DESTINATION GUIDE

Climate: Greece generally has mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Winter temperatures can be severe in the mountains and even Athens can get viciously cold. Maximum temperatures on the islands hover around 30°C (87°F) in summer, but the heat is often tempered by the northerly wind known as the meltemi.

The Hellenic Republic is a Presidential Parliamentary Democracy.

President of the Hellenic Republic: Mr. Karolos Papoulias.

Prime Minister: Mr.  Constantinos Karamanlis

Parliament:  Three hundred elected members with elections held every four years

Greece is a member state of E.U. since 1981.

The currency is Euro (€).

Languages: Greek (official)

Modern (demotic) Greek is the official language of the State. It derives from Ancient Greek yet it has a much simplified grammar. It has absorbed many words from its linguistic and cultural neighbours. Modern Greek differs substantially from the purist 'Katharevousa', or cleansing Greek, an artificially contrived variant which is closer to Ancient Greek that was used at varying times in recent Greek history. While Katharevousa is no longer used in everyday speech it still evident on street signs and can cause occasional confusion for the tourist.

Religion: 98% Greek Orthodox, 1.3% Muslim, 0.7% other
Electricity: 220V 50 HzHz
Electric Plug Details: European plug with two circular metal pins
 
Country Dialing Code: 30

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While embroiled in the Peloponnesian Wars, the Spartans failed to notice the expansion of Philip of Macedon's kingdom in the north, which enabled him to easily conquer the war-weary city-states. Philip's ambitions were surpassed by his son Alexander the Great, who marched into Asia Minor, Egypt (where he was proclaimed pharaoh and founded the city of Alexandria), Persia and parts of what are now Afghanistan and India. The reign of the Macedonian empire, which lasted in the form of three dynasties after Alexander's death at the age of 33, is known as the Hellenistic period, due to the merging of Greek ideas and culture with the other proud cultures of antiquity, creating a new cosmopolitan tradition.

From 205 BC there were Roman incursions into Greece, and by 146 BC Greece and Macedonia had become Roman provinces. After the subdivision of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western empires in 395 AD, Greece became part of the illustrious Byzantine Empire. By the 12th century, the Crusades were in full flight and Byzantine power was much reduced by invading hordes of Venetians, Catalans, Genoese, Franks and Normans.

In 1453 the Ottoman Turks captured the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, and by 1500 almost all of Greece had also fallen under Turkish control. The lands of present-day Greece became a rural backwater, with many merchants, intellectuals and artists exiled in central Europe. It was traditional village life and Orthodox religion that held together the notion of Hellenism. A cultural revival in the late 18th century precipitated the War of Independence (1821-29), during which aristocratic young philhellenes such as Byron, Shelley and Goethe supported the Greeks in their battle against the Ottoman Turks. The independence movement lacked unity, however, and in 1827 Russia, France and Britain decided to intervene. After independence, the European powers decided Greece should become a monarchy, with a non-Greek ruler to frustrate Greek power struggles, and installed Otto of Bavaria as king in 1833. The monarchy, with an assortment of kings at the helm, held on despite popular opposition until well into the 20th century, although George I established a new constitution in 1864 that returned democracy and pushed the king into a largely ceremonial role.
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Modern History:

During WWI, Greek troops fought on the Allied side and occupied Thrace. After the war, Prime Minister Venizelos sent forces to 'liberate' the Turkish territory of Smyrna (present-day Izmir), which had a large Greek population. The army was repulsed by Atatürk's troops and many Greek residents were slaughtered. This led to a brutal population exchange between the two countries in 1923, the resultant population increase (1,300,000 Christian refugees) straining Greece's already weak economy. Shanty towns spilled from urban centres, unions were formed among the urban refugee population and by 1936 the Communist Party had widespread popular support.

In 1936 General Metaxas was appointed as prime minister by the king and quickly established a fascist dictatorship. Although Metaxas had created a Greek version of the Third Reich, he was opposed to German or Italian domination and refused to allow Italian troops to traverse Greece in 1940. Despite Allied help, Greece fell to Germany in 1941, leading to carnage and mass starvation. Resistance movements sprang up and polarised into royalist and communist factions, and a bloody civil war resulted, lasting until 1949, when the royalists claimed victory. During the civil war, America, inspired by the Truman Doctrine, gave large sums of money to the anticommunist government and implemented the Certificate of Political Reliability, which remained valid until 1962. This document declared that the wearer did not hold left-wing sympathies; without it Greeks could not vote and found it almost impossible to get work.

Fearing a resurgence of the left, a group of army colonels staged a coup d'etat in 1967, said by Andreas Papandreou to be 'the first successful CIA military putsch on the European continent'. The junta distinguished itself by inflicting appalling brutality, repression and political incompetence upon the people. In 1974 the colonels attempted to assassinate Cyprus' leader, Archbishop Makarios, leading to Turkey's invasion and occupation of Northern Cyprus. This is still a volatile issue for the Greeks, and tensions with Turkey are easily inflamed.

In 1981 Greece entered the European Community (now the EU), and Andreas Papandreou's socialist party (PASOK) won elections. PASOK promised removal of US air bases and withdrawal from NATO, but these promises were never fulfilled. Women's issues fared better, with the abolition of the dowry system and legalisation of abortion. In the end, scandals got the better of Papandreou and his government was replaced by an unlikely coalition of conservatives and communists in 1989. Elections in 1990 brought the conservatives to power with a majority of only two seats and, intent on redressing the country's economic problems, the government imposed unpopular and severe austerity measures. A general election in 1993 returned the ageing, ailing Papandreou and PASOK to power.

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Recent History: Kostas Simitis was appointed prime minister in early 1996 when it became clear that Papandreou's time was drawing nigh - Greece's elder statesman died mid-1996. Simitis was re-elected by the skin of his teeth in April 2000, with a victory margin of one percentage point. Greece adopted the euro currency in 2002. In 2004 the country hosted the Olympic Games and in 2005, much to Greece's surprise and delight won the Eurovision Song Contest. Simitis and PASOK found themselves on the opposition benches following a heavy loss in the 2004 election that saw Costas Karamanlis and his conservative Nea Dimokratia party take power. Karamanlis still leads the country, but ever-rising prices and stationary salaries coupled with a continually increasing consumer credit squeeze is making life just a shade more edgy for most Greeks these days.

Trip Highlight: Cyclades Island-hopping Santorini It is said that Santorini is one of the must see places in a lifetime - a trip to a Myth! Santorini Island Greece is with Mykonos, the most famous holiday destination. With charming villages perched on the top of impressive cliffs, the black and red beaches, it is hard to imagine the colossal forces of nature that blew this island apart around 1550 BC. From the beautiful Oia down to Akrotiri there are magnificent views of the volcano and the caldera. Watching a sunset from a point on the west coast is a must! You can take a boat to the small island in the center of the caldera and even walk around its rocky ‘moonscape’ and stand next to the still-steaming mouth of the volcano (like many volcanoes, it seems to hold the threat of erupting at any time) that created Santorini in the first place. The last volcanic eruption was in 1920s. The island is characterized by its white-walled, blue-domed churches, often photographed against the dark blue Aegean Sea. Its name was given by the Venetian in reference to Saint Irene. The island was also called Strongili and Kalisti (the most beautiful). The island of Santorini is related to the myth of Atlantis. The volcano eruption is believed to have devastated an outpost of the advanced Minoan civilization, which had been established on the island before 2000 BC, leading to many theories that Santorini is in fact Plato’s lost city of Atlantis. The most famous beaches of the island of Santorini Greece are Perissa, Kamari, Monolithos and the Red beach. The beaches of Kamari, Perissa and Monilithos have as common characteristic black sand and deep blue waters. ^Top

Mykonos:

Mykonos is famous for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, its exciting night life, the golden sandy beaches and their crystal-clear waters. Often compare to Ibiza, Mykonos has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment.

Before sunset, with the latest techno playing seems to get everyone into the swing for a pool party unforgettable. Crowds of people from the beach flock in to enjoy the most popular activity held at Paradise Beach, Mykonos. Dancing and enjoying the creative cocktails and drinks. After sunset, the air is filled with fireworks, many clubs guest famous international DJ’s for amazing parties beating all night long, pulsating house music, techno, rock etc. which makes it difficult to resist.

The most popular beaches are the one located in the southern coast of the island; they are all fully organized and some of them (Paradise and Super Paradise and others) are considered as some of the best in Greece.

The whitewashed capital Chora, where most of the bars and clubs are located, get crowded with people of all ages, of all sexual tendencies and of all musical preferences, all ready to party and have fun all night long.

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Getting around: Open frequent flights and ferries are easiest. 
Island/Coastal Weather: Hot, but the meltemi, a strong wind, blows.
Why now? Its Summer time, all festivals and cultural events wake up.
Popularity: Very popular, so book now!

Tourist Attraction:

Whether you come to Greece for history or hedonism - or both - will depend on your temperament. Its stunning ancient sites stand alongside the legacies of foreign occupiers: towering Venetian, Frankish and Turkish castles and crumbling mosques. Then there are 1400 islands to explore...

Olympia

Olympia is located in the West Peloponnesus and was the site of the first Olympic Games. Every four years athletic competitions were organized at Olympia in honor of Zeus. The Games began in 776 B.C and carried on until 5th century B.C. There is much to see at Olympia with some of the most important monuments of the site including the temple of Zeus, The Temple of Hera, the Stadium, the Bouleuterion where athletes were sworn in, the Prytaneion (site of the eternal flame) the Treasuries, the Gymnasium and the Leonidaion (a guesthouse dating from 330 BC). The Archaeological Museum at Olympia contains some fascinating exhibits.

Located about one hundred miles northwest of Athens, Delphi is considered by archeologists to be one of Greece's greatest cultural treasures. The complex includes the Temple of Apollo (home to the famous oracle) the sacred Corycian Cave and the Castalian Spring. In mythology, Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world or the "Navel of the Earth". Legend has it that the shrine was originally watched over by the she-dragon Pytho who was eventually slain by Apollo. Allow at least a half-day for visiting the site.

Mycenae was the legendary home of the Atreides - victors in the Trojan War. Situated on a small hill-top on the lower slopes of Euboea Mountain north of Corinth, Mycenae has been inhabited since around 4000 BC and civilization flourished there until about 1350-1200 BC. The ruins of ancient Mycenae are situated near the centre of modern day Mycenae. The town has a citadel housing the ruins of an Acropolis, a palace, Royal Tombs, Cyclopean Walls and the tomb of the Greek hero Agamemnon. The views from this ancient city are simply stunning.

The Meteora are a series of monastic buildings perched on a cluster of detached precipitous rocks. One of the most striking sites in the world, the monasteries were set up during the late Byzantine period when persecuted monks settled here. At its peak, there were 24 inhabited monasteries on top of these rocks.

Dion
Lying at the foot of Mount Olympus in northern Greece, the ancient and sacred city of Dion was completely destroyed by an earthquake in the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated in 1928 and the digs uncovered a fascinating network of flagstone streets, public buildings, shops, workshops, statues, houses, an orchestra and a large theatre. Wander these ancient streets and allow yourself to be transported back in time.

Samaria Gorge
Located in western Crete, the Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe measuring some 18 kilometers. The area is well known for its outstanding beauty and for its challenging hiking routes. Hiking is only permitted in summer and is dependant on the weather as the gorge is cut by a stream, which flows between the highest peak of the White Mountains and the Volikas Mountains.

The Corinth Canal & Ancient Corinth
The idea for a canal linking the Ionian and Aegean Seas was first considered in the 7th century BC when the Emperor Nero started the work with a golden pickaxe. Today’s canal was built between 1882 and 1893 and the 6 km dramatic canal is one of the most significant and remarkable stretches of water in the world.

The Temple of Apollo, Andritsaina
This famous temple to the god of the sun and healing was built towards the middle of the 5th century B.C. in the lonely heights of the Arcadian mountains. It is the only nearly complete temple that survives and combines the Doric, Ionian and Corinthian architectural styles.

Knossos Royal Palace, Crete
Knossos was the court of the legendary King Minos, whose wife Pasiphae gave birth to the Minotaur – half-bull, half-man. Excavations were begun by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans in 1893 and lasted 35 years. Entering the Great Palace through the West Court you can easily understand why the legend of the labyrinth started here. It takes nearly two hours to walk around the site and explore the entire Palace. During this walking tour, you’ll see the superb Royal Quarters, the Throne Room with an antechamber and main throne and the Queen’s Quarters. The wall above the entrance door of the Queen’s Quarters is decorated with a copy of the famous dolphin frescoes.

Athens
Athens is full with Ancient wonders, outdoor cafe culture, vibrant nightlife and gritty urban soul. A must see in Athens are:

The Acropolis
The Acropolis hill, or "Sacred Rock," is the most significant historical site in Athens and has been inhabited since the Neolithic period.

The Agora
The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens - an “open space” which was the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity for centuries.

National Archaeological Museum of Athens
One of the top ten museums in the world, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens houses an unrivalled collection of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean and Classical Greek art. Housed in a beautiful neoclassic building, you can spend the day admiring the fascinating collection and then relaxing in the sculpture garden café.

Daphni Monastery
First built in the 5th century AD on the site of an ancient temple to Apollo, the monastery was rebuilt in the 10th century.

The Plaka
Located downhill from the Acropolis, the Plaka is one of the oldest parts of modern Athens.

The National Garden
If the intense hustle and bustle of Athens gets too much, then a visit to the National Garden is a must. A peaceful, green refuge in the midst of central Athens, this public park was once the palace garden of the royal family. It contains garden, a zoo and small lakes and ponds complete with ducks, swans and a few peacocks. There are also several cafés hidden away!
 
The Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Museum houses a collection of Byzantine art from the 4th to the 9th century.

Lykavittos Hill
Lykavittos Hill is the highest point in Athens and offers a superb view over the entire city.

Monastiraki Flea Market
If you happen to visit Athens on a Sunday, then the Monastiraki Flea Market is the place to be. Centered in the area around Monastiraki Square this market is centuries old. The sheer variety of goods on offer is astonishing.
 
The Museum of Cycladic Art
Founded in 1986 to house the collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art belonging to Nicholas and Aikaterini Goulandris, the Museum of Cycladic Art is housed in a magnificent neo-classical building and contains relics from over 5,000 years of Cycladic history.

Entertainment and Culture:

Greek culture evolved over thousands of years, with its beginnings in the Mycenean and Minoan civilizations, continuing into Classical Greece, the birth of the Hellenistic era and through the influence of the Roman Empire and its Greek Eastern successor the Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Empire also had a significant influence on Greek culture, but the Greek war of independence is credited with revitalizing Greece and giving birth to a single entity of its multi-faceted culture throughout the ages.

Modern Greece is a sum of an extraordinary diversity of influences – Romans, Arabs, Franks, Venetians, Slavs, Albanians, Turks and Italians, to say nothing of the great Byzantine Empire. The arts still play an integral part in Greek life and have done since ancient times. In summer, Greek dramas are staged in the ancient theatres where they were originally performed. All with their own unique character, the Greek islands are a fusion of stone, sunlight and sparkling sea. The arid Mani region of the Peloponnese sports the country’s best array of wildflowers – crocuses, anemones, irises, poppies, lilies, rock roses and cyclamens abound. Follow your nose and you’ll find yourself knee-deep in wild oregano, basil and thyme. Sample some delicious Greek yoghurt and the immensely popular “country salad” – lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber and olives. Appetizers and snacks like tzatziki (cucumber and yoghurt dip), souvlaki (skewered, grilled meat in pita bread) and spanikopita (spinach and cheese pie) are the perfect accompaniment to a cold beer or sparkling wine. The sheer beauty and diversity of this extraordinary country will stay with you forever.

Shopping

Shopping in Greece is a memorable experience. From really low prices to excellent quality, you would be amazed at what you can find. Here are our picks for things to buy in Greece:

Jewelry - Greek craftsmen from ancient times have made absolutely wonderful jewelry. From gold to diamonds to opal, craftsmen always seem to blend today's quality and prices with ancient designs. The best may well be Lalaounis (they are at the airport, Mykonos, Kerkyra, Heraklion, Thesaloniki), Zolotas (Athens, Mykonos, Kerkyra, Rhodes) and many others. Just take a stroll down Adrianou Street in Plaka and see what we mean.

Fur coats - Most of the world's excellent furs comes from Kastoria, up in Western Macedonia. Although fur fashion has become no longer in vogue, furs are still great buys in Greece. Stores in Ermou Street, off Syntagma square specialize in fur coats.

Antiques - Many antiques stores exist in Greece, although to get real Greek antiques you should visit Christie's or Sotheby's in London (and have the millions required). Sculptors make several copies of ancient statues in teracotta and plaster of Paris, and sell them basically anywhere. By law, a copy must have a government stamp of approval on it; otherwise it may be confiscated if taken out of the country.

Leather - there is plenty of leather sandals for sale as are bags and jackets. Ensure you get quality products by looking at the stitching (the first part that comes apart) and the size of thread used - bigger the better. In Plaka, you can pick up a pair of sandals for about DRA 7500 (about $24).

Sponges - many divers work the depths of Kos to search for sponges for your bathing pleasure. Beware however of cheaper far eastern imports; real sponges must be labeled as being made in Greece (they cost more than double the Asian counterparts, but naturally don't break apart easily).

Department stores - there are in abundance from Macro to Vasilopoulos to Minion; they offer quality at a good price. However, ensure you get Greek products; coming from abroad will make you see foreign sweaters at higher prices than at home!
All over Greece you will be able to find shops and shopping centers where you can purchase a whole range of items from clothing to jewelry to CDs and videos. There are also many shops where you can purchase a fantastic selection of Greek Products, such wines, pottery, religious icons and embroidery.

Around the Plaka district, there are also many cafes and small tavernas where you can take a break from the days shopping and enjoy a drink or meal. During the weekends, there is also the flea market in Monastiraki where you can find a whole host of good and products, as well as old books and antiques. There is also a huge flea market on Sunday in Pireaus.

Shopping Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: 08.30 - 17.00
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 08.30 - 14.00 - 17.30 - 20.30
Sunday: Most shops are closed, but those around Plaka and Monastiraki are mostly always open.
In the summer season and also around Christmas, some of the shops may change hours accordingly.

Greece is a country of beautiful contradictions, a constant journey in time, from the present to the past and back again. Walk through the olive groves, through ancient sites. Move to clusters of sparsely inhabited islands. Roam from the beaches to rocky mountains and explore breathtaking scenery.
There are too many things that you can do in Greece that here I have mentioned only some of them:

• Do not miss the Hellenic Festival (website: www.hellenicfestival.gr; Jun-Sep), with world class music, dance and theatre performances in the second-century AD Odeon of Herodes Atticus, in Athens, as well as classical Greek dramas in the fourth-century BC amphitheatre in Epidaurus.

• Find a beach for every mood. The best include Lalaria, a pristine white pebble beach on Skiathos, and Plaka, a long stretch of unspoilt sand on Naxos. On Mykonos, Paradiso and Super Paradiso offer daytime bathing and hedonistic nightclubs. Alternatively, escape the crowds on unspoilt Koufonissi.

• Sail Greece's myriad islands. Depending on experience, visitors can go bareboat (chartering just the boat), flotilla (as part of a group of yachts lead by an expert) or skippered. Several UK-based agencies offer all-inclusive sailing holidays in Greece.

• Go windsurfing. The best places for it are Vassiliki on Lefkada, Kefalos on Kos, Kokkari on Samos, Ialisos on Rhodes, Chrisi Akti (Golden Beach) on Paros, and Agios Georgios and Mikri Vigla on Naxos. Hire and instruction are available.

• Climb Greece's highest mountain, MountOlympos (2,917m/ 9,570ft), believed by the ancients to be home of Zeus, or scale Mount Pasnassos (2,457m/8,061ft) near Delphi.

• Hike the length of the SamariaGorge (18km/11.2 miles) on Crete, or the VikosGorge (14km/8 miles) in Epirus.

• Escape the sun, sand and surf. Surprisingly, Greece is also home to several decent ski resorts. The best equipped is the ParnassosSkiCentre on Mount Parnassos (website: www.parnassos-ski.gr). Alternatively try Helmos on the Peleponnese, or Vermion in Macedonia.

• Get wet. The shallow, fast-flowing rivers of mainland Greece offer excellent facilities for water-based adventure sports such as rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Sea kayaking is also becoming increasingly popular on the islands.

• Go deep. To guard against the pilfering of underwater antiquities, scuba-diving is restricted to certain stretches of the Attica coast, Corfu, Kalamata, Kalymnos, Mykonos, Preveza, Rhodes, Skiathos and Zakynthos, all of which are home to dive centres offering instruction and rental equipment.

• Go underground. Greece is home to some 6,000 karstcaves, the majority in Crete. Over 20 show caves are open for guided tours, the largest and most impressive being Perama, filled with stalagmites and stalactites, near Ioannina.

• Get tipsy. Several of the top vineyards open their cellars to the public for winetasting sessions, and also offer wine for direct purchase. Most of these require visitors to call one day in advance to book your visit.

• Luxuriate. Greece is gifted with numerous springs giving forth thermal and/or mineral waters. Various spas and hydrotherapycentres have developed throughout the country, some of which offer sophisticated wellness centres for pampering.

• Get twitching. There are 11 wetlands of international importance in Greece, and over 190 ‘important bird areas'. The most impressive include the NestosDelta in Thrace and the PrespaLakes in Macedonia. Expect to see herons, storks, pelicans and eagles.

Greek Food:

As anyone who has visited Greece will tell you, eating and drinking is a way of life there. Not just because they use fresh vegetables and they don't over-power with spices, but because it comes with the whole package of wine and conversation that can go all afternoon or all night long.

Restaurants in Greece can be described in two words: simple and great.

Greek cuisine uses some flavorings more often than do other Mediterranean cuisines: oregano rigani, mint dhiosmo, garlic, onion, dill, salt, and bay laurel leaves. Other common herbs and spices include basil, thyme and fennel seed. Many Greek recipes use "sweet" spices in combination with meat, for example cinnamon and cloves in stews. Greek flavour is often characterised by the use of mint and nutmeg. Other typical ingredients are lamb, pork, kalamata olives, feta cheese, grape leaves, zucchini and yogurt. Dessert items are dominated by nuts and honey.[1]

A restaurant (aka: Taverna) is a wonderful place to eat, meet the locals and pass the time. When thinking about food, remember these points:
Greeks eat late which means after 9pm. Some don’t open before 11 pm!
Greeks finish eating late: not before midnight and not before 2am on weekends! In addition, kids which play an important role in Greek society, stay up with their parents way past normal bedtime (hurray for the kiddies!)
There are many tavernas spread all over the place, from the large cities to the tiny resorts, and in the summer, food is served outside, on tables setup for the purpose.
Food comes in small plates; the idea being that everyone shares in the culinary experience.

One of the best earthly activities is eating in a taverna with friends. Most tavernas have their own wine, straight out of the barrels, which are usually stacked against the wall. You can go through several kilos in an evening. Glasses are continually being refilled by each other without anything being said. It's like a reflex or second nature to fill your neighbor’s glass when you see it is empty. And when the carafe is empty someone at the table just lifts it in the air and catches the eye of a waiter, the busboy or even the owner of the restaurant and in thirty seconds it is full again.