The island of Lesvos is blessed with award-winning beaches, traditional villages, more varieties of birds and wildflowers than anywhere in Europe, pine forests, medieval castles, scenic harbors with cafes and inexpensive seafood restaurants, abundant fish, museums including two of the finest art museums in Greece, hotels of every class and category, and some of the warmest, friendliest people in all of Greece. Lesvos has been a favorite location for artists, writers and romantics. Its natural attractions include a petrified forest, and the unique Hot Springs, health inducing spas that are dotted around Lesvos. Many have been in use for thousands of years for rheumatism, arthritis, gynaecological and dermatological ailments, as well as kidney and gallstones, neurological ailments, bronchitis and sciatica.

Lesvos' wonderful landscapes around Mytilene, the capitol of the island, can be explored by cycling or even donkeys, but to reach the furthest places of the island you will need a car. The numerous festivals held throughout the island of Lesvos, are enjoyed and celebrated in their traditional ways, with the locals displaying their flair for dancing, drinking and eating, hours on end, days on end. If you can come to Lesvos in the Spring you will be amply rewarded with one of the most incredible displays of wildflowers and wild birds you will ever see. Lesvos is a main stop in the migration routes for European birds coming from Africa and has an amazing variety of local birds, making it one of the most beautiful and alive places on earth during spring.

The island of Patmos has an area of 34 sq. kilometres and a coastline of 63 kilometres making it one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Aegean. With an approximate population of 3000 persons, Patmos forms part of the Dodecanese Islands and lies between the islands of Leros, Fourni and Ikaria.

Famous for its religious past, the island is where Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation. Also known as the "Jerusalem of the Aegean", Patmos was formally declared a Holy Island in 1983 by the Greek government. For many years now, Patmos has been an island of pilgrimage for Catholic and Orthodox faithful who come to the island to absorb the spiritual heritage and bask in its beauty and serenity. Today, this mountainous island with small coves also attracts various sun lovers, wanting to swim in the crystalline waters.

The 2 most architecturally significant elements of Patmos are the towns of Skala and Chora, which is dominated by the majestic and fortress like, Byzantine monastery of Saint John. Although the architecture is traditionally Dodecanese, there are similarities with the Cycladic style of cubic whitewashed houses with flat or tiled roofs and an assortment of coloured shutters and doors.

The greenest Ionian island Corfu, or Kerkyra in Greek, was Homer’s ‘beautiful and rich land’. Mountains dominate the northern half where the east and west coastlines can be steep and dramatic and where the island’s interior is a rolling expanse of peaceful countryside.

Stately cypresses, used for masts by the Venetians, rise from shimmering olive groves (also a Venetian inspiration). South of Corfu Town the island narrows appreciably and becomes flat.

Corfu was a seat of European learning in the early days of modern Greece. While the rest of the nation struggled simply to get by, the Corfiots established cultural institutions such as libraries and centres of learning. To this day, Corfu remains proud of its intellectual and artistic roots. This legacy is visible in many ways, from its fine museums to its high-calibre, Italian-influenced cuisine.

Beaches and resorts punctuate the entire coastline, intensively so north of Corfu Town and along the north coast, but less so in the west and south.

The largest of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes is abundant in beaches, fertile wooded valleys, vivid culture and ancient history. Whether you seek the buzz of nightlife and beaches, diving in crystal clear water or a culture-vulture journey through past civilizations, it’s all here.

The atmospheric old town of Rhodes is a maze of cobbled streets spiriting you back to the days of the Byzantine Empire and beyond. Further south is the picture-perfect town of Lindos, a weave-world of sugarcube houses spilling down to a turquoise bay. Family friendly, Rhodes is the perfect base for day trips to neighbouring islands.

Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, the visitor can admire the remnants of brilliant civilizations, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture.

Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover!

Crete is divided in to four prefectures.

Chania

The region of Chania (Haniá), on the western side of the island, is dominated by the impressive White Mountains (in Greek: Lefká Óri) and its famous National Park, which occupy the largest part of the region.The Prefecture of Chania provides tourist services and activities of all kinds, satisfying all the choices. The city of Chania maintains unaltered all of its characteristics, from the time of the Venetian Rule up until today.

Rethymno

Rethymno (Réthymno) region: Crete's smallest prefecture located between White Mountains and Mt Psilorítis (also called “Ídi”), is synonymous with gorgeous mountainscapes, marvellous beaches, Cretan lyre melodies, tsikoudiá spirit served with “oftó”, legendary caves, historic monasteries and monuments, traditional mountain villages and luxurious holiday resorts. Feel the essence of Mythical Crete in this mountainous, remote and self-sufficient region of the island of Crete.

Heraklion

The largest and most densely populated region on the island of Crete is Heraklion (Iráklion). Nestling picturesquely among two imposing mountain ranges – Ídi (Mt Psiloritis) to the west and Dikti (Lasithiótika mountains) to the east– Iráklion boasts exceptional archaeological treasures, significant coastal settlements, a series of picturesque villages, vast valleys with olive groves and vineyards as well as the best organised tourist infrastructure in Crete. A unique combination of urban scenery and natural wealth makes the region of Iráklion an appealing all-year-round destination.

Lasithi

Lasithi (Lassíthi) region. Welcome to the easternmost and least mountainous region of Crete, where the population resides in four semi-urban centers: Áyios Nikólaos, Ierápetra, Sitía and Neápoli. The mythical palm tree forest of Váï, the Gulf of Mirabello, the windmills on the Plateau of Lassíthi (the largest in Crete), beaches lapped by crystalline water, beautiful cities and luxurious hotel resorts all make up a rather fascinating world.

Due to its geographical position between Africa, Europe, and Asia Minor and due to its mild climate, Crete became a center of culture as early as Neolithic times. The first prehistoric settlements appeared in Crete around 6000 BC while in 2600 BC settlers who knew how to craft bronze arrived in Crete. It was then that the illustrious course of the Minoan Civilization began, reaching its peak around 1950 BC with the erection of the imposing palaces in Knossos, Faistos, and Malia.  

Mythology has it that it was in a cave of Crete where the goddess Rhea hid the newborn Zeus.  In that cave, Zeus was brought up by the nymphs while the demonical Kouretes would strike their shields loudly so that Cronus may not hear the crying of the baby Zeus and eat it.  It was also to Crete that Zeus, disguised as a bull, took Europa so that they may enjoy their love together.  Their union produced a son, Minos, who ruled Crete and turned it into a mighty island empire of the seas.  In Minoan times, even Attica would pay a tribute tax to Crete, until Theseus, the Athenian prince, killed the Minotaur.  The truth behind the myth is the existence of a mighty and wealthy kingdom and of a civilisation that is considered the most ancient one on the European continent.

In 1450 BC and again in 1400 BC the Minoan Civilization was successively devastated possibly due to the eruption of the volcano of Thera and was eventually led to its decline.  In the wake of the devastation the Dorians arrived to settle on the island.  They were later followed by the Romans.  After the Roman rule, Crete becomes a province of Byzantium until the arrival of the Arabs who occupied the island for an entire century (824-961 BC).  During the Arab domination, Crete became the lair of pirates who were based out of Handakas, present day Heraklion.

Next, Crete fell under Byzantine rule again until the arrival of the Venetians who occupied the island for approximately 5 centuries leaving their stamp on the island’s culture.  After the fall of Handakas in 1669, the Turkish Occupation began marked by ferocious and bloody uprisings.  At the end of the 19th century Turkish rule came to an end.  The Cretan State was created with the King of Greece as the island’s High Commissioner. In 1913, Crete was finally joined officially with Greece.

Santorini rocks in more ways than one. Few will be unmoved by the scale of the island’s 16 or so kilometres of multicoloured cliffs, which soar up over 300m from a sea-drowned caldera, the vast crater left by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history.

Lesser islands curl around the fragmented western edge of the caldera, but it is the main island of Thira that will take your breath away with its snow drift of white Cycladic houses lining the cliff tops and, in places, spilling like icy cornices down the terraced rock.

Santorini is geared to a conspicuous tourism that is underpinned by enthralling archaeology, fine dining, major wineries, front-row sunsets and a vibrant nightlife. There are even multicoloured beaches of volcanic sand. You’ll share the experience for most of the year with crowds of fellow holidaymakers and day visitors from huge cruise ships, but the island somehow manages to cope with it all.

Mykonos is the great glamour island of the Cyclades and happily flaunts its camp and fashionable reputation with style. Beneath the gloss and glitter, however, this is a charming and hugely entertaining place where the sometimes frantic mix of good-time holidaymakers, cruise-ship crowds, posturing fashionistas and preening celebrities is magically subdued by the cubist charms of Mykonos town, a traditional Cycladic maze.

Local people have had 40 years to get a grip on tourism and have not lost their Greek identity in doing so.

Be prepared, however, for the oiled-up lounger lifestyle of the island’s packed main beaches, the jostling street scenes and the relentless, yet sometimes forlorn, partying. That said, there’s still a handful of off-track beaches worth fighting for. Plus, the stylish bars, restaurants and shops have great appeal, and you can still find a quieter pulse amid the labyrinthine old town. Add to all this the archaeological splendour of the nearby island of Delos, and Myconos really does live up to its reputation as a fabulous destination.

In Thessaloniki you will find many interesting museums and other sightseeings, including the White Tower, the arcaeological museum, the byzantine museum, the castle of Thessaloniki and more.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is a state museum of the Ministry of Culture and has been an autonomous unit since 2001. It has been housed in a building, designed by architect Patroklos Karantinos since 1962 and it has been designated as a listed monument of modern heritage, as it is one of the most representative examples of architectural modernism in Greece. Its collections include artifacts and assemblages from excavations conducted since 1912 by the Greek Antiquities Service throughout Macedonia. The museum also houses objects that used to be part of private collections and were later donated to it.

Following a long period of extensive renovation and reorganization of both the exhibits and the storage and the administrative sections, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki reopened its gates to the public in September 2006. During the restoration phase, in conjunction with the extension of the Museum?s premises, the permanent collections were also redesigned and exhibited in a way that would serve the needs of modern visitors.

The Museum's exhibition proposal comprises of seven units, through which the visitors come in contact with the world of ancient Macedonia, its culture and its people:

1. Prehistoric Macedonia
2. Towards the Birth of Cities
3. Macedonia form the 7th c. BC until the late antiquity
4. Thessaloniki, Metropolis of Macedonia
5. The Gold of Macedon
6. Field-House-Garden -Grave
7. Macedonia: from fragments to pixels

Our intention was to highlight various aspects of the culture that developed in Macedonia, primarily in Thessaloniki and the neighboring prefectures, covering a period from the dawn of prehistory to late antiquity (i.e until the first centuries of the Christian era).

Our aim was to organize and present the exhibitions in a completely human-centric way, representing - to the extent allowed by the findings and scientific research - the everyday lives of the people that used to inhabit this region of Greece. To accomplish this, an effort was made to implement the principles of modern museology. A large team o scientist, technicians and administrative staff all work to this end. The Archaeological museum of Thessaloniki aims to be an institution that promotes culture, learning, education, science and communication. Within this framework the museum offers educational programs, presents periodic exhibitions inspired by themes both from the ancient and modern culture, supports archaeological research, and organizes themed workshops, lectures, seminars, and a variety of programs and events for all audiences.

Byzantine Museum

The Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki is one of the finest museums in the world devoted to Byzantine art and civilization, rivaled only by the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens. Thessaloniki's impressive collection includes many Byzantine and early Christian frescoes, icons and artifacts.

The Museum of Byzantine Culture is housed in a modern building designed by architect Kyriakos Krokos and constructed in 1989-93. It opened its doors in 1994. In addition to a public museum, the institution also serves as an important center for the preservation, research and promotion of Byzantine culture. The Museum of Byzantine Culture won the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2005.

The museum contains an excellent permanent exhibition that is beautifully lit and presented in 11 rooms. About 2,900 objects are presented in chronological order from Late Antiquity (3rd-4th century) to the Fall of Constantinople (1453), with some later artifacts representing the continuation of Byzantine culture included as well.

Objects on display include marble fragments, frescoes, mosaics, icons, liturgical vessels, jewelry, and tools for daily life.

The White Tower

The White Tower, the landmark of Thessaloniki standing on the city's waterfront, was once the south-east tower of a large fortification. According to travelers' descriptions and old representations of the city, the section of the wall along the seafront, which was demolished in 1867, had three towers; the White Tower was the one at its east end where it joined with the east wall. Its exact date is uncertain, but it was probably built in the fifteenth century after the conquest of Thessaloniki by the Turks, to replace a Byzantine tower mentioned by Eustathius, Archbishop of Thessaloniki, in his description of the 1185 siege of the city by the Normans. Throughout its long history the tower's name and use changed several times. It was called the 'Fortress of Kalamaria' in the eighteenth century, and the 'Tower of the Genitsaroi' or 'Bloody Tower' in the nineteenth. In 1890, a convict whitewashed the tower's walls in exchange for his freedom, hence the name 'White Tower'. After the liberation of Thessalonike in 1912, the tower became public property. During the First World War it housed the allied forces' communication centre, and in 1916 its first floor served as storeroom for the antiquities excavated by the British in their sector. It was also used for the city's anti-air defence, as a meteorological laboratory of the University of Thessaloniki and as base for the city's navy scouts, the last to occupy the premises before the building's restoration. The famous White Tower caf? and theatre stood near the tower in the early twentieth century, but both were demolished in 1954 when the surrounding park was enlarged.

The six-storeyed cylindrical tower is 33.90 metres high and 22.70 metres in diameter. The spiraling staircase, a hundred and twenty metres long, is tangent to the exterior wall, leaving a central core of 8.50 metres in diameter. Each floor comprises a central circular room surrounded by smaller rectangular rooms built in the girth of the exterior wall. Only the top floor has a single circular room and an observation room which affords spectacular views of the city and the sea. Amenities such as fireplaces, ventilation shafts and small latrines connected to a sewage system, indicate that the tower was not just used for defense but also as barracks. Until the early twentieth century the tower was surrounded by a low octagonal enclosure with three octagonal towers. Inside the enclosure were a dervish contemplation space, gun powder storerooms and a water cistern; over the gate a Turkish inscription mentioning that the tower of Leo was built in 1535-1536 probably refers to the construction of the enclosure.

The White Tower was restored in 1983-1985 by the Ninth Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities to be used as exhibition space. It housed the exhibition « Thessaloniki. History and Art ? during the celebration for the city's 2300 years, and the exhibition « Byzantine Hours. Everyday life in Byzantium ? in 2001. From 2006, when the exhibition set up is expected to be completed, it will house the Museum of the City of Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki Castle

The Castle of Thessaloniki, also known as Heptapyrgion or Yedi Kule, is located on a hill above the Old Town (Ano Poli). Its location gives gorgeous views to the city, the port and the Aegean Sea.

The Castle of Thessaloniki was built on the spot of the ancient Acropolis, founded by Cassander in 316 B.C. The walls of the castle, that are still visible today, date from the 4th century A.D. when the Byzantine emperor Theodosius I fortified the town. Many buildings and towers were constructed all along the Byzantine period, till the town was conquered by the Ottomans in 1430. Few years later in 1444, the castle was renovated, old buildings were destroyed and more towers were built. In fact, the Castle has ten towers in total, although its name Heptapyrgion means seven towers.

Till the 1890s the Castle was the seat of the garrison commanders and then it was turned into a prison till 1989. In fact, this prison was known as a severe place of torture. Many political opponents were lead there during the Metaxas Regime (1936-1941), the Axis Occupation in Greece, the Greek Civil War (1946-1949) and the Regime of the Colonels (1967-1974). In fact, the prisons of Yedi Kule were frequently mentioned in the underground rebetika songs. After the damages that wars, earthquakes and time have caused, the Castle of Thessaloniki is today under restoration but open to visitors.

Hagios Dimitrios Church

Perhaps the grandest church in Greece, the enormous, 5th-century Church of Agios Dimitrios honours Thessaloniki’s patron saint. A Roman soldier, Dimitrios was killed around AD 303 on the site (then a Roman bath), on orders of Emperor Galerius, infamous for persecuting Christians. The martyrdom site is now an eerie underground crypt , open during the day and for the special Friday-night service, which can be attended. In 1980, the saint’s relics were returned from Italy, and now occupy a silver reliquary inside.

The Ottomans made Agios Dimitrios a mosque, plastering over the wall frescoes. After the 1913 Greek reconquest the plaster was removed, revealing Thessaloniki’s finest church mosaics. While the 1917 fire was very damaging, five 8th-century mosaics have survived, spanning the altar.

Ladadika

The area from Koudouriotou to Diamanti streets and from Hiou to Lemnou streets is known as Ladadika. The area is what remains of the Jewish part of the city. It is characterized by its beautiful surroundings that help you get a feel of how was Thessaloniki before the great fire of 1917. Currently can find many nice bars, restaurants and you can certainly feel why it has become one of the city’s focal points in the nightlife of Thessaloniki. Nevertheless, it is always a great area for eating traditional greek foods specially cooked with the influence of the immigrant element that used to exist.

The places worth visiting are:

• White Tower
• Rotonda
• Kamara
• Aristotelous square
• Saint Dimitrios Church
• Osios David

Ancient Theatre of Philippi

The ancient theatre of Filippi is an important and remarkable monument. It is located at the feet of the acropolis and it is supported on the eastern wall of the city of Filippi. Eventhough it has sustained many changes throughout the centuries and some interventions so that it can host the Filippi Festival, it still preserves many of its original elements.

Opposite the ancient theatre of Filippi there are the ruins of the ancient city. The ancient city took its name in 356 b.c. after the father of Alexander the Great, Filippos the II.

The excavations have brought to light ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Paleochristian period.The octagon, the Roman forum, the paleochristian basilicas and parts of the city walls, are some of the most well known.

Archaeological Museum of Philippi

The museum includes four major collections of finds from the prehistoric settlement of Dikili-Tash, from the Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian city of Philippi.

The most important exhibits of the museum are:

• Clay head of a naturalistic figurine from the prehistoric settlement at Dikili-Tash. The details of the anatomy, the hair and the ornaments, are finely executed. A large number of figurines belonging to this type are included in the prehistoric collection of the museum. Dated to the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC).
• Hand-made pot from the settlement of Dikili-Tash, where a great number of similar vessels were found. It bears black painted decoration on a red surface. Dated to the Late Neolithic period (4000-3000 BC).
  Fragment of a diagram attributed to Alexander the Great. It sets the limits of the rural area controlled by the city of Philippi, as well as the way in which its natural resources were to be exploited.
• Funerary stele of Cleomoiris, which is dated to the 4th century BC according to the letter type of the inscription on its surface. The architectural remains from the Hellenistic city of Philippi have not been excavated because they are covered by the ruins of the Roman city, but a great number of Hellenistic grave stelae have been found on the site.
• Upper part of a statue of Nike. It was one of the corner acroteria of the West Temple in the Roman Agora. Dated to the 2nd century AD.
• Marble portrait of Lucius Caesar, the adopted son of Augustus. Dated to the Roman period.
• Votive relief of a Hero-Rider. The snake is a chthonic symbol of the Hero-Rider cult, which was widely spread in Thrace during the Roman period.
• The founder's (ctetor) inscription, preserved on the mosaic floor of the first christian chapel (eucterion) of Philippi.
• Parapet (thorakion) with a cross from Basilica A of Philippi. Decorated parapets were often placed between the columns of the Early Christian churches.
• Funerary inscription. It was found in the East cemetery which was located outside the East walls of the city of Philippi and was used in the Late Roman and Early Christian times. Dated to the Early Christian period.

Vergina represents exceptional testimony to a significant development in European civilization, at the transition from the classical city-state to the imperial structure of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. This is vividly demonstrated in particular by the remarkable series of royal tombs and their rich contents. The paintings found at Vergina are of extraordinarily high quality and historical importance.

The ancient city in the northern foothills of the Pierian range is the capital of the kingdom of Lower Macedonia, Aigai, traditionally founded by Perdiccas I when the Macedonians of the Argive spread northwards over the plain of Emathia. This region was already settled in the early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC), as evidenced by a tumulus (grave-mound) near the river Haliakmon. The wealth and density of over 300 grave-mounds in the Cemetery of the Tumuli testifies to the importance of Aigai in the early Iron Age (1100-700 BC). As the capital of the Macedonian kingdom and site of the royal court, Aigai was the most important urban centre in the region throughout the archaic period (800-500 BC) and the following century. The grave-goods in a series of tombs dating from the 6th and 5th centuries BC demonstrate commercial and cultural links with Greek centres of eastern lonia and the south. At the end of the 5th century, Archelaus brought to his court artists, poets and philosophers from all over the Greek world.

Although the administrative centre was transferred to Pella in the 4th century BC, Aigai retained its role as the sacred city of the Macedonian kingdom, the site of the traditional cult centres, and the royal tombs. It was here in 336 BC that Philip II was assassinated in the theatre and Alexander the Great was proclaimed king. The bitter struggles between the heirs of Alexander, the Diadochoi, in the 3rd century adversely affected the city, and it was further slighted after the overthrow of the Macedonian kingdom by the Romans in 168 BC. Nevertheless, it was rebuilt and survived into early imperial times. However, between the 2nd and 5th centuries AD the population progressively moved down from the foothills of the Pierian range to the plain, so that all that remained was a small settlement whose name, Palatitsia (palace), alone indicated its former importance.

The most important building so far discovered is the monumental palace, located on a plateau directly below the acropolis. This building, which rose to two and perhaps three storeys, is centred on a large open courtyard flanked by stone Doric colonnades. The rooms were used for religious, administrative, and political functions. On the north side was a large gallery that commanded the stage of the neighbouring theatre and the whole Macedonian plain. It was sumptuously decorated, with mosaic floors, painted plastered walls, and fine relief tiles. The theatre, from the second half of the 4th century BC, forms an integral part of the palace complex. Just to the north there is a sanctuary of the goddess Eukleia, with small 4th and 3rd centuries BC temples containing statue bases inscribed with the names of members of the Macedonian royal family.

The best known feature of the site is the necropolis, which extends for over 3 km, with the Cemetery of the Tumuli at its heart. This contains over 300 grave-mounds, some as early as the 11th century BC. To the north-west of the ancient city there is an important group of tombs from the 6th and 5th centuries BC belonging to members of the Macedonian dynasty and their courts. These contained rich funerary deposits, along with imported materials. One from around 340 BC with an imposing marble throne, is believed to be that of Euridike, mother of Philip II. The most impressive funerary monument is the Great Tumulus, an artificial mound 110 m in diameter and 13 m high, beneath which four elaborate royal tombs were discovered. One contains wall paintings representing the rape of Persephone, believed to be the work of the famous painter Nikomachos. Two of the tombs were undisturbed in antiquity and both contained rich grave-goods. In Tomb II the body was found in a solid gold casket weighing some 11 kg; the occupant has been identified as Philip II, father of Alexander the Great and consolidator of Macedonian power. This tomb is especially noteworthy for the frieze that adorns it, believed to be the work of the celebrated Philoxenos of Eretria.