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Athens

You might be forgiven to think Athens doesn’t measure up to your expectations, but only if you haven’t made an effort to get to know it –  just to because from where you stand all buildings seem like ugly, greyish concrete boxes, the traffic noise is deafening, the air as polluted as it gets and the heat is debilitating, it doesn’t mean this is all there is to it. So, if you decide to leave for the islands as fast as you can, it’s your loss.

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Meteora

Greece is not only the islands and the white marble of classical monuments, and if you wish for an adventure nothing could be better than taking the small narrow gauge train inland from the coastal city of Volos to the Meteora monasteries, high on stone pinnacles left over when the softer ground eroded. Meteora means “in the middle of the sky” and that is exactly where these medieval churches and cloisters are situated. Of course you can go by coach tour – any tourist office in a larger city can book you on one, and if you are on a charter tour you may even book this excursion from home. But then you will miss out on the adventure part, which starts with boarding a train much smaller than usual and rattling along together with local people travelling between small towns and villages! There is nothing like a train journey to get talking with hands and feet if your Greek isn’t what it should be, and most likely you’ll make some new friends and get to taste some local food on the way – either from what your fellow travelers share, or buying something while you lean out from a window and a vendor of sesame buns or small spits with grilled meats runs along the train carriages at a stop. The train stops in Kalambaka, and today there is no difficulty in finding a hotel or a room for rent there on your own, at least if you don’t go in the main tourist season. This is a bad idea anyway, since the heat will detract from your enjoyment of long walks and hikes in a lovely nature.

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Santorini

Situated approximately 200 kilometers southeast off mainland Greece, Santorini, also known as Thera, is the largest of a cluster of islands that also bears the same name. According to history, these chains of islands are the remains of an enormous volcanic explosion. Santorini is famous all over the world for its eye-catching scenery and is famous for hosting wedding ceremonies. Those who love music will recall the famous composition, `Santorini,’ composed and played on the keyboard by the famous Greek keyboardist Yanni.

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Agathonisi

Greece has been a popular holiday resort for centuries and it is not hard to figure out the reasons why – with its numerous islands, year round sunshine, history and culture, Greece is one of the best places to soak up the sun, have a few drinks and relax for a week or two. With the staggering amount of Greek islands dotted around the Med, it means that international travellers come back time and time again to explore the next island.