Welcome to Greece

Greece: Did you know??

About 20 million years ago, the northeast tip of the African plate started crashing with the Asian continent. 5 million years later, the Arab and Asia continent merged and the remaining part of Tethys was trapped between the three continents and the Mediterranean was formed. At the same time, Crete, Cyclades and the rest islands of the Aegean Sea had totally been raised and formed a common coast with the Greek continent and Minor Asia. Two large lakes were located at the site of current North Aegean and at the current site of Crete. Excavations show that the first settlement in Ancient Greece dates from the Palaeolithic era (11,000-3,000 BC). During the second millennium BC, Greece gave birth to the great stone and bronze civilization: the Minoans (2600-1500 BC), the Mycenaeans (1500-1150 BC) and the Cycladic civilization. These were the first important civilizations in the Greek history.

Culture

Greece is a country of great interests and diverse cultures, influenced by its location, at the junction between the East and the West and by the many occupations of the Greek people throughout history. The Orthodox Church is at the heart of Greek culture. Blue-domed, whitewashed chapels are iconic symbols of the Greek islands. They were often built along the coast, so people could pray for relatives out at sea. One of the most famous-featured in the movie Mamma Mia on Skopelos, is high on a rocky outcrop lashed by the waves. Traditional Crafts and folk artists abound on the Greek islands. On Skyros, you'll see old ladies on stoops bent over embroidery and wood-carvers chipping away at miniature chairs in their workshops.

Bucket List

~ Swim in Gaiola of Thassos

~ Traverse the Corinth Canal

~ Marvel at the Santorini Sunset

~ Make Waves on Lefkada

~ Get Up Close With History at the Acropolis

~ Rent a Sunbed in Mykonos

~ Hike Up the Santorini Volcano

~ Visit the Red Beach

Family Travel Highlights

~ Percy Jackson Tour at the Acropolis Museum

~ Fun family sailing adventure at Milos Island

~ River Trekking in Crete, Mountain

~ Biking around Lassithi Plateau

~ Taste and learn traditional Cretan Cheese

~ Stargazing at Cape Sounion

Photography Hot Spots

~ Stavrota mountain in Lefkada

~ Windmill in Mykonos

~ Meteora

~ Melissani Cave

~ Kefalonia

~ Quaint island of Symi

~ Crete

~ Santorini

~ Corfu

Souvenirs to buy

~ Greek Cosmetics

~ Leather Sandals

~ Tagari Bags

~ Kompoloi: Worry Beads

~ Tavli: backgammon set

~ Karagiozis figurine

~ A mati talisman for the evil eye

~ Handmade ceramics

~ Bouzouki

Foods to try

~ Baklava

~ Bougatsa

~ Dolmadakia

~ Feta Me Meli

~ Galaktoboureko

~ Greek Salad (Choriatiki)

~ Kataifi

~ Moussaka

~ Souvlaki

~ Yemista

~ Tzatziki

Drinks to try

~ Greek Ouzo

~ Chios masticha

~ Retsina

~ Greek Coffee

~ Tsipouro

~ Raki/Tsikoudia

The only thing better than heading off on a vacation is planning one. It is the perfect time to start figuring out when and where your next vacation will be. Will it be a trip to Greece?