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Stories and tips

Writing about Greece

Longer reads, seasonal ideas and practical tips from the people who write this guide.

ยท 11 min read

The Bright Side of Zakynthos

A saint who forgave his brother's killer, the poet of the Greek national anthem, a bishop and a mayor who would not hand over the island's Jews, and the turtles of Laganas Bay: what Zakynthos is proud of, and where to find it

ยท 15 min read

The Dark Side of Athens

A plague pit, the death of Socrates, the exploding Parthenon, famine, Gestapo cells and the Polytechnic tank: the history beneath Athens' marble, and where to find it

ยท 9 min read

Thessaloniki at Christmas 2026: Tree Lighting, Market, Events & New Year's Eve

The Aristotelous Square tree, what happened to the Christmas market, free concerts and the White Tower party

ยท 9 min read

Christmas and New Year in Greece 2026: Traditions, Events & What's Open

Kalanta, melomakarona, the vasilopita coin, Epiphany, the Athens and Thessaloniki trees, and holiday closures

ยท 4 min read

Autumn Hiking in Crete's White Mountains: Gorges, Peaks and What to Expect

Why October and November suit hiking in Crete's Lefka Ori, which gorges and summits to choose, and how shorter days, first rains and reduced transport change the planning.

ยท 4 min read

The Ancient Agora of Kos and the Town's Other Ruins: A Visitor's Guide

What survives of ancient Kos in the middle of the modern town, how the sites fit together, and how to see them in a day.

ยท 4 min read

Greek Island Hopping 101: Routes, Ferries and Planning Tips for First-Timers

How to plan a first Greek island-hopping trip: choosing an island group, reading the ferry network, booking tickets, and allowing for wind, crowds and long crossings.

ยท 4 min read

Santorini Wine Tasting: Assyrtiko, Vinsanto and the Island's Volcanic Vineyards

What makes Santorini's wines distinctive, which styles to look for, and how to plan a winery visit in the summer season.

ยท 4 min read

Sailing the Dodecanese: Charter Guide from Rhodes and Kos

Bareboat or skippered, when to go, what licence you need and which islands to sail to from the Rhodes and Kos charter bases.

ยท 5 min read

Scuba Diving in the Aegean: Greek Diving Rules, Seasons and Where to Go

What divers need to know before diving in the Greek Aegean: the rules on antiquities and dive centres, water temperatures and seasons, the main dive areas, and the underwater archaeological sites now open to visitors.

ยท 4 min read

The Monasteries of Patmos: St John, the Cave of the Apocalypse and Chora

How to visit the Monastery of St John the Theologian, the Cave of the Apocalypse and the convents of Chora on Patmos, with access and etiquette tips.

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