Greece Travel

The islands are the main characteristic of Greece’s morphology and an integral part of the country’s culture and tradition. Greek sovereign land includes 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which only 227 islands are inhabited. Surrounded by the Aegean and the Ionian Sea, Greece is known for its large number of islands. Millions of people spend their holidays in Greece as the country is famous for the warm weather, the wonderful beaches and the beautiful natural landscape. Particularly popular are the Greek islands rather than the mainland. The most popular islands of Greece: Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Corfu, Lefkada,Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Alonissos, Skiathos, Crete, Rhodes and many others…
Every island differs from any other for its own beauty and charm. There are Greek islands for every type of character: remote and quiet islands, touristy, Greek party islands, unspoilt Greek islands, romantic and many other types, so you will surely choose the best for you to enjoy your perfect vacations. 

The ancient theatres of Maronia, Messini and Kos revived in September with a series of concerts. The Camerata, Orchestra of the Friends of Music performed excerpts of works by Greek composers of the 20th and 21st century as well as from Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ on September 23 at the theatre of Ancient Messini. The same concert will be presented on the island of Kos, at the ancient theatre within the archaeological site.The first event was held at Maronia theatre on September four, featuring recitations of excerpts from Homer’s epic poems.

The Greek Seas offer perfect conditions for Greece diving in its clean and crystal clear waters and many vistors travel here only for diving. Scuba diving is allowed in all the sea areas of Greece and the Greek islands where there is no specific prohibition for the protection of archaeological sites. Clear water, teeming marine life, caves and shipwrecks attract thousands of scuba divers to Greek waters each year. Until recently diving was limited to just a few dive sites to protect the many ancient underwater treasures.Now restrictions have been lifted and many new areas have been opened up for scuba diving. Scuba diving is now allowed in all Greek seas, except where specific prohibitions apply.

Greece is the birth place of the Olympic Games. The Ancient Olympic Games was a series of competitions held between representatives of several city-states and kingdoms from Ancient Greece, which featured mainly athletic but also combat and chariot racing events.There are many legend and myths about origin of olympics. Most common myth is that Heracles and his father Zeus are progenitors of the Games. According to legend, it was Heracles who first called the Games “Olympic” and established the custom of holding them every four years.
The Olympic Games are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition. The Games are currently held every two years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating, although they occur every four years within their respective seasonal games. 

The site of Marathon Tumulus, located about one kilometre from the village of Marathon, served as the starting point for 25 athletes competing in the Marathon Race during the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896. The Marathon Tumulus, northeast of Athens, contains the remains of 192 Athenian warriors who died during the famous Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, when 100,000 Persians were defeated by 11,000 Greek soldiers. One of the most important battles in history, Marathon has been cited by historians as the battle that saved Western culture in its youngest days and allowed it to survive and flourish.

1)The Divani Caravel Hotel Athens
The Divani Caravel is a luxury hotel in Athens. The Divani Caravel is the largest of the Divani Collection, which has exemplified Greek hospitality for the last 45 years. Fully renovated in 2003, the Divani Caravel epitomizes refinement, elegance, and exceptional service.

2)Porto Zante Villas and Spa
Porto Zante Villas and Spa is tone of the five star luxury hotels in Greece. Porto Zante has been the choice of famous clientele, including political leaders, important businessmen and artists. A truly unique luxury hotel, decorated and furnished with selected pieces of Armani Casa and paintings of prominent Greek artists, it comprises world class luxury villas on the beach, some with private heated pool, and a Spa.

3)Nafplia Palace Hotel and Villas
The jewel of the Pelaponnese, Nafplia Palace sits high on the Bronze Age acropolis of Akronafplia nestled under the ancient walls of Palamedi. A stylish blend of marble, wood, stone and steel seamlessly merging with its ancient environment, this uniquely placed hotel is sophisticated and modern with progressive cuisine, an ultrachic spa and a lift that tunnels down through the rock to the town.

4)King George Palace
Member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the King George Palace has been distinguished as the best hotel in Greece ranked among the 100 Top European Hotels in the Conde Nast Traveler 2006 and 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards. Also the hotel ranked among the 500 World’s Best Hotels 2009 by Travel + Leisure Magazine.

Tourism in Greece traces its roots to the ancient times.  Roman Empire and Romans contributed to Greece culture and tourism. Today, Greece attracts more than 17.5 million tourists.

1)Athens:

You can find everything about history such as museums, theatres, ancient cities in this city. The Acropolis of Athens is the most famous archeological edifice in the entire Europe. You can find beautiful streets, taverns, cafes in thi city. The heart of the city is, without a doubt, Syntagma Square. Just a few kilometers from the historical centerA walk around the famous historic areas of Plaka, Thission and Psyri reveal the city’s long history. Also there are wonderful beaches in Athens.

2)Tinos

Tinos, is the most visited Greek Island. Panayia Evangelistria (or the Church of the Megalochari) stands on top of a small hill overlooking Tinos Town. Every year on August 15 there’s a spectacular fair taking place on the streets of the town and at the church.

3)Crete

Crete is most popular holiday destinations in the country. Overall, more than 2 million tourists visited Crete in 2008.The ruins of the Minoan palace of Knossos, the beautiful Venetian fortress of Rethymo, the old Venetian port of Hania, the old mosques, and the Byzantine monasteries are just some of the places Crete is proud to let the tourists discover. T

4)Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest Greek city. It once was the co-capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today is considered more lively and more cosmopolite than Athens. IThere are plenty of museums to visit and a lot of preserved historical places to check out. The Upper Town offers spectacular views of the bay. The Turkish baths and the Bezesteni (Ottoman closed market) are just two of the most interesting places to visit.

5)Mykonos

Mykonos is mostly famous for its nightlife and cosmopolitan character. But the landmarks of Mykonos are the “windmills” and the beautiful “Little Venice”

Greece has a rich nature, with a greatly varying landscape, natural habitats, flora, fauna and vegetation. In the mainland, high mountains, ravines, gorges and valleys are alternating with rivers, lakes and lagoons, rocky or sandy beaches, river deltas and coastal wetlands.Greece is characterized by an extremely fragmented landscape hosting a great diversity of ecosystems. Almost 5 % of its extensive coastline consists of ecologically sensitive wetlands. You can easly visit natural parks of Greece.The list of national parks in Greece:
1. Olympus National Park
2. Parnassos National Park
3. Parnitha National Park
4. Samaria National Park
5. Vikos–Aoös National Park
6. Ainos National Park
7. Sounio National Park
8. Oeta National Park
9. Pindus National Park
10. Prespes National Park

The Athens International Film Festival Opening Nights Conn-x, was founded by the Athens Film Society with the intention of highlighting lesser-known aspects/genres of independent cinema, introducing audiences to some of the best productions of the year and establishing itself as the ideal opening of the upcoming movie season. The Festival was launched in September 1995 and continues successfully until now. The festival dates are between 14/09/2011 – 25/09/2011.

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art has opened on September 18. The Thessaloniki Performance Festival, to take place from September 19 to 25 at various indoor and outdoor venues, forms part of the biennale’s parallel programme. Natives of the northern port city and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy unconventional performances by local talent as well as prominent artists from abroad, such as French avant-garde artist Orlan, Briton Kira O’ Reilly, Palestinian Wafaa Yasin, Greek Michael Karikis and Italian Luigi Presicce. The performance festival also encompasses lectures, master classes, screenings, workshops, concerts, tributes and an exhibition. The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art will run from September 18 through December 18. For further information visit thessalonikibiennale.gr

1. The Acropolis
The Acropolis of Athens is the most popular place about greece in the world. The Acropolis is the one historical site you can’t miss. The Acropolis is located on a rocky promontory 156m above the valley of Ilissos; it covers a surface area of less than 3ha. From the 2nd millennium BC it was a fortress protecting places of worship and royal palacesThe Acropolis is open from 8am to 6:30 pm every day. These hours can change depending on the season and sometimes it is open in the evening of the full moon in the summer.

2. Agora
The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice. The Agora was an open “place of assembly” in ancient Greek city-states on between 10th century and 8th century BC.

3. Beaches

Visitors to Athens do not usually come expecting a traditional beach holiday, but there are gorgeous beaches just a short distance away from the centre of the city. You can visit around the islands to explore the black sand of Santorini, the sunny nudist beaches of Crete, Rhodes and Skiathos famous all around the world, the turquoise waters of the beaches in Zakynthos, the shores surrounded by pine trees in Lefkada, the crowded and gay friendly bays of Mykonos, the long sandy beaches of Rhodes and the windsurfing beaches of Paros.