The cultural and historical background of Greece has sprinkled the landscapes with ruins that span six thousand years. The alternating invaders, the peaceful settlers, and the country's position at the crossroads between eastern and western culture, have all left their mark on the Greek cultural landscape. Ancient sites around the country side, and museums in cities protect priceless artifacts from antiquity.
One of my favorite aspects of Greece (besides being surrounded by the very roots of Western Civilization!) are the beaches. They are really breathtaking, and that doesn't begin to fully describe them. Some beaches are well organized and offer many luxuries, while others are very secluded and isolated. Some offer clear water, some perfect soft sand, while others are framed by incredible landscapes. The national Greek tourist organization has its own "top ten beaches" list based on the voting of its website visitors, and many beaches of Greece sport the Blue flag which symbolizes cleanliness and quality.
I've complied some of my favorite destinations, sites, beaches, and locales in Greece. Check them out after the jump! Enjoy....
Athens- The Acropolis
No matter what you say about Athens, no one's trip Greece can be considered a success or complete without a visit to its supreme symbol, the Acropolis, crowned with Athena's sacred temple, the Parthenon. It looks great all day, but the visit at dawn or dusk are the most incredible. Plus, you avoid the crowds! The significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it was formally proclaimed as the preeminent monument of the civilization itself. It is truly remarkable piece of architecture. Every four years, the Athenians held a festival called the Panathenaea that rivalled the Olympic Games in popularity.The National Archaeological Museum-Athens
Even if you hate museums, you can not deny the culture you'll get here. It has a world class display of seemingly endless artifacts. Most dramatic are the tall, enigmatic kouroi, archaic statues of godlike young men or man-like gods, displayed against a rich red background that reminds us that the real temples, statues, and walls of Ancient Greece weren't bleached white by centuries of sun and rain. The museum has an incredible Egyptian antiques collection as well. Visit the museum's website HERE.Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
It's worth the tour bus trip or car ride to visit the clifftop temple at Sounion, the empty spaces between the columns framing the sky and looking like a portal into another time. You will feel poetic or heroic just looking at the incredible ruins. Most popular at sunset, it's as beautiful in the early morning, and much, much less crowded! Cape Sounion is noted as the site of ruins of the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in classical mythology. According to legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus, king of Athens, leapt to his death off the cliff, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea.Santorini
Santorini offers Atlantis legends, missing Minoans, a living volcanic legacy, gorgeous sunsets, vampire stories, good local wine, 5-star quality restaurants, and tons of tourists. Yes, I did say Vampires! Nonetheless, there's nothing like Santorini. Santorini is actually the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name. It is perhaps infamous for its white-washed houses and buildings that are almost blinding to sight, but absolutely remarkable.Mykonos
Mykonos is arguably the most famous Greek island, and for good reason. It is charming, beautiful, fun, and renown for sophisticated, international happenings. It has an incredible nightlife, terrific shopping, and tons of famous nude and none-nude beaches. One famous nude beach, Paradise Beach, attracts travelers and locals alike for its sheer beauty. After all, how can you go wrong with a place LITERALLY named Paradise? The nudity, however, takes a backseat to the continuous party atmosphere and generally vibrant environment. In Greek mythology, Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Titans, and the island was named in honor of Apollo's grandson Mykons. Some recognizable landmarks in Mykonos include the windmills, and the Paraportiani- one of the most famous architectural structures in Greece.The Island of Crete
The big island of Crete is like a separate nation within Greece, with a bit of everything- partying beach towns like Mallia to the sophisticated, expensive little city of Agios Nikolaos. The natural wonders of the Samaria Gorge and the "real Crete" city of Chania highlight the island's depth and wonder. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is world class, and the Minoan Palace of Knossos is a must see. The palace is one of the most spectacular, irresistable, labyrinthine reconstruction of a destroyed Minoan palace from the time when King Minos ruled the Aegean. The mainland Greeks paid tribute, long before the Golden Age of Greece. Disorienting, easy to get lost even today, with a mystery around every corner. It seems strange to be able to just hop on a public bus to get to this ancient enigmatical place.