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Located in southeastern Europe, Greece is bordered by Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Balkan Peninsula, which constitutes Greece, is surrounded by over a thousand tiny islands, of which less than 200 are inhabited. It is primarily a mountainous country with a major chunk of its landmass perched at over 1,500 m above sea level.
Perhaps no nation in Europe can boast of a more ancient history than Greece. Greece's antiquity dates back to 3000 BC when the powerful Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations flourished here. The evolution of powerful city-states, especially Athens and Sparta, between 800 and 500BC produced the classical age of Athens which was the high point of the Grecian civilization. Under the leadership of Pericles, Athens ushered in an era of prosperity in all spheres: an era when Pericles himself commissioned the Parthenon, Democritus taught the concept of democracy, Sophocles wrote Oedipus Rex, and Socrates taught the intricacies of logic. Later, Alexander's conquest of the city-states was followed by the Roman invasions that began in 205 BC. Greece became a part of the Byzantine Empire in the 4th century AD. This was followed by the Crusades, and by AD 1500, Greece came under Turkish control.
The southern peninsula, the Peloponnesos, is known both for its picturesque scenery and rich history, and is made up of numerious distinct regions (such as Lakonia and Mani) that each have their own distict histories and appearances.
The islands of Greece such as Crete , Rhodes, and the Cyclades are also noted for thier picturesque scenery and rich histories.
In mainland Greece, you have the magnificent Meteora monasteries. The mountainous terrain of Greece is ideal for trekking, while Mt. Parnassus near Delphi offers opportunities for skiing.
In the east, Greece's second biggest city of Thessaloniki is absolutely worth a visit. The city has many monuments most of them dating back to Byzantine times.
When you plan a trip to Greece try to visit at least the capital Athens , a bit of the Peloponessos and one or two islands. You will then get a general idea of what this fascinating country has to offer. Athens is a great city with many interesting street fairs.
The Greek year is a succession of festivals and events, some of which are religious, some cultural, others an excuse for a good knees-up. Gynaikratia on 8 January is a day of role reversal in villages in northern Greece. Women spend the day in kafeneia (cafes) and other social centres where men usually congregate, while the men stay at home to do housework. The Greek carnival season runs through February-March over the three weeks before the beginning of Lent, and features fancy dress, feasting, traditional dancing and general merrymaking. Easter is the most significant festival in Greece, with candle-lit processions, feasting and fireworks displays. Emphasis is placed on the Resurrection rather than on the Crucifixion, so it is a joyous occasion. There are numerous summer festivals across the country, the most famous being the Hellenic Festival (mid-June to late September), which hosts drama and music in ancient theatres.