Greece Samaria Gorge is considered by many to be the finest natural site on the island of Crete. Approximately ten miles in length, it is among the world’s narrowest and deepest canyons canyons. Thanks to water stops and an alterative way to get in and out of the gorge, it is extremely hikeable from end to end. The Samaria Gorge is located within Samaria Gorge National Park … [Read more...]
MOUNT PARNASSUS
Greece (2,457 m) – Site of the Oracle of Delphi Mount Parnassus, the third and probably most visited of Greece’s most famous mythological mountains, is closely associated with the city of Delphi and its world-famous oracle, as well as anumber of other Greek legends. The ruins of the ancient shrine of Delphi still stand on its slopes, making it one of the most important … [Read more...]
MOUNT OTHRYS
Greece (1,726 m) – Home of the Titans Mount Othrys in Central Greece was the mythological antithesis of Olympus. According to Greek legend, it was here that the titans, the arch-enemies of the Olympians, made their home, and from here that they coordinated their war against the Gods. Today it is a popular destination for climbing and hiking. In ancient Greek myth, a war … [Read more...]
MOUNT OLYMPUS
Greece (2,917 m) – Home of the Olympian Gods Mount Olympus on the frontier between Thessaly and Macedonia is the tallest mountain in Greece. According to ancient tradition, Olympus was the home of Zeus and others of the Greek deities, and was considered among the most sacred of mountains until the arrival of Christianity displaced the ancient pagan practices. In ancient … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF PHILIPPI (PHILIPPI BATTLEFIELD)
Filippoi, Greece (42 BC) The Battle of Philippi was the decisive engagement of the War of the Second Triumvirate. Like the Battle of Pharsalus, Philippi also took place in Greece, being the largest engagement fought in Greece since the Persian invasions. Philippi was also pivotal in the further weakening of opposition to the rise of the Julio-Claudian dynasty in Rome. … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF PHARSALUS (PHARSALUS BATTLEFIELD)
Farsala, Greece (48 BC) The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive engagement of the War of the First Triumvirate, and one of the most important and famous battle in all of Rome’s many civil wars. Pitting the followers of Julius Caesar against the armies of his former ally Pompey and the Roman senate, the battle was immortalized in both history and classical literature. More … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF MARATHON & BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE (BATTLEFIELDS)
Marathon & Thermopylae, Greece (490 & 480 BC) The battles of Marathon and Thermopylae are two of the most famous engagements of antiquity fought in Greece. Pivotal battles in the First and Second Persian Invasions of Greece respectively, the first is remembered for the 26-mile Marathon races which are still run to the present day; and the second for the valiant last … [Read more...]
WALLED CITIES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN (RHODES, VALLETA)
Rhodes, Greece; Valleta, Malta The Knights Hospitaller was the largest chivalrous order in the history of Europe. Except for a brief period during the Crusades when they were temporarily eclipsed by the Templars, they have also been the most important. The Hospitalers, more than any other organization or nation, fought the long, slow retreat against the Ottoman Turks. To … [Read more...]
BOURTZI CASTLE
Nafplio, Greece Bourtzi Castle is one of the finest castles in Greece. It certainly has one of the most spectacular settings of any fortification in southeastern Europe. Originally built by the Venetians to protect the city of Nafplio, it stands on an island in the middle of magnificent harbor. Behind it on the shore, the whitewashed, red-roofed buildings of the town loom … [Read more...]
SYNTAGMA SQUARE
Athens, Greece Syntagma Square is the heart of modern Athens, and over the last few decades has been home to the city’s best Christmas decorations and festivities. Among other things, Athens endeavors to erect one of the largest Christmas trees in Europe every year in Syntagma Square. This tree and the other decorations, along with live entertainment that the square has … [Read more...]
