Why Greece?
WHY GREECE?
I get asked this so many times. Why Greece? Why do I go to Greece so often? What’s so special about Greece?
And then I get started…
THE PEOPLE
Φιλοξενία (filoxenia) translates to friend a stranger. But for Greeks it holds a far greater cultural significance. The generous practice of welcoming and looking after strangers, originates back to Ancient Greece. Zeus, king of the Gods on Mount Olympus was also know as Zeus Xenios, the patron of hospitality and guests, avenger of wrongs done to guests. To the Ancient Greeks, hospitality was a high-ranking virtue.
So I guess the kind-heartedness and the warm welcoming you receive is in the Greek DNA.
THE HISTORY
As you come into Athens, there perched high above the city is the Parthenon. It is quite overwhelming seeing it for the first time. Looking over Athens like a protective beacon it holds so much history. It has seen so many wars, occupations, fires, destructions and peace. So many people - ancient politicians, playwrights and philosophers - have made history on the majestic marble and limestone steps. In modern times, the world’s biggest dictators, movie stars, fashion designers and peacekeepers have followed in their footsteps.
But there is so much more to Greece than just the Parthenon. Everywhere you go you, everywhere you look there is history.
To the north, you will find the beautiful city of Thessaloniki, which for several centuries was the second-most important city of the Byzantium. In Thessaloniki and its outskirts there are 15 monuments that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here you will find many notable Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Jewish structures, showcasing what a cultural melting pot this great city was - and to some extent - still is.
To the south you will find Delphi, the site of the the mystical oracle (Pythia) who, in ancient times, was consulted about all the most important decisions. Who to marry, who to battle, who to vote for - everyone went to Delphi. It is why it was called the ‘navel’ (centre) of the universe.
A three hour drive south through the Greek countryside and you will find Olympia - the birthplace of the Olympic Games. You too can run through the arena, which dates back to 776BC.
Two hours east and you will reach the site of the Ancient Mycenae, which was once ruled by the famed King Agamemnon, made famous by Homer’s Iliad. There, you can admire the Lion’s Gate - the only known monument from the Bronze Age of Greece. Perched upon a hill which seems eerily out-of-place, one can only imagine what life would have been like in 1600BC.
While all these places are definitely worth a visit - you will find ruins and antiquities in almost every town and every city in Greece.
THE WEATHER
Athens has 350 days of sunshine per year. Yes, you read right - 350! It means only 15 days of rain. Imagine - a whole summer of beautiful weather. Hard to believe when you live in Melbourne!
When I think of Greece’s weather, I think of balmy evenings sitting outside a family-run tavern eating fried zucchini and sipping rosè, or laying on a sunbed by the sea. I never have to worry about the summer weather in Greece, or the Mediterranean as a whole, because it’s always amazing.
THE ISLANDS
There are 6000 islands in Greece, of which 227 are inhabited. These islands are amongst the most picturesque and unique in the world - they are world renowned for their beauty.
On the west side of Greece you have the Ionian Islands - Corfu (Kerkyra), Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Ithaki, Paxos (Paxi), Kythira (although a lot further down) are known as the Eptanisa (Seven Islands).
The waters here are the most crystal-clear, turquoise blue I have ever seen. Along with the lush vegetation, colourful buildings and fresh produce, these islands are the perfect holiday destination. There are many more smaller islands in the Ionian like Antipaxi, Othoni and Meganisi - these are growing to become more popular with tourists as well.
On the east side of Greece you have the Aegean Islands - the deep blue seas juxtaposed against the whitewashed, sugar-cube houses make these islands famous around the world.
The Aegean Islands comprise of seven groups: the North Aegean, the West Aegean, the Sporades (of Mama Mia fame), the Cyclades (Mykonos and Santorini to name the most famous), the Saronic (Hydra - one of my faves), the Dodecanese Islands (Rhodes), and Crete.
Both the Ionian and Aegean offer their own beautiful landscape.
THE FOOD
You cannot think of Greece without thinking of the food. This is the homeland of the souvlaki, dolmades, tzatziki, feta, yoghurt and honey, Kalamata olives, taramosalata. Frappè instead of latte. Dinner at midnight. Breakfast comprising of cakes and pastries - bougatsa and tiropita to name my favourites. Where you’re likely to find spanakopita and koulouria on the menus of the finest restaurants and sold on the side of the street. Greece is where the streets smell of oregano and lemon, roast isn’t reserved for Sunday and there are zaharoplastias (sweet shops) on every corner. Produce is picked from the back garden and the calamari, the octopus and the fresh fish come straight off the boat.
HOME
I can’t describe the feeling I have when my plane lands in Greece. I hear everyone speaking Greek, the yiayia’s (grandmothers) cooing over their grandchildren, kids running through the airport, the priests in flowing robes chatting by the baggage carousel. I feel like home. I feel my parents, my grandparents, my family, my roots, my history. I feel Greek. Although I have lived in Australia for over 45 years as soon as I arrive in Greece I feel come home.
I could easily list another 20 reasons I visit Greece but what fun would that be - you need to discover Greece for yourself!
