You can find beautiful settings that can soothe your soul, and centuries of art and history to invigorate your mind. It’s very likely you’ll be as charmed by the Greek people as you are by their landscape. When traveling to Greece on a luxury cruise you will enhance your vacation two-fold. First, your luxury Greek cruise will offer 6 star food and service with individuals of common interests. Second, Greece will stimulate your senses the minute you step on land. Your luxury Greek cruise ship will be your floating resort with the option of visiting many of the Greek Islands.

History

The impact of ancient Greece on the Western world can’t be overstated. The rediscovery of Greek classics of philosophy, science and literature in the 14th and 15th centuries had a profound influence on the development of Western thought, leading Europe into the Renaissance. The effects of those revelations are still with us today. The notion of democracy, the concept of the atom, the image of the Earth as round, the scientific method itself—all these and more had their birth in the writings of ancient Greece.

Though its recorded history goes back thousands of years, modern-day Greece was largely shaped by the past several centuries. The Ottoman Empire took control of Greece in the 15th century and governed until 1821, when the war of independence began. A monarchy, installed in 1832 under Prince Otto of Bavaria, was abolished and reinstated twice during the 20th century. A military junta took power in 1967, but was booted out in 1974. That year, the nation finally returned to democracy, a concept that was born there two and a half millennia earlier.

The following years brought a period of political stability and economic development. Greece obtained full membership in the European Union in 1981, and replaced the drachma with the euro in 2002. In 2004, Greece hosted a very successful Olympic Games, without any of the security or other problems that were feared. The success of the games seems to be having a beneficial effect on the economy and tourism. The long-term conflict with Turkey over Cyprus is also much smoother now, as Turkey wishes to join the EU. Before it can do so, a resolution to the island’s division must be found.

Geography

The landscape of Greece is surprisingly varied, ranging from the cool, wet mountain regions of the northwest and the coastal hills of the Peloponnese, to the plains of Macedonia and the sun-drenched, rocky islands that lie in three different seas off the coast. Off the western coast, in the Ionian Sea, are the Ionian Islands of Cephalonia, Corfu, Ithaca, Lefkada, Paxi and Zakinthos, plus distant Kythira, which lies at the foot of the Peloponnese. Islands off the eastern coast, in the Aegean, include the Dodecanese islands of Kalimnos, Kos, Patmos, Rhodes and Symi; the Cyclades, a group of 220 islands, includes Paros, Delos, Ios, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini, Siros and Tinos; the Sporades islands of Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros; and the large islands of Samos, Ikaria, Chios, Lesbos, Limnos and Samothrace. South from Athens are the Argo-Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros, Spetses and Hydra. The island of Crete, which boasts the warmest weather in Greece, lies far to the south, in the Mediterranean—it’s Europe’s southernmost border.Greece’s main attractions include beaches, historic sites, modern and ancient culture, striking scenery, spas, islands, cave exploration, charming people, casinos, yachting and shopping, food and nightlife.

Conclusion

Nearly everyone will love Greece. It’s a relatively inexpensive destination with diverse attractions. The country will especially appeal to travelers who enjoy history, philosophy, sailing, beaches and quaint villages. Don’t expect lush tropical scenery around the beaches (Greece is quite arid) or a wide variety of international foods, although the offerings have improved considerably in Athens and other primary tourist centers.