Luxury Mainland Greece Holidays 2024

Tastes To Try
 

• Greek cuisine has traditions and recipes dating back 4000 years – the world’s first known cookbook was written in Greece by Archestratos more than 2300 years ago. Souvlaki is one of the oldest meals, consisting of skewered grilled meat and vegetables with pita bread and fried potatoes. It’s a local favourite, especially in the south of the country. It can be made with pretty much any meat, so it’s of the most varied and satisfying meals Greek cuisine can offer. It’s definitely a must-try when you holiday here.
   
• The warm Greek climate lets the local farmers produce fresh produce all year round, meaning every dish will be bursting with flavours. One of the best desserts on offer is the adorably-named Spoon Sweets. Essentially, it’s chunks of fruit boiled and then served coated in their own syrupy juices – they’re a decadent treat, perfect to close off a fulfilling meal. Making the most of local produce the sweets can be made from anything, from grapes and berries to lemons and figs.
   
• Greece boasts a huge range of cheeses, many of which are unknown to us Brits. While you’re here why not pop into one of Athens’ many cheese markets and have a look at the range on offer – there’s more to Greek dairy products than just Feta and Halloumi. One of our favourites is Graviera, which has a pleasant sweetness to it, almost like caramel.
  
  
  Soak Up The Culture
   
• We could go on for hours and hours about the richness of Greek culture, but we’ll try our best to contain ourselves. Athens is simply a gem, packed full of historic treasures and vibrant life. The Acropolis sits at the centre of it all and is the number one must-see in the city. The monuments there date back to about 300 BC and offer an intriguing insight into Athens’ past, especially when coupled with a visit to the brand-new Acropolis Museum just a short distance away.
   
• In Athens’ Agora, the fully-restored Stoa of Attalos contains a museum of ancient Greek and Byzantine treasures, while the Temple of Hephaestus is the most complete ancient temple anywhere in Greece – it’s a fascinating area right next to the Athenian shopping district, making an ideal day trip idea.
   
• A definite treat for all the family is the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square outside the Greek Parliament, which used to be the home of the Greek Royal Family. It takes place every hour in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and every Sunday at 11 there is a special ceremonial changing of the guard complete with marching band – without doubt something you won’t want to miss out on seeing.
  
  
  Adventure Awaits
   
• Greece offers some stunning scenery, and without doubt the best way to experience this is to go walking. You’ll need sturdy footwear and plenty of water, especially during the summer months, since the Instagram-worthy panoramas aren’t always a quick stroll away. Trekking up to the top of Acro-Corinth offers some of the best views, with vistas stretching from the Gulf of Corinth to the Aegean Sea. The cliffs at Cape Sounion are also breath-taking, surrounded on three sides by the sea it’s no wonder the ancients thought the site was sacred to Poseidon.
   
• With its long coastline, it’s not surprising that Greece offers a huge number of opportunities for water sports. From a relaxing sail around the bay at Tolon to adrenaline-inducing wakeboarding and water-skiing out in the Ionian at the Costa Navarino there’s something for all ages and abilities.
  
   

Good to know

• TimeDifference: UTC +2
• Capital: Athens
• Currency: EUR

Best time to travel

Average Temperatures

Jan: 9°c		Feb: 10°c		Mar: 12°c
Apr: 16°c		May: 20°c		Jun: 24°c
Jul: 27°c		Aug: 27°c		Sep: 24°c
Oct: 19°c		Nov: 15°c		Dec: 11°c

Location map