Greece
Greece
Officially the Hellenic Republic of Greece is a country in southeastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. It has borders with Albania, the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the east. Greece is a developed country, a member of the European Union since 1981, a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union since 2001, NATO since 1952, the OECD since 1961, the WEU since 1995, a founding member of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and a member of ESA since 2005. Athens is the capital in Greece.
Greece Accommodation:
The Greek Islands are located in the south east of Europe and it is the most oriental European country. Greece is a peninsular country which is surrounded by the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea. One of the characteristics of Greece is its many islands scattered in both seas. Every island has a unique beauty and charm and attracts thousands of visitors every year. They are attracted by: the beautiful landscapes, the long sandy beaches in crystal waters, a passionate history and mythology, plenty of archaeological sites.
Tourist attractions:
The major tourist attraction in Greece is Athens which is the capital of Greece. Greece is also home to a number of museums. As a tourist destination, people come back to Greece again and again. Greece is well known for its pleasant Mediterranean climate, its beaches, fine cuisine and active night life. Athens has beautiful atoll getaways off the coast and provides its visitors with all the comforts of contemporary living. These islands, together with Kythira, which is however cut-off from the rest, opposite the southern Peloponnese, as well as neighbouring Antikythira, they constitute the Eptanissa. The islands of Gavdos, Elafonissos and Trizonis, although not forming part of any group, are of unparalleled natural beauty.
Ancient Olympia -
Ancient Olympia is where the original Olympic Games took place, and there are several remnants left as a reminder of these great games that were held centuries ago. There are also other places of interest such as the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Zeus. The Temple of Zeus is known for the enormous gold and ivory statue of Zeus that was sculpted by a man named Pheidias.
Mount Olympus –
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain peak in Greece and provides breathtaking views of its surroundings. Mountaineers and Trekkers are sure to enjoy hiking up this famous mountain; however persons interested in hiking on the mountain need to be careful of some of the more dangerous areas, as well as rough weather, in order to avoid any mishaps. The mountain houses 1700 rare species of plant life and there are several places to stay in its vicinity.
Meteora –
Meteora are rock formations which have monasteries situated on the highest and largest points of the rocks. Women must wear long skirts and men long trousers. People are required to be completely covered including the arms otherwise admission to the monastery will not be permitted. Hats are also not allowed and whistling or singing is strictly prohibited as one is required to maintain silence.
Knossos –
These are ruins which have been restored and are found in the innermost area of the island of Crete which was discovered by Sir Arthur Evans a British archaeologist in 1990. One would need to spend a fair amount of time here to investigate all that it has to offer. This was originally a Palace which was established in 7000 BC and was the seat of the legendary King Minos. The original palace was destroyed and rebuilt and was again damaged by fire and then restored into the holy place of the goddess Rhea.
Thessalonica –
Thessalonica is one of the major towns in Greece and is the capital of Macedonia. it is situated in the northern region of Greece. It is a vivacious port town and a popular tourist destination for many eastern European tourists. There are several museums and universities, and it is home to one of the various airports in Greece.
Rhodes –
Rhodes is one of the largest tourist attractions of the Dodecanese islands and is well known for its pleasant climate and sandy beaches. The Old town of Rhodes includes the Mandraki harbour where the statue of Colossus was said to have been situated. This statue was made out of bronze and was once included in the Seven Wonders of the World. Citizens at the time feared that Helios had been offended in some manner and so destroyed the statue.
Corfu –
Corfu is the 2nd largest island in the Lonian region and also gets the highest amount of rain fall in Greece. Several museums can be found in the area which complements the lush green landscapes, flowers and scenic surroundings. It is also the home of splendid coasts and beaches; this modern island also serves as the contemporary international tourist center, which offers several activities and recreational facilities to the tourists who visit.
Kefalonia –
Kefalonia is a beautiful island and is one of the major islands of the Lonian region. This is one of the largest islands in Greece, and many people come to visit Kefalonia from Italy due to its close proximity. Mitros is the most popular beaches in this area and ranks 5th worldwide for its beauty and splendor.
Cyprus –
Cyprus is the 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean region is known to be the residence of the Greek goddess Aphrodite and is popular with younger people especially from the region of Ayia Napa. The island has influences of the east and the Mediterranean region to a vast extent.
Greece Food items:
The food quality and service in both cases is exceptional, and the restaurants themselves are very clean. Where the sea is never far and sunshine is abundant In Greece. The typical kitchen contains generous amounts of fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, grains, herbs, olives and their oil. There are a host of key Greek foods increasingly in demand outside Greece for their flavor and healthful quality that give Greek cuisine its distinctiveness. Although one can find different ethnic foods in Athens, the great majority of restaurants in Greece serve only one variety of food Greek food. Restaurants in Greece come in many different sizes and varieties as well. There are the “touristy” restaurants that would normally serve what travelers most often desire, and there are restaurants that cater exclusively to tourists.
Shopping in Greece:
Shopping in Greece is among one of the many pleasures to be had during your vacation in Hellas. Shopping in Athens Greece is akin to big city shopping in Paris and New York and if you are there in the winter, you can often find some great bargains. The first thing to do when planning to go shopping in Greece is get comfortable with the currency in Greece. Like many other countries in the European Union, the original Greece currency switched to the Euro a couple years back. The banks in Greece are typically open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Great thing about the currency in Greece is that it is the same as the majority of other European nations, meaning once you’ve changed money, you can head to Italy or France without having to worry about it again and again.
Ermou Street is home to many local shops and international clothes makers. You can also find jewelry stores on Ermou and the selection of shoes along this strip might see you shipping a couple pairs home. Kolonaki is the other most popular shopping district in Athens. It is one of, if not the city’s most upscale neighborhood, and among its shops are the most haute couture fashion designers. Although it is not exactly vogue anymore, some people still like to buy furs, and some of the best furs can be found shopping in Greece. Most of the finest come from Kastoria in the Macedonian region.
Category: Europe Travel, Travel Tips
