Greece

Greece is the lands of many myths, of gods and giants, ancient ruins and varied landscape, wide open skies and a sea speckled with islands. Relish the white-sand and palm-fringed beaches, strong feta and stronger ouzo. Discover thought-provoking modern art and a vivacious contemporary music scene, stumble across galleries, live music and impressively modern museums in the most unexpected places. Let Greece fill your senses.

Greece with all its islands has the 12th longest coastline in the world. There are a staggering number of 1400 islands, only 227 are inhabited, so there’s a never ending list of places to explore.

Wherever you go there are ruins and monuments to be explored, the best-known being the Parthenon, Acropolis, Mount Olympia, Gates of Hades and one of Greece’s most sacred places – Delphi.

 Athens, with all the bustle of a modern city, offers wonderful tavernas and bars, ancient monuments, historic sites and theatre. Not far away on the mainland, is Peloponnese with its sleepy fishing villages and empty beaches. Or Parga and other small towns set into the back drop of verdant hills.  All around the Peloponnese are spectacular mythical and historic sites left by the great ancient Greek civilisation.

Well known Ionian island destinations including Corfu and Meganissi, Kefalonia or Lefkas,  Paxos, Samos, Patmos, Ikaria and Lemnos are simply stunning. An island option is doing the Sporades. Fly to Skiathos, then boat to the quieter Skopelos or touch little Alonissos.  On any Greek island you can book a self-catering cottage or town house and unwind walking the narrow goat tracks that criss-cross the land.

The Cyclades, with white washed hillside villages, clear blue water makes for your idyllic Greek island postcard!  Paros and Naxos have great beaches and beautiful scenery with bright fishing boats, donkeys wandering the streets and windmills in the background. Santorini offer luxury hotels and spas, unique blue domed buildings and dramatic cliffs. Crete is one of the biggest and hottest islands, has nightlife, mountains, beaches and wildlife. Rhodes is another large island with a fascinating history, and fabulous sunsets.Some of Hollywood’s most famous films – Mama Mia, Captain Corellis Mandolin, The Big Blue, Shirley Valentie, Bourne Identity and For Your Eyes Only – have Greek locales as backdrops.

The Greek menu is filled with scrumptious cuisine that offers an adventure at every mealtime. The tang of home-made tzatziki and the aroma of grilled souvlaki are just the beginning. Turkish and Italian legacies are woven throughout many dishes and you’ll discover islands or towns known for distinct ingredients. Cheeses, herbs and mountain greens you might never have heard of compliment local seafood, meat and veggie dishes. Through a contemporary renaissance in traditional cooking, chefs are increasingly taking time-honoured recipes to new gourmet heights.

Be brave! Be passionate! Be Greek!