Greece operates on a different time scale. The Parthenon was already old when Rome was young; the olive trees in some villages date to the Byzantine era. Visiting Greece means navigating the layers — ancient sites, Byzantine churches, Ottoman bazaars, and sleek modern hotels — often within a few kilometres of each other.
Greece operates on a different time scale. The Parthenon was already old when Rome was young; the olive trees in some villages date to the Byzantine era. Visiting Greece means navigating the layers — ancient sites, Byzantine churches, Ottoman bazaars, and sleek modern hotels — often within a few kilometres of each other.
Athens has emerged from its post-2010 economic crisis as one of Europe's most dynamic and interesting capitals: the Acropolis Museum is world-class, the street food in Monastiraki is excellent, and the graffiti-dense Exarcheia neighbourhood pulses with energy. The islands range from the volcanic drama of Santorini to the green, Venetian-influenced Corfu; from the party beaches of Mykonos to the walking trails of Naxos. The mainland — Meteora's monastery-topped rock pillars, the Peloponnese's ruined Byzantine cities — is visited by far fewer tourists than the islands.