Destination: GREECE
Things To Know The Land Traditional Culture The Greeks and You The Golden Age of Classical Greece The delicious Greek salad, topped with feta cheese and oregano © AA Photo Library	The Land There are 166 inhabited islands in Greece, scattered on three sides of the mainland. Some are studded with pine and eucalyptus, and some are arid or mountainous. Most are blessed with idyllic beaches and picturesque villages, and many have superb ancient sites, Frankish castles or Venetian fortifications. You could spend years discovering them all, so spare at least a few days to visit one or two. Greek islands are a vital part of the country and have bedazzled travelers for centuries. There are regular ferry services to the main islands in summer, but services to more remote islands are less regular and can be challenging - but worth the effort - to organize. Check the website www.gtp.gr, which lists monthly ferry routes. Much of mainland Greece is very mountainous. The slopes of Olympus and Parnassus are carpeted with wildflowers in spring, offering superb vistas and rewarding hiking, as do the eerie and stony landscapes of the Máni and the steep-sided gorges and wild coastline of Crete. Public transportation, especially by bus, is regular and reliable, and car rental is simple to arrange. If you do rent a car, be prepared for some poorly surfaced roads, and avoid driving in cities and larger rural towns if possible.	COUNTRY Introduction Things To Know Survival Guide TimeLine Essential Info REGION CITIES Athens MAPS World Europe TRAVEL BOOK