History, Weather and Food, All in One Vacation? Greece is the Word

Great reasons to visit Greece right now — from marvelous museums to ravishing ruins to idyllic island paradises.

Greece is one of the most beautiful ancient cultures still thriving today — the birthplace of democracy, a trailblazer in science and art. Though you can find little pieces of its history strewn around the world, nothing compares to seeing Athens and standing in awe at the Acropolis, but don’t stop there. There’s much to see all over the country. We’ve outlined some not-to-be-missed itinerary items for those planning to visit Greece in the coming months, but a host of attractions are also available off the beaten path — in every beautiful shop, every conversation with a local, every mouth-watering meal, and every opportunity to take a picture of something beautiful that existed long before cameras were invented.

A Temple Trip

While Greece offers an abundance of captivating ancient architecture, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion must be on your checklist. It’s an easy day trip from Athens, and its beautiful ruins — which date back to the fifth century BC — are situated on a hill overlooking the ocean and are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. One can easily imagine our ancient ancestors gathering here to offer their praises to the god of the sea.

Once on These Islands

The island destinations of Mykonos and Santorini are very popular with LGBT travelers. Mykonos has been considered a gay resort destination since Jackie O. made it chic back in the ‘70s, and today, much of the island’s nightlife and accommodations specifically cater to the gay community. South of Mykonos, Santorini is a less traditionally gay (but still gay friendly) island destination known for its sun-soaked seaside views and its own active volcano. For more information on these and other reasons to visit Greece, see visitgreece.gr.

Read more about Greece in Greece: A Holiday To-Do-List in Christmas Destinations

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