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Dripping with seas of bright blue and covered by mountainous terrain, it’s easy to see how the landscape of Greece inspired poets like Ovid and Homer to create the heroes, gods, and monsters found in the epic adventures of The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Metamorphoses. Perseus. Theseus. Jason and the Argonauts. Odysseus, the man of twists and turns. Achilles, the swift footed. For thousands of years, Greece has been known as the land of heroes. So, to help you forge your own adventure of epic proportions, here are our travel tips for visiting Greece.
Bring Your Appetite!
Not only is Greek cuisine delicious, it’s also incredibly filling. Travelers are encouraged to try an horiatiki, or “village” salad as an appetizer and then dine on fresh caught fish, squid, and beans as a main course. You may also want to try a roast leg of lamb with a side of homemade tzatziki. Oh, and be sure to save room for dessert! There might be a tray of fresh baklava or loukoumades—Greek fried dough!
Dress To Impress
If traveling to Greece in the summer, especially the islands, be sure to dress in light, cool clothing. Though it’s lovely to enjoy a cloudless sky, it does make for an intensely hot environment, so bring your t-shirts. Also, nights tend to be a bit cooler in Greece, so remember to also bring an extra layer if going out at night.
Above all else, bring comfortable shoes. Your own Greek epic will involve walking among the many hills and rocks that make up Greece’s landscape and so, proper footwear (any athletic shoe will do) is a must.
Do Your Homework
Greece is filled with a rich and vibrant history, so the best thing to is to be well-versed in all the classics you may have skipped in school. This way, you can have a solid base of knowledge for all the ancient sights and artifacts you’ll get to see. My personal favorite is D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. It’s a beautifully illustrated collection of all the Greek myths that both adults and kids will find very entertaining. Also, though The Iliad and The Odyssey are obvious choices, you might also look into re-reading some of the essays of Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. These essays will help you get a better understanding of Ancient Greece’s culture and its influence on the world today.
So whether you’re looking to be as strong as Heracles or a wise and powerful goddess like Athena, remembering these tips will help make your next trip to Greece a tale for the ages.
