Wherever you stay in the Greek mainland or islands, you'll never be far from a restaurant or tavern offering delicious traditional gastronomic delights. Greece is the home of mezze, a selection of small dishes which are often served as appetisers, including olives, cheeses, vegetables, seafood, rusks and pita bread. Moussaka is a sensational Greek favourite comprising layers of minced lamb, potatoes and aubergines, smothered in a creamy bechamel sauce, while Greek meatballs are a delightful offering made from ground lamb, salt pork, shallots, garlic, fresh mint and spices.

Fresh seafood is very popular with mussels, lobster, calamari and octopus among the choices you’ll come across. Dolmades are steamed vine leaf parcels filled with rice, vegetables or meat and souvlaki consists of grilled pork chucks served in pitta bread with tzatziki dip. Baklava is a superb dessert consisting of filo pastry soaked in honey with crushed nuts, and kourabiethes are scrumptious shortbread biscuits coasted in icing sugar.

Ouzo is considered the national drink of Greece and tsipouro is a strong spirit made from vines and grape skins which was first distilled by Greek orthodox monks in the 14th century.

Annual temperatures range from 10°C to 38°C, making Greece and the islands a great choice of destination for most of the year. A great time to visit Greece is between the months of May to September when the skies are blue, the sun is shining and temperatures regularly hit the upper 30s. The warm weather extends later into the year in many of the islands, whereas temperatures start to fall in autumn in northern Greece where winters can be pretty cold, windy and wet.
If you want to be very active and enjoy some hiking, cycling and sightseeing, then April to early May is a good time to visit when the heat is not stifling and energy-zapping. The intense summer heat in the islands is eased by northerly breezes called meltemi winds, but these can be deceptive and hide the power of the sun, so it’s important to keep well-protected with suntan cream.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to finding wonderful things to see and do in the beautiful country of Greece and its enchanting islands. You can relax and unwind on the myriad of stunning sandy beaches, dive beneath the waves to view the enchanting marine life or enjoy some thrilling water sports action. If you are fascinated by history and culture, mainland Greece will delight you with its enthralling landmarks in Athens including the Parthenon, Ancient Agora and the Acropolis citadel which dates back to the 5th century BC. Archaeological treasures on the islands include the Palace of Knossos in Crete, the Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes and the Asklepion in Kos.
Other key attractions include the Delphi in Greece, the Samoria Gorge in Crete, the Mykonos windmills, Melissani Cave in Kefalonia and the Old Fortress of Corfu. If you love to party, you’ll find plenty of places to dance from dusk till dawn in Mykonos, Paros, Corfu and Zante. If you just want to get away from it all to relax and unwind, then Santorini and some of the small islands have secluded bays and coves where you can escape the crowds and enjoy blissful sunsets. Popular outdoor activities in Greece and the islands include sea kayaking, hiking, windsurfing, rock climbing, white water rafting, bird watching, scuba diving, jeep safaris and canyoning.