Greece Things to Do

The traditional cuisine in Greece is typical of the Mediterranean, plus a certain Middle Eastern flair; plenty of health vegetables, lots of garlic, and lashings of olive oil. Olives have been grown in Greece since classical times and their extra-virgin oils crop up in many colorful salads full of strong goats- and sheep-milk feta cheese and big, plump tomatoes.

As Greece’s premier honeymoon destination, Santorini is blessed with coal-black sands, rugged multi-colored cliffs, flaming sunsets, and a night sky glittering with trillions of twinkling stars. Add to this heady mix the stark-white buildings and the cobalt blue sea reflected in the bright roof tiles and no wonder this island has a reputation for love.

The mélange of Cycladic beauty and an exciting nightlife might be what makes the island of Mykonos one of Greece‘s most visited islands, as well as one of its most romantic spots. Inhabited by less than 10,000 people, Mykonos is the premier destination for couples looking to get away from it all.

With all the recent economic difficulties around the world (understatement), you’d think cultural festivals and celebrations of artistic expression would be the first to go. Fortunately, this is not so. In fact, artistic endeavors like the Athens International Film Festival (AIFF) have dug in and flourished, creating jobs in local economies, opportunities for the reinforcement of international fraternity, and some much needed diversion for festival-goers and the residents of host cities.

Paros is an island for all seasons and all tastes, being authentic, traditional and intact in most of its parts. Being a typical Cycladian island, it gets very dry in summer, so for lovers of botany it is ideal to go in spring or autumn time (March, April, May or October, November). But for lovers of crystal, clear, blue waters and sunny virgin beaches, June and July are ideal. August is THE vacation month of the Greeks, so it gets very busy. No matter when you go you should try out these four great itineraries.

Situated in the southern Peloponnese, the port city of Gythio is the largest and most important city in the region (with a population of just under 8,000). It is also one of the most pleasant. Gythio’s long history has been, shall we say, seismic. Originally the main seaport of Sparta (which is located roughly 25 miles to the north), the majority of the port was completely destroyed in a massive earthquake in the 4th century.