6 Things To Do On A Family Vacation In Greece

Greece is one of the most beautiful regions in the world.  Steeped in rich history, there is so much to see, do and learn. Greece is made up of the mainland and thousands of islands and islets, 227 of which are inhabited. Art, culture, food, and archelogy are plentiful, which means that everyone in your party will find something to enjoy! Check out our ‘must dos’ below.

1. Go Island Hopping

With literally hundreds of options, you’ll never be bored of exploring! The best way to get around is by boat. There are amazing Lefkas boat rentals with 12 Knots so you can speed through the seas in style. You can choose to have the boat on its own or with a crew so you can have as little or as much control as you want. The top five most popular to visit are Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Crete and Zakynthos. 

2. Visit The Acropolis

 

Athens’s stunning Acropolis is home to incredible architecture, temples, and the towering Parthenon. Made up of marble that glistens in the sunlight, the monuments are breathtaking and a must-see for history buffs and children who are eager to be educated on history.

3. Sun Yourself In Santorini

Not only one of the most famous of the Greek isles, Santorini is also saturated with some of the most Insta-worthy locations in the Aegean Sea. The island itself has been shaped by a volcanic eruption over 3000 years ago. This offered the island the basis to build the signature cliffside white buildings with domed roofs.  Nothing screams picture-postcard perfect more than the tiny, cobbled streets with views of the stunning blue ocean, surrounded by white and blue houses – perfect for a cocktail hour!

4. Learn About Greek Mythology At Mount Olympus

The home of Zeus and other popular Greek Gods, Olympus towers 2917 above sea level. Trekking to the top may be difficult with kids, but there is plenty to see and do near the base.  If your family are keen swimmers or you just want to reconnect with nature, a visit to the Orlias Waterfalls near Litohoro – perfect for a sun-drenched splash spot. There’s also the archaeological park and museum in Dion if you’re more interested in learning about the incredible history of the area.

5. Play Make-Believe At The Epidaurus Theatre 

If your kids love the theatre and being creative, take them to the Epidaurus Theatre in Argolis. They can let their imaginations run wild as they put on shows to a pretend crowd. If they love mythology, they can recreate some of the most famous stories such as Hercules, Clash of the Titans, and Icarus. Ten points for the most convincing Minotaur impression!

6. Take A Ride At The Melissani Cave

Hop over to the island of Kefalonia and head over to the beautiful Melissani Cave. Stretching out of 4km, the craggy rocks are home to the Melissani lake, which can be explored by boat. Settle in and let your guide explain the history of the cave and how it got its namesake from the water Nymph Melissani.

Will you be visiting Greece this summer? Drop us a comment with your bucket list destination!

Travel Planning To Greece (Guest Post)

Planning for your next vacation can be both a fun and stressful time, especially if you are planning on visiting a new country. Perhaps you are bored of the countryside back home or the standard beach holidays in the U.S.?. Maybe you want to find something new and exciting such as some mykonos vacation rental, or the temples of Athens, but you are not sure where to start or how you would even navigate around a new country.

For this piece, we are going to look at Greece as a destination for new visitors. Perhaps some returning visitors will also find it useful. We have come up with some facts about the country that can help you, along with some of the most popular destinations. Also, you will find out how you can get to them and what there is to see in each location. We will focus on the most popular destinations and with this, you can make some detailed and informative travel plans for yourself.

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Some facts and figures:

The national language of Greece is Greek, with many areas having their own regional dialects. These are only spoken and not written dialects, however, in more popular tourist locations you will be able to find information, guides and tours in an abundance of languages with English being the most predominant.

The country has over 2,000 islands off the coast of Greece. Many of these islands are uninhabited, and even fewer are visited by tourist but in this location.  You can find an abundance of water and outdoor activities, along with plenty more activities to that can take place on the beach or on the mainland within the national parks.

Some 98% of the population say that they are Orthodox Christia, and this influence you will see in the architecture, conversations, and politics of the country.

Transport and accommodation are readily available in the tourist areas of the country. This can range from a basic hostel room to 5-star resorts and villas depending on the location and your budget. Athens acts as the main transport hub and we will talk about that next.

Athens:

Besides the islands of Greece, Athens is the most popular destination for visitors in Greece.  It is the place you will most likely disembark from international, and most national flights. Athens can be used as the transport base or the rest of the country or can be the sole destination that you visit, as it has a lot to offer.

It is both the largest city and the capital of the country. Athens has plenty to offer any visitor to the city. It is very modern and has everything a major city has to offer from accommodations to local and international cuisine, and more.
From Athens, you can take day trips to surrounding areas such as Cape Sounion, the home of the temple of Poseidon, and Acropolis, the ancient seat of Greek power. The city has done a great job of preserving its ancient history and developing a modern city.

Transport to the island or the mountainous north can be easily organized as part of a tour or individually depending on your time and organizational skills. Some of the islands can also be reached from the airport in Athens.

The islands of Greece:

As stated earlier, most of the islands can be reached by ferries which disembark from ports along the Greek coast, while some of the larger islands can be reached by plane or once on the island, by internal ferries.

Crete: 

This is the biggest of all the islands, and is reached by both boat and ferry. Most popular for its beaches and nightlife, you will find plenty to keep you occupied. Water sports varying from fishing to diving can be organized from the island as well as trips to other islands. Many posts recommend anything from one to two weeks on the island, depending on your interests. Other popular activities include checking out the many museums on the island, and the hiking trails that criss-cross the island.

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Rhodes:

Probably most famous for its history and as being the home to the statue of Rhodes, this island caters more for the history buffs among you who also enjoy the sun all year. The medieval city and the museums are the most popular destinations.

Following this, you can search the cobbled streets for some local cuisine and wine with each island having their own special blends and flavors. With influences of Roman, Greek and Byzantine history, or those wanting to relax and unwind with the more tranquil island experience, this I the island for you. Rhodes is most easily accessed by ferry with daily departures.

Mykonos:

A beach and nightlife haven, Mykonos is an ever the prime destination for those who want to have the more popular Mediterranean experience of lazy beach days, and exciting nightlife opportunities. With countless beaches and inlets to discover, you can spend a few weeks here on a different beachs and secluded areas.

Be sure to check out the windmills and local food tours, which are some of the most popular activities to get up to on the island. This island is best reached by ferry.

We hope some of the information we have provided helps you with your travel planning and first visit to Greece. It will more than likely not be your last!