Greece is the home of Zeus and his Mount Olympus gods, but the initial impression of its bustling capital, Athens, is not perfect. The historic capital of Europe, with a long history dating back to the first inhabitants of the Neolithic era, Athens is also the birthplace of Western civilization, and the fifth century B.C. was the pinnacle of her long and fascinating history, when political thought, theater, art, philosophy, architecture, and other intellectual ideas reached their historical peaks.In 1834, Athens became the capital of modern Greece, a choice based on its An important symbol of classic history, in two centuries Athens has become a modern metropolis of unrivaled charm. Walking through the streets of Athens, one can still feel the weight of the city, as it has been a part of civilization for 6,000 years, and is no longer the same as it used to be, but has become even better, as the 2004 Olympic Games have given it a new look. Perhaps the Athens we will see during the Olympics will be the one that blends the monuments with the parks, pedestrian streets and forests, and connects them with the nightlife areas of Plaka, Psiri and Sion, Athens has created a model that other cities are bound to follow. New highways keep traffic out of the business districts, city streets are safer and the air is cleaner; Olympic lanes are being converted to high-capacity automobile lanes, and a new subway makes it easier to get in and out of airports and harbors, and opens up new attractions for sightseers who used to be confined to the island's business districts around the Acropolis. A ride on the Coastal Tram will enable one to take the new air-conditioned light rail tram to the beach, or to shop and dine in the coastal suburbs.
Olympia is located east of Pyrgos in the western Peloponnese, Greece, at the confluence of the Alpheus and Krazevos rivers, 370 kilometers from Athens. It has a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery, and is full of olive trees, laurel trees and cypress trees. Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Movement. According to historical data, as early as the Iron Age, the Dolisians built temples here, and the Olympic Movement is precisely a kind of celebration to the gods. Olympia has the world's oldest stadium. Later, although the Olympic Games were held alternately in different countries, the name was still used, and the sacred fire of the Games was lit here. Around 1000 B.C., the youth of ancient Greece began to hold the games here, which were then called the Athletics. The scale of the games grew, and in 776 B.C. they were transformed into the All-Greek Olympic Games. Since then, the games have been held every four years, and those who participate in them rejoice as if they were celebrating a festival. The winners of the games were honored with odes written by famous poets, and sometimes statues were erected in their honor. By 464 B.C., neighboring city-states were also represented, making the event a symbol of peace and friendship.
For a people so blessed by the sea and the mountains, the tablescape was a sight to behold, and the lively atmosphere in the tavern was uniquely Greek. At dinnertime, families and friends gather in small groups in the brightly lit restaurants. The meal begins with a white Greek aperitif flavored with water, and then a slow process of ordering the squid, shrimp, and shellfish that line the display cases and choosing their own preferred preparations. A lively conversation begins at each table, and the wine and cod roe paste are placed on the table. When the fish and meat dishes are finally delivered, everyone sings loudly with BUZUKI and dances to the beat of the folk dance Sirtaki, and the restaurant becomes so lively that invited visitors can't help but join in the atmosphere, and after the meal you can enjoy a variety of cheeses, wines, and freshly made desserts and sweets. It is also a Greek tradition to have fun, and summer is of course the season of the sea, when you can go to the beautiful seaside with friends or family. Just because it is known as the land of the sea, it is absolutely impeccably ideal.
Greece's Island Hopping
Greece conquered the sea, which in turn widened its horizon. The endless network of coastlines forms a series of scenic wonders, and it is these densely jagged shores that make Greece so beautiful, a unique paradise on earth in the Mediterranean. Here, our eyes will be fixed on the "blue sea", 16,000 kilometers of coastline, of which 7,500 kilometers are occupied by islands. Each stretch of coastline presents a unique landscape: hidden harbors, golden sandy beaches, white pebbles and red starfish, steep rocky caves, jewel-green bays and natural harbors. Proud of the fact that 406 beaches in Greece*** have been awarded the "Blue Flag of Europe", the transparent and clean waters of the country never fail to calm the soul. Showering in the warmth of the sun, as the Nobel Prize winner Odysseus Elytis wrote in his poem "The Warmth of the Sun", you can enjoy the warmth of the sun. All of the body's senses are mobilized, as depicted in the poem "Monarch Sun" by Nobel Laureate Odysseus Elytis. Smell the ocean's salty humidity, listen to the sound of the waves lapping at the shore, look away from the distant sailing boats like white houses lined up along the horizon, at once, and then capture the dolphins in the waves of the scene of the leap, everything is like pre-arranged, when the sea water gently splashed on the body, in a moment of cool refreshing, and then understand that the original is a part of this landscape.
The Cyclades Islands
In the enchanting deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea, scattered like stars in the sky are some beautiful islands of different shapes, which make up the famous Cyclades Islands. It is an ideal vacation spot where sightseers of all tastes can have fun. It is the place where one of the most important civilizations of the Mediterranean, the Cyclades culture, named after the islands, was invented.
The Cyclades have a Mediterranean climate with an average temperature of 18-19 degrees throughout the year. Here, steep mountains and rocky hills can be found on most of the Cyclades islands, along with gorgeous beaches*** that make up the beauty of this island. Spectacular white boxy houses rise alongside freshly painted streets, studded with stepped walls, wooden doors and windows and brightly colored balconies. These houses are interspersed with petite, charming churches, beautiful cafes, and stores selling souvenirs and other wares, making the whole scene a movie.
It's not a coincidence that Mykonos, the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek islands, attracts a large number of sightseers from around the globe, including a large number of artists and scholars. The name "Mykonos" derives from the Greek myth of Mykonos, the grandson of Apollo, the god of the sun, and the son of Anios, the half-human, half-god. Poseidon, the mythical god of the sea, once lifted this huge rock named "Mykonos" and killed the giants. The large pieces of rubble that cover the island of Mykonos are said to be the remains of those giants. Mykonos is a busy island with the facilities of a modern tourist resort and offers a wide range of activities around the clock for those who wish to enjoy a vibrant time. Of course, sightseers who prefer a more peaceful holiday can still find quiet corners to relax in.
The crescent-shaped volcanic island of Santorini is one of the most famous islands of the Cyclades, and modern archaeologists have ventured to speculate that Santorini may have been the magical ancient kingdom of Atlantis in Plato's writings, adding a touch of mystery to the island. Unlike other islands in the archipelago, it has a very unique geology, plenty of sunshine, unique black sand beaches, white houses built on the mountains, fine wines and food with local specialties, rich entertainment activities and a long history ...... All of which make it a destination for lovers. At the onset of summer, Santorini's striking scenery, unique natural environment, unusual architecture and outstanding monuments attract countless sightseers. The western side of the island is studded with dazzling white houses and towering cliffs that plunge directly into the sea. This is in stark contrast to the east, which has many sandy and pebble beaches. The site at Akrotiri has remnants of the ruins of the city of Minos, which was destroyed by the eruption of the Hira volcano in 1500 BC. In fact, these are the ruins of a prehistoric Pompeii city buried under volcanic ash, with two- and three-story houses, squares, stores, factories, and more. Fantastic frescoes, vases and everyday utensils have been found in these houses.
Oia, located on the north side of the island, is famous as an art village and is recognized by tourists as the most beautiful place on the island. The entire mountain town of Oia is full of artists, artists who sell their creations, artists who draw pictures on their own walls, artists who live their lives. Inches of Oia gave Santorinians the chance to be rich, and travelers a dream. The blue and white churches and bell towers, each with a curve of color and windows that cannot be duplicated, are situated in the undulating hills of the city, drawing the eye from afar. One of the most popular architectural features of Oia is the cave house, which is known as "Crow's Nest." Thanks to the tourism industry, the cave house is no longer a primitive cave, but is painted with a white roof and walls, presenting an architectural style of the Cyclades Islands that is breathtakingly beautiful. This simple yet beautiful architectural aesthetic has attracted many artisans to live here and inspire their creativity. Most of the accommodations in Oia are built on the rocks facing the sea, with a good view, plus there are fewer hotels, so the price is high, and if there are pool facilities, it must be five-star price. If you have a pool facility, it must be a five-star price. It's okay if you can't afford to stay on a limited budget, but you must come to Iaia to stroll around the streets. Every store in Ia is small and exquisite, very artistic, whether it is an art gallery, leather, silver boutiques, mosaics, clay art huts, and even restaurants and cafes are decorated with not bad style. Iya "artists' village" is true to its name, taste is what you can not miss in Iya.
Sunset over the volcanic cliffs is the specialty of the city of Oia. Every day at dusk, the town of Oia, will become crowded, because this is the best place to watch the sunset. When you enter a restaurant at dusk, you'll be surprised to find that everyone is out in the sun instead of sitting indoors. It turns out that everyone is waiting for the sunset. Drinking wine, waiting for the food to be served. The blue sky is becoming colorful, the sunset is blurring the sky, the warm orange color is staining the houses on the hills, and the ripples of the sea look like a long string of diamond necklaces. That kind of beauty, let you do not know the real and unreal, that kind of intoxication, let you do not distinguish between human and immortal. Santorini Island is bathed in the sunset, also looks more poetic!
Ferrara is the capital of Santorini, and an important transportation hub on the island, where buses to various tourist attractions and towns depart from. Fira is built on a 300-meter-high cliff, with white houses stacked on top of each other in a stunning geometric pattern. The labyrinth of stores is filled with a myriad of artifacts that have been carefully arranged to create an endless sense of beauty, and the bright sunlight that dances through the alleys creates a varied effect of light and shadow. Donkeys are the most traditional and practical means of transportation on the island, as the alleys in Fira are narrow and undulating. Couples get on the donkeys and walk straight up the steep zigzag stairs, where it's easy to get lost, and listen to the donkeys as they guide them, walking aimlessly through this world of white and blue, and enjoying the cool world of leisure for two, which is definitely a refreshing and interesting experience.
The black sands also seem to be a hint of Santorini's extraordinary status. Kamarl is Santorini's most famous beach. Although the sea here is dazzling blue, but the sea beat is the black sand. Black sand and blue sea and sky with each other, the color contrast. The unusual combination is the most unique landscape here. Bury yourself in the black sand, let your skin greedily absorb the natural minerals, than to go to the beauty salon SPA do not know how much more cost-effective. The long coastline is lined with high class hotels, restaurants, stores and bars. At night, Kamali becomes a city of revelry, where people indulge in passionate music, alcohol and lust. If Oia is the favorite of the literati, Kamali is the paradise of the hedonist.
Delos, an uninhabited island 6 kilometers from Mykonos, is home to huge archaeological remains - majestic monuments dating back thousands of years - that attract thousands of pilgrim sightseers.
Today, the island of Delos is visited because of its thousands of years of history and its role as the political and religious center of the Aegean after the 8th century BC. Archaeological sites start at the religious harbor at the western end and spread almost all over the island. From the harbor, the magnificent religious road leads to the Temple of Apollo, which is dotted with temples, altars, votive offerings and other buildings. Here lie the ruins of four Apollo temples, one of which is the famous Temple of Athena. To the east are the temple buildings of the Bulls, to the north the treasury and the long narrow colonnade of Antigonns. In the northwest corner was the much smaller Temple of Artemis, with an Ionian-style temple of the goddess and two virgin cemeteries of the Northern Pure Land. Farther north is the area of the Holy Lake with its lion colonnade, the ruins of Leiden, the Piazza d'Italia, and farther afield some fine houses and gladiatorial arenas. To the northeast of the lake are the stadium and gymnasium. Some of the houses are decorated with fine representative mosaic floors, bollards and tridents.
Today five of Greece's ports have been awarded the "Blue Flag" and with 6,661 berths*** they offer a welcoming and safe harbor for your ship. In addition to the large commercial port of Thessaloniki on the Piraeus River, smaller ports have been specially created to offer peaceful and beautiful harbors. Don't worry if you don't have your own boat, you can still skipper one of the more than 4,000 professional yachts for rent in Greece from hundreds of licensed yacht brokers: motor yachts, motor sailing yachts, sailing yachts, canopy-less boats and motor boats.
Tour of the Peloponnese
The Peloponnese is located at the southernmost tip of mainland Greece. Initially it was an island, but strong geologic uplift in the region caused it to merge and hairsplit twice from the Greek mainland. Later, another retreat of the sea formed the Isthmus of Corinth. This isthmus was cut off at the end of the 19th century to make way for the Corinthian Canal, which made Peloponnesus an island once again. The Peloponnese is a rocky landmass with a mountainous interior. The coastal areas have a true Mediterranean climate, while the central areas have a relatively continental climate.
In this mythical land, where every corner recalls Greek mythology, the Peloponnese is filled with images, music, sea, mountains, grapes, olives and citrus aromas. The cities, towns and tourist resorts here were important centers of antiquity and still remain today. Villages seem to be built of gray rocks, wilderness stones dancing with beautiful bougainvillea***. Other villages lie close to the wide open sea, but wherever they are, the people are vibrant, hospitable, proud and proud. A network of three main roads provides access to places full of natural beauty, important archaeological sites that verify the land and stones of other times. Before we reached the Isthmus, we first toured the Peloponnese to Lutraki with its famous luxury hotels and many small hotels.
After crossing the Isthmus, we reached Koslin, a commercial and transportation center. In the archaeological site of Ancient Koslin we find the ruins of the splendid ancient city. The road stretches to huge olive groves, food crop farmland and vegetable-growing areas, and leads to modern villages and towns as well as desirable tourist resorts. From Kia Tou to ancient Sciona, from Sciona to Stimfalia and, later, to the mesmerizing resort of Ekilokasto. Diacovento is the starting point of a trip to visit the historic monasteries of Calavereta, Mygoros Pilei and Egira Putra. A magical trip through the Fleckos Canyon between the towering emerald green mountains and the railroad. The truly ancient Aigio holds a special attraction, with the Panagia Trepia Monastery built between lifelike rocks and beautiful pebble-strewn beaches to be found nearby.
Patras, on the west coast, is Greece's window to the Ontarian Islands and Italy, and its attractive squares, neo-classical buildings and hilltop ruins of a fortress all add to the endless charm of this lively port city, the fourth largest in Greece, with an enchanting waterfront immersed in aneolian and oak scrub, blue waters and the huge sandy beaches of the Kolynesi, and is known for the sights and sounds for which it is known around the world.
A little further south, we come to Pyrgos, a striking town with two treasures; it also boasts neoclassical architecture designed by Traylor. Calm, sunny and verdant, ancient Olympia boasts stately temple foundations, colonnades, altars, a multitude of interesting carved masterpieces discovered by archaeological excavations, and the head of the Praxiteles.
Keytafas, the next tourist destination, also famous for its monuments, is set in dense pine forests, where the soil is fertile and ideal for vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards. Roads leading to Byzantine monasteries, Frankish towers, ancient temples such as the Temple of Apollo Epikorios in Wessex and famous palaces such as the Palace of Nestor in Pylos begin here. These roads also led to Kalamata, the capital of Mycenae, lined with the fortress of Geoffrey? The fortress of Wilhelmaduin, cafes and bakeries line the coastline, and Mount Teigotos towers proudly behind it, with beautiful beaches visible between the foothills. From Kalamata, the road leads directly to Tripoli, the heart of the Peloponnese, which is the perfect place to start a fascinating tour of Vitina and Stamnitza, with picturesque villages clinging to the Arcadian mountains, and important ancient ruins in both Matinia and Lycosonia.
After entering Lakonia, we arrive at its capital, Sparti. To the west is the Byzantine-era castle country of Mistral, with its incredible churches, monasteries, palaces and buildings. After crossing the plains of Laconia, it's time to come to Ghisl?n, from where you can reach Aeropli, the Dijos Caves, the traditional homes of Vasya, and after traversing through unexplored sites, steep mountains and deep canyons connecting to the clear blue sea, clean golden beaches or pebbled seashores, we arrive at the one and only Munim Vasya. From the heights of the castle, the moon rises slowly between the waves.
Northeast of the Peloponnese is Argos, a land that was a military fortress in antiquity and, today, serves as a departure point for Nafplion, the first capital of post-independence Greece, with its small fortress-guarded island of Potts, and Paramithi Rocks. From Argos it is also possible to reach the ruins of ancient Tiryns and Mycenae, the two centers of power in the ancient Mycenaean world. After passing through the pine forests is Epidaurus, and if it happens to be during the summer Epidaurus festival, one can also enjoy the incredible acoustics of the ancient theater, which is second only to the Temple of Asclepius. In addition to Epidaurus, the eastern Peloponnese has many natural beauties, and from here we can also easily reach Poros or Mycena, which have famous excursion sites.
The Greek countryside
The Greek countryside is the real treasure of nature, which is always waiting for us, so all we need to do is to take a map, pack a bag and start the long awaited trip to the picturesque inland landscapes of Greece. Mountains, canyons and valleys are interspersed with fast-flowing rivers, azure lakes, lagoons, deltas and coastal marshes, and the Valia Calda (warm valleys) and Pindus mountain ranges are a safe haven for brown bears. In the bird habitat of the Dadia Forest on the Evros River, where some 145 species of birds, ducks and storks spend the winter months, there are also some prized sightings of the Eurasian Black Eagle, Mavrogypas. Enjoy the peace and quiet of a traditional village, visit one of the small villages that dot the beautiful Greek landscape, and leave some of your cares behind as you ride along the cobblestoned paths. Or pick up the pace and feel free to get on a mountain bike and explore. Touch the sky by climbing to the breathtaking Mandaiola, a monastery perched on top of a rocky outcrop that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wherever we go, our senses will be tingling. Each of Greece's 19 attractive "art" forests reveals unique flora and fauna of ecological value. Drink cold water from a natural source or help make wine and brandy on a farm, taste freshly cooked pasta, and enjoy the smell of beech burning in a stone fireplace.
All these scenes, which seem to be the stuff of novels, can be found and experienced in the Greek countryside, where we realize that the countryside is so beautiful, so fresh and so simple.