People travel to Greece because it has so much to offer and is tourist friendly. Greece has world-renowned food and drink, with great variety in their wines and liquors.
The landscape ranges from rugged mountains, to gorgeous beaches, lakes and forests.
Some of the islands are considered party islands, and there are cosmopolitan cities offering vibrant nightlife, if that is what you want.
Or perhaps you are more attracted to rural life and simple tranquillity that parts of Greece can offer for you to relax and unwind. Rural areas are available both on the mainland and on the islands.
Those are all appealing, and there is so much to explore, but you have to make a choice. What do you want to see in Greece more than anything else?
How about the ancient sites, where the people who dreamed up democracy and produced Plato and Aristotle once lived?
Greece has 5,000 years of history and some monuments still survive. In fact, Greece has 18 UNESCO world heritage sites, so there is yet another choice you have to make, to decide which sites you want to go to.
Here is a sample itinerary of seven attractions that may help you make your decision:
Athens
Here are three attractions you’ll find in Athens:
Explore the New Acropolis Museum. One of the most famous pieces there is the Parthenon frieze, a high-relief marble sculpture.
Visit the National Archaeological Museum. There you’ll find a variety of archaeological finds, such as marble sculptures, vases and Mycenean gold masks.
The Acropolis refers to the area of the highest point of the city. In order to get there, you have to ascend a steep slope. Your reward is seeing the ruins of the Parthenon, Propylaia, Erechtheion and the Temple of Athene Nike. There are marble facades that have stood there for over two thousand years!
Mycenae
The next stop is the fortified city of Mycenae, dating from around the second millennium B.C. At that time, it was the center of the Mycenean civilization. Highlights include an ancient grave circle, the royal palace and the Tomb of Agamemnon, the king who united the Greek city states and demolished the city of Troy!
Olympia
Olympia was once a sanctuary honouring Zeus, where once the Pan-Hellenic Games were held every four years. It is now a world heritage site that is considered the birthplace of the Olympic Games. There are ancient temples, altars and a stadium. In addition, there are the thermai or ancient baths.
Delphi
The Greeks once considered this sanctuary the centre of the world. The sacred Temple of Apollo is there, along with ruins that include a theatre, a stadium, treasuries and altars. This is where the Oracle of Delphi, a priestess of Apollo, answered questions about the future.
Thermopylae
Made famous by the 300 Spartans, this mountain pass is where the Greeks and Persians fought in 480 B.C.
Greece is the place to travel to if you love history. This itinerary can get you started. Go there and explore!