas complement the many seaside ‘pensions’. *Boat-trips and sailing Hire a fishing ‘caïque’ for a day and escape to an idyllic beach; do a spot of fishing on the way and barbeque your catch for lunch! Or hire a yacht (bareboat or chartered) for a longer cruise - hop from island to island, mooring in deserted coves. *Hiking Greece and her islands are spectacular and mountainous, offering serious peaks and gorges, or gentler mulepaths and coastal walks. Our favourite trailhead hotels are a mountain hamlet in Crete, a coastal pension in the Mani, and traditional guesthouses in the mountain villages of Vitsa and Koukouli. *Rafting & Canoeing Mainland Greece has some sizeable rivers which, with local guidance, you can follow through deep limestone gorges to remote villages and monasteries. *Creative courses With its relaxed pace, healthy food and natural lifestyle, Greece is perfect for Yoga, pottery classes, writing and other creative escapes. *Car tours Greece has some breathtaking roads, including the Langada and Kosmas passes (Peloponnese), the Katara pass (north mainland) and dozens of gorge roads (Crete), which make getting from A to B a thrill in itself. See our itineraries. |
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