A view of the Greek island of Santorini. Credit: Greek Reporter
Long known as a top tourist destination, Greece was distinguished at the World Travel Awards in Moscow, Russia on Friday. The Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourist Organization were jointly awarded the World’s Leading Tourist Board at the international event.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this year’s World Travel Awards ceremony was broadcast online from Moscow. Since 1993, the World Travel Awards has honored nations and organizations which uphold the highest standards in the tourism industry.
Greek Minister of Tourism Haris Theoharis expressed Greece’s gratitude in receiving the award, stating: “With great joy and pride we accept the highest distinction of the World Travel Awards on behalf of our country.”
"ng-binding" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Theoharis also noted that this is the first time Greece had been honored with this distinction by the World Travel Awards.
Of course, the tourist season in 2020 has experienced a devastating impact from the global pandemic, and hotels, airlines, tour guides, and countries which rely on the annual flood of tourists have been put in the some of the most difficult economic circumstances in recent memory.
Greece, already struggling economically, has been especially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Tourism comprises nearly 20% of the country’s GDP directly, and employs approximately one fifth of Greek workers. Arrivals to Greece were down nearly 70% during the 2020 tourist season due to the pandemic, leaving much of the country’s population in deep financial trouble.
Greece, however, refused to succumb to the circumstances, seeing the pandemic as a chance to invest in sustainable tourism, in hopes of mitigating the damage caused by the grim season. This more “green” tourism is viewed by many as the future of the industry in the wake of Covid-19 and climate change.
Theoharis called Covid-19 “the biggest challenge facing world tourism for the last 20 years,” noting that Greece’s response to the pandemic proved that “with prudence, seriousness, and a spirit of solidarity,” Covid-19’s negative impact on Greece’s vital tourism industry could be lessened.
In his speech, Theoharis noted that Greece’s reopening to tourists in the summer was widely regarded as safe and efficient, saying “The international community recognizes our hard work and methodical efforts, the care for the health and safety that we managed to offer to millions of tourists who were hosted this summer in Greece, and the excellent work done by the private sector and employees and all those involved in the tourism process.”
Top Reasons to Visit Greece this year 2021 or any
year!Are you still undecided on where to take your next
vacation? Here’s the top reasons to visit Greece this year 2021… Or any year for that
matter!
Why Visit Greece?
Let's be honest
– there's probably a million reasons why you should travel Greece! This
Mediterranean country has it all – Great beaches, wonderful food, friendly
people, history and culture.
From top tier
destinations such as Mykonos, to quiet authentic mountain villages, there's
something to appeal to every type of traveler.
Ok, so I might
be biased (having lived in Athens for nearly 5 years now), but Greece really is
the ideal holiday destination.
Still need
convincing? If you've ever wondered why go to Greece, here's just some of the
reasons why.
Reasons to travel to Greece
Whether you want
to soak up the sun on a quiet beach, explore the remains of an ancient
civilization, or enjoy the great outdoors, Greece has something for everyone.
Here's a few
reasons why I think you should visit Greece this year or next.
1. Great Weather
Due to its
reasonably southern location on the Mediterranean, Greece is blessed with
wonderful weather during the spring, summer, and autumn months.
Between June and
September, rain can be a rare occurrence, and day time temperatures regularly
exceed 27 degrees. If your idea of an ideal vacation is to rock up, and wear a
pair of shorts and a T-shirt for 2 weeks, then Greece is for you!
2. Awesome Food
I think
traditional Greek cuisine is one of the really underused ‘selling points’ about
Greece. You’ve probably heard about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet, and
how olive oil is good for you. What you probably don’t realize though, is just
how tasty all that good food in Greece is!
The fresh fruits
are divine, the vegetables have taste, and the meat is exceptional. Venture out
past a Greek salad, and explore some of the other dishes on the menu – You
won’t be disappointed by Greek food!
Some Greek dishes you can try include:
·Kleftiko
·Pasticcio
·Moussaka
·Dolmadakia
·Souvlaki
·Fava
·Tiropita
·Stifado
·Gyros
·Baklava
·Kalamari
·Spanakopita
·Tzatziki
·Bugatsa
·Paputsakia
3. Unique Drinks
And to accompany
all that great Greek food, you'll need a drink or two!
Ouzo is probably
the most well known drink to come from Greece, with the strong Raki, or
Tsipouro a close runner up. In addition, there's national brands of beer such as Mythos or Fix,
as well as countless micro-brewery beers
If you love
wine, consider spending time in Nemea in the Peloponnese or even Santorini. There
are nearly a dozen boutique wineries in Santorini, many of which offer wine tasting
tours.
4. Amazing Beaches
Did you know
that Greece has over 6000 islands? That’s incredible right! As you can imagine,
when you add all the coastlines together, it equates to rather a lot of
beautiful beaches to choose from!
Every island seems to have its
own little gem, Santorini included if you know where to look
– take Red Beach for example!
On mainland
Greece there are stretches of sandy beaches which few foreign tourists ever
seem to discover. Some Greek islands like Miloshave incredible beaches, and yet no-one seems to know of
them.
Over the years
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit more than a few, and whilst it’s impossible
to give a list of the best beaches in Greece, I’d suggest you check out beaches
in Lefkada, Crete, Western Greece, Kalamata, Milos, and yes Mykonos.
Maybe I’ll see
you on one this summer!
5. Stunning landscapes
People who have
only ever visited Greek islands in August might be forgiven for thinking that
Greece has a harsh, dry, and somewhat barren landscape. Whilst this does have
an innate beauty in itself, there is far more to the country than that!
Take the
magnificent rock formations of Meteora, the chestnut forests of Nafpaktos, or the inspiring views from Arachova near Delphi as a starting point, and you will soon discover
that Greece has a varied and stunning landscape.
6. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
If I thought
that Greece undersells itself on its local cuisine, it definitely does so even
more with its UNESCO World Heritage sites. Even Greeks might be surprised to
know that there are 18 of them!
I’ve got a bit
of a side mission to visit all the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece. I’m
not there yet, but give me a few years and I will be!
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece
·The Acropolis, Athens
·Archaeological
Site of Aigai (Vergina)
·Archaeological site of Delphi
·The Archaeological site of
Mystras
·Archaeological site of Olympia
·Archaeological
site of Mycenae and
Tiryns
·Delos
·Historic Centre
(Chora) with the Monastery of Saint John on Patmos
·Medieval City of Rhodes
·Monasteries of
Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios
·Old Town of Corfu
·Paleochristian
and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki
·Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos
·Sanctuary of
Asklepios and ancient theatre at Epidaurus
·Temple of Apollo
Epicurius at Bassae
·Meteora
·Mount Athos
·Philippi
7. Athens and the Acropolis
Athens has
probably had something of a bad press over recent years. Take my word for it
though, it’s not all protests and riot police! Instead you will find a
multi-layered vibrant city waiting to be discovered.
Many people stay
just a few days in Athens to visit the main attractions in the historic centre, and that’s
cool. There’s certainly plenty to see here, such as the Acropolis, Ancient
Agora, and Temple of Zeus.
Put your urban
explorer hat on though, and you’ll find inspiring street art, a relaxed coffee
culture, hidden neighbourhoods, and much more!
By staying
longer, you can also see some of the other significant archaeological sites in
the surrounding areas by taking day trips
from Athens.
8. Outdoor adventure
Greece is also a
great destination for active people. It goes without saying that there are
endless watersports opportunities such as kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and
kitesurfing to name a few, but there is much more as well.
Hikers will love
the varied landscapes, particularly on Crete, and even non-hikers can manage the
walk through the Samaria Gorge.
Cyclists will
find it a great country to ride through. The best
time to go to Greece for outdoor adventure
isn't August though as I did on my last cycling holiday in Greece!
9. Venetian Castles
If you are from
the United States and want to see some real castles, Greece has many to choose
from. Again, these are really undermarketed as Greek tourist destinations.
Whilst people
can't fail to notice the fortified town of Rhodes, few people have heard
of Methoni and Koroni castles on the
Peloponnese. If you are heading that way, be sure to check them out!
10. Ancient Greece
If you are a
Greek mythology fan and love the stories of ancient Greece, you could plan
a Greek road trip and create
your own Odyssey! Some of the tales and history of Greece can really only be
appreciated by visiting the country itself.
For example, you
may know that the Greek city states used to hold a truce in ancient times when
the Olympic was held in Olympia. This allowed all the athletes to travel there
without fear of attack.
It's only when
you work out how far Ancient Olympia is from Thebes or further north that you appreciate what an epic
journey this might have been!
There's many
ancient sites in Greece, with the Acropolis, Delphi and the ancient theatre at
Epidavros being the most-visited.
Did you know
that Delphi was once considered to be the center of the world? Sounds like
reason enough to visit Greece!
11.Thessaloniki –Calcidica –Mount Athos and the Macedonian civilization
Thessaloniki is the most beautiful city offering a multitude of
choices for all types of travelers and all times of the year.
A city easy to love is home to fine food, rich
history, stunning coastlines, and so much more. Vibrant and full of things
to do, this Greek city houses Byzantine landmarks scattered through its
ancient, yet modern terrain. Take a step back in time by day and spend your
nights dancing at the latest clubs. And that’s not all: Thessaloniki is also
home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches within 1 hour.
Thessaloniki has a lot to offer: vivid coastlines
and mouthwatering cuisine are just the beginning.
Take a tour and explore the history of the famous White Tower,
the Agia Sofia, and Agios Dimitrios, a beautiful Byzantine church
with a chilling crypt. Finish off with some Byzantine castles and the old
port of Thessaloniki.
Just beyond the borders of Thessaloniki lies
another world of Greek history, so why not take a peek?
Enjoy a day trip into the land of Alexander the Great and the
Macedons — only a short
trip from the city lies Pella, the former capital of the kingdom of
Macedon and the current location of an impressive archeological site and
museum. Experience the Royal Tombs of Aigai, enjoy gorgeous views, and
fresh country air just outside the city.
Take a tour and exploreMount Athos by a half day tour- Cruise
Inthe
heart of the Orthodox monastic life which beats for more than 10 centuries
During the cruise, you can admire eight of the
twenty Holy Monasteries of Mt. Athos, situated in the west coast of the
peninsula of Athos, in Sithonia bay.
The cruise continues to the beautiful island
of Ammouliani; the unique inhabited island in Chalkidiki very popular for
the crystal-blue water of the sea and the white sand beaches, all of them
awarded with the blue flag certification.
12. Island Hopping
Greece has over
200 inhabited islands, and each one is a reason to come to Greece.
Perhaps the
easiest island chain to go inter-island hopping is the Cyclades. It's quite
simple to put together an itinerary that visits both popular and
off-the-beaten-path islands, and it's one of my favourite parts of Greece to
visit.
A first-timer
itinerary often includes Santorini and Mykonos, but I'd encourage you to visit
some of the smaller ones as well. Schinoussa and Iraklia are two of my
favourite Greek islands yet to be discovered by mass tourism. See them while
they are still undiscovered!
13. Santorini and Mykonos
These tow
beautiful Greek islands deserve their own listing, as they are popular must-see
destinations for people from around the world. Who can't help but be moved by
romantic images of blue-domed churches, white-washed buildings and
picture-perfect settings?
These popular
islands are perhaps best visited in the off-season rather than high season. You'll
have fewer other visitors, and will appreciate these world-class destinations
so much more.
14. It’s safe
My final reason
for visiting Greece is again one that I think most people don’t emphasize
enough. Greece is safe.
There are few
countries in the world where you would feel comfortable eating a late meal
outdoors, and then walking through the streets of an old town in the early
hours of the morning with your family. Visit Greece this year and see for
yourself!
Plan your trip to Greece
Have these reasons
to visit Greece persuaded you that you need to get planning your trip? I've got
travel tips that can help… and they're free!
Dear Partners
There is a good GREEK portal www.flytrip.gr which you can explore for searfching and booking airtickets -hotels-cars-transfers -cruises-ferry tickets -fly and drive packages from Athens &Thessaloniki -daily private tours in Thessaloniki and Athens and more other services.
Book your trip now here easily ,quickly with convenience !
Why you should travel to Greece in Breif .
Here are some
commonly asked questions about why you should travel to Greece.
What is so great about Greece?
Greece is famous
for its amazing beaches and clear-blue waters. In addition, the perfect beauty
of Cycladic architecture, incredible sunset spots, and warm summer weather
makes it one of Europe's most popular vacation destinations.
Is Greece worth visiting?
Greece is
definitely worth visiting! There's so much variation in the country, from quiet
islands with perfect beaches to archaeological sites and a culture dating back
thousands of years.
Why is Greece popular with tourists?
Greece appeals
to a broad spectrum of people, due to its varied islands, unique cultural, and
important place in history.This, coupled with the fact it offers incredible
value for money when compared to other European destinations makes Greece a
popular country to visit.
Pin this travel guide for later
If you are still
in the planning stages of your Greece vacation, you might find it a good idea
to pin this blog post for later. That way, you can easily find it again when
working on your travel plans.
