Greece was home to one of the worlds first civilisations, so it’s not surprising that there are a huge number of important historical sites, with no less than 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Islands are all about summer beach holidays, and each is different to the next. Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Skiathos, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Zante.. all recognisable, all wonderful in their own way and all popular with hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. You can find the most lively of beach resorts such as Faliraki, Malia, Kavos or Kardamena, but then there are the smaller, more peaceful islands full of traditional charms such as Paxos, Samos, Lefkas, Skopelos and Patmos. The list goes on and on, and some islands are unfamiliar to most such as Lipsi where you can really get away from it all.

At Millington Travel, we think Greece is an adorable country which it is hard not to fall in love with. We can’t pretend to know everything about every island, but we have great relationships with specialist tour operators enabling us to offer unrivalled expertise and great prices.

Top things to see and do in Greece

1. Rhodes Old Town. Their oldest inhabited mediaeval town in Europe with 200 streets & lanes without names. It’s a thrill to behold.
2. The Acropolis, Athens. The rock, with its spectacular ruins including the iconic Parthenon, is absolute must see.
3. Olympia – trace the origins of the Olympic Games at this amazing archaeological gem and visit the Temple of Zeus. The flame is still lit here and transported to the host city of the modern Olympics.
4. Island Hopping – there is no better way to experience Greece to the fullest than to hop on the ferry and visit a few Islands throughout your stay.
5. Santorini – A huge violent volcanic eruption blew the top off the island of Thira and what remains is a sea-filled caldera and one of the most dramatic islands in Greece, with sheer volcanic cliffs topped with the gorgeous white washed villages of Oia and Fira.
6. Navagio or Shipwreck Beach, Zakynthos. One of Greece’s best beaches swallowed up the 1983 wreck of the alleged smuggler’s ship, Panagiotis. A truly remarkable sight.
7. Hydra Harbour – The sheer granite cliffs part to reveal the horseshoe of arguably Greece’s prettiest harbour.
8. Samaria Gorge, Crete. A 16km descent into this leafy, lush gorge enclosed by towering cliffs really is an unforgettable hike for the energetic visitor.
9. The Pelion. Billed as Greece’s Tuscany this area is full of charming little villages and fabulous beaches. A walkers heaven. Damouchari was a filming location for Mamma Mia!
10. Mykonos’ nightlife. The most frenetic nightlife east of Ibiza is a must for party goers.

When to go?

As you would expect, Greece is very hot and very sunny all summer from June to August. May and September are great months to visit for those who don’t want extreme temperatures. April & October are cooler and with far fewer visitors so are a great time for exploring and sightseeing.

Food and drink

Typically Mediterranean, Greek cuisine is a delight, making use of Olive oil, vegetables and herbs, olives, bread, cheese and yoghurt. Local specialities include moussaka, feta cheese, pitta bread, and Souvlaki. Kebabs are popular as is seafood which is wonderful wherever you go, especially swordfish. Try a mezze which is a selection of small dishes. Drinks include the local wine Retsina, aniseed flavour Ouzo, and Metaxa – a Greek brandy.

Whatever you’d like to do, Greece offers a complete holiday experience and Millington Travel can help you plan where to stay and what to see and do, so give us a call and start planning your perfect trip today.