Visiting Greece is on many people’s lists for their summer holidays; the problem is finding enough time to visit the country and everything it offers. Affected by the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and not mention Greek empires, Greece’s history is conquest, innovation, and development. Viewed by many as the cradle of democracy and civilization in the Western world, Greece generally has everything you need for a holiday. Why not rent a Greek villa and go on an incredible holiday?
Besides the history mentioned above, there is also the country’s incredible geography. Almost 60% of the mainland is mountainous, resulting in dramatic landscapes and national parks to wander around. Then, at its base and in the three seas that border its coast are almost 2000 islands, of which over 150 are inhabited. These islands provide incredible nightlife, even more history, and the Mediterranean holiday experience that many people come to enjoy during their summer holidays.
With all of these distractions, you may forget to immerse yourself fully in the culture of this amazing country, so here we have put together some information about Greece and Greek life that you may have overlooked; this will hopefully give you a better insight into the country you are going to visit.
Greek food:
Food is almost as important in Greece as religion and politics. Wine, cheese, and olive oil are staples of the diet, so expect a lot of the same when ordering at a restaurant. Eating is a communal affair in Greece, with foods laid out so everyone can have a piece. In more touristy areas, though, expect normal service, but for a traditional time, the locals go and eat how they eat. You will not be disappointed.
Wherever you are in the country, as for the local wine, many wines are made locally and have their regional taste. Try olive oil on the island of Crete, which will be hard to avoid. Some other traditional dishes include Tzatziki, Greek yogurt with finely chopped cucumber, garlic, and olive oil. Ideal to eat with fresh Greek bread, fried potatoes, fried meatballs, and Saganaki, is fried cheese.
Products of Greece:
As already mentioned, Greece is famed for its food, especially Olive oil and cheese; of course, these make up some of the country’s exports. When you are on holiday in the country, you will find many local markets where you can find local products that would make great gifts back home and add to the flavors in your kitchen.
One leftover from the Ottoman Empire is a selection of sweets that now have their Greek twist. These sweets are very sugary, so be prepared for a stomach ache if you eat too much.
Another uniquely Greek product is the locally brewed Ouzo. It is the most famous Greek alcohol. It is quite strong, and you can find it served throughout the country. If it happens to be too strong, you can ask for water, and don’t be embarrassed—the locals do it all the time.
Religion:
Over 98% of people in Greece identify as Orthodox Christians, which helps show how and why the church is so important in the state. Outside of Russia, only Greece has a population with such a high number of Orthodox Christians.
From the Byzantine period, the Orthodox Church grew and became separate from the Roman Catholic Church. The church helped maintain Greek culture throughout several successive invasions and conquests and is thus held in high esteem.
Although the church and state are separate, it still greatly influences day-to-day life and politics in general.
Geography:
Greece has the longest coastline in Europe, stretching over 13,000 kilometers. It also has the largest number of islands, over 2000, in the three seas that run along its coast. This coastline and the islands ensure that Greece will remain a sun lovers’ paradise. There are also countless sports and outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the islands and the coastline.
Mount Olympus is the highest peak in Greece, standing at just under 3000 meters. As mentioned, the country is over 60% providing even more activities, including trekking, mountain climbing, and everything in between. While in the country, check out the host of unique flora and fauna native to the government.
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is great for exploring the other islands in the region. Some notable islands with many experiences include Ios, Zakynthos, and Rhodes. You can find stunning nightlife, private beaches, water sports excursions, and mountainous peaks here. Many of these locations are easily accessible from Athens by plane or ferry, so combine the historic city with these incredible islands.
This is just a small example of the things on offer in Greece. Your time should combine several of these aspects to understand the country better. You will surely return as many people do when they discover all that is available in the country and its huge diversity throughout the regions.