| Top Ten Destinations of Greece | |
6. Ancient Theater of Epidaurus
A relatively easy drive from Athens, the site of Epidaurus on the Peloponnese Peninsula is worth a special trip. The Theatre, functional enough for plays to be regularly presented during the summer, has unbelievable acoustics. On your way, there's a great little village bakery/liquor store in Adami.
7. Mycenae
Combine this Peloponnesian stop with your trip to Epidaurus. This Mycenean fortress provided much of the gold now displayed at the National Archaeological Museum, and is a fascinating place, with gargantuan walls, cylindrical tomb shafts, and the double-lion gate. Wear good shoes and watch your step - the ramp leading to the gate was made steep to permit easy defense of the palace from marauders, and tourists still qualify. The snack bar has been known to run out of water on hot days...bring your own for this hot, dusty, but intriguing site.
8. Crete
The big island of Crete is like a separate nation within Greece, with a bit of everything, from party-hearty beach towns like Mallia (practically on top of the remains of the Minoan palace) to the sophisticated, expensive little city of Agios Nikolaos, or the natural wonders of the Samaria Gorge and the "real Crete" city of Chania. The interior is filled with steep mountains, obscure villages, the windmill-jammed Lassithi Plain, and some challenging roads. The southern coast is wilder, with some great retreat spots. Don't trust the maps - roads are much wigglier, often high-altitude, when you meet them in person. Exception: the north coast road from Iraklio to points east is freeway-wide and quick. Read more below...
9. Crete - Knossos
Irresistible, labyrinthine reconstruction of a destroyed Minoan palace from the time when King Minos ruled the Aegean and the mainland Greeks paid tribute, long before the Golden Age of Greece. Disorienting, easy to get lost in even today, with a mystery around every corner. It seems strange to be able to just hop on a public bus to get to this ancient, enigmatical place, but the Number 2 Knossos bus from downtown Iraklion does just that. Definitely not a retreat from the citreat from the city, Iraklio has grown up around it and it's approached by a busy, narrow road. Once inside the Cretan landscape visible from the palace looks untouched since ancient times.
10. Island of Hydra
Easy hydrofoil access from Athens makes this sophisticated little island, which bans vehicle traffic, a local version of Mykonos - with the shopping, without the nude beaches. It boasts a charming harbor, nice church architecture, fun shops, and pricey but generally good quality tavernas. Feel like a day's pilgrimage? Walk to the monastery above and behind the town... making sure that, whether you're a man or a woman, you have something to cover those illicit bare arms and legs once you arrive.
Back to Page One > Top Ten Destinations > Page 1, 2
