| Ancient Greek culture thrived from the 3rd | | | | the most northerly of the Ionian islands with |
| millennium to the first century B.C. and its | | | | a mountain chain in the north, a central |
| cultural accomplishments, art, architecture | | | | hilly region and a flat southern area. Rhodes |
| and philosophy deeply influenced thinkers, | | | | is part of the Dodecanese islands and is |
| writers and artists in many subsequent | | | | known for its healthful climate and fertile |
| civilizations. The concept of democracy | | | | soil. The island of Santorini is a |
| originated in ancient Greece and became the | | | | photographer's paradise with its white |
| foundation of political principles for most | | | | villages that are nestled into steep volcanic |
| modern nations. Greece - truly one of the | | | | cliffs. Mykonos is one of the most beautiful |
| cradles of modern civilization. | | | | islands of Cyclades, it is cosmopolitan and |
| | | | offers an intense nightlife. A ferry trip in |
| Picture Athens in its heyday crowned by the | | | | between the various islands can be an |
| Acropolis. The Parthenon, an ancient Greek | | | | exciting way of getting around and exploring |
| temple dedicated to the goddess Athena | | | | the local lifestyle. |
| Parthenos (Athena the Virgin), is located on | | | | |
| the Acropolis. Although partly in ruins | | | | Macedonia, the ancient home of Alexander the |
| today, it remains a masterpiece of Greek | | | | Great in the north of Greece, has several |
| architecture. Overall, Athens has much to | | | | well-known travel destinations: Halkidiki, |
| offer: near-constant sunshine, access to | | | | Thassos, Thessaloniki. The capital of |
| sandy beaches and idyllic islands, and the | | | | Macedonia, Thessaloniki, is the second |
| sites of the 2004 Olympics. | | | | largest city of Greece. It was first |
| | | | established in 316 B.C. by Kassandros and |
| Today you will see a thoroughly modern city | | | | named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of |
| with a population of around 5 million people, | | | | Alexander the Great. Its unique charms comes |
| complete with overcrowding and pollution. | | | | from large avenues, parks and squares,with |
| Nevertheless the ancient sites are unique in | | | | trees lining commercial streets with showy |
| the world. | | | | shop-windows. |
| | | | |
| History buffs will want to explore other | | | | Among the most unique sites in Greece are the |
| historic places like Delphi, Olympia, | | | | Monasteries of Meteora, ancient buildings |
| Epidauros and Mycenae. Greek mythology seems | | | | patched against a series of |
| to come alive here. The Greek islands are | | | | surrealistic-looking rocks with precipitous |
| sparkling jewels in the Mediterranean and | | | | vertical drops. There are four monasteries |
| there are literally thousands of them. | | | | and two convents that are still active today |
| | | | and certainly worth a visit. Greece combines |
| Crete is the fifth largest island in the | | | | stunning scenery with ancient history and |
| Mediterranean and a favourite tourist | | | | near perfect weather which make it a great |
| destination for northern Europeans. Corfu is | | | | travel destination. |