Greece is situated in southern Europe. Greece and the Greek islands are one of Europe’s favorite destinations and proposes many hotels. It is a peninsular and mountainous country unique in charm and beauty.

Greece, and it’s capital Athens is famous with travellers for the Acropolis, ancient temples, medieval churches, early modern neoclassical mansions; the birthplace of Western civilization with a history of 3,400 years.

Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter’s defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.

Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP at least 75% of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by nearly 4.0% per year between 2003 and 2006, due partly to infrastructural spending related to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and in part to an increased availability of credit, which has sustained record levels of consumer spending. Greece violated the EU’s Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria of no more than 3% of GDP from 2001 to 2005, but finally appears on track to meet that criteria in 2006. Public debt, inflation, and unemployment are above the euro-zone average, but are falling. The Greek Government continues to grapple with cutting government spending, reducing the size of the public sector, and reforming the labor and pension systems, in the face of often vocal opposition from the country’s powerful labor unions and the general public.

The Greek islands are the mecca of summer beach fun. The island of Ios is party central, Kos and Crete are popular destinations for Brits, Santorinihas history, Mykonos is luxurious, and Paros is quiet. With hundreds of islands, in Greece you can always find what you are looking for.

More information on Greece on our site:

Travel in the Greek islands can seem a marathon, given the number of islands and fascinating sights. Many visitors stay on one island but, with regular ferries and flights, there really is no need. There are seven island groups each with its own character — no two islands are the same but groups tend to share attributes, from the classic style of the Cyclades to the Venetian echoes of the Ionian; the Crusader castles of Rhodes to the green of Thassos.

More information on the internet:

• Around Greece - Includes history, accommodations, photos, travel information, and sights to see.
• Captain Barefoot's Naturist Guide to the Greek Islands - A information on beaches allowing nude swimming and sunbathing.
• Discover Greece - A guide for the traveller to Greece; includes events, accommodation, destination information, entertainment and online booking.
• Ellada.com - Large directory with news and tourist information for Greece.
• Feel Greece - An extensive travel guide about places and beaches in Greece; includes accommodation, photographs and destination information. (English, Bulgarian, Greek, German)
• Focusgreece.com - A travel and tourism guide to Greece; includes accommodation, car rental, flights and weather information.
• Go Greece Vacations - Accommodation, tours, entertainment, destination information and flights from this online travel guide.
• Go Greece Your Way - A tourist guide specialising in nature, culture and activities; includes blog, forum, travel tools and Greek news.
• Grece-Greece - Travel guide books about Crete, Peloponnese and Athens.
• Grecian Net - Facts and history of Greece.
• Greece 4 Kids - A guide to Greece for kids written by a kid: Amarandi Barrett.
• Greece Travel Secrets - Offering travel tips and vacation information for the tourist; includes destination details, blog, accommodation and literature.
• Greece Vacation - Explore Greece and its islands; includes accommodation, travel planning, local information and beaches.
• The Greek Islands - Information and photographs of more than 100 islands in Greece, tips for hotels, ferries, car rentals, real estate, beaches and naturist beaches. [English, Dutch]
• The Greek Islands & Athens - A guide containing geographical information and tips for Athens and the Greek Islands.
• Greek Islands Travel - Offers profile, news, views and travel information about the Greek islands; includes beaches guide and local details.
• Greek Landscapes - Photographs, travelogues, links, and information about Greek travel destinations.
• Greek National Tourism Organization - GNTO - Official site offering a travel guide, directory of licensed travel agencies, and photo gallery. Also offers details on tourism policy, events, and contact information.
• Greek Tourism - Directory for visitors to the Greek islands, touristical locations, hotel rooms, restaurants and night clubs.
• Greeka.com - Travel guide of the popular destinations in mainland and island Greece; includes tourist information, transportation and accommodation.
• Greekislandtraveler.com - Travel guide to Samos, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens; includes beaches, cruises, culture, local information and maps.
• Greektrips.gr - Travel guide and information for popular destinations in Greece; includes beaches, gallery, transportation and useful telephone numbers. (Greek, English)
• Harald Haugli's Walking Page - Information and suggestions for walking the Greek islands.
• Hellenic Sun - Regional information on accommodation, travel agents, yachting in Greece:
• Hit 360 - Travel guide, accommodations, sightseeing, holiday packages and travel agents directory for Greece.
• Holiday.gr - A travel guide to Greece; includes galleries, videos, accommodation and destination information.
• Holidays in Greece - A tourist guide for Greece; includes accommodation, destinations, shopping and car rental.
• InfoXenios - A travel and tourism guide to Greece.
• Just Greece - Travel guide with information about the popular destinations in mainland Greece and the Greek islands.
• Justgreece.com - A travel guide to towns and villages throughout Greece and its islands; includes photographs, accommodation and local information.
• Lonely Planet - Greece - Comprehensive facts and advice for traveling along with background material on the culture and history of the country.
• Matt Barrett's Guide - Offers a fun and personal view of travel to Greece with links and information on sites to see, lodging, and safety.
• More Info - Directory featuring a large list of accommodation rentals, campgrounds, car rentals, yacht brokers, travel agencies, ski centers, diving clubs, and casinos; includes links and online reservations.
• Mytraveler.gr - Tourist guide with information about hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars, events, sights, beaches. (Russian, English, Greek)
• Panagioti's Greek Islands - Learn about the beaches, restaurants, towns, villages, local products, and cuisine of Greece. Maps and photos included.
• Pocket-guide.gr - A tourist guide offering accommodation, entertainment, e-shop and destination information. (English, Greek, German).
• TheGreekTravel.com - Holiday guide to Greece. Places to go, getting there and around, pictures from islands, hotels, restaurants, entertainment.
• Top 10 Greek Islands - Ranks Greek islands with photos, travel, food and shopping tips.
• Tourist Guide of Greece - Find out about destinations, sights to see, and places to stay.
• Touristorama - Tourist guide with information about popular destinations in mainland Greece and the Greek islands; includes accommodation, car rental and gallery.
• Travel 4 Greece - Offers hotel bookings, tours, maps, destination guides and car rentals for mainland Greece and Greek Islands.
• Travel-greece.org - Offers travel information about Greece: includes accommodation, destinations, beaches and attractions.
• Travel.State.Gov - Greece - Offers travel information including Quick Facts, embassies and consulates, entry and exit requirements, safety and security, local laws, health, transportation and Fact Sheet. From the U.S. Department of State.
• Travelling Greece - Local content on various areas of Greece.
• Travelling.gr - A site on travel and tourism in Greece, offering information on accommodations, transport, excursions and online booking.
• Which Greek Island - A travel guide to the islands; includes local information, beaches, history, activities and entertainment.
• World Travel Guide - Greece - Tourist and business travel information with facts on climate, visa, health, passport, currency and customs requirements.
• Zeus Guide - A travel and cultural guide to Greece; includes destinations, arts, literature, destination information and blog.