By Tom Gannon, Lynn Travel Inc.
As a former European history teacher, I am looking forward to writing about Greece hopefully encouraging you to visit. As you know from your college Western Civilization class or World History in high school, the Hebrews, Romans, and the Greeks made the biggest contributions to western civilization. One doesn’t have to believe Michael Constantine’s claims from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” to appreciate the Greek contributions in the area of art, mathematics, government, literature, philosophy, and several the sciences. In many respects, they were the “superstars” of the ancient world revealing their multitude of talents.
Are you ready for 300 days of sunshine? The ideal times to visit Greece are March through May and September through November. Many people ignore the heat and visit in June through August, especially those wanting a partial beach vacation. Mainland Greece is slightly smaller than Alabama and is 80% mountainous. The largest of the 6,000 islands, 107 inhabited, is Crete. Homes on the islands are often whitewashed and have blue doors and roofs which is believed to keep the evil spirits away. Greece is home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites with 14 more pending. The scariest place I have ever driven is in Greece, so unless you do part-time NASCAR driving it is not recommended. It is not because of the speed but rather the mountainous terrain and few guard rails. Having just returned from Southern Italy and Sicily including the Amalfi coast it was great to leave the driving to a professional in a luxurious coach designed for endless switchbacks and one-lane roads.
As I researched travel sights for the “must-see” venues, I was struck by the agreement among the various travel writers like Rick Steves, the Arthur Frommer group, culturetrip.com, and others. Here is a compilation: Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Nafplio, Mycenae, Epidavros, Meteora, Kalambaka, Thermopylae, and the islands of Santorini and Hydra (pronounced EE- drah).
When one thinks of Greece, naturally Athens is in the forefront. Here, the Temple of Zeus, the Royal Palace, the Temple of Hephaestus, the Pnyx, the Agora, the atmospheric old town, and the most famous and magnificent of all sights, the Parthenon, atop the Acropolis hill.
Thermopylae features the monument to Leonidas, who died defending the city against the Persians.
Meteora is the site of two remote monasteries constructed by Byzantine monks who built on the most inaccessible location on the top of hills featuring jagged rocks. Delphi is famous for the Sanctuary of Apollo, where the people came to consult the oracle, The ancient theatre and Delphi Museum are not to be missed. Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games, also features the sanctuary of Zeus, the Olympic Stadium, and a small museum featuring ancient masterpieces. Mycenae offers its now-ruined hilltop fortress, dating from around 1300 BC, including Beehive Tombs and the Lion’s Gate. Epidavros is notable for its 2,300-year-old theater famous for its state of preservation and outstanding acoustics, making modern concerts regular events in this venue.
If you are ready for a small port city with an exceptional old town, bustling street life, attractive beaches, renowned cuisine, and a harbor guarded by three castles, Nafplio is for you. Hydra is, according to Frommer, “one of the handfuls of places in Greece that seemingly can’t be spoiled.” Rick Steve rates it a “must-see destination.” It is noted for its steep hills, horseshoe harbor, 18th-century clock tower, stone archon tika mansions dating from the 18th and 19 centuries, and absence of motorized transportation. The donkey rules on Hydra for bringing your baggage to the hotel, delivering water and beer to the taverna, or for your transportation. Hydra is less than two hours by boat from Athens.
Santorini gets a nod, too, from Steves for “cliff-clinging white villages, blue-domed churches, volcanic-sand beaches, and spectacular sunsets.” The trip by ferry is ten hours and by catamaran, just over four hours, so flying is the best option.
Greece is more than just incredible antiquities. It is about the environment. If you liked Mamma Mia you will love Greece. What is not to be missed?
Dinner in a traditional taverna while listening to bouzouki music while you enjoy Greek sea bass, grilled over charcoal and served whole should be high on your list. Some tours offer a dinner with Greek dancing, where you can join in while receiving pointers from the artists.
Depending on which tour you select it might allow you to partake in a Mediterranean cooking experience followed by a traditional Greek lunch.
Ride a donkey in Hydra. Enjoy Greek coffee in a Kafedaki. Visit the Monastiraki Flea Market.
Sip ouzo at a family-owned distillery. Mainland tours generally are 6 to 9 nights. They all cover approximately the same sights but the differences are pacing, time on the bus, one-night stops (excluding the final night in Athens), and time for more cultural exploration.
Here is a summary of the recommended tours: Collette, 9 nights with only two one-night stops: Globus, 7 nights with four one-night stops: Trafalgar, 7 nights with four one-night stops, and Insight, 6 nights with only two one-night stops in Athens, coming and going.
A Del Webb departure is planned for early to mid-September of 2023. We should have the date, the first week in June of 2022.
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