Greece Holidays 2012

Finding authenticity in Greece

Greece is one of the most popular tourist spots in the entire world and because of that it can be hard to find authentic attractions that aren’t merely catering to tourist expectations. Most travelers have the stereotypical idea of Greece and its famous whitewashed houses and churches with blue domes. While these do exist, they are but a small part of Greece and each region has its own architectural style and beauty. Taking the time to find the true Greece experience is important and will make your vacation ten times better than just stopping at the common tourist traps.

The Greek culture is one of the oldest in the world and has had a major influence on philosophy, politics, language, arts, and even sports. The towering mountains and unspoiled beaches will make you feel like you found a true paradise. Not to mention the climate. Considered to be almost perfect for vacation and relaxing, the temperature and weather is almost identical to southern California. The temperature is almost always comfortable and the gentle winds just put emphasis on how relaxed and peaceful this place is.

The food comes in two very distinct variations. There is the authentic Greek cuisine that is both traditional and contemporary; the other is the style of food that tourists expect, but a keen eye and attention to detail will help you spot the authentic from the fabricated. The first thing to look for is to check the menu for desserts. In a truly authentic Greek restaurant, there won’t be a dessert menu, because you will receive a small one upon asking for the bill. The other indicator is whether or not the waiter is clearing dishes, because tradition is to leave everything on the table until the customer leaves the table, even if there is hardly any room left for dining.

The menu will consist mostly of seafood or lamb as the main dishes, but Greek food has a lot of vegetables in it as well. Plenty of dishes are vegetarian as well, because the Greek people eat less meat than any other country in the European Union.

Getting around the country is fairly easy as multiple modes of travel exist and the large tourist population ensures that some sort of transportation is always available. Whether you are relaxing on the beaches or scaling the trails through the mountains, you will find Greece to be a vacation spot like no other. The nightlife, the food, and the people are all amazing and greatly help in immersing yourself in this paradise and forgetting your day to day life.

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