Greece Vacations

The sun shines warmly in Greece and the people who live there seem to embody this warmth with each other; it isn’t odd to find friends embracing, linking arms and walking the streets, chatting affectionately. Generous hosts and intensely patriotic about their impressive cultural heritage, the Greeks pride themselves on their filotimo (dignity and honour) and their filoxenia (hospitality). Family life is hugely important and great respect and attention is paid to elderly family members.  

Predominantly Greek Orthodox, the church is part of the cadence of daily life, with locals entering churches to light candles and seek ethereal support from saints who represent their dilemmas. While many monasteries and churches have shawls and long pants to loan tourists, it is ideal to dress with shoulders and legs covered out of respect when visiting.   

Theatre, music and dance have been a central part of the social lives of Greeks since Hellenism and traditional Greek dances, plays and music, reminiscent of the marble sculptures holding lutes and harps, or dancing in a circle, arms linked, are still preformed and every region has their own styles and traditions.  Modern music and dance clubs, especially in Athens and on the Island of Mykonos, showcase how the Greeks of today still know how to party like the Ancients.  

Greek is the language of the land and although English is often spoken by the younger generation, Italian, French and German are also commonly understood. A friendly efcharistó (thank you) will go a long way as Greeks take deep pride in their language and appreciate visitors who attempt to speak it.  

Politics and social issues are hotly debated among Greeks but their passion for a good argument is based purely on pleasure, as friendliness and curiosity, a lust for life, and knowledge is all part of the wonderful Greek psyche.  

Spring and fall are the ideal times to visit Greece.  Winter is the lowest tourist season, with chilly windy days and many hotels shutting down, particularly on the islands, with some of the smaller islands closing completely as islanders head off to homes in Athens for a few months. Smaller hotels shut their doors from the end of November until the beginning of April, along with seasonal cafés and restaurants; bus and ferry services are either drastically reduced or simply cancelled.  

The cobwebs are brushed off in time for orthodox Easter when the first visitors start to arrive. Weather conditions between Easter and mid-June are sublime; pleasantly warm in most places, the beaches and ancient sites are relatively uncrowded and public transport operates close to full schedules while accommodation is less expensive and easier to find. Mid-June to the end of August is high season and it’s party time on the islands with everything in full swing. Although busy and very hot in July and August; the temperatures soaring to 40°C (100°F) in the shade just about anywhere in the country, the beaches are packed, the ancient cites are swarming with tour groups, and in many places, accommodation is booked solid, fun is still to be had by the water, where diving and swimming over ruins is a sublime experience. The high season peters out in September and conditions are ideal once more until the end of October. By November the endless blue skies of summer have vanished with November to February being the wettest months. It can get surprisingly cold, and snow is known to fall on the mainland and in the mountains of Evia and Crete. But the sun god of lore, is never far away in this country, and there are also plenty of sunny days. Visitors who prefer the calm that reigns at this time of year may be in luck if Helios decides to shine down on you.

Greece is an uncomplicated and adventurous place to travel. Europe, Asia, and African flank its sides with Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania and Turkey wrapped around its borders. 

The public transport system is excellent and there is accommodation to suit every fantasy and every budget. With more than 70 inhabited islands to choose from, and a wide range of mainland attractions, history buffs will delight in the 17 UNESCO world heritage sites for their superb ruins, and hedonists can tan and lounge on beaches with sunsets to make your heart swoon, especially after a few ouzos on ice.  Greece is a safe stable country, and while it is not as cheap as it used to be, you can make your euro stretch a little further with some care and forethought. 

Every Greek island has its own celebrations; the biggest holiday being August 15th, "The Day of the Panagia," or the Virgin Mary. The Hellenic Festival from June through September is a celebration of modern and ancient theatre, music, dance, and opera while the Epidaurus Festival held within ancient theatres in July and August is a special opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture.  

The islands of Rhodes with the largest inhabited medieval city in Europe to traverse; Crete, where Venetians made their mark and the Minoans thousands of years ago built palaces to snake goddesses; Santorini where white cliff edges descend into sapphire waters and Atlantis is rumoured to be submerged; Samothraki with remarkable forests and waterfalls made this the sanctuary for the gods for good reason. The mainland with the famed Acropolis of Athens; Meteora’s monasteries perched on the edges of cliffs; Nafplio where the Venetians dallied and designed romance into their architecture; haunting Paxi where ancient olive groves and goats may be your only companions; Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games nestled among sweet smelling pine trees on the banks of the River Kladeos or Delphi where the Oracle told of the future and remains as a place for meditation and serenity among jaw-dropping ruins: Greece will not disappoint no matter your passion.  

Wines, olive oils and other locally produced foods as well as the bounty from the surrounding seas makes dining anywhere in Greece a potentially surreal experience. Greeks themselves enjoy a great meal out with friends and family and large groups laughing and enjoying life out on the town take place regardless of socioeconomic status. Full of ritual and tradition, Greek cuisine varies by region and changes with the season. Food and quality are almost an obsession within Greece, with great attention to detail and fresh bread (psomi), salty Feta cheese, local vegetables, meats and fish melt in your mouth after a long day of exploring. Grilled foods or oras, baked dishes, stuffed vegetables called yemista, and succulent moussakas of fresh eggplant layered with minced meat or vegetables, are staples of Greek cuisine. Desserts are syrupy sweet and often are served with a strong black coffee or a glass of ouzo cut with water; the most popular spirit of the country. Although breakfast for many Greeks is a simple affair; a cigarette and a black coffee is often the diet of choice, beautiful yogurts (yaourti) made from sheep’s milk paired with local honey and walnuts is a filling, healthy and decadent way to start a full day of sightseeing. Although long, languorous lunches are common in Greece, if you are short on time, a filling meat gyro on pitta bread with vegetables and garlicky tzatziki hits the spot.  

Wine or krasi in Greece predates the written record with the god of wine, Dionysus, celebrating fermented grapes before the Bronze Age. Long, hot and dry days lead to swollen juicy grapes such as Cabernets, Chardonnays, and ancient Greek varietals: plumy Agiorgitiko and spicey Moschofilero, which pair very well with food or can be sipped on as the sun sets over the sea or a mystifying ancient temple.