Greece travel guide

Planning a trip to Greece

Ah, Greece. The cradle of Western civilization, where you think in terms of millennia instead of just centuries. Greece is a country of crinkly coastal drives and ancient ruins, of jewel-like islands and midafternoon siestas, of olives and fine wine.

Explore the ruins and treasures of ancient Greece, from the Parthenon in Athens to the Oracle at Delphi.

Once you fill up yoru cup with culture, whisk yourself away to the warm, whitewashed simplicity and sunshine of Santoríni in the Greek islands where you can laze the day away with nary a toga, temple, or art museum in sight.

Should I visit Greece?

Greece, it must be noted, is much farther from the heart of Europe than most people realize—though low cost airlines have done a great deal to remove the obstacle of distance from the trip-planning equation.

On a first-time or whirlwind trip of Europe, I'd give serious consideration as to whether you want to invest the time it takes to visit Greece. Either budget for a plane ticket here from a more central European city or be prepared to spend a full six days of sheer travel by train and ferry just to get from Rome to Athens and back.

I'm not trying to talk you out of Greece by any means. Just heed my advice: If you try to squeeze it in, you might be sorely disappointed.

If, however, you plan to stay a while and explore this country and its ancient culture, by all means make the trip. Athens (depsite its mighty ancient sights and archaeology museums) may be crowded and polluted, but Greece itself is a magical, beautiful, complex, and history-ridden land.

With enough time and a willingness to delve deeply into the history, culture, and mythology, you'll no doubt find Greece an unforgettable part of your journey.

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Sick on Santorini - In which I battle a raging cold and try to fit in the sights and experiences of this most gorgeous of Greek islands.