Griekenland, gelegen in Zuidoost-Europa en met duizenden adembenemende eilanden in de Egeïsche en Ionische Zee, is een land dat vrijwel ongeëvenaard blijft in de enorme omvang en diversiteit van zijn historische en culturele repertoire. Eeuwenlang worden bezoekers aangetrokken door de spectaculaire natuurlijke landschappen en rijke archeologische vindplaatsen van het land, die de overblijfselen van vier millennia oude cultuur bevatten. De Griekse eilanden zijn misschien wel de grootste trekpleister, van het bruisende nachtleven van Mykonos tot de adembenemende zonsondergangen van Santorini en prachtige turquoise wateren overal waar je kijkt. Onmisbare erfgoedattracties zijn onder meer de talrijke oude bouwwerken van Athene, Meteora-kloosters, een van's werelds meest opmerkelijke kerkelijke locaties, de torenhoge berg Olympus, het huis van de goden, en natuurlijk Delphi, de heiligste plaats van Griekenland waar het orakel ooit belangrijke vragen beantwoordde in de tempel van Apollo.
De hoofdstad van het land, Athene, domineert de Attica regio van Griekenland en is een van de oudste steden ter wereld. Al meer dan twee en een halve eeuw blijven de verbazingwekkende Griekse tempels en monumenten van Athene bezoekers van over de hele wereld intrigeren en verbazen. Dit icoon van de westerse beschaving combineert naadloos oude geschiedenis met moderne architectuur en een verrassend levendige sfeer. Dit is vooral duidelijk in gebieden aan de voet van de Akropolis, Anafiotika, Plaka, Monastiraki en Thissio waar bezoekers tal van buitengewone neoklassieke gebouwen, trendy en traditionele cafés en winkels vinden, en smalle kronkelende straatjes met historische schatten bij elke bocht. Als je eenmaal hebt genoten van een geschiedenis en kunstfiche, probeer dan wat heerlijke Griekse gerechten in een van de beste lokale restaurants van de stad voordat je je overgeeft aan het onverzadigbare nachtleven in de chique cocktailbars en dansclubs aan het water.
Volos is an important port city on the east coast of Greece, lying roughly halfway between Thessaloniki and Athens within the region of Thessaly. Although it has a largely industrial character, the city is home to some great sights, exciting outdoor activities and an excellent selection of bars and restaurants - including an array of places specialising in Tsipouradiko meals - where local spirits are served with a large variety of side dishes. The Athanasakeion Archaeological Museum of Volos is small but highly impressive, and the area surrounding St.Nikolaos Square is full of lovely historical buildings and some charming cafes. Active travellers will relish the Centaurs' Path - which tracks up nearby Mount Pelion and gives stunning views of Volos - as well the near-lying beaches of Alykes, Anavros and Agria.
Kalabaka - sometimes Kalambaka - is a town in Thessaly in northern Greece. Kalabaka is primarily known as the gateway for visiting the nearby cliff-top monasteries of Meteora. This magnificent Greek Orthodox temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, looms over the modern town and provides a fascinating insight into Greek history of the 14th to 16th centuries. There are many monasteries to visit, and many house on-site museums showcasing religious art and other historical artefacts, such as ancient manuscripts. Key monasteries include Great Meteoron, St. Stephen and Holy Trinity, which offer the best views over the town and its surrounds. The area is also renowned for rock climbing, with 170 peaks and over 600 different bolted routes to choose from.
Delphi is situated in southern Greece, about 180 kilometres northwest of the capital of Athens. This area consists of two separate sites: the modern village of Delphi, where visitors will find lodging and other amenities, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the same name. This ancient archaeological area, situated on the slopes of legendary Mount Parnassos, was once considered the centre of the universe and retains a truly special atmosphere. Make sure to see the Sanctuary of Apollo, ruins dating back more than 2,500 years, and take an informative walking tour of the vast area. This can be complemented excellently with a visit to the Delphi Archaeological Museum. Finally, those looking to explore the countryside surrounding Delphi will find many scenic stops, including the pretty seaside village of Galaxidi.
One of Greece's most significant archaeological and tourist destinations, Olympia is best known as the birthplace of the most famous sporting event of all time: the Olympic Games. Set on the breathtaking Peloponnese Peninsula, with the same name as its ancient site, this sacred area is known as the 'Valley of the Gods'. It contained many treasures of Greek art, such as temples, monuments, altars, theatres and statues - much of which is still evident today in the famous well-preserved ruins. The ancient site sits alongside a charming little traditional Greek village, which provides all the tourist facilities visitors might desire. The place was originally not a town but a sanctuary, with buildings associated with the annual games and the worship of the gods. Make sure to visit the impressive museums, too.
The small, charming port town of Nafplio is situated on the Argolic Gulf in the northeast of the Peloponnese Peninsula, just one and a half hours by car from Greece’s capital, Athens. The town is known for its remarkably scenic location, overlooking a picturesque harbour and presided over by two medieval castles, including the spectacular Palamidi fortress. At the centre of Nafplio’s historical Old Town lies the large, marble-paved Syntagma Square, lined with quaint cafes and featuring the Arsenal, a stately building occupied by a fascinating museum. At the other end of the square, a historic mosque now occasionally functions as a cinema. Nafplio serves as a popular weekend getaway for Athenians eager to escape the big tourist crowds of the city and enjoy Nafplio’s excellent restaurants, boutique shops, impressive architecture, quayside cafes, fine beaches and old-world atmosphere.
