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!
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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.
