I love Greece. It’s the place I dream of escaping to every summer. It has everything I’m looking for in a family holiday: it’s beautiful, it’s laid-back, it’s full of history and, given that we’ve had nothing but grey skies and rain recently in the UK, you’re guaranteed sunshine in the summer. What’s more, it’s easy to get to and great value for money.
There’s an estimated 6,000 islands and islets in Greece of which 227 are inhabited. As a family we’ve visited lots of Greek islands but we’ve never been to the same place twice. That’s the other great thing about Greece. Each island has its own distinct character so there really is something for everybody.
THE FEEL
When I go to Greece I feel as if I’ve captured the Mediterranean as it was supposed to be. It’s what I imagine it was like in Italy and southern France in the 1950s. There’s a timelessness and an old-fashioned feel to Greece that you find so rarely in other parts of the Med where it’s just so busy in the summer, the roads clogged up with cars and people fighting for space in the restaurants and on the beaches.
There are, of course, busy resorts in some parts of Greece but it’s not very hard to find that picture-perfect little harbour with colourful wooden boats and a couple of simple tavernas. If you go to a beach in August, chances are that you won’t be packed in like ever so many sardines jostling for space along the sand.
So much of Greece still feels unspoilt and old-fashioned. You’ll wander around a village where men play backgammon all day and old ladies dressed entirely in black sit over their lacework. If you go to some villages in the afternoon it’s so quiet that it feels like a ghost town – because everybody is having a siesta.
It’s the perfect place for a family holiday. Children are adored and given attention by everyone they meet and the atmosphere is so chilled out and laid-back that the whole family relaxes.
THE FOOD
Everyone in our family loves Greek food. It’s delicious, it’s healthy and it’s fun to eat and share different things together. On the Greek islands, we eat fresh fish every day and lots of salads and vegetables. We can quite happily munch our way through plates of whitebait, calamari, octopus (fried or thinly sliced in olive oil), sardines, anchovies and red mullet.
We usually order a variety of different foods for the whole table to try: the fish; dips like houmous and taramasalata; Greek salad; stuffed peppers and tomatoes; stuffed vine leaves and courgette flowers; cheese and spinach pies; and grilled feta cheese. It’s all delicious and everyone has their favourites but we all try to taste a bit of everything.
It’s a great way to encourage children to try lots of different things. My youngest still refuses to eat salad and the eldest won’t eat the whitebait because the eyes put him off – but at least they’re trying everything else.
Eating mezze-style like this makes our mealtimes so much more social. Sharing the food makes us interact more with each other. We all talk more and everybody has a better time.
In Greece we don’t tend to go to the fancier, more expensive restaurants because the simple tavernas offer everything we could possibly want, whether we’re sat under a reed canopy beside the beach or in a shady spot in a small town square. The atmosphere is always relaxed and unstuffy and the food just perfect.
THE BEAUTY
Greece is, quite simply, stunning. Its crystal clear waters, whitewashed houses, picturesque harbours and stunning sunsets make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe. So much of it is still unspoilt so you won’t find as many of those ugly developments that you get on so many other Mediterranean coastlines.
Greece has the second largest coastline in Europe (after Noway) so it makes the perfect beach or sailing holiday, with plenty of child-friendly beaches with shallow waters and sheltered bays. But you can also find dramatic mountain ranges, vast gorges ideal for hiking and tiny villages with cobbled streets and white houses draped in pink and purple bougainvillea.
THE HISTORY
The myths of Ancient Greece and its gods are full of wonderful stories to fire up any child’s imagination. History really comes alive in Greece where you can find a temple dedicated to one of the gods or goddesses on even the smallest of islands.
You can see where Theseus fought the minotaur at the Minoan palace of Knossos in Crete, climb to the top of the Acropolis in Athens to gaze at the Parthenon temple, visit Mount Pelion, home of the centaurs or take a trip to Olympia, the site of the first Olympic Games.
Some of the oldest European civilisations developed in Greece so you’ll spot Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman influences as well as the Ancient Greeks. You could visit the extraordinary 14th-century monasteries perched on top of rock pillars at Meteora or the sacred grotto on the island of Patmos where St. John had the visions which led to the Book of Revelation.
THE VALUE FOR MONEY
Greece has always been good value for money. You can stay in gorgeous boutique hotels for much less than you’d pay in Italy or France and a family of four can eat out for as little as 45 euros.
But in recent months the relatively weak Euro has made a trip to Greece even better value. Most foreign visitors don’t need to pay for a visa and if you book early you can pick up relatively cheap flights. What are you waiting for?
Pin It
Oh you just made me miss my favorite country in the world. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! It’s definitely one of mine.
LikeLike
I worked for a tour company in Greece before children and have many fond memories of the country (including meeting my other half there). I haven’t visited for several years now though, really must get back again. #Mondayescapes
LikeLike
I think Greece is perfect whatever your age and there’s so much to see and do that you can have a different experience every time.
LikeLike
You have captured all the reasons I love Greece – and why I’d love to go back with my daughter… Even more tempted to book now! #mondayescapes
LikeLike
Thanks so much. I just long for Greece about this time of year and it’s been two years now…
LikeLike
It looks amazing!! You’ve totally tempted me to visit with my son x #MondayEscapes
LikeLike
It really is the perfect destination. I can’t wait to go again and try a different island.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are thinking about potential destinations for our holidays this year and to be honest I hadn’t really thought about greece but will check it out. Love that you put a variety of dishes on the table such a good idea. I am sure Monkey would love the food as he’s always trying new things (we are so lucky!). #MondayEscapes
LikeLike
It is great to get your children to try a selection of foods – there’s always going to be a few things they like eating! I always find it much easier to have relaxed family meals when we’re on holiday in the sunshine. Thanks so much for commenting. #MondayEscapes
LikeLike
You just inspired me even more. After such a long time trying, finally this year I will visit Greece for the first time and I’m very excited about it 😀 I can already imagine all these reasons! Lovely post!! 😀
Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes
LikeLike
Thanks so much! You’re going to love Greece. I’m hoping to visit one of the smaller islands this year.
LikeLike
I love Greece as there is so much to explore and discover and they love children so the perfect destination for a family holiday.
LikeLike
I so agree. Thanks so much for commenting.
LikeLike
You’ve really captured the essence of Greece and I particularly love the section “the feel”. One of my most impressionable travel experiences was going there as a young teenager for a work abroad summer program, and I fell in love with it. Would love to take my two girls there some day. #mondayescapes
LikeLike
Thanks so much. It’s a really special part of the world. I can’t wait to go back!
LikeLike
I like Greece too. But my favourite country is something else. Perhaps because my own is too similar to Greece!:)
LikeLike
What’s your favourite country?
LikeLike
England:)
LikeLike
Wow! Good that you’re living here then. I love the seasons in England best, especially Spring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t live in England:) I live in Croatia, that’s why I said it’s a lot like Greece. We have the similar coastline and thousands of islands:)) I’m just into London very much hence the blog’s name:)
LikeLike
Aha! I feel very stupid now – I was completely caught out by the phone box! I’d assumed you’d moved here. Croatia is gorgeous – I loved Hvar – and I’ve always wanted to go to Dubrovnik.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did live shortly in England a lifetime ago:) The blog’s name because of my obsession with London and everything English:) I’m glad you liked Croatia.
LikeLike
Greece looks and sounds just lovely! I love the way you have described it, especially about the Mediterranean feel it has. I haven’t made it to Greece yet, but I hope to one day 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much. Greece is just beautiful – full of colour too.
LikeLike
I completely agree, everything about Greece is absolutely amazing, and the food is delicious!
LikeLike
Thank you! I’m so desperate to go back. Thanks so much for commenting. I’m looking forward to reading all the posts on your linkup.
LikeLike
Love this list and agree wholeheartedly with your reasons – Greece is amazing! I’d love to go back soon to visit more of its beautiful islands. Thank you for joining Travel Linkup!
LikeLike
Thanks for having me on the Linkup – I’m so enjoying reading everyone’s posts. I really am in love with Greece. I’d like to visit outside the summer to see what it’s like outside the season. I’m going again this summer. Can’t wait!
LikeLike
I’ve been just once and left a little bit of my heart there that I need to collect soon! For me it’s the feel and the views – just stunning and so relaxing and real
LikeLike
It’s such a beautiful place, and such a relaxing place to be – if you choose the right islands. Thanks so much for commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful photos! You’re making me want to get on a plane to Greece right now! 🙂
LikeLike
I think that’s the biggest problem with travel writing – you’re constantly desperate to head off to all these wonderful places! I’m going again this summer. Can’t wait! Thanks so much for commenting.
LikeLike
It’s a pleasure. I may actually speak to the Hubby about Greece tonight 😉 I’ve been before but he hasn’t so maybe I can convince him for summer visit too.
LikeLike
Definitely a good idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you had to choose, what are your 3 favorite islands?
LikeLike
Good question – and really difficult to answer! OK, Crete, Kefalonia and Syros. For now anyway. We’re going to try out the tiny Cycladic island of Folegandros this summer so who knows whether it will change? Thanks so much for commenting. I love your linkup! Could you please put me on your email list to let me know what topic is coming up next? Thank you!
LikeLike
I desperately want to go to Greece! I love the ancient Greek myths as well 🙂
LikeLike
It’s the stories associated with places that really enhances the travel I think. Thanks so much for commenting!
LikeLike
Greece is pretty high on my bucket list, this post has me even more excited! Thanks Clare 🙂 #linkup
LikeLike
Thanks so much. Greece is fabulous – you should definitely go. I just loved your post about Iceland!
LikeLike