Olympic Holidays Summer 2006 Budget Collection in Greece

Greece Holidays - Destination Profile

Package holidays to Greece and the Greek islands have been popular since the 1960's and continue to attract millions of visitors every year. Those taking Greece holidays are enchanted with all it has to offer and visitors return to Greece year after year to enjoy all its delights.

Holidays to each of the Greek Island provide different experiences catering to a variety of tastes. So you can rest assured that whatever your holiday interests are, there is a Greek Island or resort to satisfy your requirements.

Fantastic Range of Greek Holiday Destinations

The Ionian Islands lie off the west coast of Greek mainland, this group of islands benefits from gloriously hot summers and mild wet winters. These are ideal conditions for the spectacular green mountainous landscape carpeted with cypress trees, olive groves and wild flowers. The stunning beaches make Greece holidays in the Ionians, perfect for family holidays. Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos are well known Greek holiday destinations but the Ionian Island also has some lesser known gems such as Lefkada, Paxos and Ithaca.

The Cyclade Islands comprise of 39 islands that lie south east of the Greek mainland. Greece holidays to the Cyclades are characterised by bright white sugar cube houses precariously balanced upon dry, arid mountain sides, windmills and tiny churches. Olympic Holidays offers Greece holidays to the two most popular Cyclades, Santorini and Mykonos.

The Sporades are situated east of the Greek mainland and comprise of 11 islands of which only 4 are inhabited. Greece holidays in this area are renowned for quality beaches with the Islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos renowned for having some of the best beaches in Greece.

The Dodecanese Islands are located close to Turkey at the most eastern point of the Aegean Sea. This group is famous for the fascinating history, quaint villages, fabulous beaches and enviable climate. Olympic Holidays offers holidays to the Dodecanese Islands of Rhodes, Kos, Symi, Halki and Kalymnos.

Crete is Greece's largest Island with a multitude of resorts that would suit anyone looking for holidays to the Greek Islands. If you're in search of Greece holidays with a lively atmosphere where you can party into the early hours or a relaxing holiday with days lounging on the beach than Crete is the perfect destination.

Holidays to the Greek mainland are often overlooked by many but they have everything the Greek islands do. The Peloponnese area is often described as holidays in 'true Greece'; where you will find the birthplace of the Olympics along with tiny traditional villages and great beaches. Parga is on the west coast of Greece and has a low-key tourist industry, which along with its beauty adds to its appeal. The unspoilt resort of Sivota is just north of Parga and sits in an area of outstanding beauty full of pine forests and olive trees. Halkidiki is also a very popular destination located in north east Greece and is perfect for a family holiday guaranteed to keep everyone occupied.

Value Greece Holidays Online with Olympic Holidays

Book your Greece holidays online at Olympic Holidays the leading travel provider to Greece with over 40 years expertise in offering quality holidays to Greece at great value. In addition to package holidays to Greece, we offer an excellent range of cheap flights to Greece and hotels in Greece. For great savings on Greece holidays book online or call our reservations team, lowest price guaranteed!!!

Holidays in Greece - Things to see

Greece holidays are perfect for exploring a rich historical heritage; regardless of which of our Greece holidays you choose, the signs and reminders of ancient Greece are never far away. Below is just a selection of the many places of interest to visit during your Greece holidays:-

Monastery of Kyra Panagia: Located in Alonissos, the 16th-century, post Byzantine monastery sits on top of a hill overlooking the sea.

Corfu Archaeological Museum: The museum contains a wealth of archaeological finds from Corfu, including many from the Temple of Artemis in Corcyra (the ancient capital) on the peninsula south of modern Corfu Town.

Samaria Gorges: This, the longest gorge in Europe is to be found in Crete; in the world, it is second only to the Grand Canyon. The gorge cuts a swathe through the White Mountains and teems with wildlife including an incredible display of wildflowers in spring.

Thessaloniki: Not to be missed during your Greece holiday to Halkidiki is a visit to Greece's second largest city, Thessaloniki, home to the fascinating Archaeological Museum containing ancient marble statues and gold jewellery originating from Macedonia. The stunning Byzantine churches here are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Odysseus Tomb: Many locals believe this Muycenean tomb, which is just outside Poros near Kefalonia and still being excavated, must have belonged to Odysseus and that this great king must have ruled over more than just the small island of Ithaca.

Hippocrates Plane Tree: Picnic at the foot of the oldest tree in Europe, located in Kos. Still standing thanks to extensive supports, this tree is said to be the Tree of Hippocrates where he once taught his students.

Olympia: The birthplace of the Olympic Games, Olympia is situated in the West Peloponnese. The Games began in 776 B.C and continued until 393 AD, held every 4 years to honour the Greek god, Zeus. The area is full of historical attractions such as The Temple of Hera, the Leonidaion (a luxurious guest house built in 330 BC), Stadium with a capacity of about 20,000 spectators, a holy place for the ancient Greeks where sport activities dedicated to Zeus were held, the temple of Zeus, Prytaneion (site of the eternal flame), the Bouleuterion where athletes were registered, the Treasuries and the Gymnasium. Olympia remained buried under several meters of debris and it wasn't until the 18th century that this historical site was rediscovered.

Medieval Rhodes Town: The old town area of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Between the Palace of the Grand Master and the Archaeological Museum, the Street of the Knights, was the main street of administrative and military buildings and functions in the Knights' era. The city of Rhodes is dominated by the medieval castle which overlooks the harbour, built in the 14th century by the Knights of St John.

Monastery of Evangalistra: Situated in Skiathos, the monastery has some amazing surroundings and is open for the public to visit. Evangelistra also contains a small museum with various ancient artefacts on display.

Shipwreck at Smugglers Cove: Certainly Zante's most famous landmark and the centrepiece of many entrancing photographs.

Things to do on a Holiday in Greece

Golf: Although Greece is a relative newcomer on the golf scene, courses are now to be found in Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Athens and Halkidiki.

Watersports: In almost every resort you will find a range of watersport facilities ranging from paragliding to windsurfing. Waterskiing is very popular in Greece and there are over 30 waterskiing schools in Greece. A great way to spend the day is to hire a small boat and picnic on isolated beaches which are only accessible by sea.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving: Snorkelling is pretty much possible anywhere and, with the benefit of the clear crystal waters, is a great way to see close up the plethora of underwater wildlife. However, if you want to go scuba diving, it is necessary to book lessons with one of the many recognised diving schools as independent scuba diving is forbidden.

Hiking: The stunning scenery makes holidays in Greece a paradise for walking and hiking. As temperatures can be high in summer, the best time of year to go is in April or May when you will be rewarded by the carpet of wild flowers on the mountain sides. The autumn months of September and October are also cooler and so ideal for exploring.

Eating/Drinking During Greece Holidays

Greece holidays are truly a paradise for food lovers; speciality dishes include Kleftiko (stew baked slowly in paper to keep the juices in), dolmades (rice and herbs wrapped in vine leaves) and souvlaki (grilled skewers of meat). Try a Greek meze - a selection of different Greek dishes, to taste a little of everything. To compliment your meal restaurants offer a number of delicious, inexpensive local wines varying from area to area. Or try a glass of ouzo, Greece's national drink!

Major resorts provide a wide variety of bars and restaurants with something to suit all tastes, from all night discos and international restaurants to little tavernas serving typical Greek fare. Nightlife in the smaller resorts tends to centre round the latter where the charm lies in their authenticity and more traditional feel.

Getting Around on Greece Holidays

Taxis: Metered and in plentiful supply in the resorts.

Interurban Buses: Various us companies link all major towns, with daily routes at specified intervals.

Urban Buses: Operate frequently during daytime and in certain tourist areas, summer timetables are extended until midnight.

Bicycles: Can be hired in most resorts.

Greece Holidays Shopping

While on Greece holidays you'll be able to find shops and shopping centres where you can purchase a huge range of items from clothing to jewellery and DVDs. If your looking for mementos of your trip, souvenir shops are plentiful where you can purchase a fantastic selection of local produce including wines, pottery, religious icons and embroidery.

The major cities and resorts offer a greater choice of fantastic shops and places to go to enjoy a full day's retail therapy; the comparatively low prices make Greece holidays perfect for shopaholics to indulge their pleasure without breaking the bank.

Weather and climate information

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