Greece hardly needs an introduction. The myths of the gods and the tales of brave warriors speak to the imagination; images of picture-perfect islands, sun-drenched beaches and sparkling Mediterranean waters entice; world famous archaeological sites – the Acropolis, Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Knossos – simply need to be seen. A perfect summer holiday destination. For romance, head to Santorini, and for nightlife, do Mykonos. Swim in the sea; tan by the pool; stroll around in charming little villages and dine under the starriest of skies. Keep a day or two for Athens, visit a few archaeological sites, and you’re done.

Or not.

Perhaps, there is a little more to Greece? Why, yes!

Countless islands for starters, most of which you’ve never heard of, ranging from the largest, Crete, with rugged mountains, some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, historic towns, forgotten villages and Minoan palaces, to the tiniest, with a few rental rooms, a little chapel or two, and a sea-side tavern serving the catch of the day and garden-grown veggies. Most with beaches, some with hidden little coves perfect for swimming. And then there is the mainland, shockingly rich in nature, culture and history. Walk through gorges and explore the historical stone Zagorohoria villages in the magnificent Pindos mountain range. Head for the Meteora rock formations with centuries-old monasteries dramatically perched on top, several still working today. Come back for holidays in the verdant and mountainous Pelion peninsula and stay in a stunning archontiko in one of its numerous historical villages. Tour the Peloponnese: start in Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece (yes, before Athens); visit Mycenae, the ancient theatre of Epidavros, Ancient Olympia as well as the remains of the Byzantine city of Mystras; travel back in time in the medieval castle rock of Monemvasia; unwind in the Mani region with its tower house villages, and explore the mountains, villages and cliff-hanging monasteries of Arcadia.

• Most major international airports offer direct flights to Athens.
• A short break – a day in Athens and a few days on an easy-to-reach island – will give you a taste of Greece, but count a minimum of a week or 10 days if you see a few things are have some time to relax as well. There’s no upper limit. Getting bored or running out of things to see or do is not an option.
• Greece may not look huge on the map, but don’t underestimate travel time to get from one place to the next. Careful planning is essential. It’s important to not try and cram too much into one trip. Some choices will have to be made (we will help you) and you can always come back for more.
• Many islands have a small airport which cuts down tremendously on travel time, but taking a ferry has its charm too, and is the only way to reach most of the smaller islands. The best way to get around the mainland is by car. Some distance you can cover fast by taking the motorway, but take your time to travel on the secondary and country roads. Self-drive trips are the best, but driver-guides can be arranged too.
• The national language is Greek, but good or basic English is widely spoken. Road signs are written both in the Greek as well as in the Roman alphabet.
• Greek food is healthy, seasonal and fresh. Traditional menus (usually, but not always translated into English) feature salads, nibbles and fried potatoes (!) for starters and cooked and grilled dishes for mains. Main courses tend to be meat or fish, but vegetarians need not despair. There are plenty of vegetarian options among the starters, and no one will frown if you order just that. A sweet or fruits are usually offered, and served before the table is cleared. The Greek way of ordering is 1) more than you can possibly eat, 2) always for the table as a whole, 3) with local wine by the kilo. And it’s all very cheap, except, beware, fish.
• Don't worry about mealtimes. Greek people tend to have their meals late. Showing up for lunch as late as 3:00 or even 4:00 pm is considered perfectly normal and at night restaurants start filling up only after 10:00 pm. But what it boils down to, really, and wonderfully, is that you can have a meal whenever your stomach tells you it’s time. And if you want to have dinner at 6:00 pm but not stand out as a tourist, smile apologetically, and say, “Sorry, I am not too late for lunch I hope?”
• Greece is a very family-friendly country. You will not find a totally organised infrastructure for children, but almost everywhere your little ones will be welcome, no matter how messy, noisy or cranky they are. Most hotels have family and/or interconnecting rooms. One thing to keep in mind is that swimming pools are usually not fenced off or protected, so if you stay somewhere with a pool, you have to always to keep an eye on your little ones.
• There are no critical visa or health considerations for North Americans or Europeans travelling to Greece.