Ancient Civilization and mind-blowing landscapes are the two most famous things of Greece & the Greek Islands. The very first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is the rich culture and beauty. It comes in the list of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world.
Greece forms an unusual-shaped peninsula in the Mediterranean with two additional large projections projecting: the Chalcidice and the Peloponnese. The Greek islands are dived into two groups; one is the Ionic Islands west of the mainland & second the Agean Islands to the east and south. There are all mountainous in North-central Greece, Epirus, and western Macedonia. With the height of 9,570 ft (2,909 m), Mount Olympus is the country’s tallest point. Greece is famous for being the rightful & birthplace of democracy, creating the Olympic Games, and it’s unique and historical architecture. Some examples include the Sanctuary of Delphi, the Acropolis in Athens, and the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
In the present modern age, Greece and Greek Islands are must-visit holiday destinations in the world. Greece has been a vital tourist destination because of its rich culture and history, with 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and its long coastline, many islands, and beaches.Tourism is one of the more important economic activities in Greece. The proportion of foreign holidayers is almost 75%. Over the decades, high society people with a glamorous lifestyle and page three personalities have always visited Greece. They had a significant contribution to Greece’s popularity.
The excellent weather conditions with many islands and the archaeological and historical sites are the essential elements to make Greece a perfect holiday destination for tourists.
Greeks are incredibly proud of their culture; they speak of their country with intense passion. Expressing Greek culture defines their national and ethnic belonging. Wonderful regional traditions, religion, music, language, food, and wine are the significant composites of mainland Greece’s culture and the Greek islands creating an incomparable cultural base for everyone wishing to visit and understand contemporary Greece.
The Greek architecture has inspired all architectural movements throughout the centuries, for example, the neoclassical style and the Renaissance movement. Many of the world’s marvel architectural works are the inspiration from Greek architecture, utilizing some ancient Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles. People worldwide see Western Civilization’s origins and feel the power and vitality exuded by these sites.
Like the U.s. embassy by Walter Gropius, Acropolis Museum by Bernard Tschumi and new buildings by Santiago Calatrava are some modern designs can also be seen.
The Best Examples of Cycladic Architecture can be seen on trendy Mykonos, and postcard-perfect Santorini to the Venetian-flavored Naxos and the relaxed, lesser-known islands Amorgos and Sifnos, each of the Cyclades has its charm and personality. Conservative and straightforward, but utterly beautiful Cycladic architecture characterizes the islands. Flat roofs, cubic shapes, and stunning whitewashed walls are central features of this local architecture. Although art and beauty have never been a priority for the inhabitants, the purpose is purely to cover the people’s needs. The Cycladic style serves as inspiration in designing some of today’s beautiful spaces.
The Greeks are superstitious and believe a lot in religion. Customs and superstitions vary from island to island, from villages to villages and from region to region. Customs and traditions in the mainland and island Greece is an essential aspect of Greek Culture. Greeks are always in the mood of celebration, and their calendar is always filled with festivals all year.
In Greece, Easter is called Orthodox Easter. Easter is a significant festival in Greece. It’s a beautiful time to be in Greece, both for the gorgeous and moving religious ceremonies and for the times of feasting and celebration. Some island is well known for their unique Easter festival. In the week of Easter, different events are hosted every day. It all begins on a Saturday (one week before Easter Sunday) small children go house-to-house singing the carol of ‘Lazaros’ and collect eggs and money. Eggs are immersed in red dye – the red colour symbolizing the joy for Nature’s rebirth and the divine regeneration that comes with the Resurrection of Jesus. The festival is celebrated over a week.
Renowned for its nourishing simplicity, Greek cuisine is considered among the finest and healthiest in the world. With an emphasis on baked rather than fried food, most traditional dishes avoid elaborate sauces, preferring herb seasonings’ perfume.
Its prudence considered ancient Greek cuisine. It was founded on the “Grapes, Grains and Olives”, with the fish being more common than meat. It has changed recently as the meat is more available than fish. Greek diet continued in Roman and Ottoman periods.
Local Flavours
Feta and olive oil are widespread across the country. Still, unique regional produce and cooking styles make travelling a culinary adventure.
Taste herbs and mountain greens you’ve never heard of, mussels steamed in ouzo, bread baked with olives, and fish straight from the sea: taste-test crumbling feta, honeyed soft cheeses and sharp, hard rounds. Find Italian influences in risottos and pastas and Turkish spices woven into delicate sweets. A traditional-cooking renaissance has chefs lifting time-honoured recipes to new gourmet heights.
Out of 4,992 species of plants noted in Greece, around 742 are prevalent to the country. Many medicinal plants and other sporadic plants and flowers considered botanic treasures flourish in Greece. Vegetation varies from sea level to 1,500 ft, oranges, olives, dates, almonds, pomegranates, figs, grapes, tobacco, cotton, and rice abound. From 1,500–3,500 ft are jungles of oak, chestnut, and pine. Above 3,500 ft, beech and fir are more common.
Fauna are not overflowing, but bear, wildcat, jackal, fox, and chamois still exist in many thinly populated areas. The wild goat (agrimi), which has vanished from the rest of Europe, still exists in parts of this country. Migratory and native birds abound and there are more than 250 species of marine life. Natural sponges are a main export item.
Greece is a peninsular and mountainous country. The country is home to the a lot of magnificent work of Nature which will amaze you; which includes mountains, seas, and islands formed natural barriers between the Greek city-states and forced the Greeks to settle along the coast. You will just see much varities of landscape in such a small country.
Greece is the land of Dionysos, the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine. Winemaking is a tradition that goes back to ancient times in Greece. The Greek wine was well known all over the Mediterranean basin for its best quality, particularly in the Roman Empire. The best-known Greek white wines are undoubtedly Retsina and Assyrtiko. Retsina is famous for historical reasons because it has been made for at least over 2000 year, and has an unarguably chequered reputation, long associated with inferior wine often made from a blend of grapes and masked by resin flavours. Over the last decades, modern wineries in Greece have made their appearance in the wine industry; Greek winemakers have been determined to improve and raise their wines’ quality. Today, Greece is considered the “new European wine country” to compete with famous wine destinations such as Italy.
In Greece you will find big size shops/markets and also little shops with traditional products to designer boutiques, basically there are shops for every palate! Shopping in Greece is an all day activity. In most touristic sport the souvenir shops stay open until midnight. Souvenir shops are very common in Greece particularly on the islands; there are souvenir shops in almost all islands. You can buy souvenir like fridge magnets or candle holders shaped after a typical sight of the island, you can find candle holders in the shape of a windmill or a small church.
