Greece

Greece: more than the postcard

Think of Greece, and the image that comes to mind is most likely a sun-dazzled Cycladic island of whitewashed houses overlooking a cobalt blue Aegean, perhaps with a soundtrack of Zorba the Greek played on a bouzouki. Think again, and it might be the names of classical sites that swim to the surface: the Parthenon, Mycenae, Knossos, Delphi, Olympia, places heard about at school or in television documentaries, but that many of us would be pushed to find on a map. Asked what they know about mainland Greece away from the sites, most people draw a blank. It may come as a surprise, then, to discover that in our experience mainland Greece is one of the most joyous and rewarding destinations for a curious traveller in the whole of Europe.

The wild landscapes of mainland Greece

Mainland Greece is a country of incredible landscapes: the mountainous interiors of Epirus and the Peloponnese, the lush countryside of Arcadia, the vineyards of Nemea, and the mighty slopes of Mount Olympus. Most memorable of all are the monasteries of Meteora, dizzyingly fused atop immense pinnacles of natural rock, seemingly suspended between earth and sky. Add flower-strewn hillsides in spring and evergreen forests further north, and it becomes a country that rewards slow travel every bit as much as its islands do.

Byzantine, Ottoman and Macedonian history

Then there is the architecture left behind by the powers who came after the fall of the ancient civilisations: Byzantine monasteries, Ottoman mosques, and fortresses, like Mystra, and towns, like Nafplio, where Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman influences are marvellously fused. Up north in Macedonia lie traces of the civilisation of Alexander the Great and his father Philip, notably gold grave goods of ethereal beauty. Add the world-famous ancient sites, the oracle of Delphi, Agamemnon’s palace at Mycenae, and the theatre of Epidavros, along with food that is plentiful, flavoursome and authentic, and mainland Greece begins to look like one of those rare places that genuinely has it all. Just as often, though, it is the vignettes of everyday life, a game of backgammon in a village cafe, or a cat weaving between table legs, that our guests remember longest.

Crete, the cradle of Minoan civilisation

The largest of the Greek islands, and once the cradle of the Minoan civilisation, Crete is home to some of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Greece: the palace of Knossos, the Lasithi Plateau and its Dhiktean Cave, and the ruins of Phaistos, which offer a rare, unhurried encounter with the ancient world. Beyond the ruins, Crete has dramatic mountain scenery, vibrant food markets, and wonderful wineries, and in Chania, arguably the most charming town on the island, Venetian and Ottoman architecture is peppered along a beautiful old port.

The best small group tours of Greece

Travelling alone, you can only scratch the surface. Travelling with us, on one of our expert-led small group tours, gives you the chance to properly get under the skin of a country that is so much more than its islands, guided by the thoughtful knowledge and anecdotes only local experts can offer. Small enough to feel personal, expert enough to go far beyond the obvious: that is how we like our guests to experience an unforgettable Greece.

• For the latest official travel advice and up-to-date information before travelling to Greece, please visit the UK Government’s FCDO Travel Advice page.