"Greece is the word" Greece by athenian80

Greece Travel Guide: 27,150 reviews and 76,749 photos

Since long ago...

Greece is a tourist destination since ancient times. In fact, Pausanias, Greek historian, traveler and geographer wrote the first ever travel guide for the Roman tourists that visited Greece in the 2nd century AD. "Ellados Periigissis" (Description of Greece) gives a detailed account of the monuments of art and of the legends connected with them. Pausanias used earlier writings as historical and legendary source material. His work, however, represents observations made during personal travel and investigation, and its general accuracy has been confirmed by archaeological discoveries in modern times. Many travel guides have been written on Greece since then and I hope that mine can enlighten you a little...

Popular country, but...unknown

Yes, Greece's beaches are unrivalled in Europe.

Today, Greece is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Its striking scenery and pleasing climate combined with some of the globe?s most precious historical sites lure millions of travelers every year.
But surprisingly enough, Greece remains one of the most unexplored territories of Europe. The vast majority of its visitors flock to the internationally known islands (mainly Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Corfu) and a few seaside resorts of the mainland. On the other hand there are dozens of other islands (Greece has about 2000) that can provide demanding travelers with things that the beautiful yet crowded and in some cases spoilt by tourism islands cannot: Authenticity, tranquility, hospitality, real Greece in a few words. Same for the mainland. Some of the most irresistible sites created both by nature and man are found around the country. Peloponissos, has so many historical sites from all the Eras of the nation?s history that can fill weeks or even months of exploration. Epiros, with its wild beauty and picturesque, stony villages is a real apocalypse for the traveler. Even though I'm Greek I can tell you that I still haven't seen all of Greece, despite the fact that I travel quite often.
But what about modern Greece? I mean that, ok, most people know Greece from their history classes but what they might wonder is what this nation has evolved in. Well, today Greece is a rather small to medium country of about 11 million people. The standard of living is high, and Greece ranks 23rd internationally. Greece is also a member of the European Union and also the Euro Zone meaning that the national currency is the Euro. Culturally speaking despite centuries of foreign rule that has left many influences in the cuisine and music the Greek language demonstrates a remarkable degree of continuity, many customs remain alive even since ancient times as well as the orthodox traditions. The pride in the accomplishments of Ancient Greece in politics, the sciences and culture, which after all contributed to the feeling of ethnic unity in the years of the Ottoman rule, is the beacon of the nation.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Steeped in history, full of monuments of unequalled beauty, striking scenery. All in a dynamic, modern country.
Cons:At recent years it has become expensive
In a nutshell:A classic destination that never fails to surprise

Intro Updated Aug 2, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (15)

Alpine and tropical scenery meet in Greece - Greece

An incredibly diverse country Favorites (6)

A picture is worth 1000 words. Well, here I have put two pictures and someone would swear that the first was taken... more travel advice

Greece's Byzantine heritage Favorites (6)

Apart from the ancient Greek heritage, another inseparable part of the Greek identity, is the Christian Orthodox legacy.... more travel advice

Epidavros' theater bird-eye view - Greece

Greece's ancient heritage Favorites (6)

Even though Ancient Greece included areas that now are not part of Greece, i.e. the coasts of Turkey and southern Italy,... more travel advice

Sun glimse over the Aegean sea, July 2003 - Greece

Geographically speaking... Favorites (6)

From this awesome Nasa satellite view of Greece that was taken in summer 2003 the first thing that someone might notice... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Unexplored Greece
Transportation (3)
See All Athens' International Airport
Things to Do (2)
See All "The eye of Greece"

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (53)

Reply
- Report abuse
buenababe Jul 22, 2011 at 12:16 AM

wonderful greece! it is my dream place to visit. lucky you to be living there! ;)
Reply
- Report abuse
dragontml Oct 12, 2005 at 9:19 PM

Great page ! Will b making a trip here soon !
Reply
- Report abuse
Mikebond Jun 26, 2005 at 3:01 AM

Good page! Sorry to disappoint you, but Nicosia (Lefkosia) and La Valletta lie to the South of Athina! Maybe you should update the tip on the airport, since there is the metro now.
Reply
- Report abuse
sprdak11 Jun 22, 2005 at 6:46 AM

Interesting travel page about Greece! Greetings!
Reply
- Report abuse
Guantanamera Apr 20, 2005 at 8:02 PM

Some excellent tips, great work! You are a modern-day Pausanias!!
Reply
- Report abuse
nickandchris Mar 10, 2005 at 8:18 AM

Some interesting info on Greece. Would love to cross the new bridge Rio/Andirrion, only done it by ferry. Loved your photos, especially the Blue and White.
Reply
- Report abuse
Travelchili Aug 6, 2004 at 2:40 AM

Wonderful pictures and stories! I can't wait to visit Greece as there is so much beauty and history to be discovered! Good luck with the Olympic Games, Greece!!
Reply
- Report abuse
CALSF Jul 31, 2004 at 8:06 AM

Catchy page title :0)
Reply
- Report abuse
GillianMcLaughlin Jul 24, 2004 at 7:19 AM

Your page is fascinating, instructive and beautifully presented. I am very fond of Greece, but I don't know it so well. This is a wonderful intro to the whole picture: much more than a tourist brochure would give. Bravo
Reply
- Report abuse
mcb Jul 20, 2004 at 3:03 PM

I was in Greece once i just loved it.. All set for olimpics??