METEORA MONASTERIES The MetĂŠora included on the UNESCO World Heritage "suspended in the air" is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, near the Pinios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. 1. The Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron the largest of the monasteries erected in the mid-14th century and was the subject of restoration and embellishment projects in 1483 and 1552. The building serves as the main museum for tourists. 2. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam the second largest monastery in the MetĂŠora complex. It was built in 1541 and embellished in 1548. 3. The Holy Monastery of Rousanou/St. Barbara was founded in the middle of 16th century and decorated in 1560. 4. The Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapausas, built in the 16th century, is a small church. It was decorated by the Cretan painter Theophanis Strelitzas, in 1527. 5. The Holy Monastery of St. Stephen is a small church built in the 16th century and decorated in 1545. This monastery rests on the plain rather than on a cliff. It was damaged by the Nazis during World War II who believed it was harboring insurgents and was abandoned. 6. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity is on top of the cliffs. It was built in 1475 and was remodeled many times in 1684, 1689, 1692, 1741.
MOUNT ATHOS (AUTONOMUS MONASTIC STATE) Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. A World Heritage Site and autonomous polity in the Hellenic Republic, Athos is home to 20 stavropegial Eastern Orthodox monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the patriarch of Constantinople. Today Greeks commonly refer to Mount Athos as the "Holy Mountain The Mount Athos (height 2.033m.) in full blossom and imposing emerges with dignity from the Northern Aegean Sea. The visitor has the unique to experience a different kind of life in the Monastic State of Mount Athos. The imposing historical Monasteries, the marvelous cells built in caves or pendulous over rocks, castles, cupolas and campaniles have been standing on the edge of the mountains for more than thousand years. In this ark of Orthodoxy, everything follows a different rhythm of life: the habits, the philosophy and the thoughts, the landscape, the nature, the calendar (the Julian one), the time (the Byzantine ceremonial is still followed), the terminology, the food, the greeting, even the animals! Wherever the visitors goes, he will be fascinated by the beauty of nature and the idyllic landscapes, which he can explore by following the mountains paths.
ATHENS Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history of 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state. A centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum it is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries BC in later centuries on the rest of the then known European continent Today a cosmopolitan metropolis, modern Athens is central to economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece The heritage of the classical era is still evident in the city, represented by ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous of all being the Parthenon, considered a key landmark of early Western civilization. The city also retains Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of Ottoman monuments. Athens is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Acropolis of Athens and the medieval Daphni Monastery. Landmarks of the modern era, dating back to the establishment of Athens as the capital of the independent Greek state in 1834, include the Hellenic Parliament (19th century) and the Athens Trilogy, consisting of the National Library of Greece, the Athens University and the Academy of Athens. Athens was the host city of the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896, and 108 years later it welcomed home the 2004 Summer Olympics. Athens is home to the National Archeological Museum, featuring the world's largest collection of ancient Greek antiquities, as well as the new Acropolis Museum.
FAMOUS GREEK ISLANDS (over 3000 ) Santorini
is the diamond of the Greek Islands. Its white sculptured villages are nestled atop steep volcanic cliffs that fall sharply to the deep blue Aegean Sea. Santorini is a paradise for shoppers, photographers, artists, hikers or anyone who just wants to sit at a cafe and soak up the sun and magic of the Greek Islands.
Crete
is the largest and most varied of the Greek Islands. It is 173 miles long east to west and as narrow as 5 to 30 miles north to south. In the west, it is covered with lush evergreens, while at the east, Crete is more arid and even hosts palm groves at Vai. There are beaches, resorts, hotels, apartments, archeological sites and ancient cities around the island. The interior is home to high mountain peaks and is popular with climbers and hikers. If you are looking for more than a beach holiday, Crete may be the best choice for you.
Rhodes
is located within eyesight of the Turkish coast and its capital Rodos - Rhodos remains a blend of Turkish and Crusador influences. The Old Hospital of the Knights (above) is a good example of the cut stone buildings that make Rodos one the most beautiful medieval cities in the world and one of the most urbane and delightful cities on the Greek Islands
Corfu Town is the charming capital of Corfu. At times you
may wonder if you are in Greek Islands or Italy. Corfu, the island of endless natural beauty, the island of song and music,of unending inspiration, a combination of the cosmopolitan and the traditional. The island will leave the visitor with unforgettable memories, excite him with unparalleled images and touch chords in his soul as he pays homage to the culture of the seven islands this place which has been so generously blessed by God and which has been written about by so many illustrious writers and poets.
Some others : PATMOS-CEFALONIA-ZAKINTHOS-LESVOS-KOS-PAROSMYKONOS-SKIATHOS-SKOPELOS-LEFKADA-MILOS-SIROS-
MACEDONIAN CIVILIZATION PELLA The city was founded by Archelaus Α΄(413-399 BC) Later, it was destroyed by an earthquake and eventually was rebuilt over its ruins. At the beginning of the 4th century BC was the largest city in Macedonia.Ancient Pella is located near the modern capital of Macedonia and is a huge excavated area where visitors could see the planning system, the palace, market, shrines, public buildings, cemeteries, etc.
EDESSA Edessa is city in Central Macedonia of Greece, capital of the homonymous province and the prefecture of Pella. The city is famous for its waterfalls formed by the river Edessian or Voda flowing through the city. It is the largest in Greece. Previously, the waterfalls were 6-7, but today still 2 large and some smaller. The venue is accessible by stairs leading to different viewpoints and even below the waterfall. The water of the waterfall descends from the sources of wetland Agra-Vrytton-Nisi which is fed by the snows of Kaimaktsalan
VERGINA
Vergina town became internationally famous in 1977, when the Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos unearthed the burial site of the kings of Macedon, including the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The finds established the site as the ancient Aigai . The museum, which was inaugurated in 1993, was built in a way to protect the tombs, exhibit the artifacts and show the tumulus as it was before the excavations. Inside the museum there are four tombs and one small temple, the heroon built as the temple for the great tomb of Philip II of Macedon.
DELFI (The Navel of the World) Welcome to “The Navel of the World”, to Delphi. One of the most important tourist destinations in the world which every year attracts more than 2.000.000 visitors. An historic place which has been announced by UNESCO as a place of Worldwide Cultural Heritage. Delphic history dates back to the 14th century B.C. and Delphi area has been acknowledged as a place of remarkable positive energy, which in the lapse of times has given the opportunity for the initiation of big and important events. A characteristic example of this is that of the prophesy of the Delphi Oracle and its priestess Pythia, which led to the initiation of the Olympic Games. Delphi, home of the sanctuary of god Apollo extends over successive terraces on the lower slopes of Mt Parnassos, in a stunning location surrounded by towering crags, the Phaedrades Rocks, and with the gulf of Itea as its backdrop. The Archaeological Museum holds masterpieces of worldwide splendour. The famous bronze statue of “The Charioteer of Delphi”, the “Sphinx of the Naxians”, the archaic Kouroi “Kleovis and Biton”, found in the remains of Delphi, are dominant and represent art on its best. Delphi is a place of incomparable natural beauty, which due to its grace has been characterized as protected “Delphic Site”. Together with the settlement of Chrisso, they are the twin traditional urban cells, which make up the Municipality of Delphi. The area, also, involves the greatest part of the National Woods of Parnassos, a virgin wood complex, which is protected as national heritage and is one of the best places for recreation, exercise and relaxation. Delphi is characterized by its marvelous Mediterranean climate.
THESSALONIKI (the land of Alexander the Great) Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece Built near the sea (at the back of the Therma誰kos Gulf), it is a modern metropolis with stormy history it a special beauty and charm. Archaeological sites The ancient forum (dated to the late 2nd or the early 3rd century AD) the palace complex of Galerius Maximianus (4th c. AD), the thermae, the hippodrome, the temples and other The Triumphal Arch of Galerius (The Rotunda Kamara), built in AD 305 to commemorate the Roman Empire. The churche of Acheiropoietos (5th century )the Holy Wisdom of God (Hagia Sophia) the Panaghia (Virgin) Chalkeon (1028), Hosios David (12th century), Vlatadon monastery a 14th century Ayios Demetrios a splendid basilica dedicated to the patron saint protector of the city, etc. The byzantine walls of the city The Heptapyrgion castle was raised in stages, from the early years of the Byzantine Age into the Ottoman period Amazing Ottoman monument The White Tower (15th century), the hallmark of the city The Mosques of the Hamza Bey Cami (15th century), the Aladja Imaret Cami (1484) and the Yeni Cami (1902). The Old City (Ano Polis), in which many notable examples of Ottoman and traditional Macedonian architecture still stand, The historical quarter of the Ladadika. Museums the Archaelogical Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Teloglion Foundation of Art, the Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum, e. t. c