Greece holidays

Greeks are renowned for their love of making, eating and sharing food. It's practically impossible to go hungry in Greece, where the cuisine is built on the foundations of Mediterranean dishes. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are cooked to perfection, resulting in a delightful blend of light, balanced, and clean flavours, accentuated by homegrown vegetables, olive oils and cheeses. The influence of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires has left a lasting mark on Greek cuisine, enriching its traditions.

One favourite dish is Briam, a medley of roasted vegetables reminiscent of ratatouille, crafted from whatever fresh produce is available in the market. Keftedes, traditional Greek meatballs made from a mix of pork and beef, blended with eggs, parsley, onions, and stale bread, offer exceptional variations, including spearmint, ouzo, and feta fillings. For a taste of quintessential street food, try Souvlaki—small pieces of meat skewered and wrapped in pita bread with tzatziki, a creamy, tangy and spicy dip.

Of course, Greece boasts an abundance of restaurants serving delectable fish dishes, ranging from calamari to seasoned cod and shrimp. And no exploration of Greek cuisine is complete without indulging in Moussaka, a dish steeped in Greek culture for decades. Layers of sautéed aubergine and minced meat bathed in rich tomato and béchamel sauce create a symphony of flavours that are sure to tantalize even the most discerning palate.

Whether it's an alcoholic or a non-alcoholic beverage, you'll find a drink to suit every taste and preference.

Popular beer brands include Mythos, Alfa and Fix. Cider is not as common, but you can sometimes find Milokleftis, a Greek cider.

Retsina is a popular Greek wine, infused with Aleppo pine resin, with a distinctive taste. It has ranked high for Greeks since ancient times, with many creating their versions with unique twists. The best place to relish a glass is at a chic taverna tucked away in historic streets, and served alongside traditional Greek cuisine. Vinsanto wine (Visanto vin di Santorini) is another popular drink, manufactured in the exclusive vineyards of Santorini.

For Greek spirits, begin with Metaxa, the silky soft amber spirit with a light taste, and of course, the famous and perhaps infamous ouzo. Being the national drink of Greece, ouzo is a grape or grain-based alcohol, distilled with fennel and other local herbs. You can find over 300 brands and varieties of ouzo, all best served with ice or a little water. Liqueurs include Raki and Mastika flavoured with a resin obtained from lentisk, called mastic.

For non-alcoholic options, you can't leave Greece without trying the Greek-styled Frappe - a foam-covered, iced coffee drink with added milk and sugar that tickles the tastebuds. Greek mountain tea, also known as Sideritis or ironwort, is made from a plant found in the mountains, rich in high levels of antioxidants - a healthy option for vegetarians and weight watchers.

The English word for ‘music’ originated from ancient Greek and is associated with the Muses, the daughters of Zeus. Music and dance are almost considered sacred in Greece, or at least divine. Traditional Greek music dates back thousands of years and is considered by many as an heirloom from the times of Ancient Greece. It is said that music was a divine gift from Apollo and the Muses, with Terpsichore admired for her dances.

Traditional Greek songs revolve around celebrating joys and capturing inspiration. The cultural favourite, traditional folk music, blends elements of ancient Greek music, such as rhythm forms, with influences from the eras of Alexander the Great and the Byzantine Empire. If you've ever seen ancient vases, mosaics or marble sculptures, look out for images of the lyre, pan flute, and harp, which are the base instruments in Greek culture.

"Nisia" is the Greek word for "Islands," and "Nisiotika" is the music from the Greek islands, focusing on the Aegean Sea region, including the Cycladic islands, Sporades, and Dodecanese. Then there's "Rebetika," dating back to 1922, initially produced as a calming melody for Greeks and Turks being forced to relocate from their countries. By the 1960s, Rebetika evolved into livelier beats and lighter music, becoming the nation's favourite, a status it retains to this day.

Aside from having some of the world’s most recognised landmarks and historic sights, Greece is also a retail-paradise for even the most hardcore shopping fanatics. Visit the central malls in Athens for an abundance of stores, ranging from clothing items to fresh food markets and dazzling souvenirs. Athens Metro Mall is situated in Agios Dimitrios Area, and open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 11 pm.

For a sensory experience bursting with flavour and herbal scents, visit the Athens Central Market on Athinas Street. Luxury goods and big-brand items can be found in Kifissia, Downtown Athens.

In Santorini, along the main road to Oia, Iama Wine Store stocks a very 'premium' wine and liqueur selection for the most sophisticated tipple-tasters. With a portfolio encompassing the best wines and spirits of Greece, and a champagne selection that includes a '93 Dom Perignon rosé and a '99 Cristal, private tastings are also organised with buffet. Yamas!

As in most European countries, football has captured hearts of the nation. The Greek national football team made history in 2004 after winning the UEFA World Cup final against Portugal, in only their second time participating. The Agia Sophia Stadium hosts all national matches in the country, and you can watch all the sports action from the comfort of a relaxed bar. Many have big screens indoors and outside with live matches, so you'll never need to miss a game.

After the beautiful game, basketball comes in a strong second place. First introduced here in 1910, it was originally played by American and Greek residents who studied in the US, but soon grew in popularity with youngster across the country. When the men's national team won the 1987 Eurobasket, hosted in Athens, the sport’s fan base expanded dramatically. Today, the Greek national basketball team ranks in the world's top ten! Other sports with strong followings include athletics, water polo, weight lifting and wrestling.