Greece: The meeting point of blue water & golden sun
“It takes a lifetime to discover Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her.”
Hey traveller! Did you know that Greece, which is now officially the “Hellenic Republic,” is made up of thousands of beautiful islands and has 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Interesting know! So, let’s come with us and experience the magic of Greece.
It is a place of unmatched diversity and beauty. Despite 80% of its land being mountainous or semi-mountainous, the Greek archipelago’s islands make up 7,500 km of its coastline, making it one of Europe’s hilliest nations. This confers upon it a unique structural singularity that is unmatched in continental Europe.
Athens, the amazing city of Greece
Athens is the oldest capital of Europe and is now the capital of Greece. Athens is a historic city, and many of classical civilization’s intellectual and artistic ideas originated there. The city is generally considered to be the birthplace of Western civilization. Led by scholars and statesmen like Cleisthenes, Solon, Ephilates, and Eucleides, Athens developed one of the earliest democratic political systems in the world. In simple terms, “Athens is the birthplace of democracy.”
Glamour of Greece
Visit the historic monasteries, and you’ll be awestruck by their setting, design, and magnificent murals that date back hundreds of years. In the Thessaly region, on the mainland of Greece, a singular site of perpendicular rock-face sandstone rising some 400 m above the surrounding plain is “Meteora,” one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A perfect place to enjoy your drink, go cycling, go hiking, and experience a lovely sunset view.
Mt. Olympus, the most famous and tallest mountain in Greece at 2918 m high, is located not far from Meteora. The ancient Greeks held Olympus in high regard, believing that Zeus, the king of all gods, should live atop the highest peak, while the other twelve Olympian gods resided in the peaks and gorges of the mountain.
At the base of Mt. Olympus, Litochoro Town is well situated and is only a short distance (about 6 km) from the shore. Take a guided tour of the Mountain of the Gods. And experience your favorite sports, like hiking, climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, and more.
As you climb, you will cross rich forests, gorges, rivers, and waterfalls, all of which will be visible as you go upward. The scenery is really stunning all the way to the heights. Amazing bird’s-eye views of your surroundings stop at the sea horizon in the higher zones. Do you feel like you’re at the top of the world? We know the feeling!
See Central Macedonia on the next Glamour of Greece, which will take you north. Surrounding this man-made lake lies Lake Kerkini National Park, a Ramsar Site on the List of Wetlands of International Importance. Over 300 different bird species may be found nearby, making this fantastic water destination just 100 kilometers from Thessaloniki City a paradise for bird watchers. If you’re interested, bring your photography equipment, as it’s a layover location for migratory birds. Enjoy boating and canoeing rides in the lake, biking trips in the lakeshore area and the nearby villages, and seeing the water buffaloes grazing along the way. Go hiking in Kerkini Forest and at the foot of Mt. Beles for a truly immersive experience in nature.
Greece superstition & Olympics inspiration
“Evil Eye” is the most common superstition among Greeks. The evil eye has gained popularity as a jewelry item in many places, and the Greeks associate it with much deeper meanings. Greeks carry this token around for security reasons more than aesthetic ones, as it is said to be able to shield you from any curses that an enraged person may fling at you. It is better to be cautious than sorry!
Greece inspired the Olympics. According to historians, the first Olympics were held in 776 BC as a tribute to Zeus, the God King. Absurd? They engaged in quite violent activities, including chariot racing and wrestling. Even more insane? They play it nude.
Visit Greece and lose your soul here.
