Traditional charms, fascinating history
A holiday in Greece offers simple pleasures in beautiful locations, history in abundance, architecture on the grandest scale, and a myriad of islands full of scenic surprises.
The original home of the Olympic Games, democracy, mathematics, science and philosophy, Greece is now also known as a great holiday destination, thanks to its mild climate, beautiful beaches, quaint villages with whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides, delicious food and local wine at reasonable prices, and a seemingly endless lacework of coastline and little islands.
The contrast between modern and traditional can be seen all over the country, but perhaps not more so than in the south, where Athens, a bustling modern metropolis, is dominated by the Parthenon, a wondrous temple of ancient Greece. Athens is also a favourite destination for island-hopping holiday-makers. Its historic harbour at Piraeus provides access to the islands of the Aegean – the smaller ones can be reached by ferry or hydrofoil, while the larger ones have airports with connections to Athens and other European countries.
For history buffs, the Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Corinth, is a veritable treasure trove of magnificent architecture and ancient culture, while in the north, Thessaloniki has a Byzantine flavour.
Greece’s more traditional charms have survived the tourist boom in recent years, and black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while fishermen sit in the sun, drinking thick coffee and playing dominoes or dice.
Search for the latest deals on Greece holidays, and book an unforgettable experience with Co-op Holidays.