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No package holidays to Greece are complete without a trip to Athens. The capital city is rich in history, with spectacular landmarks and iconic architecture at every turn. It also has the reputation of being one of the birthplaces of critical thinking, philosophy, education, modern civilisation and democracy.
If you arrived into Greece via Thessaloniki in Central Macedonia, then you are in Greece's second city, and this is regarded by many as the country's true capital of culture. A calendar packed with events means a slightly faster pace of life and entertainment firmly rooted in the here and now, rather than looking back through the ages to the ancient past of the country. That being said, Thessaloniki has three millennia of history in its own right, along with several churches on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete, is about 60 km wide and 260 km long, a narrow strip of land that lies roughly east-west in the Mediterranean. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with the classic combination of sun, sea and sand. Despite being an island, it has a diverse geography, with mountains to the interior and coastal plains teeming with life. It is also home to Minoan ruins, and features in many modern-day myths about the lost civilisation of Atlantis. This in turn was described by Plato, and some people believe that a volcanic eruption in the 16th-17th century BC may have triggered a tsunami that wiped out an advanced civilisation on Crete, taking their knowledge of engineering, science and the arts with them to an untimely end.
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Top Destinations In Greece
Corfu
Corfu is the ultimate Greek getaway, with secret coves, olive-strewn hills and bustling beach resorts. Party lovers have been flocking to the island for years, and today the island is still a favourite on many clubbers' calendars. Ideal for groups, you can explore the towns by day and party by night.
Crete
Sandy beaches, seafront tavernas, ancient palaces and neon nightlife - the east coast of Crete has the lot. It's a place of delectable cuisine, too, from your standard cheese and olives to local wine, honey-covered goods and freshly caught fish. Snaffling food almost goes in tandem with uncovering Minoan history.
Santorini
Santorini or Thira, is one of the most unique islands in Greece. Located in the South Aegean sea and part of the Cyclades Islands. Santorini is an extinct volcanic island with some very dramatic scenery.
The capital, Fira is well known for it's designer outlets and the cable car that goes between the town and the old port, offering some fantastic views of the solidified lava flows and rock formations.
Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the most vibrant holiday destinations in Europe and has earned an enviable reputation for its nightlife. The island is particularly famous for its beautiful whitewashed buildings, which complement the surrounding turquoise sea and the island's unspoilt sandy beaches.
The UK is the second-biggest tourism market for Greece, and combined with the United States, the total number of English-speaking visitors is even higher. If you are travelling to any of the main cities or holiday hotspots during holidays to Greece, therefore, there should be a good chance that you will be understood and able to communicate well enough with shopkeepers, waiters and hotel staff.
Greece uses the euro. Like other participants in the single currency, Greek euro notes and coins have their own design, but you should still find it easy to spend those issued by other countries, too. Exchanging sterling during package holidays to Greece shouldn't be difficult, but it can be more direct to withdraw Greek euros from a cash machine and avoid having to look for a bureau de change with good rates.
Package holidays to Greece of anywhere up to three months don't need a visa for British citizens. If you want to spend longer than that in Greece, you'll need a residence permit. You will of course need a valid passport to travel at all, and this should also include your return journey. If your passport's expiration date has been extended by 12 months by a British consulate or embassy, the Greek authorities will still accept it.
Greece has a hot and dry summer climate, with the higher temperatures and almost uninterrupted sunshine starting in April and lasting through until November. However, things change considerably during the winter months, and from late November well into the New Year, it is rainy and rather cold. The contrast with the summertime (when the only rainfall tends to be in the form of short, light showers) is quite stark: something to be aware of when planning Greece holidays during the colder, wetter months of the year.
