Traveling in Greece with a friend, relative, or love who adores traveling with you - but just not to the same kind of places? Keep the peace with these great locations in Greece that combine endless opportunities for self-indulgence at the same time providing plenty of opportunities for guilt-relieving cultural explorations.
1. Matala and the Mesara Plain on the island of Crete
You'll love it or hate it - the funky beachtown atmosphere of Matala on Crete's wild southern coast allows for no neutral reactions. But this town has been a celebrity-magnet for millenia - hosting Zeus and Europa, Helen of Troy and Paris, and, in the 1960s, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and other musical luminaries. Nearby, there's the best palace on Crete, Phaistos, the vast Roman city of Gortyn, excavations at one of the world's oldest ports at Kommos, Byzantine art, and some great nude beaches.
2. The Island of Rhodes
The wild, party-hearty northern coast gets so out of hand, Greek authorities are cracking down. Yet this same island offers the medieval walled city of Rhodes, the beautifully preserved town and temple of Lindos, and, for nature lovers, the Valley of the Butterflies. Throw in a burgeoning selection of wineries offering tastings and the naturally beautiful countryside, and this is an island that truly has something for everyone. Hint: Rent a car.3. Loutraki and Corinth
Photo of Corinth, Greece © deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com
Local mineral-water baths are inexpensive indulgences at Loutraki, which offers a long promenade by the sea along with the largest casino in Europe, the Loutraki Club. Nearby, you can visit the ancient city of Corinth, its excellent museum, climb around the mountaintop stronghold, stop by Isthmia, and visit Cenchreae Beach where Apuleius had an epiphany and St. Paul paused in his preachings. Oh, and there's the Corinth Canal just for good measure.
4. Delphi and Mount Parnassus
Photo of Delphi, Greece © deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com
Any time of year, Delphi is beautiful - under snow in winter, even under the weight of tourists in summer. Its magic still shines through, offering a great archaeological site and museum along with terrific shopping. Local villages such as Arachova expand the possibility horizons, and down on the coast is the port town of Itea; toward the end of the Greek ski season, there will always be a few show-off souls who go skiing on Mt. Parnassus in the morning, then go swimming at Itea in the afternoon.
5. Mykonos and Delos
Photo of Delos, Greece © deTraci Regula; licensed to About.com
This pair of Cycladic islands offers a perky nightlife, perpetual beach parties, and the sedate, glistening archaeological preserve of Delos, reached by a short boat ride. If the developed "Tourist" side of the island of Mykonos gets too much for you, retreat to the eastern side, where Greek life still continues at a much slower pace, and an alleged 365 chapels dot the countryside.
