Greece is a country of many contrasts. There are places in the mainland that have absolutely nothing to offer to visitors, and then there are islands where one can see things that create life-lasting memories.
If you are one of the 3.5 million UK travellers who visit Greece each year, there are tranquil places where you can spend your time learning how to play 3 Card Brag at Mansion Casino online while enjoying a nice beverage, and then there are places where you can spend a whole day at the beach, listening to the sound of the waves. Most visitors pick one of the country’s islands as a destination for their summer vacation, but there are many places in the mainland that would be worth visiting if you have the time.
Greece’s Two Biggest Cities, Olympus and the Peloponnese
On most occasions, getting to a Greek island will mean that you have to transit through one of the country’s main airports. The two biggest airports are in Athens and Thessaloniki, but the one that can really take you anywhere is the one based in the capital. Before boarding a ferry or a plane for an island, it may be worth paying a visit to some of the touristic attractions the mainland has to offer. After all, this is where most of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution will take place. The city of Athens is planning numerous events, so if you have some time to spare after visiting the Parthenon, then you should try joining the festivities.
If you find yourself in Athens, and you wish to explore the mainland further, then the Peloponnese will be your number one destination. Greece’s most popular peninsula is also Greece’s most historic area. This is where myths like the Spartans came to life; this is where the Olympics earned their glory, and this is where ancient Greek artefacts are still being discovered. If you are a fan of the Greek cuisine or if you want to see things dating back to 3000BC, then this is the place you need to visit.
For those visiting the North, Thessaloniki is probably destination number one. Apart from having the biggest airport in a collective area of 900 kilometres, Thessaloniki is also the epicentre of the Balkans. Thousands of tourists from the neighbouring countries are taking day trips to Thessaloniki both in order to shop, as well as in order to enjoy all the things the city has to offer. The second-largest city in Greece is a mosaic of cultures and a place that Greeks, Slavs, Turks and Jewish people from all over the world have called home. Additionally, it is the biggest city closest to the peninsula of Chalcidice and to Mount Olympus. Just a half-hour drive will take travellers to one of the two popular destinations.
Article written by Peppin
(Photo by sammali via Flickr)