Greece and Its Islands: 10 Reasons to Visit Soon

By: Jimi St Pierre Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Greece is one of the most fascinating countries on the planet. It is a country where no-one is in a hurry and the sun warms you from early in the morning to the glorious sunset. It is a place to enjoy freshly caught fish and local wine by the water's edge, as the local Orthodox priest chats with villagers while cats rub against your legs looking for a morsel of food.

Greece was the cradle of Western civilisation, and as if that isn't enough reason on its own to visit, here are 10 other good reasons to make a trip to Greece soon.

Beaches: With dozens of inhabited islands and plenty of choice on the mainland too, you're never far from an inviting stretch of sand or shingle lapped by the warm Ionian or Aegean seas. Resorts come in all shapes and sizes so there's bound to be one or many to suit you.

Nightlife: From cosmopolitan Athens to the larger resorts which really get into the swing in July and August, there's plenty of choice. Whether you want the full-on sounds of Malia in Crete or just want to practise a Zorba the Greek dance with someone you've just met, it's here and happening.

Food: Simple, fresh ingredients are the heart of Greek cuisine, including fish, lamb, pork and of course Greek salad with feta cheese and olives, and dips such as tsatsiki. More sophisticated restaurants have sprung up in larger resorts and cities.

Wine: The most distinctive is the resin-flavoured white wine retsina, but if that's not to your taste there are many other local and wines to savour. Fine wines come from regions such as the island of Santorini, from grapes grown in lava fields.

Archaeology: Ancient Greece was one of the greatest civilisations, and you can visit wonderful ruins in Athens, Delphi, Olympia, the Peloponnese peninsula, Crete and many other places. Cities: Athens is not only an ancient wonder but a vibrant modern metropolis, transformed before hosting the 2004 Olympic Games. Also check out Thessaloniki in northern Greece, a fascinating mix of influences close to the beaches of Halkidiki.

Nature: Much of the mainland is covered by pine forests, and mountains such as Mount Olympus. You should not miss the spectacular gorges in the north-west of the country.

Island hopping: The country's dense network of inter-island ferries and hydrofoils means that one of the delights of the country is to land somewhere and simply take off and let serendipity rule. Discover small islands you've heard of only in dreams.

Shopping: Don't forget something from the wide range of handicrafts, plus local herbs and honey.

Touring: The mainland is a treasure trove of history, landscapes and good times, with the main touring routes being the Peloponnese and north-west. Crete will also repay your attention: the depth of history is there to be discovered, and is well worth exploration.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Jimi St. Pierre, working with travel correspondent Penny Church, writes for the map-based holiday destination and flight finder Travelwhere. With Travelwhere, you can find find cheap flights to Greece along with a wealth of additional infomation - including the brochures of major and specialits tour operators to Greece.