GREECE

is situated at the most southeastern part of Europe on the southern Balkan Peninsula and include numerous islands in the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian seas. Settled by Achaeans, Aeolian, Ionians, Minoans, and Dorians by 1000 B.C., the region grew as an amalgam of independent city-states, many of which established colonies throughout the Mediterranean by the eighth century B.C. Classical Greek culture, centered around Athens, reached a high point in the fifth century B.C. before being conquered by Philip II of Macedon in 338 B.C. The area was later controlled by the Roman and Byzantine empires before being absorbed into the Ottoman empire (1456). In 1821, Greece gained its independence and established a constitutional monarchy. The king was deposed following a military coup in April 21st 1967, and a democratic republic was established in 1974. Athens is the capital and the largest city. Population: 11,000,000.

ATHENS

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. In the fifth century B.C, during the time of Pericles, it was at the height of its cultural achievements and imperial power. Athens became the capital of modern Greece in 1834, two years after the country achieved its independence from Turkey. Population: 762,000. Some of the sites that you must visit are: The Acropolis, The New Acropolis Museum, The Temple of Zeus, The Panathenaic Stadium, The Hill of Lycabettous, The Old Palace, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier and The Changing of The Guards, The Plaka, The Greek Agora, The Roman Agora and The Tower of Winds, and finally The National Archaeological Museum.

NORTHERN GREECE

Macedonia pertains to the Greek history and culture for 4,000 years. Around the middle of the 4th century B.C. Macedonia became the leading power of the Greek World thanks to King Philip II, who declared himself the Leader of a Greek Confederacy. His dream of a Pan Hellenic expedition against the Persians was destined to come true by his son, Alexander the Great, who took his army to the banks of Indos River. Greek art is thus expanded to the depths of East and is assimilated by local populations along with the memory of Alexander. The Great King shall survive through legends until the middle Ages and the European Renaissance. Sites that you can visit are: The Oracle of Delphi, Thermopylae, Chaeronia, Livadia, Thebes, Monasteries of Meteora, Thessaloniki, Vergina, Volos, Pelion, Dion, Mountain Olympus, Philippi, Kavala.

PELOPONNESE

It is almost an island but not quite. It is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. It is full of historic sites and ancient ruins. Its seas are of the bluest blue. Its villages are pearl white jewels hidden by flowers and trees. Its landscapes are breathtaking. It is Peloponnese. There are many sites you can visit on one-day excursion basis, within easy reach of Athens. Some of the sites you can visit are: Ancient Corinth, Acrocorith, Canal, Mycenae, Nemea, Nafplion, The Theater of Epidaurus, Ancient Sparta and Mystras, Olympia, The Temple of Epikourios Appollon, Kalavryta, The Cave of the Lakes-kastria, The Cave of Diros, Monemvasia, Kalamata, Methone, Koroni, Pylos, Lousios Gorge, Dimitsana.

If you are the type of person that likes outdoor activities then I highly recommend the two day tour to Olympia and Lousios Gorge; a beautiful combination of history with nature.

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