Visit Greece Now - Five Reasons Why You Should Make Greece Your Next Holiday Destination
Monday, 14 December 2009 09:33 | 
Written by Isabella Olsen |
Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization for its many contributions. In politics, it is the birthplace of democracy and even political science. In sports, it is where the Olympic Games originated. In science and philosophy, it produced unparalleled minds like Euclid, Hippocrates, Archimedes, Pythagoras, Thales, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, among others. Even in art and literature, Greece has much to show for. And if these are not enough to convince you to visit Greece, here are five reasons that surely will.
Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization for its many contributions. In politics, it is the birthplace of democracy and even political science. In sports, it is where the Olympic Games originated. In science and philosophy, it produced unparalleled minds like Euclid, Hippocrates, Archimedes, Pythagoras, Thales, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, among others. Even in art and literature, Greece has much to show for. And if these are not enough to convince you to visit Greece, here are five reasons that surely will.
1. Archaeological Sites
Many people visit Greece just for its ancient monuments, which, for the civilization they represent, is reason enough. Indeed, though in ruins, each monument holds a charm of its own, transporting visitors back to a glorious age of gods and heroes. The most impressive and important monument of ancient Greece, the Parthenon, can be found in the Athens Acropolis, where you can also find the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erectheion, while the largest Greek temple, the Olympeion or Temple of Olympian Zeus can be found just outside. You will also find the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion in southern Athens.
Aside from the ancient monuments in Athens, you will also find equally interesting ones in other cities, like the Temple of Demeter at Naxos, the Temple of Apollo at Gortyna and Delphi and the Knossos Palace in Crete. In fact, wherever you go in Greece, you are sure to see a remarkable archaeological site just nearby.
While most of these monuments are in ruins, you can see the artifacts, like the statues they originally contained at various archaeological museums in Greece. Most of these museums are located near or even on the site itself, although the finest and most important artifacts can be found in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the largest in Greece.
2. Beaches
One of the reasons why Greece is considered to be such a romantic destination is because it has a long coastline dotted with idyllic beaches, most of which offer white sand and warm, crystal waters, while some are backed by dramatic cliffs and villas. Many of these are Blue Flag beaches, too, with the best ones found in Kefalonia and Zakynthos, while nudism is acceptable almost everywhere, but most particularly on Banana Beach in Skiathos and Eresos Beach in Lesvos. There are many great diving spots, too, and several sea caves to explore.
3. Greek Cuisine
Greek food is often described as healthy, so make sure you get your fill when you visit Greece. This is because olives and olive oil are widely used, most of which are grown and produced in Kalamata and Crete. There are many vegetable dishes, too, such as Greek Salad, baked beans and cabbage rolls, although meat dishes like oven-baked lamb, Gyros (roasted meat) and Souvlaki (skewered meat) are also popular. As for desserts, many are made with nuts and honey, the most popular one being Baklava, while wine is the most common drink. In fact, there are some that say wine originated in Greece.
4. Greece by Night
Greece is a country that comes to life at night, as you will see when you visit Greece. This is especially true in Athens, Corfu, Skiathos and Mykonos, which have a large concentration of night clubs and bars that play all types of music - whether pop, rock, jazz, trance or the traditional music of the bouzouki - up until dawn or even seven in the morning. In the summer, you will find many seaside parties, too, which start right after sunset and go on until sunrise.
5. Reliving the Movies in Greece
With its beautiful scenery, it comes as no surprise that film crews and celebrities visit Greece to shoot their movies, and if you're lucky, you might catch them in the middle of the filming. Don't be upset if you don't, though, since there are still many movie locations you can visit like the Aghia Triatha monastery at Meteora where scenes from the Bond film 'For Your Eyes Only' took place or Skopelos, where some scenes from 'Mamma Mia!' were filmed.
Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization for its many contributions. In politics, it is the birthplace of democracy and even political science. In sports, it is where the Olympic Games originated. In science and philosophy, it produced unparalleled minds like Euclid, Hippocrates, Archimedes, Pythagoras, Thales, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, among others. Even in art and literature, Greece has much to show for. And if these are not enough to convince you to visit Greece, here are five reasons that surely will.
1. Archaeological Sites
Many people visit Greece just for its ancient monuments, which, for the civilization they represent, is reason enough. Indeed, though in ruins, each monument holds a charm of its own, transporting visitors back to a glorious age of gods and heroes. The most impressive and important monument of ancient Greece, the Parthenon, can be found in the Athens Acropolis, where you can also find the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erectheion, while the largest Greek temple, the Olympeion or Temple of Olympian Zeus can be found just outside. You will also find the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion in southern Athens.
Aside from the ancient monuments in Athens, you will also find equally interesting ones in other cities, like the Temple of Demeter at Naxos, the Temple of Apollo at Gortyna and Delphi and the Knossos Palace in Crete. In fact, wherever you go in Greece, you are sure to see a remarkable archaeological site just nearby.
While most of these monuments are in ruins, you can see the artifacts, like the statues they originally contained at various archaeological museums in Greece. Most of these museums are located near or even on the site itself, although the finest and most important artifacts can be found in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the largest in Greece.
2. Beaches
One of the reasons why Greece is considered to be such a romantic destination is because it has a long coastline dotted with idyllic beaches, most of which offer white sand and warm, crystal waters, while some are backed by dramatic cliffs and villas. Many of these are Blue Flag beaches, too, with the best ones found in Kefalonia and Zakynthos, while nudism is acceptable almost everywhere, but most particularly on Banana Beach in Skiathos and Eresos Beach in Lesvos. There are many great diving spots, too, and several sea caves to explore.
3. Greek Cuisine
Greek food is often described as healthy, so make sure you get your fill when you visit Greece. This is because olives and olive oil are widely used, most of which are grown and produced in Kalamata and Crete. There are many vegetable dishes, too, such as Greek Salad, baked beans and cabbage rolls, although meat dishes like oven-baked lamb, Gyros (roasted meat) and Souvlaki (skewered meat) are also popular. As for desserts, many are made with nuts and honey, the most popular one being Baklava, while wine is the most common drink. In fact, there are some that say wine originated in Greece.
4. Greece by Night
Greece is a country that comes to life at night, as you will see when you visit Greece. This is especially true in Athens, Corfu, Skiathos and Mykonos, which have a large concentration of night clubs and bars that play all types of music - whether pop, rock, jazz, trance or the traditional music of the bouzouki - up until dawn or even seven in the morning. In the summer, you will find many seaside parties, too, which start right after sunset and go on until sunrise.
5. Reliving the Movies in Greece
With its beautiful scenery, it comes as no surprise that film crews and celebrities visit Greece to shoot their movies, and if you're lucky, you might catch them in the middle of the filming. Don't be upset if you don't, though, since there are still many movie locations you can visit like the Aghia Triatha monastery at Meteora where scenes from the Bond film 'For Your Eyes Only' took place or Skopelos, where some scenes from 'Mamma Mia!' were filmed.
About the Author:
Isabella Olsen is a writer for various travel magazines who has been to global tourist destinations like Greece. To book your car hire in Greece or learn more about airport car hire worldwide, visit Zencarhire.com.