Book Your Greece Vacation Rental Now, then Bookmark This Travel Advice

One country on many bucket lists is Greece--the birthplace of modern Democracies and Republics. The Acropolis, Valley of the Temples, Corinth, Troy, Delphi and others have captured imaginations for ages and will continue to do so for ages to come.

Greece is comprised of a variety of areas: Attica, which is the historical section of Greece seen in many photos. It's where Athens is located. Crete, the largest of the Greek islands and the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean, is home to the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization, as well fabulous beaches. The Cyclades Islands are southeast of Greece, in the Aegean Sea, between Turkey and Greece. The Ionian Islands, are on the western side of Greece, in the Ionian Sea. Both island groups known for small villages, fabulous beaches, great eating and legendary Greek hospitality.

The sites and landscape will fill your senses with wonder, but the people of Greece will fill your heart with warmth. Greeks are open and friendly and display genuine physical affection for each other--women walking arm in arm, men exchanging hugs as a greeting. They may ask you personal questions. Be sure to shake hands when you first meet someone--it can help establish the personal greeting you’re comfortable with.

Greek food is fabulous. Combine that with their hospitality, and you're certainly in danger of gaining weight on your trip. The good news is Greek food is classic Mediterranean cooking, so there should be plenty of healthy options. You'll find Turkish and Italian influences, plenty of cheeses (including feta, of course), herbs, and grilled meats. Greeks are no strangers to the recent trend towards gourmet cooking, so be ready to eat well and eat often.

The good news is you can burn off the calories quite easily. Of course, walking tours of the famous Grecian ruins abound. Those alone should keep you in shape. But Greece is an active, outdoor country. Bicycling, hiking, swimming in the azure waters of the Mediterranean. You'll find yourself outside a fair amount, so be sure to pack shoes that fit the activities you plan on doing.

The best seasons to visit Greece are spring and autumn--May, June, September and October. During the winter, you may encounter a variety of closures, from hotels to entire islands. From the middle of June through August is high-tourist season. The weather's hot, and there will be crowds. The good news is that all of Greece is ready to welcome visitors during this time.