Known as the cradle of Western civilization and philosophy, birthplace of democracy, Olympic games, mythical legends and some of the world’s greatest philosophers, thinkers and poets, Greece is a country with rich historic and cultural legacy partly reflected in its 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Situated on the southern tip of Balkan peninsula, Greece has a mountainous terrain interspersed with numerous islands around the Ionian and Aegean seas including a peninsular mainland, the Peloponnese peninsula and around 6000 islands, of which over 200 are inhabited.
Miles of Mediterranean coastline, gorgeous sandy beaches, coves, bays and volcanic cliffs, mountains, the ancient city of Athens, fabulous food and legendary Grecian hospitality make Greece a compelling destination.
Athens, the city of Parthenon, overlooking an azure stretch of the Saronic Gulf, is like an open-air museum. A great combination of fascinating history and modern vibe with excellent infrastructure, vibrant nightlife, relaxed coffee culture, inspiring street art and the perfect Mediterranean climate all year round, it is the first port of call for most visitors.
With classic whitewashed buildings, blue domed churches, dazzling light and crystal blue waters, the picture-perfect Cycladic islands of Santorini, the most Instagrammable island, and Mykonos, named after the grandson of Apollo, remain most popular but there many other incredible beaches like Milos, Crete and Lefkada to discover.
The high season runs from late June to early September in the islands but shoulder seasons of May-Jun and Sep-Oct when there is abundant sunshine with still warm water are good to avoid crowds and get better deals. Winters are best avoided for the islands as many hotels and restaurants close with limited ferry services.
