If you like coastlines and islands, a trip to Greece may
interest you. This country in Southern Europe is well known for
having ancient history dating back thousands of years. It's also
known for its beautiful coasts, breathtaking islands, and calm,
clear waters. Seeing a city of whitewashed adobe from a ship at
Sea as you head toward the docks is just amazing - something you
definitely want to see at once in your lifetime. It sort of
takes you back to a different time.
Don't worry about having to experience the past first hand,
however. Once you get to shore in Greece, there are many modern
luxurious places to lay your head, eat, and even party down a
little. And if you're looking for a little peace and quiet as
you reflect on the world, this is available as well. Be warned
that with everything Greece has to offer, it is one of the most
popular tourist destinations for people from all over the
planet. So, if you don't plan carefully, you may end up there
during peak tourist season, which can affect many things.
Places to See in Greece
Athens - The capital city
is a favorite destination for many people. If it's not your
first trip and you're trying to avoid crowds, you may want to
steer clear of this city.
Heraklion - This is the
main city on the island of Crete.
Delphi - Yes, this is the
place that is supposed to be home to the oracle talked about
in Apollo.
Meteora - If you want to
see ancient monasteries up close and personal, you'll want to
stop here.
Olympia - Dedicated to
Zeus, this is where the ancient Olympics were held.
Rhodes - This island has a
lot of great beaches. It also holds some old monuments that
are interesting to see in person.
Traveling to Greece
Here are some things to keep in mind if it's your first trip
to Greece.
Weather - While climate
varies all over Greece (quite a bit for a small country), most
people compare it to California weather. From April to
November in some areas it is constant sunshine with a dry,
high heat.
Currency - the Euro is used
all over Greece. You should plan on converting your currency
before or just after you get to the country.
Shopping - In most areas
bargaining is considered impolite and usually won't be
successful. That said, prices are usually reasonable if you
shop around a little.
Food - While traditional
Greek cuisine is very Mediterranean in flavor, the country has
been influenced heavily by the foods and cooking styles of
neighboring countries.
Drinking - Wine is very
popular in Greece, with many great local varieties to choose
from if you're really into wine in a big way. On the harder
side, ouzo is a famous (very strong) Greek drink that
non-drinkers should probably stay away from!
If you are thinking about going to Greece for the first time,
you should be worried about crime and other dangers about as
much as you would when visiting any other civilized country in
the world. The history and ancient feelings of Greece emanate
wherever you go. Still, there are some modern conveniences
available depending on where you go. If you have the money,
renting a private villa near the coast is probably going to be
your best bet. There are a lot of other types of lodging
available, however. Greece may be one of the most popular
tourist destinations, but there's a reason for this. If you
travel here at the right time, with the right people and go to
the right places, there's a very good chance you're going to
find out why this is first hand. Remember to be polite (with
your actions, not just your words) and the people of Greece will
accept you and make sure you have the best time possible.
