Home to the great legends of history Greece today is a great Mediterranean nation. The people are relaxed, friendly and know how to have fun. Greek food is fresh, tasty and healthy, the climate warm to hot in summer making Greece the perfect place to not only delve into history, but a place to relax and enjoy the beaches with their taverns and cafe's, or dance till dawn in the many nightclubs and bars.

Immerse yourself into the origins of modern world history, see historical fragments like Delphi, which is said to be the center of the cosmos, or visit the fallen columns on the sacred island of Delos, and see the Minoan palaces adorned with frescoes on Crete. Ancient ruins are all over Greece, even in the basements of many city buildings.

A visit to Greece will not be complete without a cruise to some of the Greek Islands, to enjoy the sun and water. There are 100's of islands to explore, ideal for romantic getaways. (Actually more than 1400 islands, of which only 169 are inhabited).

Location:
Greece is situated on the northern Mediterranean coast at the southern extremity of the Balkan Peninsula in south-eastern Europe. Northern borders are Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Bulgaria with Turkey to the east.

Climate:
Mild wet winters and very cold in the mountains.
Hot dry summers - daytime plus 30°C (87°F)

Get to Greece by car, rail, air or sea and within Greece there are good highways, rail and bus services and Greece has good modern telephone and mobile phone networks, and internet access.

History
Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighbouring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. Following the defeat of Communist rebels in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy; Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992).

Currency: Euro - €
Useful links:
Athens Accommodation Guide
Atlantis Hotel Crete
Accommodation in Olympia
Ancient Greece
Greek Escorts