The Top Luxury Hotels in Crete are amongst the top hotels on the Greek Islands, and Crete Luxury Holidays are amongst the top in the Meditteranean When you come to make a decision about a Greek Island Vacation, you really shouldn’t look any further than Crete. If you want to take a Honeymoon in Europe, then you can get some of the best European Honeymoon Packages directly from the hotels themselves.
Crete is the biggest of the Greek Islands.
When you look at the sheer scale of the island, it measures over 150 miles from East to West, and 37 miles between the North and South Coast. There is everything from mountains, with totally unspoilt villages to very busy resorts on the beach.
Whether you are looking for a Romantic Hotel, or a honeymoon hotel, a Spa Hotel, and intimate Hotel, a Boutique hotel, or a Hip Hotel, then Crete has them all.
What follows are brief descriptions of a few of the top luxury hotels in Crete hotels which might be what you are looking for when you are deciding on either a Crete Luxury Holiday or a European Honeymoon Package.
The Elounda Mare Hotel, Elounda with 215 suites and villas, is easily the best luxury hotel in Crete, if not one of the top resort hotels in Europe. Some of the villas have their own pool, and you can enjoy everything from golf to tennis, and all the watersports you can think of.
Istron Bay Hotel, Istro, Agios Nikolaos is incredibly well hidden built into a cliff face below road level, with several floors, huge rooms with large balconies overlooking the bay. This luxury hotel is definitely one for foodies as the restaurant is award winning.
Palazzo Rimondi, Rethymno has 21 rooms and is made up from several 15th Century Venetian houses hidden away in the back streets of Rethymno’s Old Town. The rooms in the hotel retain much of the original features, but all the enormous rooms, which are really suites, are very up to date and stylishly comfortable. This hotel is for the connoisseur of historical buildings that have been modernised but are still in keeping with their surroundings.
Casa Delfino, Chania is a 17th Century former palace situated in the most beautiful town on Crete. The Venetian harbour of Chania is very beautiful and as befits the best hotel in the town it overlooks the harbour from its private roof terrace. It is quite hidden away in the old town with beautiful rooms, each with a marble Jacuzzi, and the rooms are all off a superb central courtyard.
Casa Leone, Chania is a 600 year old mansion hidden away in the back streets of the Old Town. It has a rooftop terrace overlooking the Venetian harbour. It has been restored quite beautifully and furnished with antiques, but has all the modern conveniences that 21st century guests demand. If you can; get a room overlooking the por.t
All of these top luxury hotels in Crete would fit the bill if you want a luxurious honeymoon in Europe. Why not split things up and stay in two or three of them!!
The first sign of colony in Greece comes from about 55,000BC (57,000 years ago). Even then there were not very numerous people until around 3000 BC. Greek history is usually divided into a Stone Age, a Bronze Age, and an Iron Age. Sometimes people divide each of these periods into smaller periods as well.
Stone Age
The ancient traces of human residence in Greece date from the Palaeolithic period (120,000 – 10,000 B.C. approximately). During the subsequent Neolithic period (7,000 - 3,000 B.C. approximately), civilisation flourishes in Greece. A plethora of Neolithic settlements and cemeteries have been discovered in Thessaly (Sesklo, Dimini), Macedonia, the Peloponnese and others.
Bronze Age
The commencement of the Bronze Age (3000 - 1100 B.C. approx.) is marked by the appearance of the first urban centres in the Aegean (Poliochni on the island of Limnos). Flourishing suburbs are found on Crete, the Greek mainland, the Cyclades and in the Northeastern Aegean, regions where characteristic cultural patterns develop. At the beginning of the 2nd millennium B.C. organised palatial societies appear on Minoan Crete, resulting in the development of the first scripts. Using the palace of Knossos as their centre, the Minoans create a communication network with peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean, adopt elements of their cultures, and in turn have a decisive influence on the cultures of the Greek mainland and the Aegean islands. On the Greek mainland, the Mycenaeans, taking advantage of the destructions caused on Crete by the eruption of the volcano on Santorini (around 1500 B.C.), step forward and become the leading force in the Aegean during the last centuries of the 2nd millennium B.C. The Mycenaean citadels in Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thebes, Gla, Athens and Iolkós constitute the centres of bureaucratically organised kingdoms. The extensive destruction of the Mycenaean centres around 1200 B.C. led to the decline of the Mycenaean civilisation and the migration of large parts of the population to the coasts of Asia Minor and Cyprus (1st Greek colonisation).
Dark Age
This age continued by a period of wars and invasions, known as the Dark Ages. The Greek Dark Ages (ca. 1100 BC–750 BC) refers to the period of Greek history from the presumed Dorian invasion and end of the Mycenaean civilization in the 11th century BC to the rise of the first Greek city-states in the 9th century BC and the epics of Homer and earliest writings in alphabetic Greek in the 8th century BC. In these periods, the Greeks lived a fairly sedentary, non-urbanized, agricultural life. Many villages were abandoned, and it seems likely that many Greeks returned to a nomadic life in small tribal groups. Several Greeks in this period took to the sea and migrated to the islands in the Aegean; according to Greek history, they were soon followed by the Dorians. Not only did the Greeks abandon writing and most crafts, they also abandoned their large commercial network. They virtually stopped trading with Asia Minor, the Middle East, and Egypt; in fact, they seem to have stopped trading with one another as well. Fortunately for the Greeks, none of the great powers had ever been interested in Europe or the Aegean, so the Greek Dark Ages, once the Dorians had settled, were probably a time of peace. This long breathing-space allowed the Greeks the leisure to slowly redevelop an urbanized culture. In spite of the sadness of the situation, the Greeks started to slowly urbanize in the latter part of the Dark Ages. This early developed culture would produce, at the very close of the Greek Dark Ages, the single greatest Greek accomplishment in the Greek view of themselves: the poetry of Homer. Not only are the two epic poems of Homer windows into the distant Mycenean past and into the darkness of the Greek Middle Ages, they are the defining moment in Greek culture; for the Greeks will turn to these poems throughout their history to define themselves culturally, politically, and historically.
Archaeological Sites
Acropolis
The Acropolis hill, or “The sacred rock” of the Acropolis along with the ruins of the Parthenon dominate the modern architectural imitations. From all parts of Athens, the white marble monuments which adorn it scintillate against the blue sky of Attica. The deep gashes which these monuments bear with dignity in now way detract from the awe with which the visitor senses emotional contact with the full expression of the architectural contribution which the ancient Greeks made to this domain of art. The monuments on the Sacred Rock, whose highest point stands 156 meteres above sea level, are the work of the Golden Afe of Pericles, a period when the world’s greatest sculptors and architects of all time lived. Phidias, Mnisicles, Iktinos and kallicrates are the names behind the creation of this wonder which has shone like the sun through the centurys.
The Acropolis
The Agora
The Agora was the core of ancient Athens - an “open space” which was the nucleus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity for centuries. People shopped, argued and listened to the philosophers here. Inhabited since Neolithic times, the Romans, Persians and Slavs have all had a say in the lengthy history of the Agora. The area was eventually abandoned in the 6th century only to be rediscovered as a residential area in the 19th century. Though now in ruins, there is plenty to see and learn. Visit the Temple of Hephaistos, the Stoa of Zeus, the Eleutheriosm, the Stoa of Zeus, the Eleutherios, the Temple of Apollo, the Patroos, the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes. Altar of the Twelve Gods. The Odeon of Agrippa, the Royal Stoa (Stoa Basileios) and the Tholos.
Delphi
This is situated about one hundred miles northwest of Athens, Delphi is considered by archeologists to be one of Greece’s hugest cultural treasures. The complex includes the Temple of Apollo (home to the famous oracle) the sacred Corycian Cave and the Castalian Spring. In mythology, Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world or the “Navel of the Earth”. Legend has it that the shrine was originally watched over by the she-dragon Pytho who was eventually slain by Apollo. Allow at least a half-day for visiting the site.
Epidaurus
The sanctuary of Asclepios at Epidaurus is a spiritual site worth traveling around the world to visit. In fact the earliest Greeks did just that in order to pay tribute to their spiritual entities in the face of Asclepios, and to ask the gods for remedies for their physical ailments. It was a curative center as well as a cultural center in earliest times. Epidaurus was built round the 3d Century BC and it is adorned with a multitude of buildings most famous of which is the ancient Theater of Epidaurus. This is one of the very few theaters that retains its original circular “Orchestra” and it is a rear aesthetic sight.
Mycenae
Mycenae was the legendary home of the Atreides - victors in the Trojan War. Situated on a small hill-top on the lower slopes of Euboea Mountain north of Corinth, Mycenae has been populated since around 4000 BC and civilization flourished there until about 1350-1200 BC. The ruins of earliest Mycenae are situated near the centre of modern day Mycenae. The town has a citadel housing the ruins of an Acropolis, a palace, Royal Tombs, Cyclopean Walls and the tomb of the Greek hero Agamemnon. The sights from this ancient town are simply stunning.
Olympia
Olympia is situated in the West Peloponnesus and was the site of the first Olympic Games. Every four years athletic competitions were organized at Olympia in honor of Zeus. The Games started in 776 B.C and continued until 5th century B.C. There is much to see at Olympia with some of the most important monuments of the site including the temple of Zeus, The Temple of Hera, the Stadium, the Bouleuterion where athletes were sworn in, the Prytaneion (site of the eternal flame) the Treasuries, the Gymnasium and the Leonidaion (a guesthouse dating from 330 BC). The Archaeological Museum at Olympia contains some attractive exhibitions.
Archaeological Museums
National Museum of Athens
The museum contains some of the best examples of Greek art. Artifacts from prehistoric Greece all the way up to Roman times are exhibited in its halls. Highlights include a large collection of Mycenaean artifacts, archaic Kouros statues, and masterpieces from the Classical and Hellenistic eras. This is by far the largest museum of Greece, and it gives refuge the best examples of Greek Art and Culture from the entire country. The building had been renovated in 2004, and some of its collections have been enhanced.
The Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis museum is one of the main archaeological institutions of Greece. It is erected atop the Acropolis rock to the east of the Parthenon temple. The museum was built to house the rich archaeological finds that have been unearthed during excavations on top and around the Acropolis which, during its long history was decorated with art from a multitudes of eras. If you love art, the Acropolis museum will not disappoint with its exhibition of mostly Archaic and Classical sculptures from the various Acropolis monuments. The highlights are the parthenon freeze, a large collection of Kouros and Kore statues, and the original Caryatides statues from the Erectheon.
The Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Museum owns a collection of Byzantine art from the 4th to the 9th century. Contained in a Florentine-style villa, the collection involves Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, sculpture, manuscripts, wall paintings, mosaics, woodcarvings, bronze engravings, lithographs and prints. The whole Museum complex includes both permanent and temporary exhibitions, a library, conservation laboratories, a café and restaurant, educational areas, a shop and an open-air archaeological park.
The Museum of Cycladic Art
Founded in 1986 to keep the collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art belonging to Nicholas and Aikaterini Goulandris, the Museum of Cycladic Art is stored in a magnificent neo-classical building and houses relics from over 5,000 years of Cycladic history.
Vergina Royal Tombs
The royal tombs of Vergina have been restored recently to become one of the most fabulous museums / archaeological sites of Greece. The rounded hill, known as the Great Tumulus was created in ancient Greece to protect the tomb of the Macedonian king Philip II and others. Today, visitors who enter the tumulus enjoy an excellent exhibit of the artifacts found in the royal tombs alongside the tombs themselves. It is a great example of how the presentation of the artifacts in proximity to their original context allows for a unique experience and the best level of understanding.
Best Beaches of Greece
Plaka Beach
Plaka beach is a lovely three-mile stretch of shoreline, which is actually emergent, and apparently deserted. It is an ideal place to enjoy the beach and sea, away from more busy and noisier beaches on the island.
Vroulidia Beach
Located to the south of Hios (Chios) Island, is the small but scenic Vroulidia beach. With its stunning white sand, and the overhanging rock on the cove that actually hides most of the beach from passers-by, this beach is one that is rarely crowded. You will surely adore your times here at Vroulidia.
Lalaria Beach
This attractive white-pebbled beach is one of the jewels of the Sporades Islands. It has beautiful blue green waters, with white cliffs, and is visually stunning to look at. One of the main reasons why this beach is so beautiful is that it is not as easy to reach as other popular beaches on the island. If you have the patience to make your way down to the beach, you will surely be rewarded once you set down to enjoy the summer sun and sea.
Mikro Beach
Mikro is one of the many mysteries that the region of Pelion has to offer. This beautiful sandy beach is ideal for relaxing holidays in Greece. With a selection of bars, cafes, restaurants, as well as several accommodation establishments, this will be a perfect opcion for peaceful family holidays in Greece.
Greece is an comfortable place to getting around, it is because Greece has a huge system of local transport consisting of ferries, air travel, buses and trains for travel between towns and more local transport choices within a town or an island. You can travel to almost any location via public transport.
Buses are the support of land transport, with a network that reaches out to the smallest villages. The trains are a good option which are available. To most tourists, though, travelling in Greece means island-hopping on the multitude of ferries that crisscross the Adriatic and the Aegean. If you’re in a hurry, Greece also has an extensive domestic air network.
By Air
A number of islands have airports together with Crete, Rhodes, Samos, Kos, Thira and Mykonos, among others. From the 16 international airports of Greece only Athens and Thessaloniki receive regular flights from abroad. There isn’t much in the way of island to island flights. During summer there are generally several flights a day from Athens to each of the major islands. These flights generally take an hour or less. The Greek carrier Olympic Airways and its subsidiaries offer the majority of flights within Greece. Two or three other companies have come into existence over the past few years, offering additional flights around Greece.
By Ferry
The most pleasant way to go, if getting around is part of the fun of your trip. Taking a ferry might also be the only way to get to some islands. Also, the expeditionary way in which the Greeks tend to approach even a short hop is a nice introduction to local custom. There are extensive connections from Athens and in-between islands for “hopping.” Ferries are about the one thing in Greece that leave on time so be prompt. In August, ferries fill up due to the National Holiday (Aug 15) so plan ahead. New “fast ferries” are cutting distance times in half but prices are slightly more expensive. The simple solution to questions about ferries is: don’t worry about it. Show up at any harbour and you will be able to find out all you need to know in about 10 minutes.
It is something of a myth that Greek ferries are unpredictable. But keep in mind that this is sea travel. Do not plan a tight schedule around boats. Nothing short of a force 9 storm will stop the large car ferries, but ferries can arrive late at a final destination even when the weather is good. The further they are from their point of departure, and the more stops on the route, the later they’ll be. Treat the timetables as useful guidelines only. The most trustworthy information is what you get on the day of departure.
By Car
Getting around the Greece by automobile can be an extremely satisfying experience, allowing you to explore the incredibly scenic and varied terrain of the country’s coastlines, interior, and islands, at your convenience. However, Greece does have a relatively high road fatality rate, among the highest in the European Union. Many Greek drivers tend to drive violently, and the nation’s topographic reality poses challenges by forcing many narrow roads in mountainous regions to take several twists and turns. On the plus side, the road fatality rate has been steadily declining as a result of government campaigns, tougher policing, and lawmaking. Roads are usually well-marked and well-maintained, and billions of euros are being poured into expanding the nation’s network of multilane freeways. Because of the rapid growth and development of the nation’s road system, it is advised to have the most updated road maps possible. Many of the newer motorways are toll roads, and fees can be expensive.
Renting a car in Greece is simple and cheap. You can pay anywhere from $150-$200 per week for an “economy” car that would allow you the freedom to travel anywhere you want. “Mini” cars can be rented for as little as $100-$150per week. Make sure that the price you are quoted includes all taxes, insurance, and fees (such as airport fee). Drivers who do not keep an EU driver’s certificate must take a international driver’s license obtained in their home country. This may not be required when renting a car, but will certainly be required if involved in an accident or pulled over by the police for a traffic citation. Insurance policies may be void if the driver is a non-EU driver without an international license.
By Bus
Believe it or not, there are buses in Greece. Intercity buses are a very popular option for domestic travel. KTEL is the national government-subsidized network of independent businesses which cooperate together to form a dense route system serving almost the entire country. The system is efficient, reliable, and relatively inexpensive. It serves both long and short distances, including routes from major cities to islands near the mainland, such as Corfu and Cephalonia (in such cases, the ferry crossing is included in the price of the bus ticket). The frequency of buses, as with ferries, varies with the season. Some services, such as special routes out to beaches, will for obvious reasons be cancelled in the off-season.
By Train
Trains are cheap means to get around, but the national rail system is enormously limited. This is due to disregard after the arrival of large scale automobile use and air travel, and also due to past technological difficulties in surmounting the country’s difficult terrain. The importance of rail travel is now being rediscovered, and the national rail network is currently under major renovation. The project’s completion is still a long way off, but tourists can already benefit from the first sections of the modernized rail system that have been inaugurated. An entirely new suburban/regional rail system, the Proastiakos, has been opened in 2004 for Attica and adjacent regions and is under further expansion. There has also been extensive (and continuing) modernization of the Athens-Thessaloníki corridor, with travel times being slashed.
By Donkeys
Donkeys are used on several islands for rides but mostly to take visitors around for a stroll. In Santorini for occasion you can climb up to the city from the harbor either on a donkey, or a cable cart. On several small islands the locals still use donkeys for transportation since they are very capable on steep narrow streets.
By Food
Considered as a way of transport, walking will get you to sites where not even a donkey will take you. It is also the only way to get to sites where you can experience something of the ‘peace’ which a natural background offers, as you can find illustrated in this trail map. For instance, the island of SIFNOS is one place where the very extensive Kalderimi are still present, and you can spend days exploring the island on foot. But, be warned, some of the trails are no longer in frequent use, and are becoming overgrown with thorn scrub.
The climate in Greece is characteristic of the Mediterranean climate: mild and rainy winters, relatively warm and dry summers and, generally, extended periods of sunshine throughout most of the year. A great diversity of climate subtypes, always within the Mediterranean climate frame, are encountered in several regions of Greece. This is due to the influence of topography (great mountain chains along the central part and other mountainous bodies) on the air masses coming from the moisture sources of the central Mediterranean Sea. Thus the weather in Greece varies from the dry climate of Athens and East Greece in general, to the wet climate of Northern and Western Greece.
In climatological conditions, the year can be approximately subdivided into two main seasons: The cold and rainy period lasting from mid-October until the end of March, and the warm and dry season lasting from April until September.
In summer, dry hot days are often calmed by stiff breezes, especially in the north and coastal areas. Athens can be very hot, so visitors should allow time to acclimatize. The evenings are cool. Winters are mild in the south but much colder in the north. Lightweight clothes during summer months, including protection from the midday sun. Light sweaters are needed for evenings. Rainproofs are advised for autumn. Winter months can be quite cold, especially in the northern mainland, so normal winter wear will be required.
Greece in January
The weather is cold, wet (sometimes even snowy), and windy. Sunny, pleasant days are usually very limited. If you want to shop something you will find that the prices are low. In this month are many events , mainly aimed at Greek aficionados of the arts, among them are, the New Year’s celebrations, then Epiphany on Jan 6th. Plays, concerts, etc. are on in Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as many other locations. The hotels and restaurants on many islands will be closed. The ski season is in full swing, though bad weather may interfere. Port visits by tender from cruise ships may be cancelled due to rough water.
Greece in March
The weather is cool, wet, and windy, more fair days. If you go to shopping you will find that the prices are low in most places, to moderate in carnival areas. The event of this month is The Mardi Gras. The hotels and restaurants on many islands will be closed. Towns with a strong carnival season will be lively.
Greece in May
The weather is terrific - pleasantly warm, light breezes. If you go to shopping you will find that the prices are low and moderate. The events of this month are May 1st (a national labor holiday) and Greek Orthodox Easter. Island hotels and restaurants all open. Boat schedules, air schedules increase. This is a great time to go.
Greece in July
The weather is hot to very hot. July in Greece is a busy month, full of events. The main festivals are all in full swing. In the beginning of the month, the wildly popular Rockwave Festival shakes Athens. Arts festivals aimed at tourists, sound and light shows. Outdoor cinemas are popular; many mountain villages have special events primarily attended by Greeks though all are welcome. Ioannina Cultural Summer events begin, continue through August. Along with August, July prices are the highest of the year. Everything is open. The frequent flights and ferries are often crowded but in general, it’s easiest to get around at this time of year, though the meltemi may cause some delays.
Greece in September
The weather is terrific - warm, light breezes. The prices are moderate. Everything is open until the last part of the month, and everything is less crowded. Transportation schedules start to cut back about September 15th. A few places on the islands will close at the end of September. Activities for children start to be cut back as the school year begins.This is a great time to go.
Greece in November
The weather is cool to cold; high winds. Several days are clear but can be uncomfortably cold or windy. During this month the prices are low. The event of November 21st is the Greek Orthodox Presentation Feast, celebrated widely. Almost the most of the islands are closed, especially in the Cycladics, though Mykonos and Santorini both have a few year-round hotels. Large islands such as Rhodes, Lesbos, Crete, and the Ionians are still enjoyable. Air and boat travel schedules are limited. Port visits by tender from cruise ships may be cancelled due to rough water.
The Greek isle of Milos, a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea, is a beautiful and little-known vacation spot in one of the most gorgeous locations in the world. Known as “the island of colors,” Milos has a long history that is evident in the surrounding countryside and architecture. Near the ancient town of Milos stands a theatre dating back from the days of the Golden Age of Rome, and there are still remains of buildings and town walls. Milos is possibly best known as the site where the Venus de Milo was discovered, which now stands in the Louvre today.
Milos truly is a profusion of colors. Arbutus, orange, olive, and cypress trees decorate the island between fields of cotton and barely. Vines grow throughout the island, creating an enchanting and beautiful landscape. The island is truly “in bloom” in the months of April and May, a time that also offers beautiful weather for tourists. Every July Milos hosts a huge festival of cultural events and music, and this month is seeing more and more vacationers.
Traveling to and from Milos is easy, with daily flights to Athens and daily ferries to other shores. The island offers everything to attract tourists to vacation in Milos: pastry shops, discos, cafes, supermarkets, and jewelry stores are scattered throughout the island in convenient locations.
If you vacation in Milos, you will have more than seventy different beaches to choose from. Surrounded by water and sands of all colors, it is on the coast that you will understand why Milos is known as the island of colors. The sands range from white to black, and the waters range in various shades of deep blues and greens. The beaches are quiet and restful, with no restaurants, bars, or stereos (except during the season, in July and August).
The cuisine makes any vacation in Milos a true experience, and the variety of restaurants will tempt any tourist palate. Local delicacies include dishes made from cabbage, garlic sauce, eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, and pork. Cheese made from goat milk is a mainstay of the island, and the locally-made thyme honey is sold in shops throughout the island. If you vacation in Milos, you will be able to taste locally-made wine, as well as wine imported from the island of Crete.
Any vacation in Milos will thrill and delight the senses. Milos is an island filled with colors, cuisine, music, and ancient mystery. The culture and sights of Milos, not to mention the glorious beaches, make a vacation in Milos perfect for anyone wanting to experience beauty and culture in an exotic and serene location. But be warned! One vacation in Milos often leads to another…and another…and another.
Scattered between the coast of mainland Greece and the tip of Northern Africa, the Greek Islands have been popular holiday destinations for a wide range of holidaymakers.
Where are they?
The Greek Islands are dotted throughout the Aegean Sea, mainly off the south east of mainland Greece. They come in many shapes, sizes and geographical varieties and the people that visit them are as varied as the islands themselves. Whilst you can move between the islands, most people choose to stay on just one for the duration of their holiday. The islands are traditionally divided into seven groups: Cyclades, Aegean, Dodecanese, Sporades, Ionian, Argosaronic Gulf and Crete which, as a single island, is the largest in the group.
Where can I stay?
Try a Greek Island holiday with a difference by choosing a boutique hotel. You can’t beat the individuality of these small, intimate hotels where detail is a primary consideration and the needs of the guest always come first. Try Elounda Gulf Villas and Suites on Crete, Katikies on Santorini and Ostraco Suites on Mykonos. These are all unique places to stay, offering the ultimate in quiet understated luxury.
What can I see?
For most people, the attraction of the Greek Islands is the beaches. The quality and size of the beaches varies from island to island, as does the level of development in the main resorts. The sheer number of islands means that you can usually find exactly what you’re looking for; whether it’s 24-hour entertainment or a quiet relaxing break. For those that want to explore the islands’ culture, there are plenty of historical buildings, traditional villages and museums to visit.
How do I get around?
You can get to some of the islands such as Mykonos and Santorini by air, but most of the other islands are reached by ferry from Athens. The ferries are regular and there are ticket operators at the harbours, so you can also use them to visit other islands during your stay. To get around an island, you can hire a car or a bike, or use the local bus system. There are no train services once you’re off the mainland. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, hire a sailing boat and navigate your own way around the islands.
Travelers who expect to be greeted by lone standing relics of ancient Greece will be awestruck by the sprawling urban metropolis of today’s Athens. The capital city is an explorer’s paradise as historic gems are embedded within the modern day melee and cultural nuances of a turbulent past are written between the lines of concrete and the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. Everywhere in Athens is a testament to why this mythic peninsula is considered the cradle of Western civilization and modern democracy.
Of particular interest, Athens received a much needed facelift in preparation for the 2004 Olympics. Notorious for its nefos (smog) resulting from rapid growth and congestion following World War II and the Cold War, Athens realized the need to clean up its act when it became clear that historic monuments were eroding at an alarming rate due to acid rain from air pollution. Due to this Olympic makeover, it is extremely easy to navigate around the well marked streets in English and Greek and transportation has never been more streamlined.
Mythological Mythos
Ancient Greece reached its societal peak in the 1st century BC when magnificent monuments like the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike were constructed on the fortified Acropolis and Socrates and Plato developed their Western thinking schools of thought. While most of the major attractions from the time period are in the center of the city, travel in the outskirts of Athens will bring encounters with many significant locations from this time period. Marathon, of the famous battle (and today’s 26.22 mile race), is just northeast of Athens and the ancient Mycenaean excavation site at Velatouri is to the south, boasting the unearthed Thorikos theatre. While the Grecian period is omnipresent, Greece has fascinating Turkish and Persian cultural influences as a result of many wars and takeovers until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century.
Club Hopping or Island Hopping?
In the spring and summer evenings, enjoy the cafés and restaurants as they begin to spill into the streets and squares. Greece, and particularly Athens, is notorious for its boisterous and tireless nightlife. The Port of Piraeus comes to life as many vacationers head out for their island excursions from this historic cove. Athens is the perfect place to become immersed in Greek culture and life before taking a ferry ride to one of the surrounding tranquil, historic or party islands – the choice is yours. The port itself is also of particular historic interest. One of the oldest in the world, the port was heavily used during the Peloponnesian Wars in the 4th century BC and remnants of the long Themistoclean Walls, which fortified the port and Athens together during this time period, still survive today.
A trip to Athens is not only a journey of history, but one of modernity and progress. After Greece’s golden age, Athens’ grandeur was squandered to nearly nothing by invaders and the sweeping tides of history. Today, the free and booming capital city is again a testament to its historic commitment to forward thinking civilization. Experience the rebirth of the foundations of the western world in Athens!
The tiny Greek island of Paxos, with its groves of olive trees, secluded beaches and coves, and pretty coastal villages, has become a favourite destination for music lovers during its annual jazz and classical music festivals.
In June, the Paxos Jazz Festival attracts talented and well-known musicians from far and wide to perform in open-air, idyllic locations with perfect summer weather. And from 2–13 September 2006 the renowned Paxos International Music Festival features classical music concerts in Loggos.
Since 1986, this Festival has established a tradition of excellence in performance, and has developed a loyal following of visitors and locals. As well as presenting major works from the chamber music repertoire, the Festival has commissioned new pieces especially for the Island. These included We Shall be Here, for a thousand and a thousand more years, a cantata tracing the history of Paxos from its mythological beginnings to the present day and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf translated into Greek. Now directed by the UK’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the 2006 Festival will present major works by composers who have anniversaries this year, including Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet; Schumann’s Piano Quintet; a Bartok String Quartet and a Shostakovich piano trio. And Guildhall students and teachers will give five special concerts. For the first time in Paxos, singers will present a repertoire of songs and arias.
The cosmopolitan capital of the Island, Gaios, bustles with life at festival time and its harbour is packed with yachts and cruisers. Cafe bars and restaurants line the waterfront, nestled between charming villas with their Venetian architecture, and the island’s nightlife includes late-night music bars overlooking the harbour. At the waterfront terrace of Bar Taxidi, in picture-postcard Loggos, you might even find Spiros, the owner, making traditional music.
Some of the best accommodation on Paxos is to be found in the lovely little fishing harbour of Loggos but, be warned, with limited accommodation Paxos villas are in high demand at the time of the music festival so be sure to make your booking way in advance.
Many consider Greece the cradle of modern civilization. The historical sites in the country are impressive. Still, Greece also has modern touches making it a good travel destination.
Greece
Walk practically anywhere in Greece and you are walking in the footsteps of antiquity. The home to such historical figures, fictional or not, as Plato and Homer. [not Homer Simpson – the other one]. As the center of modern civilization, Greece is considered the home of art, philosophy and many other aspects of culture which set us apart from other creatures. While you could literally spend months in Greece visiting and exploring archeological sites, there country is known for very modern pleasures.
The beaches of Greece are world famous as is the nightlife. For nightlife, Athens is a vibrant city that more or less stays open all night long. Even on Mondays! For sheer excitement, take a taxi on a trip through the city which will make any roller coaster look tame. You can walk through the various market areas or visit the new structures and parks created for the recent Olympic Summer Games.
If a tan is a must, you’re best off heading to the islands. Islands such as Santorini, Ios and Mykinos are the stuff of legend among sunbathers. You can burn under the Mediterranean sun all day and party like a rock star all night. All the islands can be reached by ferry with trips taking a few hours.
The Greeks are colorful and a fun-loving group of people. Sit down in a little café somewhere and you’ll soon be talking to a local with tears of laughter in your eyes. Just make sure you watch out for friendly ouzo toasts. They pack a punch. A serious punch.
If you’re looking for a travel destination with both historical locations and a chance to loaf on the beach, nothing beats Greece. Prices are generally cheap, so give it a try.
Athens is the pre-eminent city of Greece and the main arrival destination. No city mixes history and a chaotic energy better than Athens.
Athens
Athens is city with stunning archeological sites, colorful neighbors, overcrowding and smog like you’ve never seen it. For many travelers, the general impression is one of a poetic chaos. Roads are packed, taxi drivers are nuts and shops seem to spill off the sidewalks and into the middle of roads. Yet, in the middle of this chaos you’ll find peaceful places such as the Acropolis, even though it is packed with tourists.
History
You can’t mention Greece without talking about the Greeks impact on civilization. The city is littered with sites of extremely significant significance. This is not the place where you’ll stand in front of an old structure where Sir so and so fought Sir so and so to the death in a duel that established something faintly important. Instead, you’ll stand in front of monuments where civilization took a quantum leap forward.
The Acropolis is the dominant archeological site in Athens. It is one of those rare locations you can visit where the massive number of tourist do not diminish the impact. Towering over Athens, the Acropolis has seen better days until you consider how old it is. The Pantheon and Erechtheion are the two standing structures and both are impressive.
While contemplating the Pantheon, one can’t help but be impressed by the ability of the Greeks to build such a towering, stone structure when much of humanity still considered a hut a luxury. The Erechtheion is amazing because it contains the famous Caryatids, the columns molded into the form of female figures. Standing upon the mount, you’ll have a view of Greece that will reveal the chaos and a sense of the age of the city.
Athens has much to offer beyond the Acropolis. Books have been written on the subject. Large books. I’m not going to try to cover them here, but you should try to get over to the Tower of the Winds, where the Whirling Dervishes got their start.
Walking through Athens is like walking through history. They say time travel is impossible, but Athens seems to suggest otherwise.
Athens is a huge, congested city and the local taxis are your main means of getting around. The average Athens tax ride is inexpensive, just bring your helmet.
Living on the Edge
I had just arrived in Athens with a couple who’ll remain nameless. [He’s now a respectable doctor and married to someone else.] My buddy, “John”, had a Greek friend who lived in town named Stavos. We were going to stay with him and explore Athens before heading to the islands.
Stavos had gone to college with us in California and more or less been raised there. After experiencing the finer points of higher education [fraternity parties, etc.], he and his brother had started a snowboard company in Athens. Who could possibly be buying snowboards in Greece? It turned out Stavos and his brother were selling them throughout Europe, not in Greece.
Anyway, Stavos collected us in a friend’s car and took us to his small studio. We decided to catch some winks and then head out for a night on the town. Thus, we would experience an Athens taxi ride for the first time.
Taxi driving is a competitive sport. I am convinced there is a World Cup of taxi driving and drivers practice on the streets of their location. San Francisco and New York taxi drivers are an elite group, while taking a taxi in France is a good way to see the Eiffel Tower while going the wrong way down a one-way street. In Athens, it was all about speed.
Being an idiot, I yelled out “shotgun” as the taxi pulled to the curb. I should’ve guessed my triumph wasn’t a good thing when Stavos just smiled. In we went and Stavos gave the driver our destination. For the next fifteen minutes, I feared for life itself. Mine and others.
Our driver was apparently convinced he would get a bonus if he beat a certain time. We peeled out at the curb and the race was on. Through the tight, winding streets of Athens we went. As is the nature of chaotic Athens, the roads are packed with cars, buses, people and very brave cyclist. Considering this an obstacle course, a driver whipped through the throngs at over 80 miles per hour. Most of the time was spent in the SLOW lane, where less cars were. I still have nightmares about the faces of cyclist staring at me as we passed them with maybe 5 inches to spare. Frozen pictures of terror. Throw in cars starting to pull out in the road and you have the white knuckle event of the year.
When we finally pulled up to the club, I started breathing again. As I pulled my hand off the handle on the door, I left impressions. Standing outside of the cab, Stavos asked me if I wanted to sit in the front on the way home and started laughing.
It took two drinks to calm my nerves. Come hell or high water, I was walking home.
Athens is known for archeological sites and history. If you want a break from history, Athens has much more to offer travelers.
Athens
You’ve seen the Acropolis, you’ve hit the museums and you’re trying to figure out if it is time to head to the islands. Wait! You’re missing much of the modern charm of Athens.
There is a conundrum with many historically significant cities. Guidebooks tend to send you off to every site with any potential historical significance, but leave out any mention of the modern attractions of the city. In the case of Athens, slavishly following your guidebook is a very bad choice and you’ll be the worse for it.
As with any city, there are two good ways to see the charms of modern day Athens. The first is to get out and just start walking. The second is to befriend some local residents and let them show you the city. Either way, you’ll do fine in Athens.
The charm of Athens is found in the hubbub of daily life on the streets. The city and residents exude energy and character. If you get off the tourist tracks, you’ll find little neighborhoods with outdoor cafes and no tourists. This is where the action is in true Athens. Just plop yourself down at a café and start people watching.
One particularly good spot is in the Plaka neighborhood. A nineteenth century quarter, Plaka has a mix of Turkish and Greek influences. From Plaka, you can head to the shopping bazaars found throughout the city. The bazaars in Athinas and Eolou are a bit touristy, but no excessively. With a mideastern feel, you can sit down and drink tea with local shop owners while they hock their wares.
From there, the city is wide open. If you dare, grab a taxi and tell the driver you just want to see the real city. It will be the ride of your life.
The sailing season in Greece lasts from March to early November. During the Spring months, the weather during the day varies from cool to warm and is usually cool at night. The sea temperature is not usually suitable for swimming until the middle of May and then you can swim right through to the middle of October. The months of May, June, September and October usually have warm to hot daytime temperatures and pleasant temperatures at night. There are good winds at this time, but they are often variable. In July and August there are stronger winds, particularly in the Cyclades islands. Spring and Autumn are the most popular seasons for yacht chartering in Greece because this is when the climate is most suitable and there are far fewer tourists on the mainland and on the islands, than in high Summer.
Deciding on the Type of Charter
There are many options to choose from and when planning your trip you should consider the following questions. How many people will be in your party and will they require single or double berths aboard? Do you require a sailing yacht, a motor yacht or a motorsailer? What level of comfort do you want aboard? Will you require a skipper? If you require a bareboat (i.e. you intend to do the sailing yourself, without a skipper or other professional crew aboard), what size of yacht are you experienced in handling? Remember that European regulations, require that two qualified people be aboard. Another option is to sail in a group or flotilla of other boats. These can be a combination of bareboat and skippered yachts, and can provide you with the right balance of educational support and local knowledge.
Length of Trip
In order to get the most out of a yacht charter, the minimum length of trip should be about 7 days. As for the maximum amount of time, that is up to you. Many companies will offer discounts for longer charters. Good charter companies will have lots of local knowledge on the best routes and places to visit, and will work with you to agree an itinerary, which suits your needs. Remember that you do not have to spend your entire holiday aboard the boat. You could arrange a couple of days at the beginning or end of your charter to explore the mainland. It is well worth spending at least two or three days in Athens - a wonderful city, which unfortunately is often side-stepped by people who head straight for the islands.
From the Olympics to My Fat Greek Wedding, Greece has always been a cultural centerpiece in the history of man. Summing up its contribution requires a small library, but here is an overview.
Overview of Greece for Travelers
Greece was home to some of the earliest advanced civilizations. From the Minoans of the second BC millennium to Mycenaeans who established the basis of the current language, the country has produced cultural, philosophical, political and sport advancements unrivaled by others.
The modern Greek state obtained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. It has carried on what seems like a constant conflict with Turkey and was also involved in both World Wars. In 1981, Greece joined the European Community that eventually evolved into the European Union.
The official name of Greece is the Hellenic Republic. Greece covers an area of roughly 51,000 square miles. Athens is both the capital and largest population center with roughly 3.5 million inhabitants. Thessaloniki is the second largest population area with just over one million people. The terrain of Greece ranges from mountains in the north to flat plains in the south and beautiful islands off the coast. Winters are mild while summers are hot and dry making Greece a huge tourist destination.
The people of Greece are known as Greeks. They total more than 10.96 million. Population growth exists, but it is just above .2 percent annually. Greek is the official language. From a religious perspective, 99 percent of Greeks claim Greek Orthodox as their religion. Literacy rate is 95 percent and all levels of education are absolutely free. Life expectancy is 76 for males and 81 for women.
Greece is a relatively small country, but has accounted for a remarkable number of developments in the trek of mankind through history. Whether you are going to see the culture or loaf on the islands, Greece is a top travel destination for a good reason.
It is nearly impossible to comprehend the magnificently eclectic and robust concoction that has become today’s Grecian society without exploring the region first-hand.
The first traces of a city-state on Crete date back to the Neolithic Period, beginning in 6000 B.C. Minoan and Mycenaean Kingdoms were followed by the Dorian invasions and the Dark Ages. From 500 to 146 B.C., Greece enjoyed its most prosperous and well-known Classical and Hellenistic Periods during which Plato, Socrates and Democracy thrived and the Parthenon and Acropolis were built in Athens. Roman annexation followed and can be seen in the transitional art and architecture, along with the blending of mythologies. Greece was overrun by Byzantines and Turks throughout the modern era and a cultural revival and War of Independence in 1821 sparked the reunification and appreciation of Greek culture that is still miraculously thriving today.
Greece by Land…
Aside from major attractions like the Parthenon, Greece provides a plethora of other sites and activities unique to the nation’s cultural heritage. For a spiritual experience, visit the town of Meteora in the northern Thessaly region. These spectacular cliff-top monasteries were originally reached by curiously placed ladders and ropes. Today people can reach the sky-high pinnacles by climbing the etched stone stairs or by the growing popular sport of rock climbing. You can also get close to the gods, as the Greeks put it, by visiting the archeological wonder at Delphi, considered to be the center of the known world by Ancient Greeks. Nafplio, the former capital of Greece, is also a wondrous and enlightening adventure. Centuries of history decorate and surround the city. Close by is the ancient Mycenae civilization and the famous theater at Epidaurus.
Or by Sea…
There are nearly 1400 Greek islands to explore. Much of Grecian history is based upon the maritime and merchant centers of the seven island clusters. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey venture through beaches and ports you can visit today. Crete and Santorini, with its volcanic caldera, are by far the most popular destinations. Make a stop on the notorious party island of Mykonos, part of the Cyclades Greek Islands, to party, dance and drink in a fashion that would make Dionysus proud. Relax in the lush greenery and white sand of the Ionian Islands, which emanate a more European feel. Every island region has something unique and intriguing to offer, so don’t be afraid to leave this part of your itinerary open for exploration!
Greece is bursting at the seams with history, culture, food and wine. Every corner of this ancient nation is abundant with once-in-a-lifetime escapades. This is a trip you do not need to structure too much to feel completely immersed in Greek life. Although, it is wise to remember that the summer months of July and August attract hoards of people making accommodations hard to come by and can also be uncomfortably hot. Enjoy a more pleasant and relaxed journey in May and June or at the end of the summer peak season.
