Greece invented Western civilisation and the concept of the holiday simultaneously. The Acropolis, the oracle at Delphi, 6,000 islands of varying perfection, the world's best feta, and a light that painters have chased for 2,000 years.
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
📅 Athens
The Acropolis and Parthenon at 8am before the crowds (first entry ticket, book online). The Acropolis Museum — the greatest Classical Greek collection. The Plaka for souvlaki and ouzo. Sunset at the Temple of Hephaestus. Day trip to Cape Sounion's clifftop Poseidon temple.
📅 Delphi & Meteora
Delphi — where the ancient world came for prophecy — amphitheatre, temple, and stadium at 550m above the Gulf of Corinth. Then Meteora — Byzantine monasteries perched impossibly on top of rock pillars rising from a Thessalian plain.
📅 Santorini
Oia at sunset — every travel cliché is justified. The caldera rim walk from Fira to Oia (10km, 3 hours). Swim in the hot springs near the volcano. Black sand beach at Perissa. Wine tasting at Santo Winery overlooking the caldera.
📅 Mykonos & Delos
Mykonos Town's whitewashed labyrinth, windmills, and Little Venice. Boat to Delos — the sacred island of Apollo, the most extensive Classical ruins in Greece, and almost completely tourist-free.
📅 Crete — Samaria Gorge
Europe's longest gorge — 16km hike through towering limestone walls to the Libyan Sea. Minoan Palace of Knossos — 3,600 years old. Heraklion's excellent archaeological museum. Fish mezedes at a harbour taverna in Chania's Venetian old town.
🏨 Where to Stay
Canaves Oia Epitome, Santorini
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cave suites carved into the caldera cliff — Aegean and volcano views
💡 Key tips: Visit Santorini in May or October — July and August are absurdly overcrowded and prices triple. The Oia sunset is best from the castle ruins, not the clifftop path. Island hop by ferry — Hellenic Seaways and Blue Star Ferries. Eat lunch (not dinner) at the waterfront tavernas — set menus are better value. Learn to say kalimera (good morning) and efcharistó (thank you).
