Greece is a must-visit destination for its stunningly beautiful landscapes, long and rich history, delicious cuisine, vibrant culture, and friendly people. Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, a cultural exploration, or an adventure-filled holiday, Greece has something for everyone. This country is full of surprises, and the best way to experience it is to explore its many archaeological sites, museums, pristine beaches, natural wonders, and vibrant towns. From the ancient ruins of the Acropolis in Athens to the stunning islands of the Saronic and Cyclades.
These are some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, with over 6,000 islands, islets, and rocks, the Greek Islands offer something for everyone and are a great place to relax and explore. The crystal-clear waters and idyllic landscapes make them excellent for sailing, snorkeling, and swimming, while the picturesque villages and towns provide a great opportunity to experience the local culture and lifestyle. Every area has its own intricate network of interesting hiking trails, where one can enjoy getting acquainted with the local terrain and beautiful scenery.
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Check Our Week Itinerary for Cyclades
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The diet of the Greek people has been studied and documented as one of the healthiest diets in the world due to its variety of ingredients, its emphasis on legumes, fruits and vegetables, and the abundant use of olive oil in most dishes. Greek cuisine incorporates many flavors and ingredients, such as lemons, tomatoes, onions, garlic, oregano, and cinnamon. Other ingredients often used are olives, feta cheese, yogurt, and honey. Greek food also consists of a wide range of meats, seafood, fish as well as vegetarian options. It has a reputation for its freshness and simplicity, with many dishes relying heavily on herbs and spices for flavor.
Although we just mentioned the Greek diet, we will have to discuss a slightly different category of Greek food. This simple and delicious meal is famous all around the globe and is known as Souvlaki. Delicious meat on a skewer grilled to perfection and traditionally served in a pita wrap with tzatziki. Although simple, there are so many variations, combinations, and different types of this Greek fast food, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to order.
Besides the awesome cuisine, when visiting you can rest assured that every place you go will have its own unique beauty, architecture, and culture. For instance in the Cyclades you will notice the famous whitewashed homes and churches, with blue domed roofs, balconies, door frames, and windows. In the Saronic Islands one will see more of a European influence in the architecture, with terracotta tiled roof tops and neoclassical buildings and mansions overlooking the ports and waterfronts. Blessed with an indescribable amount of picturesque ports, fishing villages, majestic hills, and breathtaking landscapes.
Pretty much everywhere you go there are interesting archeological sites, ancient ruins, and historical landmarks you can visit during your sailing vacation. Due to the rich history of the country there are many ancient ruins, temples, castles, and fortresses one can explore when visiting. For instance the Ancient Theatre in Epidauros, Akrotiri and Thera in Santorini, Portara in Naxos, Palamidi Fortress in Nafplion, and the archaeological splendor of the island of Delos. These are just a few of the tremendously interesting sights you could discover during your vacation here.
Greek beaches are known for their crystal clear waters and white sand. Many Greek beaches offer amazing views of the sea and nearby islands. The water is usually warm and calm, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities. There are also usually plenty of beach bars, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy while you're there. The Cyclades are an extremely popular destination, and have some of the most famous beaches in the world. The Saronic Islands on the other hand may not be as famous but have their fair share of breathtaking swimming locations. The whole country is basically a beach lover's paradise and there are an endless amount of options when figuring out which beach is the best for you. The variety of beaches is also impressive, from shallow to deep, sandy to pebbly, golden to white or black, sometimes even red beaches such as Red Beach on Santorini. One thing is for certain, with so many options you bound to find your match!
The nightlife in the Greek Islands varies from island to island, but generally, you can find lively bars, clubs, and restaurants that come alive at night. Many of the larger islands, such as Mykonos and Santorini, are known for their lively nightlife and offer a variety of nightclubs and bars. In smaller islands, you can find quieter and more relaxed nightlife. There are often local taverns and cafes that stay open late, providing a great atmosphere for an evening out. Depending on the island, you may also find festivals and special events, such as concerts and beach parties.
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Book a Catamaran for the Greek islands here!
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The Greeks are known for the zest for life, making them very outspoken, passionate, and happy people. Even in the most remote locations you will probably stumble upon locals enjoying a drink or coffee playing a game of backgammon (“tavli”) or socializing amongst each other in the town squares. Most islands have a generous amount of options when it comes to nightlife. The most famous of all Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Ios, Corfu, Zante, and Crete. However just because you never heard of a place doesn't mean it isn't fun. In fact this is the beautiful thing about Greece, there seems to be a place where all preferences and desires can be met in perfect harmony. The Greeks are also famous for their hospitality and are always willing to provide assistance or offer a complimentary drink or dessert.
The Greek Islands and the mainland are some of the most sort out locations on the planet. This is for the simple fact that they are blessed with loads of sunshine, hospitable people, gorgeous locations, lovely scenery, and many more wonderful characteristics. So why not come test it out for yourself, chances are you will be back to explore again or just boomerang back to your favorite location.
Featured Photo by Matt Artz on Unsplash
