Every yr, hundreds of travellers from everywhere in the world flock to Greece every summer season searching for solar, sand, and journey – and why wouldn’t you? With its idyllic islands, historical historical past, and mouthwatering delicacies, a vacation to Greece guarantees enjoyable experiences and unforgettable recollections.
But whereas glittering sandy seashores, countless turquoise water, and winding streets guarded by white-washed, blue-domed buildings is likely to be a number of the first issues that come to thoughts when picturing the Mediterranean nation, Greece is definitely a lot greater than that with its roots in world significance going again centuries.
Whether you’re captivated by the attractive language, transfixed by tales of gods and their heroics, or fascinated by the ruins of sacred locations, we’ve put collectively a listing of the 11 issues this magical nation is thought for thus you’ll be able to cease researching Greece and truly begin experiencing it.
1. Democracy
Leading the best way when it got here to self-rule authorities within the historical world, the Greeks have been the primary ones to create a democracy and used bits of damaged pottery as voting ballots when electing new representatives. Developing within the fifth century BC in Athens, democracy gave a voice to the individuals and demonstrated that peace could possibly be achieved when transferring energy and that there was no want for violent uprisings or revolutions.
Invented by a person named Cleisthenes (often known as “The Father of Democracy”), democracy enabled true residents of Athens to vote on issues reminiscent of passing legal guidelines and authorities representatives. And whereas the trendy thought of democracy appears a bit totally different, now we have the traditional Greeks to thank for the ordered and honest method most nations are dominated by right this moment.
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2. Cuisine
Some individuals journey to Greece purely for its conventional meals, and with good motive. Greek delicacies takes its influences from the remainder of the Mediterranean with meals that closely characteristic seafood, grilled meats, cheese, contemporary greens, olives, and olive oil. Considered to be a reasonably wholesome and easy method of consuming, historical Greeks ate by means of the seasons, counting on bread dipped in olive oil, beans, and different greens to maintain them all year long.
Nowadays, Greek meals has diversified and might be loved all yr spherical. Some standard dishes embrace gyro (meat and greens topped with tzatziki and wrapped in pita bread), kleftiko (a lamb dish served with greens), keftedes (seasoned meatballs), saganaki (pan-fried or grilled cheese), and spanakopita (savoury pastry crammed with feta cheese and onions).
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3. Philosophy
While many historical Greeks believed the world was created by the gods, it wasn’t till the sixth Century BCE {that a} new line of considering was urged and circulated, and the time period “philosophy” was born. Philosophy centered round considering with motive on a variety of matters together with astrology, politics, arithmetic, and ethics.
Greece had many well-known philosophers through the years and stay a number of the most influential figures in philosophy and science to this present day, serving to to create fashionable civilization as we now understand it. These well-known philosophers embrace Pythagoras of Samos (the inventor of the Pythagorean Theorem), Socrates (a founding father of philosophy), Plato (Socrates’ scholar), Aristotle (trainer of Alexander the Great), and Democritus (an advocate for liberty and equality).
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4. The Greek Islands
We can’t make a listing of the issues Greece is most recognized for and never embrace its breathtaking islands. Featured on postcards, journey blogs, and Instagram profiles the world over, Greece’s islands are really one thing else.
Whether you fancy swimming by crystal-clear water, exploring secluded seashores, having fun with a cocktail or two whereas watching the sundown or wandering by historical cities filled with fascinating historical past, the Greek Islands have a bit one thing for everybody.
If you don’t thoughts sharing the unbelievable surroundings of Greece’s hottest islands with hundreds of different travellers then it’s a must to go to Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete. But, if a slower-paced, laidback island vibe is extra your factor, journey across the smaller and fewer populated islands of Paros, Milos, and Thasos.
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5. Mythology
If you grew up watching Disney’s 1997 animated movie Hercules like everybody else did, then you definately’ll perceive how fascinating the tales of Greek mythology are. Depicting gods, goddesses, and on a regular basis heroes in battle, performing rituals, and sacrificial practices, these myths have been seen as a kind of faith by the traditional Greeks and have been instructed as a approach to make sense of the origin and nature of the world.
Whether you acknowledge the names of gods reminiscent of Zeus (god of thunder), Apollo (god of solar and lightweight), and Poseidon (god of the ocean) from numerous Hollywood films through the years otherwise you keep in mind studying up on Achilles and Odysseus from Homer’s epic assortment of poems the Iliad and the Odyssey at college, there’s little question these fascinating mythological tales have influenced fashionable western tradition, arts, and literature to this present day.
And the truth that these tales have survived by the centuries to carry relevance and significance in right this moment’s society is fairly cool.
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6. Language
The historical Greeks have been one of many oldest civilizations on Earth and the identical might be stated for the Greek language. Claiming the title of one of many first Indo-European languages ever written, the Greek language is an enchanting one with the longest historical past of alphabetic graphology ever recorded. But make no mistake, the Greek language isn’t straightforward to study.
The Greek language has three genders (male, feminine, and impartial) so remembering the proper type of a selected phrase could be a nightmare. It’s additionally not intently associated to some other world language, particularly English, so good luck making an attempt to determine how you can pronounce phrases reminiscent of ‘Can I pay with a credit card?’ (Μπορώ Να Πληρώσω Με Πιστωτική Κάρτα) and ‘how long to get to the airport?’ (Πόσο Μακριά Είναι Το Αεροδρόμιο).
While mastering the Greek language is likely to be extraordinarily tough, it’s additionally extraordinarily satisfying so taking the day out to study some helpful phrases and phrases earlier than your Greek journey begins will certainly come in useful.
7. Ancient ruins
As far as historical civilizations go, the Greeks are up there with the oldest of them and while you’re arising with concepts reminiscent of democracy and philosophy, you’re certain to go away a whole lot of sacred locations and historic websites which have seen political battles, cultural practices, and centuries of prayers in your wake.
From the ruins of the Acropolis in Athens to the traditional metropolis of Kamiros alongside the northwest coast of Rhodes, Greek is a historical past lover’s dream. Wander the Parthenon, constructed for Athena (the goddess of knowledge) within the fifth century BC, stare up on the columned temples seen on the Acropolis of Rhodes, and discover the Palace of the Grand Master with its medieval fashion structure, museums, and exhibitions.
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8. Ouzo
Greece, and extra particularly Mykonos and Santorini, is thought to have a wild and pulsating nightlife however you’ll be able to’t have an electrical nightlife scene with out the alcohol to match. That is the place ouzo is available in. Said to have originated within the 14th century by a bunch of monks on Mount Athos, this standard aperitif is broadly consumed throughout Greece and is used as a toasting drink to rejoice particular events.
Described as dry and anise-flavoured, ouzo will certainly put hair in your chest because of its rectified spirit standing (a extremely concentrated and purified ethanol) and is often served with contemporary fish, olives, and feta cheese. If you need to study as a lot as you’ll be able to about this solely Greek product, go to the ouzo museum or the ouzo distillery in Plomari in Lesbos.
9. Monasteries
Greece boasts a wealthy, non secular historical past and one of many methods to bodily see how necessary faith was to the traditional Greeks – and study extra about their historical practices and rituals – is thru the various monasteries scattered across the nation. Often constructed on steep cliffs and rocky slopes in mountainous areas in order that they have been nearer to God, these monasteries have been used as locations of meditation, providing a simplistic and sacred haven through which to wish.
Whether you need to set your sights on the majestic monasteries of Meteora perched on big, vertical rocks, make your method across the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hosios Loukas Holy Monastery in Distomo, or marvel on the distinct structure and holy environment of the Megalo Spileo Monastery in Kalavryta, Greece isn’t quick on breathtaking monasteries so that you can discover.
10. Architecture
While Greece’s pure magnificence can’t be denied, this nation’s artifical magnificence can be one thing to ooh and aah over because of the distinctive and distinctive fashion of structure its buildings, locations of worship, and homes have been in-built. Featuring types reminiscent of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian (assume stone columns and ornate capitals), Greek structure was deliberate round logic and order with each little element having a particular operate.
If you need to recognize Greek structure in all its glory, go to the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus within the Acropolis, the Temple of Artemis in Corfu, and the Stoa of Attalos in Agora. Oh, and it’s a must to catch a glimpse of the white-washed and blue-domed homes present in most cities in Greece. It’s merely a ceremony of passage.
11. The Olympic Games
We is likely to be glued to our screens when the trendy Olympic Games roll round each 4 years, however do you truly understand how, when, and the place it began? We’ve already talked about mythology and its spot in historical Greek civilization nevertheless it’s due to Zeus that the primary Olympic Games have been ever held in 776 BC.
What started as a approach to honour the god of thunder quickly grew to become a method for Greece’s most proficient athletes to return collectively and take part in a contest that may be celebrated for hundreds of years till it was deemed to be a pagan spectacle by the then Emperor of Byzantium Theodosius.
But these Olympic Games regarded so much totally different to those we watch right this moment with creative competitions that includes sculptors and poets, tethrippon – a carriage race run with 4 horses – and pankration (an attention-grabbing mixture of boxing and wrestling) all a part of this system.