Greece Today: Safe, Affordable And More Beautiful Than Ever

A great, positive opinion piece by the Huffington Post.

I was in Greece last week and experienced a country completely different to what was being portrayed on TV, amazed at how political and economic considerations could color the news so darkly.  The fear-mongering did not work and Greeks voted overwhelmingly to say No to Europe's impossible demands.

My findings: the Greek people, known for their 'philoxenia' or 'hospitality,' continue to be as warm and inviting as they always have been.  Greece has among the largest percentage of repeat visitors in the world and, in the first quarter of 2015, North American visits were up 54%.  I say: Now is the best time to travel to Greece.  Greece today is safe, affordable - and more beautiful than ever.

Most of us have images of Greece in our minds that range from the Acropolis in Athens to the Islands - more than 3,000 of them.  For the past two decades Santorini and Mykonos have consistently won the awards for 'best island' in both the Europe and Overall categories.  But Greece is that much and more - our visit inclued Athens, the incredible Isle of Evia, and the majestic mountain region of Karpenisi.

I arranged to visit Greece the week leading up to its historic Referendum.  Although I have lived in Europe for several years and written about Greece and Greek-Americans, this was my first visit there.  What I was not prepared for was both the warmth of its people and the sunlights - different than any I have experienced anywhere in my travels.

Over three hundered days of sunshine explains why so many activities are enjoyed outdoors.  The temperate climate allows for the freedom of walking around and exploring at all hours of the day and night.  A Mediterranean Vancouver.

The Acropolis in Athens with its Parthenon is even grander than imagined.  Literally meaning the 'highest spot in the city,' it soars about the capital and must have stunned early visitors thousands of years ago.  This ancient citadel, located on a high rocky outcrop above the city, features a soaring modern museum at its base.
 

The Island of Evia on the Mediterranean in central greece was also an absolute delight.  Starting in the capital - Kalkida, we journeyed south for skin and SCUBA diving, and then north for the hot springs, enjoying incredible, fresh cuisine from the garden and sea from one end of the long island to the other.  To the sound in Limionas, our group explored the breathtaking underwater Purple Caves, followed by lunch in a traditional Greek taverna.

To read more, please visit: The Huffington Post

by Jim Luce