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