There's probably no other country that can boast a richer, more ancient history than Greece. Athens is the huge modern capital city. It may look like a concrete jungle occasionally surrounded by smog, but it has a heritage that dates back to the dawn of civilisation.
Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829, 8 years after the declaration of war known as “The Greek Revolution”. The Declaration of Independence was declared on 25 March 1821, the same day that the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary took place. 25 March is officially recognized as a National Day for Greece and is accompanied by military parades on the streets.
» The Ionian islands
» The NorthEastern Aegean islands
» The Argo-Saronic islands
» The Sporades
» The Cyclades
» The Dodecanese
» Crete
» Evia
Seven of these groups lie in the Aegean sea, whereas the Ionian islands are the only islands in the Ionian sea. Popular travel locations are the island of Mykonos, Corfu and Crete which have unparallel natural beauty and some of the most wonderful beaches in the world.
In contrast are the mountain areas of Greece where it is even possible and if you want to ski in Greece have a look at the Greece ski resorts.
Some of the biggest cities of Greece are Athens, which is also the Capital of Greece, Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Patra and Heraklion. Whatever city you choose to visit it bears no doubt that you will have an amazing time during your stay. Greece combines entertainment with education in such a variety of ways that you will never be bored. You should consider booking your Greece hotels before you arrive.
Athens is the Capital of Greece, having a history of over 3,000 years and counts around 780.000 citizens, while the urban area of the city extends far beyond the administrative city limits hitting a population number of 3.5 million. Athens's climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers and rainy winters. The city is home to various archaeological museums such as the National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Museum, that together with the Acropolis monument make Athens a first choice for all archaeology enthusiasts. The Oden of Herodus Atticus, a stone theatre structure together with the nearly 150 theatrical stages support the city's cultural entertainment for its citizens. Finally, the well-known Athens Concert Hall is located on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue and attracts famous orchestras from all over the world all year round.
The country's islands are a famous destination for tourists all around the world. Various celebrities have also visited islands such as Corfu, Mykonos, Tinos, Paros and Santorini.
Greece's rich geological formation has enabled the form of various caves on the mainland and on the islands. Many of these caves have provided clues for early human presence, and findings such as ancient jewelries and bones have verified this suggestion. One of the most famous caves in Greece is the Cave of Petralona, in the foothills of mount Katsika in Macedonia. There, geologists found a human skull dating from 600,000 BC and various other animal bones. Today it is an active attraction site year-round.
The abode of Gods, mount Olympus is the highest mountain in the country at 2.917m and is located 100km from Thessaloniki. All climbs to the mount Olympus start from the town of Litochoro, situated on the roots of the mountain. Another popular mountain that operates as a ski resort is Kaimakchalan that attracts teenagers and families wishing to take ski-lessons or just enjoy the panoramic view.
Travel tips for holidays to Greece
The Advantages of Having a Suite at the Blue Palace Crete
