Top 10 Activities

#1. Acropolis and Parthenon
The Acropolis is easily the most famous site in Athens and your trip to Greece wouldn't be complete without taking in these ancient historic ruins. You can't miss the opportunity to visit the historic Parthenon if you're at the Acropolis. If you visit in summer, then you must visit the Odeum of Herodes Atticus for some excellent open-air theatre in a historical theater. Remember to take plenty of water and a sun-hat if you intend to walk up the steep hill. The temperatures get very hot in this part of Greece, so be prepared and you'll enjoy your day much more.

#2. Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the central meeting point in Athens. More like a town center, people from everywhere come to the Square to sit, meet, eat , enjoy and relax. The atmosphere is wonderful, surrounded by restaurants, cafes and music. There is a subway and a tram station in the Square, so you can travel to the seaside or to many of the monuments and tourist attractions from here.

#3. Plaka
At the base of the Acropolis hill is Plaka – an atmospheric neighborhood filled with great shopping, dining and walking trails. Wander around Plaka and get lost in the maze of cobbled roads and old buildings. You'll discover ancient buildings, quaint souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants that are often much nicer than the central locations. Immerse yourself in the un spoilt historical feel of this part of an incredible city.

#4. Ermou Street
If you want to spend a day shopping, head over to Ermou Street. This trendy, chic shopping strip is right in the center of Athens. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants as well as shops, stalls and stores everywhere.

#5. Agora
The Agora ruins are located right in the heart of Athens and are the remains of what was once the site of an ancient marketplace. The ruins are steeped in local history and there is a museum in the ruins to give you more perspective on just how ancient these sites really are.

#6. Mykonos
If you've made it all the way to Greece, you can't leave without visiting Mykonos Island. This idyllic paradise boasts one of the finest sandy beaches and clear, warm waters. Laze the day away on the aptly named Paradise Beach and then enjoy the vibrant night life on this amazing island.

#7. Temple of Apollo and Delphi Ruins
Take a day trip out to Delphi and visit the Temple of Apollo. This ancient Greek temple is frequented by pilgrims from all over the world. As you climb the hill, be sure to turn back and look around at the panoramic vista below you to put the historic site into perspective.

#8. Go Skiing
Take a skiing vacation up on Mount Parnassos and delight in the great skiing at half the prices of many other ski resorts of similar quality.

#9. Sailing
Anyone who visits Greece needs to experience the delights of sailing around the many spectacularly beautiful islands. You can hire boats and sail yourself, but you'll find it much more relaxing to take a tour and just enjoy the crystal clear, warm waters.

#10. Mountain Climbing
If you're feeling fit and active, try scaling Mount Olympus, the traditional home of the mythological Zeus. This 9.500ft mountain is not for the faint-hearted, but it's certainly worth the effort. The panoramic views are nothing like you've ever seen anywhere else in the world.

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Greek Cuisine

Classic Moussaka

Greek Moussaka is created by layering vegetables and ground meat and tomato sauce spiced with cinnamon. Its usually topped with a thick layer of bechamel sauce.

Greek Salad

Greek salad consists of sliced tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, onion, kalmata olives and seasoned with salt, pepper, basil, oregano and served with a dressing of olive oil.

Fresh Catch of the Day

Fish dishes are very popular on the coastal regions and throughout the islands. Some popular seafood dishes include: sardines, anchovies, mackerel, smelt, squid, sword fish, cuttlefish, sea bass, pandora, dentex and lobster.

Calamari & Spanakopita

Spanakopita is a Greek pastry filled with spinach, ricotta, feta cheese, green onions, eggs and seasonings.

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Best Time To Visit

Greece has a lovely temperate Mediterranean climate, with a warm to hot summer and a cool winter that is much milder than in northern parts of Europe. The northern regions in Greece see some great snow falls in winter, which makes for excellent skiing.

The average day time temperatures throughout the summer months are around 89F (32C), while in winter, the average day time temperatures throughout most of southern Greece are around 60F (16C).

When you're searching for the best Greece travel deals, be sure to consider how the weather will affect your plans.

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Travel Shopping

Traditional Handicrafts:
Some of the unique traditional Greek handicrafts are lovely. Made from onyx, marble and alabaster, many of the carvings and jewelry are stunning and the prices are quite reasonable in most places.

Flokati Rugs:
For a true reminder of your vacation in Greece buy a flokati rug. Smaller rugs can be hung as wall decorations, while larger rugs are beautiful and suit most decors. Be warned that larger rugs may need to be shipped internationally, which can add to the cost.

Jewelry:
Greece boasts some simple, yet elegant silver and gold jewelry with designs not found in many other parts of the world.

Antiques:
People from all over the world come to Greece for their antiques. The long Greek history means you can find sculptures and ancient statues in many auction houses. If you do buy an antique, be sure to check that it has a government seal of approval, or you may find your purchases are confiscated as you leave the country.

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Festival Events

Pentkosti:
Pentkosti is held in June, seven weeks after Orthodox Sunday. It is also known as Pentecost or Whit Sunday and is an important feast day in Greece.

Athens Festival:
From mid-June through to mid-September, the cultural Athens festival will delight you with a mix of modern and ancient theater, ballet, opera, classical music and jazz. This is great fun if you want to immerse yourself in some traditional cultural events as well as some modern entertainment.

Agia Marina:
On July 17th, many feasts are given to honor the saint who protects Greek crops.

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Basic Greek Phrases

Hello - Yassou

Yes - Ne

No - Ohi

Please - Parakalo

Thank You - Efharisto

How Much is this? - Poso kani?

Do you speak English? - Parakalo mipos milate Aglika?

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Explore Greece

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