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Greece is a popular holiday destination for tourists from the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy and has so much to offer the visitor. The list of archaeological sites that are recognised by UNESCO as Monuments of Cultural Heritage are numerous. Both the mainland and many and varied small islands dotted around the country have stunning coastlines, with sandy or pebble beaches and attract holiday makers in the summer months in search of the perfect beach holiday. There are lively islands and resorts to visit, where tourists can enjoy a vibrant night life, late night clubs and restaurants and plenty of shopping outlets. There are also quiet islands that are almost unspoilt by tourism, where the visitor can enjoy the luxury of a beach to themselves, an untouched Greek fishing village of the beaten track and a tree lined town square as the meeting place of local inhabitants in the evenings. The rich civilisations that have existed in Greece include Cretan, Mycenaean, Classic, Byzantine and Minoan all of which have left a wealth of history in the form of monuments, mosaics and buildings. Steeped in tales from Ancient Greek mythology, the islands are sites for many well known stories and legends of adventure, love and tragedy.

The most popular time to visit Greece is during the months of July and August when the sea has warmed up and air temperatures can reach as high as 100 F. However, the landscape is at its most beautiful in late spring (May)when the wild flowers have emerged or October when the rains have begun to fall intermittently but the temperature is still high enough to enjoy a swim in the sea or an evening stroll. The mildest climates in winter are had on the islands of Rhodes and south eastern Crete. Travelling to the islands out of season can be problematic as most of the flights and ferries run only between May and mid-October. However, travel on the mainland is not a problem and only restricted by snowfall on higher ground. Many of the island resorts close down completely out of season, with most of the hotel, taverna and restaurant staff returning to their homes on the mainland. The Greeks are extremely warm and welcoming and you will usually find that children are most welcome in resta urants, where there are often play areas and TV screens to entertain the kids while the adults enjoy a leisurely meal al fresco.

There are several clusters of island groups dotted around the Greek mainland. The Ionian isles include Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Lefkas, Paxos and Zante. These are lush, green islands with mountainous terrain and beautiful bays, some of which are tiny and only accessible by boat. Pebbly beaches and small tavernas epitomise the Ionian islands, with the landscape dotted with tall and elegant cypressa trees. Inland, there are unspoilt villages to explore and the islands are easily accessible by boat. There are always several boat trips to choose from, including the opportunity to island hop for a few days. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands. The big historical attraction in Crete is the Minoan Palace of Knossos, which is to be found in Iraklion. It is a large site and best visited when the heat is not intense. The small island of Spinalonga is a now abandoned leper colony which offers the visitor a fascinating glimpse into a fairly recent history of the area. The Cyclades Central islands include Ios, Naxos, Paros and the hauntingly beautiful island of Santorini. Santorini is a dormant volcanic island, with beaches consisting of black larva and barely any visible vegetation growing on the land. Much of the architecture consists of low white and blue domed structures and whole villages cling to the cliff faces. The elegantly dressed Italian visitors enjoy holidaying in this island and consequently it is slightly more expensive than most other Greek islands. There are boat trips to other small islands nearby and the island is believed to be the location of Atlantis. The famous historical site of the Minoan village of Akrotiri is found on Santorini, as well as an active volcano. Many of the Greek islands have been badly damaged by earthquakes over the years and much of the lovely Venetian style architecture has gone from the islands in eastern Greece, being replaced by unsympathetic concrete and cement. However, the beautiful scenery and great f acilities more than make up for this. Athens is a popular city for a weekend break or as a starting point for discovering other parts of Greece. Accommodation ranges from small hostels to luxury 5 star hotels, as well as self catering studios, apartments, modern and traditional villas with private pools and beach side camp sites with excellent facilities. There are some great travel deals to be had, particularly out of high season.