Greece has always been among the most popular holiday destinations worldwide, especially due to its countless amazing islands. Each of them has something special to offer, and apart from the most popular such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete there are a number of other islands which are less touristy, yet extremely beautiful and worth visiting.
The North-West corner of Greece is known for its dramatic terrain of mountains, gorges, rivers and remote settlements. It is the most mountainous region in the country which is blessed with a lush and soaring landscape, and mountain villages to rival the best of Provence. One would hardly recall many places in Europe that feel so untainted by tourism.
Believe it or not Greece is primarily a mountainous country with more than 800 larger or smaller mountains, 53 of them with altitude exceeding the 2000m zone. The mountains, which served as natural barriers and boundaries, dictated the character of the country and have always played an important part in the life of Greeks, who incorporated them in their myths and legends as sacred places full of spiritual energy.
The Peloponnese is the land of legends. This stunning yet little explored peninsula in south-west Greece was the playground of ancient gods and the inspiration for Homer’s epic Iliad.
There are some corners of Greece where the locals used to say, “When God was distributing the gifts to the world, some spots like ours must have been cursed because instead of fertile earth he delivered to us only rocks”. Today in the era of sport climbing, they’ve changed their mind and instead of a curse they see the rocks as a blessing! Crags became lively, and climbers come and enjoy!
Whether you’ve seen them in the movies or simply heard a friend speak about them after returning from holiday, the Greek islands are likely to have flirted with your imagination.This trip combines probably the two most beautiful: The spectacular Crete and the precious gem of the Aegean, Santorini.
Ask most people to think of the Greek islands and the image that springs to mind probably derives from the Cyclades. White washed houses, turquoise blue seas, olive groves and sun parched landscapes. The houses themselves are dashed with splashes of blue, perhaps mixed in with the odd windmill or domed church. This image becomes reality in many places on this rough circle of islands, which provide the perfect venue for island hopping.
Mountains rearing straight up from the sea, gorges, and valleys and yet more glorious mountains. There are few places in the world where high mountains so close to the sea combine with an often perfect climate. Crete’s rugged terrain is an adventurer’s paradise and in many respects the culmination of the Greek experience.
Unspoiled and largely undiscovered by foreign tourists, Kythnos and Serifos boast beautiful countryside, plentiful sandy beaches, exciting archaeological discoveries from the last 10000 years, a Byzantine castle on a spectacular headland, hot springs, traditional villages, music and dancing, good food, and friendly locals.
