GREEK ISLANDS.
All the islands of Greece are unique and each one deserves attention.
The Ionian Islands are located off the western coast of the Balkan Peninsula. These are the greenest and most fertile of the Greek islands. They consist of 5 large islands (Corfu or Kerkyra, Lefkas, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos) and many small ones, separated from the mainland by a shallow sea and constituting a continuation of the mountain ranges of Greece. These days, the Ionian Islands region is a renowned tourist destination, with everything from luxury resorts to quiet little rooms on the most remote beaches. Great cultural and historical heritage of the Ionian Islands. It is also an ideal place for a yachting holiday.
Corfu is a rare mixture of different European influences. Traveling along it, you can visit the cleanest bays, a lagoon-reserve with wild animals, mountain villages, as well as see a ruined fortress of the XIII century, a palace built at the end of the XIX century. for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Venetian houses, English mezzanines and French-style arcades. Here is the popular youth resort of Benitses.
On the island of Skiathos (part of the group of islands called the Northern Sporades) is the National Marine Park. The park was created to protect a large colony of endangered Mediterranean monk seals, as well as a fragile marine ecosystem.
The island of Lesbos is part of the Aegean Islands and has long attracted with its nature. The mild climate, pine groves and healing springs still delight tourists. In the church of the city of Ayasos there is an icon painted, according to legend, by Saint Luke.
According to Dentistrymyth, Patmos Island, also part of the Aegean Islands, is famous for the fact that in 95 AD. St. John the Theologian arrived on it, and here he had a vision of “fire, smoke and brimstone.” Rhodes
island, the main island of the Southern Sporades, is famous for the statue of the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the world, which was once located there, as well as three thousand other statues scattered around the island. It keeps monuments of various eras – from the ruins of the city of the 6th century BC. to Turkish baths and mosques. The island houses the Palace of the Grand Masters, in one of the halls of which there is a famous mosaic depicting the mythical Gorgon Medusa.
The largest island in Greece is Crete. Here is the Samaria Gorge, the longest (14 km) and picturesque in Europe, as well as more than 4,700 caves and grottoes. According to legend, the goddess Rhea gave birth to Zeus in one of the caves. And in the capital of the island, the city of Heraklion, is the famous Archaeological Museum with a collection of finds from western Crete. Near Heraklion is the famous Palace of Knossos.
Santorini is known for its picturesque landscapes, clear seas and magnificent beaches, small towns and villages with narrow streets, countless churches, windmills and white houses literally crawling on top of each other. Like all islanders, the inhabitants of Santorini highly respect the laws of hospitality, which creates a friendly and warm atmosphere.
Many legends are associated with the name of the island “Santorini”: some call it the lost Atlantis, others – Pompeii of the Aegean Sea. Today’s Santorini is the result of a powerful volcanic explosion that happened around 1450 BC. An extinct volcano, or rather what was left of it, last woke up in 1950, causing a rather strong earthquake.
History in Greece
The history of Greece is very rich and has more than 5 millennia. By 2000 B.C. e. one of the most ancient civilizations, the Cretan-Mycenaean, was born on its territory. At this time, luxurious palaces are being built, science and art are developing, writing is taking shape. In subsequent centuries, the country reaches unprecedented heights in development: cities-polises with a well-developed political system, trade, and crafts appear. The cultural, political and social achievements of this era became the basis for the formation of many European civilizations. But against the background of this prosperity, a fierce struggle for supremacy was waged between the city-states, which over the years weakened the forces of the state. As a result, in 146 BC. Greece was subject to Rome. Fortunately, the Romans were the successors of Greek culture and brought it to the modern world. During this period, Christianity was born. Like any civilization, the Roman did not escape the decline. The collapse of the empire formally took place in 1054 due to the division of the church into Orthodox (Eastern) and Catholic (Western). But the reasons for the collapse were deeper – the slave system has become obsolete, the uprisings of slaves and the poor led to the creation of a new feudal system. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Greece was ceded to Byzantium. In 1453, the country was conquered by the Turks, and from that time on, decline began in all areas of activity. Liberation from the Ottoman yoke occurred only in 1821 as a result of the victory of the national liberation movement. The end of the 19th – the beginning of the 20th century became a period of military cataclysms. There were national unrest in Greece, she became a participant in the Balkan, First and Second World Wars. In 1974, as a result of a referendum, the monarchy was abolished and Greece became a republic. A new republican constitution was adopted in 1975. Greece is a member of the UN, GATT, IMF, WHO, ILO, Council of Europe, NATO, CFE, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, EU.
Transport in Greece
In Athens, all types of transport are represented.
Underground. It operates from 5:30 to 23:50, the interval between trains is 5 minutes during the day, 10 minutes in the morning and evening. A trip on new lines costs 0.73 euros, on old ground lines – 0.59 euros.
Bus and trolleybus. Most buses and trolleybuses operate from 05:30 to 00:00. The fare is 0.44 euros. The ticket must be purchased in advance at the stall of the city transport company at the end station or at the stall from a street vendor. To stop the bus, you need to raise your hand, to exit you need to press the button on the handrail.
Taxi. There are many taxis and this is a relatively inexpensive way to travel. It should be noted that a taxi driver may turn out to be not very decent and take you through the night counter during the day or, using your ignorance, circle around the city. You need to be prepared for the fact that the taxi driver will pick up passengers during the trip. The minimum fare is 1.47 euros, when traveling to the airport, railway and bus stations, an additional fee is charged in favor of a taxi driver in the amount of 0.44 euros; 0.44 euros is charged for each additional piece of baggage. Athens taxi drivers often choose to take a longer route or do not turn on the meter. Such acts are severely punished – you must write down the taxi number and report it to the tourist police.
Transport rental. Renting a car is not difficult. There are both international firms and local ones. When using the services of an international rental company, a car can be returned anywhere in the country, but in a local one it will be 1.5 times cheaper. The longer the period for which the car is taken, the greater the discount. For a weekly rental, a minicar like the Fiat Seicento will cost 25-30 euros per day. A variety of models are available for rent – from small-sized to minibuses.
To rent a car, you need a category “B” license, driving experience must be at least a year, and the minimum age of the driver can range from 21 to 25 years. Greece
drives on the right. In cities, parking is paid. Gas stations can be found almost everywhere, but there are fewer in rural areas.
It is unprofitable to rent a car to travel around Athens, you can spend a lot of time standing in a traffic jam, despite the fact that many attractions are within walking distance. In addition, the Greeks do not respect the rules of the road too much.
For trips around the islands, it is best to take a small car – it will be easier to park and drive around in small rural streets. On the island of Crete, almost all roads are mountainous and narrow, which must be taken into account when planning a trip.
Ferries and water taxis. Ferries run between the islands during the summer months. They are not cheap, but they provide direct routes. Water taxis are boats that run for short distances (along the coast or between neighboring islands) and, as a rule, only during the season. Often they are the only transport on some routes.
