International travel company TUI Group said on Tuesday, that Greek tourism is still strong and called on sector authorities and government officials to focus on maintaining the momentum and tapping into the needs of visitors to the country.

In Tuesday’s statement to the press, the Hannover-based company said the number of bookings to Greece were higher than last year, demonstrating that “Greece continues to be a very popular holiday destination”.

TUI added that despite the referendum and the extensive media coverage of the country, it expects a record number of arrivals in 2015, stressing that 56 percent of tourists visit Greece in the summer months between July and September.

Highlighting the importance of tourism to the Greek economy, the company said it was prepared to deal with the political instability and has since June organized special informative events on the island of Crete to present its program to international media and tour operators.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Off the beaten track alternatives to Rhodes, Corfu and Santorini.

Looking for untouched beauty, seclusion and quiet for your next holiday? There are a whole host of Greek islands overlooked by tourists that make for an off-the-beaten-track island escape in Europe.

Forget the hordes of holidaymakers in Kos and Corfu. These undiscovered hideways offer picturesque harbours, authentic villages and traditional Greek cuisine. Love beaches? The pebbly and sandy stretches on these remote islands are just how you like them: tranquil, unspoilt and totally sun-drenched . There's no shortage of ways to stay active on your Greek island getaway, either, as the nature and wildlife on these islands are just waiting to be explored: think waterfalls, hiking trails with sunset views and thermal springs.

If you're in need of a true island escape in Greece, these are the secret places for you. Folegandros (pictured) boasts sugar-cube whitewashed houses, pristine beaches and one of the most appealing clifftop villages in the Cyclades. In unique Chios, you can observe the beautiful village of Pyrgi, with its buildings finely decorated in grey and white geometric shapes. For those who appreciate a pretty harbour, don't miss Symi. This island has one of the most picturesque harbours in Greece, showing off impeccable architecture, cafes and a slow pace of life, unlike its neighbour Rhodes.

Want to experience the Greek islands without the crowds? Here's where you should go...

Kastellorizo
The pretty island of Kastellorizo, which lies 110km east of Rhodes, has a main town that unfolds around the natural harbour with unique architecture and colourful houses. The island's is home to a cluster of islets and offers a wealth of marine life to discover in its clear blue seas. Around the island you'll find cafes, tavernas and shops. The medieval castle and archaeological and folklore museums are several top attractions to visit when you're not at the beach. As tourism is yet to develop you'll only find a selection of hotels - a good place to experience true Greek island life.

Chios
The lesser-known isle of Chios is a unique gem in the north-eastern area of the Aegean Sea. It is best known for its cultivation and production of mastic, an aromatic resin that comes from trees that grow in the Mastihohoria region and forms in teardrop shapes. Pyrgi is one of the island's most beautiful villages, characterised by the fine decoration of its houses featuring grey and white geometric shapes.

Hydra
One of the most romantic places in Greece, Hydra overlooks the Argosaronic gulf and is home to traditional stone mansions, narrow cobbled streets and secluded squares. Cars are banned so people get around by donkey and its heart is the waterfront, featuring picturesque streets, museums, churches and cafés. Hydra is a popular day trip destination from Athens and its best beaches include Limnioniza, Spiliá and Ayios Nikolaos.

Karpathos
Karpathos is part of the Dodecanese complex and lies east of Crete. It is one of Greece's best-kept secrets, a mountainous island full of fresh water springs, vineyards and pine-tree forests. Karpathos' rock caves are home to Mediterranean monk seals and around the island there are marvellous hiking paths, secluded beaches and pretty villages, such as Othos and Olympos.

Schinoussa
Schinoussa is a small island that lies to the south of Naxos and boasts stony landscape that is both beautiful and unspoilt. It is part of the Minor Cyclades group of islands and has just three villages: Chora, Messaria and Mersini. As the island's port, Mersini, once a hideout for pirates, is a haven for small boats and a popular mooring spot for sailing enthusiasts. While on the island, enjoy hiking to observe the unspoilt natural beauty of the island, discover the 15 idyllic beaches and don't miss a walk through the picturesque village of Chora.

To read more, please visit: TravelAol

The word 'philotimo' only exists in the Greek language. Its direct translation means 'to honour your friend', but its actual meaning in day-to-day life delves much deeper. This video is an incredible description and understanding of this uniquely Greek word.

Housed in one of the more unusual looking buildings in Athens, The Athens War Museum is spread out over four floors and exhibits weapons and memorabilia connected with the Greek Armed Forces.

Few countries have known so much conflict and instability since their creation than Greece.  The Greek War of Independence, The Balkans War, World War's I and II, the Greek Civil War.  For over 140 years, it barely seemed to get a moment's peace.  It's hardly surprising, then, that the Athens War Musum is considered such an important place - and serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles of the past.
 

It's not hard to find - located on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue - closest metro Evangelismos - just look for all the military planes outside, it's pretty hard to miss.  No tanks, however.

Current opening hours are 09:00 - 19:00 in the summer, and until 17:00 in the winer, but closed on  Monday's.  

To read more, please visit: Dave's Travel Pages

In terms of greeness, Athens doesn't even come close to other European capitals with their verdant parks and blossoming gardens. The truth is, modern urban development has not been particularly gentle with this city.  Numerous concrete buildings, along with poor road designs, hem in inhabitants and visitors with featureless views.  Thankfully, there are some oases in the cement desert that offer the hungry local or tourist a lush respite in which to enjoy a meal or drink.

Just behind Parliament lies the Ethnikos Kipos, or National Gardens, the indisputable green heart of the city.  Back in 1836, Queen Amalia had envisaged the Royal Gardens to follow the European models of the era, and so agronomist Frederick Schmidt, director of the gardens for almost 30 years, planted native flora from Cape Sounion and the island of Euboea, as well as many species from abroad that were suited to the Attica climate. Today, the gardens are home to more than 50,000 trees and shrubs and are open to visitors from morning to dusk.  The gardens' cafe sits at the Irodou Attikou entrance, with retro green tables arraying symmetrically in the relaxing shade of the alleyway.  After a morning walk, why not enjoy a cup of Greek coffee?  The menu offers dishes such as tzatziki, octopus stewed in vinegar sauce marinated anchovies and meatballs with potatoes.  It's pretty pricey though - be warned.

A few steps from Syntagma metro, a heavy iron gate stands guard over the former residence of the German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann.  Desinged by none other than the eminent Ernst Ziller, the architect of many of Athens' royal and municipal buildings, the Renaissance-inspired structure was named Iliou Melathron, or Trojan Mansion, in tribute to the owner's passion for the mythical city of Troy (also known as Ilion).  Iliou Melathron is now home to the Numismatic Museum, and the beautiful garden, where Schliemann spent hours planting and tending his trees, still includes many species of of Greek flora, with reproductions of ancient Greek statues peeking through the folige.

To read more, please visit: Culinary Backstreets 

Champagne consumption in Greece jumped by almost a fifth last year, making the troubled country the world’s fastest growing market for bubbly.

Greece’s champagne sales by volume increased by 18pc in 2014, which looks particularly stark compared to the global growth of 0.5pc, according to data from Euromonitor International. 

Consumption in the sparkling wine’s home country of France dropped by 1.9pc, while sales in the UK, champagne’s second biggest market, creeped up by 0.4pc. The disparity was even stronger in 2013, when Greek champagne consumption soared by 56pc and dropped by 0.8pc, 3.4pc and 0.5pc in the world, France and the UK respectively.  The relative size of the markets goes some way to explaining the vastly different growth rates.
 

“It’s not that all the Greeks in the last couple of years decided to go party and forget their troubles,” said Spiros Malandrakis, alcoholic drinks analyst at Euromonitor. “In general, we’re talking about minimal volumes in total. Champagne consumption is still lower than before the crisis.” 

Around 300,000 litres of champagne were drunk in Greece last year, a fraction of the size of France’s 107.2m litres and even the UK’s 20.4m. 

That works out to a per capita consumption rate of roughly 1.7 litres of champagne each year for a French person, a third of a litre (slightly less than half a bottle) for a Briton and a negligible amount per Greek.

To read more, please visit: The Telegraph