Everyone tells me that Greek dancing is so easy, but I have never found it easy. When I was in twelve years old, my parents sent me to learn Greek dances at the local Greek community center. They told me that it was very important to preserve Greek traditions in the family and that my not speaking Greek was already an embarrassment to the rest of my family. I had never been to Greece and did not have much experience with the culture of Greece, though I was and still am, a Greek American .

On my first dance lesson, I realized that I would be the only person under 45 there. Our dance teacher was an ancient Greek lady, even more ancient that many of the oldest Greek monuments, and she would yell loudly in Greek if any one of her students missed a step. She seemed to have a particular dislike towards me, she would call me “Little Athena” and at the beginning of every lesson she would approach me and say, “Little Athena, how come your parents did not teach you how to speak Greek? Shame on them, how are you ever going to visit our motherland?”. I would just nod and smile and hoped she would not pick on me again when I missed one, or two, of my dance steps.

I continued taking the lessons and one day I even had the pleasure of performing at the Greek Festival in our town. I danced the night away and my dance teacher clapped loudly and I could see that she was finally approving. It felt like I was in Greece. As my studies got harder, I decided to quit my Greek dancing lessons. I picked them back up in high school, this time with a local junior Greek organization. The dance lessons were much more fun, I was not picked for not speaking Greek, but I did continue to miss many steps.

Now as an adult, I go to Greek American Festivals all the time, but I do not take any more dance lessons. Instead, whenever I hear a Greek tune I just begin to dance away and no longer care about missing a step, but about feeling the music and dancing the night away.

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The stunning natural beauty of bright blue seas, ancient archaeological sites, charming island villages, and a hot, mainly dry climate, make Greece a fantastic holiday destination. Visitors to this Mediterranean idyll with its archipelago of over 1000 islands are faced with such a range of natural and man-made attractions that they have to prioritize their travel plans. While everyone has an idea of what they prefer, let’s have a go at defining what might be the top ten places to visit on a holiday to Greece.

The Acropolis and the Parthenon

The symbol of Athens, the iconic Parthenon sits atop the Acropolis, overlooking the city. The remains of the sacred temple to the Greek godess Athena, the Parthenon, with its simple Doric style, has been copied in public architecture worldwide. Accessed by the Athens Metro, it is always crowded, so try for a visit early mornings or late afternoons.

Mykonos

Considered over-developed by some, but remaining the most famous of Greek islands, Mykonos attracts international sophisticates and budget travelers alike for its stunning beaches (many clothing optional), its vibrant nightlife, classic shopping, and general holiday ambience.

The Minoan Palace of Knossos, Crete

Surrounded by the city of Iraklion and accessible by local bus, the ruins and reconstructed labyrinth of this Minoan palace are from the era when the Aegean King Minos ruled mainland Greeks. To get some of the feeling for the material culture of ancient times, be sure to visit the world-class Heraklion Archaelogical Museum in Iraklion.

Santorini

Hotels clinging to clifftops, scenic winding roads, a volcanic legacy, great local wines and fine food puts Santorini on the list. Arrive at this stunning Greek island by sea and get the best views of the brown and black-banded cliffs topped by white lava. Be sure to visit the ruins of the once-buried city of Akrotiri.

Corfu

This bustling, cosmopolitan destination, in the Ionian Sea off the coast of mainland Greece, has streets lined with Venetian-style buildings. If you wish to avoid the pricey high-rise accommodation in the north, head for classic pensions in the wilder south where the coastline meets the placid waters in near perfect union.

Mycenae

This Peloponnesian treasure, only a few hour’s drive from Athens, was inhabited since Neolithic times. It sits on a hilltop on the lower slopes of Euboea Mountain and is considered one of the foundation sites of European civilization. One of the earliest restorations was the impressive Lion Gate.

The National Archaeological Museum – Athens

The perfect starting place for an infusion of Greek culture and history, this world-class museum teems with artifacts and sculptures. Look for the tall, dramatic kouroi, archaic statues of young gods, and the stunning gold treasures from excavations of Mycenae’s royal tombs.

The Island of Hydra

Visit this trendy Greek island via hydrofoil from Athens. Its charming harbor, beautiful churches, excellent shopping opportunities, and great tavernas provide a quintessential Greek experience.

Drogati and Melissnai Caves

One of the highlights of Kefalonia, Melissani is a subterranean seawater cave, which turns turquoise daily when the sun reaches a certain point. The spectacular Drogati Cave has impressive stalactites and boasts excellent acoustics.

Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

This popular cliff-top temple, set above the Aegean Sea, has superb sunset views. Although the Archeological Museum in Athens is home to the bronze statue that was once housed here, it is easy to see why the god of the sea might have been worshipped at this stunning national monument.

Please try our favourite holiday company below.

Everyone tells me that Greek dancing is so easy, but I have never found it easy. When I was in twelve years old, my parents sent me to learn Greek dances at the local Greek community center. They told me that it was very important to preserve Greek traditions in the family and that my not speaking Greek was already an embarrassment to the rest of my family. I had never been to Greece and did not have much experience with the culture of Greece, though I was and still am, a Greek American .

On my first dance lesson, I realized that I would be the only person under 45 there. Our dance teacher was an ancient Greek lady, even more ancient that many of the oldest Greek monuments, and she would yell loudly in Greek if any one of her students missed a step. She seemed to have a particular dislike towards me, she would call me “Little Athena” and at the beginning of every lesson she would approach me and say, “Little Athena, how come your parents did not teach you how to speak Greek? Shame on them, how are you ever going to visit our motherland?”. I would just nod and smile and hoped she would not pick on me again when I missed one, or two, of my dance steps.

I continued taking the lessons and one day I even had the pleasure of performing at the Greek Festival in our town. I danced the night away and my dance teacher clapped loudly and I could see that she was finally approving. It felt like I was in Greece. As my studies got harder, I decided to quit my Greek dancing lessons. I picked them back up in high school, this time with a local junior Greek organization. The dance lessons were much more fun, I was not picked for not speaking Greek, but I did continue to miss many steps.

Now as an adult, I go to Greek American Festivals all the time, but I do not take any more dance lessons. Instead, whenever I hear a Greek tune I just begin to dance away and no longer care about missing a step, but about feeling the music and dancing the night away.

We build websites

The stunning natural beauty of bright blue seas, ancient archaeological sites, charming island villages, and a hot, mainly dry climate, make Greece a fantastic holiday destination. Visitors to this Mediterranean idyll with its archipelago of over 1000 islands are faced with such a range of natural and man-made attractions that they have to prioritize their travel plans. While everyone has an idea of what they prefer, let’s have a go at defining what might be the top ten places to visit on a holiday to Greece.

The Acropolis and the Parthenon

The symbol of Athens, the iconic Parthenon sits atop the Acropolis, overlooking the city. The remains of the sacred temple to the Greek godess Athena, the Parthenon, with its simple Doric style, has been copied in public architecture worldwide. Accessed by the Athens Metro, it is always crowded, so try for a visit early mornings or late afternoons.

Mykonos

Considered over-developed by some, but remaining the most famous of Greek islands, Mykonos attracts international sophisticates and budget travelers alike for its stunning beaches (many clothing optional), its vibrant nightlife, classic shopping, and general holiday ambience.

The Minoan Palace of Knossos, Crete

Surrounded by the city of Iraklion and accessible by local bus, the ruins and reconstructed labyrinth of this Minoan palace are from the era when the Aegean King Minos ruled mainland Greeks. To get some of the feeling for the material culture of ancient times, be sure to visit the world-class Heraklion Archaelogical Museum in Iraklion.

Santorini

Hotels clinging to clifftops, scenic winding roads, a volcanic legacy, great local wines and fine food puts Santorini on the list. Arrive at this stunning Greek island by sea and get the best views of the brown and black-banded cliffs topped by white lava. Be sure to visit the ruins of the once-buried city of Akrotiri.

Corfu

This bustling, cosmopolitan destination, in the Ionian Sea off the coast of mainland Greece, has streets lined with Venetian-style buildings. If you wish to avoid the pricey high-rise accommodation in the north, head for classic pensions in the wilder south where the coastline meets the placid waters in near perfect union.

Mycenae

This Peloponnesian treasure, only a few hour’s drive from Athens, was inhabited since Neolithic times. It sits on a hilltop on the lower slopes of Euboea Mountain and is considered one of the foundation sites of European civilization. One of the earliest restorations was the impressive Lion Gate.

The National Archaeological Museum – Athens

The perfect starting place for an infusion of Greek culture and history, this world-class museum teems with artifacts and sculptures. Look for the tall, dramatic kouroi, archaic statues of young gods, and the stunning gold treasures from excavations of Mycenae’s royal tombs.

The Island of Hydra

Visit this trendy Greek island via hydrofoil from Athens. Its charming harbor, beautiful churches, excellent shopping opportunities, and great tavernas provide a quintessential Greek experience.

Drogati and Melissnai Caves

One of the highlights of Kefalonia, Melissani is a subterranean seawater cave, which turns turquoise daily when the sun reaches a certain point. The spectacular Drogati Cave has impressive stalactites and boasts excellent acoustics.

Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

This popular cliff-top temple, set above the Aegean Sea, has superb sunset views. Although the Archeological Museum in Athens is home to the bronze statue that was once housed here, it is easy to see why the god of the sea might have been worshipped at this stunning national monument.

Please try our favourite holiday company below.