Greece is a country of southeast Europe on the southern Balkan Peninsula including numerous islands in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Ionian seas. Settled by Achaeans, Aeolians, Ionians, Minoans, and Dorians by 1000 B.C., the region grew as an amalgam of independent city-states, many of which established colonies throughout the Mediterranean by the eighth century B.C. Classical Greek culture, centered around Athens, reached a high point in the fifth century B.C. before being conquered by Philip II of Macedon in 338 B.C. The area was later controlled by the Roman and Byzantine Empires before being absorbed into the Ottoman Empire (1456). In 1821, Greece gained its independence and established a constitutional monarchy. The king was deposed following a military coup in April 21st 1967, and a democratic republic was established in 1974. Athens is the capital and the largest city. Population: 11,000,000.
ATHENS
Is the capital and the largest city of Greece. In the fifth century B.C., during the time of Pericles, Athens was at the height of its cultural achievements and the Imperial Power. Athens became the capital of modern Greece, two years after its independence from Turkey, in 1834. Population: 762,000.
PELOPONNESE TOURS
The area of Peloponnese, hides amazing scenery, culture and history. You will discover Ancient Corinth and The Canal, Acro-Corinth, Nemea, Mycenae, Nafplion, The theater of Epidaurus, Ancient Sparta & The Byzantine Fortified Castle of Mystras, Ancient Olympia, The temple of Epicurius Apollo in Vasse, Mount Taygetus, Lousios Gorge, The Caves of Diros, Monemvasia, Pylos, Methone, and much more! Peloponnese, is almost an island but not quite. It is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. It is full of historic sites and ancient ruins. Its seas are of the bluest blue. Its villages are pearl white jewels hidden by flowers and trees. Its landscapes are breathtaking. It is Peloponnese. There are many sites you can visit on a one day excursion basis. Some of the sites you can visit in Peloponnese are: Ancient Corinth and The Canal, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Mycenae, Nemea, Ancient Sparta & The Byzantine Fortified Castle of Mystras, The Cave of The Lakes-Kastria and Lousios Gorge.
If you like outdoor activities then I highly recommend the two day tour to Olympia and Lousios Gorge – a beautiful combination of history and nature. For those that like to go hiking Lousios Gorge is a great place. A five kilometer gorge with several hiking trails, and a very good bridge crossing Lousios river. You can walk from one village to another following a dirt road through the mountains in beautiful scenery that even has some small waterfalls. The Lousios river is where Zeus used to bath himself, in the spectacular densely vegetated gorge and in the river’s crystal clear waters.
NORTHERN GREECE
Macedonia pertains to the Greek history and culture for 4,000 years. Around the middle of the 4th century B.C. Macedonia became the leading power of the Greek World thanks to King Philip II, who declared himself the Leader of a Greek Confederacy. His dream of a Pan Hellenic expedition against the Persians was destined to come true by his son, Alexander the Great, who took his army to the banks of Indos River. Greek art is thus expanded to the depths of East and is assimilated by local populations along with the memory of Alexander. The Great King shall survive through legends until the middle Ages and the European Renaissance. Sites that you can visit are: The Oracle of Delphi, Thermopylae, Chaeronia, Livadia, Thebes, Monasteries of Meteora, Thessaloniki, Vergina, Volos, Pelion, Dion, Mountain Olympus, Philippi, Kavala.