As winter ebbs and the trees start to blossom, a season of festivity begins. Millennia ago, this was the season of the “Dionysia” – celebrations dedicated to the Ancient Greek god Dionysus – a god of many things that go well together: orchards and fruit, vegetation, fertility, and festivity. He is also the god of insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, theater, and of course – wine. The Dionysia celebrate the earth waking up from a winter’s sleep. It’s also a celebration of freedom – a season of sweet Dionysian abandon. How does this fit in with Christianity though? The season of Dionysi ..read more

As we prepare to enter the New Year, we often think with anticipation of our plans for the months to unfold, the destinations we will visit, the experiences we will enjoy. Greece is endlessly rich in travel inspiration, whatever your taste in travel may be. Island Experiences We very often think of Summer as the ideal time to visit Greece, and the Greek Islands in particular. To add a twist to this classic option, it’s interesting to consider some novel island destinations. The Dodecanese Islands – home to famous Rhodes and Kos – are also full of less frequented destinations, full of unspoile ..read more

Christmas in Greece is a very beautiful season. Linking three holidays, the Christmas season is joyous and quite long. Caroling is one of the highlights. The Long Holiday Season in Greece The Holiday mood begins truly in early December, as people decorate their homes and apartments, and municipalities put out many lights and trees. Tree-lighting ceremonies and concerts are among the many public festivities. There are also always manger scenes beside the trees, sometimes very elaborate ones. Families will always spend an evening or two strolling among the lights, and there are often activities ..read more

The Ancient Greek world has much to teach us still. The highest good, the ultimate virtue in ancient Greek society was civic engagement – contributing to the common good of the city and of society at large. For example, the wealthiest of the citizens were expected to fund the building of “triremes” battleships to protect the city, or to host religious festivals and banquets. In the Tholos of the Ancient Agora, a committee of ‘Prytaneis’ – executive representatives – would serve the city, with each tribe taking turns. Everyone had their part to play for the common good. This is why we have so ..read more

During the Autumn months, festive and ambitious races of amateur and professional runners take place in cities large and small. The Marathon is now a beloved tradition, a celebration of athletics, dedication, and human achievement. But how did it get its name? And why the unusual yet quite specific – 42.195 kilometers (or 26 miles and 385 yards), length of the course? The answer comes to us from Ancient Greece. The Background – Cyrus in Smyrne It was not yet Smyrne though- this is ancient Ionia, a beautiful and strategic coastal region in today’s Turkey, inhabited then by ancient Greeks and c ..read more

Greece’s mineral wealth has contributed enormously to its economy and history. It also contributed to culture: ancient coins, vessels, and jewelry are among the precious objects that remain, testaments to both craftsmanship and economic might. And not least, Greece’s mineral wealth contributed to the ancient Greece’s strength as a naval power, shaping its destiny. Greek mining is of tremendous historical importance, as well as a very important source of wealth today. Milos – obsidian, perlite, bentonite The volcanic island of Milos has given it a fascinating geological history. Obsidian, an i ..read more

Anyone who has been to Greece knows the beauty of the landscape and of the seas. Beneath the surface, the country is equally rich in beauty, the source of beautiful marbles as well as minerals that have contributed to the wealth and culture of the country. The Marble Quarries of Ancient Greece – Paros, Naxos, Tinos, Penteli Many areas in Greece in ancient times were renowned for the excellence of their marble. The famous marbles of Greece live on in treasures of the world’s cultural heritage. Each marble has its own specific personality and qualities. Sculptors and architects select them for ..read more

After the summer rush, when the great heat starts to wane and the light softens, Greece is at its most pleasurable. Here are some of our favorite excursions to make the most of this fleeting and beautiful season. Yachting in the Aegean The very words conjure up images of deep blue seas, rocky islands in their elemental purity, and the vernacular architecture of the Cyclades, pristine and white. The seas are usually quite calm, the days mild, and people are much more scarce. The romance is all true – yachting around the Aegean is the trip of a lifetime.  Instead of hitting the more famous ..read more

Late summer is one of the most special times to experience Greece. There are the great religious observances of September, celebrating the Holy Cross. There is also the grape harvest, steeped in many centuries of tradition. Festivities accompany both, making September a wonderful time to get a taste of true Greek traditional life and culture. Grape Harvest and Wine Making The grapes grow heavy on the vine as August draws to a close. Vintners are checking their grapes daily, deciding on the peak moment to harvest them. Then it is the work of many hands, under the warm skies of August and late ..read more

It’s marvelous how each of the islands in this rather small chain has such a unique character. While Hydra and Spetses may be the best known, the charmingly lower-profile Aegina and Poros offer their own special charms, all the more delightful for being lesser-known. Aegina Less than an hour from Piraeus, and with several boats a day, Aegina is a popular weekend and holiday destination for Athenians. Like Spetses and Hydra, this island of the Saronic Gulf has something of an aristocratic character – this was for a short period (1827-1829) the temporary Capital of the newly formed Greek State ..read more