The most popular destinations in Greece are Athens, on the mainland and any one of the many Greek Islands. Athens is the capital city of Greece. It started out as a small village at the base of the Acropolis but over time grew to become home to some of the world’s most famous ancient civilizations and birthplace of some of the greatest philosophers ever such as Socrates, Aristotle and Plato. Athens is now a sprawling metropolis with a population in the millions. It is always crowded and busy and some say the traffic jams here resemble those in Los Angles. It is suggested you leave the driving to the taxi drivers or take the metro. Athens is however the best place to see some of the most famous historical landmarks and museums in the world. Most of the popular tourist sites and attractions are located in and around the Acropolis so they are easy to find. A word to the wise…don’t forget your camera, you will want to remember these moments forever. The Greek Islands are among the top vacation destinations in the world. There are over 1,400 islands but only 227 of them are inhabited. With so many islands it is hard to choose just one so take a boat trip and explore as many as you can. Each one is unique in scenery, culture and social scenes. These islands are all adorned with exquisite beaches to enjoy. Some of the islands and their beaches are known for their parties and nightlife such as Crete and Mykonos and are full of young people while others are quieter and picturesque like Kalymnos which is perfect for a day of relaxation and soaking up the sun. You are sure to find a Greek island just right for you.

Of course no vacation to Greece would be complete without discovering the many ancient treasures it has to offer. First and foremost on any Greek vacation itinerary is the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Located in the heart of Athens, the Parthenon was built on the top of the ‘Sacred Hill,’ the Acropolis, at the height of the Athenian Empire. The temple was built to honour the goddess Athena and protect the gold and ivory monument of her. Another place you should visit is Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Here you will find the ruins of an ancient stadium and a racetrack. You will also find the remnants of the Temple of Zeus, the most important god in Greek mythology. Guided tours are the best way to experience this site in order to fully understand its importance in history. A visit to Delphi is a must as well as it is considered to be the greatest archaeological treasure in Greece. Delphi is home to the Temple of Apollo, Corycian Cave and the Castalian Spring. The ancient people believed that this was the centre of the world and was guarded by the goddess Pytho, who was killed by Apollo. There are not many places you will visit in Greece that are not surrounded by legends and mythology. The museums in Greece are well worth a visit too. Try the National Archeological Museum or the Benaki Museum. Both help you better understand the many historical sites.

There are plenty of things to do in Greece in addition to touring museums and historical sites. Greece is an outdoor playground with stunning landscapes, towering mountains, deep, dramatic gorges and breathtaking beaches. Eco-tours and bird watching are becoming popular tourist activities. Try a bike trip through Crete or a hiking excursion to Samaria Gorge or Vikos Gorge. Both are awe-inspiring adventures. Blend a little mythology with a little outdoor adventure and climb Mount Olympus, which was believed to be home to Zeus. You truly will feel ‘on top of the world.’ Greece has eleven wetlands and many protected areas for excellent bird watching. Among the best places to spot species such as storks, herons, falcons and doves, are Nestos Delta and Prespa Lakes. Believe it or not, you can actually ski in Greece as well. One of the best destinations for downhill skiing in Greece is the Parnassos Ski Centre on Mount Parnassos. There are also a number of other ski hills including Helmos and Vermion. Sailing through the islands, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and fishing in the seas are all popular activities in Greece as well. As we said before, Greece is the perfect vacation destination for everyone. The Euro (EUR) is the official currency. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers’ cheques, particularly in major tourist destinations. Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine. However, it can vary greatly from place to place and season to season.  Below, are average summer and winter temperatures for popular destinations:
Athens: S - 27˚C  W - 10˚C
Crete: S - 26˚C  W - 12˚C
Thessaloniki: S - 25˚C W - 5˚C 220v, 50Hz – European “round” two or three pin plugs. Converters are required for Canadian appliances. Embassy of Canada
Address: 4, Ioannou Ghennadiou Street, 115 21 Athens
Tel.: +30 (210) 727-3400 GMT+2 (GMT+3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October). Other than a couple of weeks where Daylight Saving dates differ, Greece is seven hours ahead of Montréal and Toronto, nine ahead of Calgary, and ten ahead of Vancouver.