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GREECE

PARTHENON

Greece is a paradise for tourists. It is the idea for the beach lovers, a great destination for the lover of the classics and and a must see for anyone interested in knowing where western civilization started.

Located in southeastern Europe, Greece is bordered by Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Balkan Peninsula, which constitutes Greece, is surrounded by over a thousand of tiny islands, of which less than 200 are inhabited. It is primarily a mountainous country with a much of its landmass perched at over 1,500 m above sea level.

Perhaps no nation in Europe can boast of a more ancient history than Greece. Greece's antiquity dates back to 3000 BC when the powerful Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations flourished here. The evolution of powerful city-states, especially Athens and Sparta, between 800 and 500BC produced the classical age of Athens which was the high point of the Grecian civilization. Under the leadership of Pericles, Athens ushered in an era of prosperity in all spheres: an era when Pericles himself commissioned the Parthenon, Democritus taught the concept of democracy, Sophocles wrote Oedipus Rex, and Socrates taught the intricacies of logic. Later, Alexander's conquest of the city-states was followed by the Roman invasions that began in 205 BC. Greece became a part of the Byzantine Empire in the 4th century AD. This was followed by the Crusades, and by AD 1500, Greece came under Turkish control.

The glorious history of Greece is reflected in the ruins and monuments that lie scattered all over the country. The capital Athens has a special charm and grandeur. Besides the oft-visited Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Theatre of Dionysus, the National Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of antiquities. The Cycladic Museum in Kolonaki District (up the hill from Vassilissis Sofias Street) has a very nice collection worth seeing. The Plaka and Monastiraki districts, are very nice areas to stroll around and there are many souvenir shops here. The Parthenon is right behind you and nearby is the Agora.

The temple of Poseidon, also called Sounion, is an nice place to visit. It is a good 45 min- 1 hr drive from downtown Athens.

The southern peninsula, the Peloponnesos, is known both for its picturesque scenery and rich history, and is made up of numerious distinct regions (such as Lakonia and Mani) that each have their own distinct histories and appearances. While in the Peloponnesos, be sure to visit the cities of Corinth and Micenae.

The islands of Greece such as Crete , Rhodes, and the Cyclades are also noted for thier picturesque scenery and rich histories. Santorini is quite impressive. Its capital Thira is on the edge of a large cliff, as half of the island sunk in a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. The sunsets are breathtaking. It also has nice black sand beaches, such as Perissa beach. Mykonos is also great fun, with over 20 sandy beaches and countless great bars to enjoy till the early hours. And there is the sacred island of Delos, which is a short boat ride from Mykonos which is the birthplace of Greek Mythology.

In mainland Greece, you have the magnificent Meteora monasteries. The mountainous terrain of Greece is ideal for trekking, while Mt. Parnassus near Delphi offers opportunities for skiing.

In the north lies the region of Macedonia with Greece's second largest city Thessaloniki, which is absolutely worth a visit. The city has more than 2300 years of history. It was founded by the King Cassander of Macedonia and was named after the sister of Alexander the Great. There are numerous monuments from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times. The archeological museum displays various treasures from the anciend kingdom of Macedonia.

When you plan a trip to Greece try to visit at least the capital Athens, a bit of the Peloponessos and one or two islands. You will then get a general idea of what this fascinating country has to offer.