Travel Turkey » WHERE TO GO GREECE

Athens

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:43:06 +0000

Capital of Greece and the country’s largest city, Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis, site of the 2400-year-old Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world. Close by lie the Theater of Dionysus and the restored Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a superb theater in which open-air performances of the “International Athens Festival” are held from June to September. The ruins of the civic, political and commercial center of the Ancient Agora can be visited, as can the reconstructed Hellenistic Stoa of Attalos, which houses the Agora Museum. Most artifacts are displayed in the National Archaeological Museum on Patission Street. The old quarter of the town, Plaka, which spreads around the Acropolis, is picturesque with its famed flea market, small tavernas, craft shops and narrow winding alleys. The excavations of the Library of Hadrian can be observed from Pandrossou Street. The center of modern Athens, most notably the chic area of Kolonaki, has many designer boutiques, smart restaurants and international-class hotels. The city has a thriving nightlife, with most bars and clubs staying open until at least 03:00.

Cape Sounio

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:39:52 +0000

69km (43 miles) east of Athens, crowning Cape Sounio is a towering promontory which dominates the landscape for miles around. Here stand the superb ruins of the Temple of Poseidon, built in the fourth century BC, commanding spectacular views over the sea and islands. The Apollo Coast, a highly developed tourist area stretching from Piraeus to Cape Sounio, is dotted with exclusive resorts such as Glifada (17km/11 miles from Athens) and Vouliagmeni (24km/15 miles from Athens), offering marinas, well-kept beaches, modern hotel complexes, seafood tavernas and luxury-class restaurants and nightclubs. North of Cape Sounio lies Rafina, Athens’ second port, with ferry connections to Euboea and some of the Greek Islands.

Corinth

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:53:10 +0000

North of Mycenae lies Corinth. The modern city, despite its beautiful location, is unremarkable, having been destroyed by an earthquake in 1858, rebuilt but destroyed again in 1928. However, 8km (5 miles) away, on the northern slopes of Akrokorinthos Hill, are the ruins of Ancient Corinth (Arhea Korinthos), where the remains of the Temple of Apollo are still to be seen. On the hilltop stands Acrocorinth (Akrokorinthos), with a medieval fortress built upon an ancient site. From the highest point, once the Temple of Afrodite, one can enjoy a magnificent panorama.

Delphi

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:49:34 +0000

Lying 176km (109 miles) northwest of Athens, Delphi can be reached by road via Livadia and Arahova. This is the site of the famous Oracle, where rulers of ancient Greece came for many centuries for political and moral guidance. The complex of treasury buildings, plinths and the foundations for the fourth-century BC Temple of Apollo are set on the steep rocky hillside, overlooking olive groves and the Sanctuary of Athena, known as the Marmaria (marbles). A steep uphill climb from the Temple brings one to the theater, offering stunning views over the entire site, and further uphill still lies the ancient stadium. The Delphi Museum contains a superb collection of finds from the site.
Many visitors to Delphi stay overnight in nearby Arahova, a pretty hillside town renowned for its cheese, “formaela”. Alternatively, a short distance southwest of Delfi, on the northern coast of the Gulf of Corinthia, lie the seaside towns of Itea and Galaxidi, offering hotels, restaurants and beaches. A regular bus connects Athens and Itea, passing through Arahova and Delphi enroute.

Epidaurus

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:17:22 +0000

East of Nafplio stands the impressive open-air Epidaurus Theater, dating back to the fourth century BC. The acoustics are perfect, and there is seating for 14,000. From July to August, each weekend, the "Epidaurus Festival" offers performances of ancient Greek dramas in this magical setting.
East of Epidaurus, jutting out from the Peloponnese peninsula, lies Methana, an important spa town since ancient times, with sulphuric waters and modernized hydrotherapy installations.

Epirus

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:16:13 +0000

Lying between the Ionic Sea and Thessaly, in the northwest corner of the Greek peninsula, Epirus is the most mountainous region in Greece. Due to its isolation, locals here have retained many of their traditions: costumes, dances and handicrafts.
The chief settlement, Ioannina, overlooking Ioannina Lake, reached its peak during the 18th century under the Ottomans when it was an important administrative center and home to the notorious Ali Pascia, Istanbul’s local representative at that time. The town has conserved a marked eastern atmosphere, thanks to a bazaar and several mosques, notably Aslan Pacha Mosque, which now houses the Museum of Popular Art.
North of town lies the spectacular Perama Cave, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and running waters. Further north still, one enters the mountainous area of Zagoria, noted for its dense pine forests, wildlife (wolves and bears) and picturesque stone villages. Here, contained within the Vikos-Aoos National Park lies the dramatic Vikos Gorge, a canyon formed by the River Aoos, popular with hikers.
South of Ioannina lie the archaeological remains of Dodoni, notably the well-conserved theater dating back to the third century BC, where open-air performances are held during summer. On the coast, built around a bay, the pretty town of Parga is backed by pine woods, olive groves and orchards. Here one finds a 16th-century Venetian fortress, whitewashed houses, hotels and an excellent sandy beach.

Mani

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:14:39 +0000

Located on the southernmost point of mainland Greece, the Mani peninsular is known for its rocky mountains and barren landscapes, and medieval villages made up of towers and churches. Githio, a peaceful holiday resort with good facilities, makes a good base for exploring the area. Of particular note are the semi-abandoned village of Vathia with its numerous stone towers, and the amazing Caves of Dirou, a vast network with underground channels and huge caverns, which can be visited by boat.

Monemvassia

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:11:09 +0000

Built into a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, almost on the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese, stands the spectacular medieval fortified town of Monemvassia. Made up of cobbled alleys and old stone houses, the town is crowned by a hilltop Citadel and the Byzantine church of St Sophia, both of which offer splendid views of the town and gulf below.

Mount Parnassus

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:08:26 +0000

Close to Arahova, on the main road from Athens to Delphi, lie the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus, which towers 2457m (8061ft) over the Gulf of Corinth. Through winter (December to April) the mountain hosts a number of well-equipped ski resorts, and the area is popular with hikers during spring and autumn.

Mycenae

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:04:55 +0000

North of Nafplio lies the ancient fortified city of Mycenae. The fortress is entered through the Lion Gate, named after the two magnificent lions (now unfortunately headless) carved into the rock above the doorway. Within the walls, excavations have uncovered the palace complex, while close by on the hill of Panagitsa, the Treasury of Atreus (an underground tomb, 36m (118ft) long and 6m (20ft) wide) is considered the most impressive example of Mycenaean architecture.

Mystras

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:07:09 +0000

Lefkas, joined by a narrow strip of land to the Greek mainland, is a green and fertile island which is surrounded by many islets. Excursions, involving some mountain climbing, can be made in the center of Lefkas, near the Stavrota Mountain. There is good swimming and fishing in the villages of Agios Nikitas on the northwestern coast, Ligia on the southeastern coast or Vassiliki (which is also popular with windsurfers) on the southwestern coast.

Nafplio

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:44:34 +0000

An ideal base for exploring the ancient sites of the northeast Peloponnese, from 1824 to 1834, Nafplio was the capital of the newly formed state of Greece, before this role was passed to Athens. Considered by many as one of the country’s loveliest towns, the historic center is made up of narrow winding streets with Neo-classical and Ottoman-style buildings. Seafood restaurants line the seafront, looking out to the tiny fortified island of Bourdzi. High above the town stands Palamidi, a Venetian fortress. Close by lies the beautiful Karathona Bay, with a wide sand beach, backed by eucalyptus trees. Just north of Nafplio stands Tiryns (Tirintha), the ruins of an ancient fortress made up of massive limestone blocks, dating back to the 13th century BC.