With the economic crisis in Europe having brought Greece to the forefront of newscasts worldwide, but especially in European Union member states, it isn’t hard to forget how beautiful the country really is. Once the Old World’s top tourist destination, Greece has suffered blow after blow in terms of image, and its tourism industry has been greatly affected. However, even though times are tough, the good old Grecian landmarks haven’t been knocked over by the recession. They are still well in place, and planning a holiday by the Aegean might prove an economically sound decision right now. As the country’s economy is still struggling, tour operators, restaurateurs and hotel managers countrywide will surely assail you with great deals on holidays that might once have proven costly. For a great Greek experience, here are the best landmarks off the trodden path that you should consider exploring.
Fortune Telling in Delphi:
The Acropolis complex is, without a doubt, one of Greece’s most famous landmarks, yet the one site that’s the most beautiful and worth visiting might just be the Delphic Oracle. According to legend, when King Croesus asked the Oracle whether or not to invade Persia, the prophetic voice replied that, should he attack, he’d be destroying a great kingdom. Indeed, a kingdom did fall, and it was Croesus’ own. There are plenty of ancient sites and artifacts to explore in Delphi, with most statues and heirlooms hosted at the Delphi museum. The most famous piece on display is the bronze Charioteer, a splendid example of sculpture and statue standards in the Archaic period.
Sun Soaked Serenity in Santorini:
Further off from mainland shore than the rest of the islands in the Greek archipelago, Santorini, also known as Thera, is a landmark location, famous among celebrities worldwide. Some of the most luxurious hotels and best restaurants in the entire country are located on this small stretch of land, whose white walls and azure tinted roofs glimmer under the southern sun. Interestingly enough, the island was born out of catastrophe, over 5,000 years ago, after a volcano erupted in the Mediteranean and destroyed the majority of the Minoan population. Popular belief says the eruption that gave the world Santorini also buried Atlantis forever under the sea waves. Or perhaps Santorini is the only remnant of that legendary continent of beauty and pleasure…
Magic in Meteora:
If you’ve never seen a picture of the strange rock formations in Meteora , search for an image right now. The place, one of Greece’s most intensely discussed landmarks is stunning for the peculiar beauty of its mountains. Atop many of the rocks stand monasteries, with most of them having been built by means of a complex system of pulleys. There are twenty four monasteries in all, and they were built during the 11th century. Meteora lies just outside the villages of Kalambaka and Kastraki and the bus ride around the area is surely not to be missed.
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