Holidays to Greece
Tailor-Made Holidays Greece
Greece and the Greek Islands Greece is situated at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, bordered by the Aegean Sea to the east, and the Ionian Sea to the west. The capital of Greece is Athens, a city of startling contrasts, which offers both cultural heritage sites and a vibrant, cosmopolitan nightlife. Greece is comprised of over 1,400 islands scattered over a large area of the Mediterranean Sea. Its warm weather, friendly people, and fascinating culture have made Greece an enduring favourite among European travel destinations. Culture in Greece As an introduction to Greek culture you might want to plan your travel around the Hellenic Festival which runs from June to September. This exciting celebration features music, dance, and theatre performances in Athens, and classical Greek drama in Epidaurus, all set against the backdrop of magnificent ancient monuments. Whilst surviving examples of ancient Greek paintings are relatively rare, pottery, coins, and ancient Greek sculptures, including works by the master sculptors Phidias and Praxiteles, can be seen throughout the islands. Art, cinema, music, and sculpture flourish everywhere, so you're sure to find local performances and galleries close to your villa or hotel. Holidays in Greece offer the perfect opportunity to sample some of the highlights of Greek cuisine. Typical Greek food includes dolmades (rice, currants, and pine kernels wrapped in vine leaves), moussaka (aubergine slices with ground lamb, onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes and herbs, topped with a cheese sauce) and spanakopita (spinach pie). Feta and Halloumi cheese and olives feature in many of the traditional recipes of mainland Greece, while seafood is a staple ingredient of Greek food on the islands. Favourite drinks include ouzo, metaxa, and a variety of wines including retsina. Tourist Attractions in Greece Greece is renowned as the birthplace of European civilisation. Its culture reflects the heritage of not only ancient Greece but also of the Roman, Ottoman, and Byzantine empires. Its fascinating history is reflected in its architecture, art, literature, drama, and sculpture. On the Greek isle of Mykonos, which is perhaps best known for its chic bars and exclusive nightclubs, archaeological finds have dated back to the Neolithic Kares tribe who inhabited the island around 3000 BC. Roman and Greek temples can be seen throughout the islands, with famous examples including the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, and the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Rhodes is most famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and for its medieval Old Town which is a World Heritage Site. Corfu, an island close to both mainland Greece and Albania, features some wonderful examples of Venetian houses, a Venetian citadel and the Palaia Anaktora, a huge complex of Roman buildings with gardens full of exotic trees and flowers. The ruined city of Knossós on the island of Crete is another famous heritage site that's definitely worth a visit, if you can drag yourself away from the delights of Greek beaches. However there is much more to Greece than its history, and activity holiday enthusiasts can participate in walking, sailing, scuba diving, cycling and many other sports. The Greek isles are a particularly good choice if you're looking for a holiday to combine culture and history with adventure sports. The Cyclades are a particularly popular travel destination for activity holidays in Greece, due to their fabulous beaches, clear blue waters, and hilly terrain. This stunning archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of Greece includes Santorini, which is famous for its hilltop walks, red beach, and wine industry. On Santorini you can also see the important archaeological site of Akrotiri which was thought to be the inspiration for Atlantis and made Thera the best-known Minoan site outside the island of Crete. Weather in Greece Although the weather varies between coastal and mountain regions and between mainland Greece and the islands, temperatures range from around 14°C in April to almost 29°C in July. If you're able to travel to Greece during the low season you'll find some great cheap holiday deals, both for hotels and flights. Temperatures in Rhodes regularly reach 25°C in September and the weather remains warm and sunny in most of Greece through October. Accommodation in Greece Greece offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels, modern apartments and villas with gardens or pools to rent, to cheap package deals offering discounts on hotel reservations and airline tickets. Hotels in Greece range from five-star luxury in Thessaloníki and Athens, to bed and breakfast type accommodation in the Greek islands. It is worth noting that tour operators offer particularly good discounts for last minute travel and low season deals. Greece holidays from the following airports :
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