Greece Travelers Recommend

Summer months may mean sweltering heat and unforgiving sun but that doesn’t mean travelers shouldn’t venture to the ancient city of Athens. This popular destination is a history lover’s dream and the perfect place for travelers to sample art, culture and cuisine. Take a tour of the Acropolis Museum, then spend a day touring sites like the iconic Parthenon or the original marathon route. Taste the flavors of Greece with a small-group food tour which hits local hot spots where visitors can sample traditional dishes and sip on regional wines. Or learn to cook these dishes at home during a small-group cooking class. Visitors can see the sights after dark or embark on a tour in which professional photographers detail the best ways to capture some of the world’s oldest architectural wonders. It’s even possible to relax on a catamaran cruise, complete with a traditional Greek meal. Travelers who prefer to go a bit further afield can venture out on day trips to nearby Delphi.

As busy as you're likely to have been packing, planning your trip, checking luggage and that lot, why not ease into your vacation with a laid-back morning tour of Athens, which highlights modern marvels with the wonders of the ancients. From there, on to Athens' crown jewel, the towering Acropolis. Alternatively, walking and/or biking are great ways to see the city, and a private walking tour with the option to be a bit more photographic is always a nice introduction to the city. Cradled by Mount Parnassus, the modern, buslting town of Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and original resting place of the Delphic oracle - the most important oracle in ancient Greece and a major site for the worship of Apollo. Explore the Temple of Apollo and other famous sites on a day trip from Athens, or venture further on a multi-day Delphi tour. Complement your experience of classical Greece with a half-day visit to Cape Sounion.

Your first stop in Santorini will most likely be Fira, the island’s main town. Catch up on Cyclades culture at Fira’s folklore museum, or browse the string of goldsmiths’ shops lining the lagoon’s picturesque rim. Then follow the path north to Oia, a leisurely few hours’ cliff-top walk, and explore the village backstreets. Stay on to catch one of Oia’s legendary sunsets before heading back to Fira for a night of wining, dining and partying in the town’s clutch of tavernas, restaurants, bars and clubs. Choose your day trip destination to suit your mood. Will it be a lazy day at Kamari Beach, soaking up the sun, snacking at beach bars and diving into the sea for a snorkel? Or will it be a short sail to the island of Thirassia, to indulge in a long leisurely lunch at a local taverna? A more active and extended day trip takes you to the island of Ios, to explore the main town, Hora, and the island’s beaches, inland villages and Bronze Age ruins.

Blessed with a sun-soaked Mediterranean climate, hundreds of idyllic island escapes and an ancient history steeped in mythology, Greece is a natural choice for adventurous honeymooners. See below for some tours and activities that will make your trip unforgettable. Couples can head to historic Athens for the VIP treatment on a romantic picnic in the hills; an exclusive tour of the UNESCO-listed Acropolis; or a private walking tour with a personal photographer to capture memorable moments. Santorini is another popular spot, where travelers can toast the start of a happy marriage on a wine-tasting tour; get hands-on experience at an authentic Greek cooking class; or cuddle up to watch the sunset over Meteora. Don’t miss out on a chance to cruise the coast, either—a catamaran tour of Mykonos is the perfect way to soak up the scenery, with plenty of chances to swim, snorkel and sunbathe along the way.

Many aficionados of the Greek Isles state unequivocally that Santorini is the ideal island and the one example of island life and culture that simply must not be missed. Santorini, with its striking geography, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and architecture is certainly among the best that the entire region has to offer. Among the most laudable facets of life on the island are the summit caldera (the island itself being the top of an exploded volcano), the beaches at Perissa and Perivolos, and the nightlife at Thira. One consideration to keep in mind when planning your visit to the island, or selecting a tour is to balance the excitement of the population centers with the solace of quiet and solitude, all of which can easily be found on Santorini.