Greece - Sights

Acropolis (Athens)
The most significant and beautiful sanctum of ancient Athens, the Parthenon, still dominates the city's mountain fortress. In the center of the Acropolis stand the monumental remains of the marmoreal temple of the goddess Athena. The myth of old Athens, its most important religious festivals, and the defining moments of the city's history are closely connected to this holy place. The sacred structure of the Acropolis, a masterpiece of ancient architecture in its entirety, unites different styles of classical architecture in one location and over the course of centuries has served as a model and inspiration for art and culture all over Europe. The Acropolis of the fifth century BC stands for the victory of democracy over tyranny and reflects the resplendence, prosperity, and influence of Athens in the "Golden Age of Pericles".

Delphi (Central Greece)
As one of the most beautiful and atmospheric ancient cities of Greece, historic Delphi is enthroned amongst the cypress on the olive-lined cliffs of the Parnassos Mountains. This place, which offers a breath-taking view over the Gulf of Corinth, was once regarded as the middle of the world.
According to the saga, Delphi was home to probably the most well-known oracle in the world, whose words of wisdom were interpreted by the priests of Apollo and who was consulted by individual citizens as well as cities and rulers well into the time of the Romans. Today atop the ruins of the Apollonian temple still stands an amphitheater whose steps command a spectacular view of the landscape as well as the remainder of the stadium, in which the sports contests of the Pythic Games once took place. With its partially re-erected columns, the round temple of Athena is the characteristic monument of this site.

Santorin (officially: Thira, Cyclades Island)
Santorin, along with its neighboring island Thirassia, probably has the most spectacular landscape of all of the countless Greek islands. A large part of the land mass sank into the sea 3500 years ago as the result of a massive volcanic eruption. The Aegean branched into the remaining deep craters (Caldera). Today, villages of snow-white stone stand close to the steeply towering walls of the craters. At night, these villages scintillate like a long chain of lights under the night sky. Cruise ships and yachts sail into the Caldera and tour boats attract numerous visitors to the crater islands of Nea and Palea Kameni, where sulphur vapors still rise and the seawater is warmed by heat springs. While the west coast of Santorin falls off steeply, the east side is edged with beaches of light sand and gray-red volcanic ash. Excavations near Akrotiri reveal something of the resplendence of the Minoan civilisation which was destroyed by the volcanic eruption.

Meteora (Thessaly)
In the east of the Pindos Mountains near the city of Kalambaka, water and wind have shaped unique rock formations over the course of millions of years. The elements created stone blocks, craggy needles, and other fantastic rock formations in which human settlements first appeared in the 11th century. In the 14th century, Christian monks began to build their monasteries there. Near the heavens despite the forces of gravity, today these buildings are still nestled among steep walls of stone. Just looking at them makes it readily apparent why up to the beginning of the 20 century access was obtained exclusively via ladders and baskets on pulleys. Some of the monasteries are still inhabited and access is possible via steps that have been carved into the stone. After the monastic republic of Athos on Chalkidiki, Meteora is the second largest association of monasteries. Apart from the peninsula of Athos, Meteora is freely accessible to visitors and parts of the site function as museums.^1,5,6,7

Chania & Heraklion (Crete)
Crete is Greece's largest island and at the same time possesses Greece's most diverse landscape: at 260 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide at maximum [161 miles long by 37.3 miles wide maximally], rock formations of up to 2,000 meters (6,652ft) in height are arrayed next to each other, and sparse, rocky landscapes are punctuated by spectacular chasms which flow into lovely valleys with villages hidden amongst thick greenery. Peaceful plateaus and wide beaches are found here as well as Europe's only palm tree forest and small, almost untouched lagunas. While the north coast is home to the larger island cities and their main tourism centers, the wilder southern coast is particularly prized by individual travelers. The love of things traditional and, naturally, the famous Cretan hospitality greets visitors everywhere on the island.

The peaks of the Lefka Ori, the White Mountains, are snowy in winter and provide an imposing backdrop for the picturesque Chania (pop. 53,373 as of 2001). Its wonderful old city with its web of medieval streets and its Venetian port conjure up times past: old palaces have been converted into hotels and stylish restaurants, and taverns with unique atmospheres, where you will often hear the strains of Cretan music playing, can be found in the most picturesque places. The large former mosque in the port and other works of architecture from the time of Turkish rule intensify Chania's exotic flair.

Crete's capital city of Heraklion (pop. 137,711 as of 2001) also unites various architectural styles within its densely populated domain, however, as the fifth largest city in Greece, it is busier than the idyllic ports of Chania and Rethymnon. In Heraklion's lively inner city and scenic quarter there are an array of shopping possibilities, restaurants, and cafes. A few kilometers to the south of the modern capital lies the ancient centre of advanced Minoan society. The partially reconstructed palace of Knossos affords visitors impressive insights into the pre-Grecian civilisation of Crete which are complemented by the largest collection of Minoan art in the world in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
In Chania as well as Heraklion one finds hotels which are state-of-the-art in some parts and exclusive Thalassian and spa facilities. In Elounda, just a few kilometers distant from the east Cretan Agios Nikolaos, numerous luxury hotels and wellness resorts are situated within wonderful surroundings.^1,3,8,9,10