Greece Vacations

Gleaming white in the morning, gold as the sun sets, and illuminated at night, the Acropolis—symbol of the birth of Western civilization—and its monuments have been standing guard over Athens for thousands of years. Visitors can finally witness the iconic Parthenon with their own eyes, as well as the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.

The Ancient Greeks regarded Delphi as the centre of the world, and indeed The Sacred Way leading to the Doric Temple was once lined with statues and gifts from other city-states hoping to win the favour of patron god Apollo.

Meteora means “middle of the sky,” which is exactly where these 14^th-century monasteries are located. One of the most awe-inspiring religious sites on earth, these six deliberately isolated abbeys were built almost 400 metres above ground atop natural sandstone pillars in central Greece.

The 440 BC Temple of Poseidon sits perched atop a rugged projection that plunges 65 metres to the sea below. Now a magnificent sunset-viewing vantage point, legend has it that King Aegeus leapt to his death from this spot, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea.

Varoulko offers Michelin-starred seafood and striking views of the Acropolis. Rather than ordering from the menu, diners can let chef Lefteris Lazarou know what they like, and he’ll create a dish from that day’s market finds.

One of the few restaurants in Plakas patronized by Athenians, Psarras has been serving outstanding Greek cuisine since 1898. Former guests include Brigitte Bardot.