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Greece
Greece the land of Gods, sun and fun, luxurious swims amidst breath-taking beauty, long siestas with the songs of cicadas in the background, dinners in romantic settings, drinks in a bar by the sea. Home to love, passion and romance, the country comes alive at night. A walk around the old neighborhoods reveals the coexistence of different eras; old but well-preserved mansions, luxurious department stores and small shops, fancy restaurants and world famous taverns are located one next to another. All have their place in Greece!
Facts about GreeceHellenic Republic of Greece is considered to be part of Southern Europe; it is also included as a Western European nation. Size of the country is 131.940 sq. km (land 99%, sea 1%). There are about 227 inhabited islands in Greece, but if you count every rocky outcrop, the total surges to about 6,000.
The population currently stands at about 11 million people.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a limited amount of rainfall. Summer days are dry and hot, often cooled by seasonal winds called the meltemi, while winters are mild in lowland areas, with a minimum amount of snow and ice, yet, mountains are usually snow-covered.
The official currency in Greece is Euro (EUR).
Athens is the capital of Greece with population around 3 milion people.
The city is easily accessible by air as scheduled flights operate from Jakarta on a regular basis.
When to visitThe peak holiday season in Greece is from early July to the end of August, when temperatures are higher. You will not miss out on warm weather if you come in May, June or September, excellent times almost everywhere but particularly in the islands. In October, for most of that month the "summer of Αgios Dimitrios" prevails, and the Aegean islands are extremely pleasant. Autumn in general is beautiful; the light is softer, the sea often balmier than the air, and the colors subtler.
AthensAthens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. A large part of the town’s historical centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites.
You could start a tour at the temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the largest in antiquity and close by Hadrian’s Arch, which forms the symbolic entrance to the city. From there, you could pass the ancient Theatre of Dionysos where most of the works by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylos and Aristophanes were performed. Then you could climb up to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, the site of some of the most important masterpieces of worldwide architecture and art, the most renowned of which is the Parthenon temple. From the rock you may enjoy an impressive view of Athens.
Syntagma and Omonia are the main central squares of the city. Dominating Syntagma Square is the Greek Parliament building and in front of it the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in traditional costume.
In Athens and the wider Attica area, you will find high standard hotel accommodation, modern means of transportation, a wide choice of opportunities for shopping, dining and nightlife, good service but above all the hospitality and warmth of its inhabitants.
Athens is a city that fascinates every visitor, during all seasons.
IslandsThe islands are the main characteristic of Greece and an integral part of the country’s culture and tradition. Greece includes 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which only 227 islands are inhabited. This is a truly unique phenomenon for the European continent. Some of the oldest European civilizations developed on the Greek islands, so therefore the islands have unique archeological sites, a distinctive architectural heritage and the fascinating local traditions of a centuries-old.
The Greek Archipelago offers a diversified landscape: sandy beaches with sand-dunes, pebble beaches, sheltered bays and coves, coastal caves with steep rocks and dark colored sand typical for volcanic soil and coastal wetlands. Many of Greek beaches provide not only swimming, but also scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing and windsurfing. By most counts, Santorini is definitely the most popular Greek island. It's a regular stop on most of the cruise lines serving Greece, and can also be easily reached by plane, ferry, and hydrofoil from mainland Greece and many other famous Greek islands like Mykonos, Naxos, Paros....
Leave behind your daily routine and become someone new in a country with a beauty that few places can match, and a passionate people that truly enjoy having a good time.
Summer 2012 in Greece !
13 Days from Athens to Mykonos, Santorini and Paros
15 days from Athens to Olympia, Delphi and Santorini
