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Greece

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There was probably a tourism industry in Greece long before there was even a word for it. As home to so many ruins of grandeur, and opulent, though ancient, buildings specifically constructed for theatre arts and sports, it's easy to imagine crowds of people gathering in Greece from all over Europe and Asia thousands of years ago. Presently, there are still millions of visitors to Greece every year. Although the main reason was generally to bask and immerse oneself in an ancient culture and all the physical history, more people are discovering other ways to appreciate the islands and mainland. It goes without saying that in a country that's composed of both a mainland peninsula and hundreds of islands, there are plenty of beaches. But there are also mountains, abundant with opportunities for ecotourism, festivals, spas, and maybe best of all, Greek food!

On one of many of the Greek island chains you can experience sun, sand, and water; but also absorb some of the local fishing culture and maybe do some fishing on your own, or with family. Then there are all the usual water sports: water-skiing, swimming, boating, parasailing, and those are just a few examples. But while you're cruising around the Greek islands, don't forget to stop at the island Rhodes, and see the suspected historical ruins of Colossus, a giant statue of the sun god Helios, and many thousands of years old. Visitors with a penchant for a night on the town will love the capital city of Athens; there's theatre, sports, night clubs, and of course, opportunities to check out delicious Greek food. Whether it's just the local fare or a quiet evening in a five start restaurant, Greek cuisine has no equal!

Ecotourism is becoming more and more popular around the world as more people realize that the natural environment is also something that deserves a certain amount of wonder. Spending time hiking through the beautiful mainland or island mountains, or biking on a path through a national park, and taking time to fully appreciate the wildlife, and beautiful plant life of another region, is a great way to spend your vacation. And at the end of any long adventure, take some time to relax in one of the many natural mineral water spas in Greece. Greek mineral water and hot springs have long been believed to have restorative and healing properties, and many are currently officially therapeutic according to the National Institute for Geographical and Mineral Research. After touring the countryside and taking in new sights, discovering and experiencing Greece for the first time, it would be impossible to leave without first winding down in one their world famous spas.

Quick Facts

Destinations

Corfu The Ionian Islands archipelago lies a few miles west of Greece, just south of Albania and east of Italy. Corfu is the furthest north of the seven Ionian Islands and is also one of the largest, with a length of around 40 miles and an average width of 12 miles. Also known as the 'Emerald Isle' after i...

Crete Crete is not only the largest island in Greece, it is also the island that lies furthest south in Europe. This is what makes it one of the most tropical islands one could ever visit and is partly the reason for drawing in thousands of tourists every year. The brilliance of the island can be found in...

Kos At just 40km across, this Greek Island in the Aegean Sea may seem small but it is in fact the largest in a group called the Dodecanese Islands. Kos or 'Cos' is located just off the coast of Turkey and boasts 69.5 miles of stunning beaches and the perfect fertile land for growing grape, olive, fig, a...

Lesbos Lesbos, Greece, also often called Lesvos, is an island that has freely opened its doors to tourism. There are many things that draw people to this island with the tropical climate, thermal springs, quaint villages and exotic beaches being just a few of the things that make this part of Greece so uni...

Rhodes Many people flock to Rhodes, Greece every year to catch some of the tropical weather, the ancient architecture, and the historical monuments. It’s amazing that with all of the tourism that this city sees that the buildings and roads have kept their historical integrity but it’s true. The colors ...

Samos Just off the coast of Turkey lies a 27 mile long Greek island, in the north Aegean Sea. Although this island was inhabited before the 5th century B.C, this was when its economy had grown to be impressive and one of the leaders in the region for trading textiles. Today the economy is typical of a sma...

Skopelos On the west side of the Aegean Sea, just north of Athens lies the island of Skopelos. Almost twice as long as it is wide, Skopelos covers a total area of 36.6 square miles and is therefore the largest of the islands that surround it (Skiathos and Alonissos). With the nearest mainland city being Volo...