The Great Greek Escape

Greece is just the perfect destination for practically everyone not living there, because of its fantastic blend of the past, present and the future. Following is a brief look at its top cities/towns:

Athens: The capital of Greece is experiencing an era of renewal which was initiated by the 2004 Olympics. Be it the spellbinding Acropolis or the renowned Parthenon temple, there are sights aplenty here, and that does nothing to take away the fact that the city is evolving as a truly global metropolis in the times to come. Like many grand European cities, Athens too, has an air of magnanimity about it, although the people are still as friendly and hospitable as they always were. Also, in the past few years, the city has become a lot more financially stable, and as a result of that, more sophisticated, as one can see new restaurants, shops and hotels opening up. However, the most important and visible change is that of the historic centre, which is not even close to its previous self ever since cars were banned, as the pedestrian promenade has become Europe's longest as well as most stunning, with a multitude of ancient sites linked to it. The huge archaeological park fuses the past and present together beautifully, and the cultural and social life of Athens is also centred around the ancient monuments.

Santorini: The town deserves all the accolades it is getting, such fantastic is the ambience and the scenic beauty, so much so that even someone who has been there, done that is standing in awe in front of the surreal landscape. The caldera, with so many multicoloured cliffs is a sight to beckon, but if one wants to truly experience the feeling, it is best to go via the slow ferry with open decks, skipping the enclosed catamaran or hydrofoil altogether. The town is also quite known for its sunsets, and the village of Oia, located at the northern tip of the island is one of the more popular sunset viewing places, since there is a clear view of the sun as it sinks below the horizon. Going further south, one can see the last glimpses of the setting sun on the islands of Nea Kameni and Thirasia. However, the simple fact is that one can enjoy sunsets from any part at the rim of the caldera.

Kos: The destination offers something truly unique that stretches beyond the resort hotels and the fascinating welcomes, and that is also the reason why the city is second only to Kos in terms of popularity as well as population. It is a lot less commercial than many places in Greece and Europe, and hence provides a more tranquil experience. However, there are plenty of things that can be done, like cycling, going to the beach or bar, going for drives on the hills, and so and so forth.

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It's not all Greek in Greece

The country of Greece can best be summed up as a wholesome destination that offers so much more than just a pretty picture that can be hung on a wall. There are experiences and activities that are thankfully beyond one's confines of imagination. The past has been glorious, and the present, well, let's just say it has the dubious distinction of throwing a curve ball every once in a while. The main reason for such a situation is that the past is worshipped and admired so dedicatedly that nobody, not even the locals, seem to appreciate the rapid strides the country has taken in the present as far as development in every possible sphere of life is concerned.

Ever since Greece was inducted into the EU, its transformation from an agrarian society known only for its beaches, olive oil and islands has been tremendous. However, the development has come at a price, with faster sea travel replacing slow and romantic short voyages and home cooked food is now replaced by stir fried lamb, tacos and sushi. However, despite all these sacrifices, so to speak, the country and its people enjoy the attention they are getting, and it's pretty easy to see why. The hospitable nature of the Greeks has been in their culture for generations, and is also a pleasant thing for the tourists, who love a destination where the people are welcoming them, and not treating them as hostile strangers.

Thessaloniki: The cultural capital of Greece is probably the only spot in Greece where one would like to wilfully splurge money, and not regret it! Sure, there is also a great repertoire of other lucrative things like sumptuous desserts, fine dining, scintillating nightlife and a great shopping scene. But the real deal here is not all this. In fact, what keeps people coming over, over and over again, is the collection of symbols from the shining past of the city. Be it the 4th century Church of Agios Dimitrios, a fine display of architecture, or the White Tower adjoining the Byzantine walls, or for that matter, the sculpted Arch of Galerius in Kamara, the art and cultural heritage is simply amazing! It scores over Athens in many parameters. It is not as crowdy, the air is much cleaner and is a fun place to be.

Patmos: Known mostly for its effervescent spirit of gaiety, the moment one steps off the ferry on the northernmost Dodecanese island, the joy of being at a place that has so much substance comes rushing in. A bit of history 0 John the Divine wrote the book of Apocalypse on this island, and that is just one of the reasons why it is a place of pilgrimage for Western and Orthodox Christians, besides being the best place to experience Orthodox Easter. Getting over spirituality, there are fantastic beaches, reasonably affordable accommodation and great dining options.

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The Great Greek Travel Guide

If there was one word to define Greece, it has to be 'iconic', for the country has indeed been the forbearer of civilization across all continents, and is today also a favourable tourist destination. A short description of all that the country has to offer follows:

Acropolis: Easily the most iconic Greek structure to have left an imprint on the world map for centuries altogether, the Acropolis is also the most important ancient site in the new world. Adorned by the Parthenon, it rests atop a palatial position over the city of Athens, and can be seen from almost every part of the city. The monuments of Pentelic marble shimmer and shine in the sun, and translate into a honey colour during the early evening hours, rendering a magical effect to the city's landscape. Legend has it that Pericles initiated the task of transforming the Acropolis into a city of temples in 510 BC after the Delphic oracle prophesied that the same should become a province of the gods. The Parthenon, the largest Doric temple in Greece and the only one that was built completely, was aimed at housing the mammoth statue of Athena, and also serve its purpose as the treasury of the tribute money. Little did the Greeks realise that it would become such a marvel that is revered the world over thousands of years after its creation!

Santorini: Even the most tired and exhausted traveller heaves a sigh of relief upon arriving at this city, for they can clearly see that the effort has been worth it. The caldera and the huge curtain wall comprising of multicoloured cliffs is a sight to behold, and if one wants to experience it up close and personal, then the best thing to do is to arrive via a slow ferry that has open decks, as against the more preferred catamaran or hydrofoil. The city is most renowned for its sunsets, and the village of Ohio on the northern tip of this island has a sunset viewing site that offers an uninterrupted view of the sun sinking below the horizon.

Hydra: The island of Hydra is, first and foremost, famous for its picturesque harbour. Thousands of tourists flock to the city every now and then just to stand at the harbour and watch the seascape studded with cruises, yachts and tiers of stunning buildings that rise above the harbour. Despite the fact that the visit is a costly affair, the experience seems to justify the price one pays. A great provision in Hydra, so to speak, is the absence of scooters and motorbikes, as donkeys and mules are the main means of transport, with the exception of sanitation and construction vehicles. The island was a victim of wildfires during the 2007 summer, with major greenery losses towards the east. The town however, was left untouched.

Patmos: The town of Patmos enchants one and all as soon as a traveller steps off the ferry. An island where John the Divine ensconced himself in a cave and wrote the Apocalypse has to be special, and Patmos indeed is special for both Orthodox and Western Christians. The town is easily the best place to experience the Orthodox Easter. Besides spirituality, there are splendid beaches in Patmos, along with affordable accommodation and a bustling dining scenario.

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