The mainland of Greece
The mainland of Greece includes areas of great natural beauty and it is ideal for the true nature-worshipers, but also for the worshippers of the authentic Greek life and the folk traditions. The landscapes of the mainland of Greece are extremely beautiful and they combine harmonically many contrasts.
The Greek hinterland is mountainous by 4/5 of the land and flat only by 1/5. Imposing mountains with high tops and steep canyons dominate on Greece, by creating big mountain chains that cross the country from its north borders to the southest edge of Peloponnesus. http://www.toplink.gr/gr … index.html
The Greek mountains, either they are forestry or bare, alternate with small or big picturesque and fertile valleys and plains, resulting in the creation of a particular geomorphologic complex, which presents a multiform and rich relief map of Greece. Lakes and rivers, unique biotopes, caverns by the sea and on the mountains, archaeological sites and picturesque settlements, compose landscapes, which look like paintings and leave the visitors speechless. The hospitality of the residents of the mainland of Greece, the rich local traditions, the festivals and the customs that still survive and the tasteful and authentic local cuisine intensify the pleasure that the voyager experiences in every corner of the mainland of Greece. Whichever big Greek city that you might choose, you will find something different. The Greek cities are the living cells of the Greek society; however each one maintains a particular local color, which is the result of its special history. As regards the alternations that they present according to the season, (winter or summer) they make each visit different and unique.

Islands
The islands are the main characteristic of the Greek nature and a basic element of the Greek culture. About 6.000 islands and islets are interspersed in the Aegean and the Ionian Sea, http://www.toplink.gr/gr … index.html in Greece, but only 227 of them are inhabited. However, only 78 islands have over 100 residents (census of the National Statistic Department of Greece 1991). The Greek archipelago with its 7.500 kilometres of island coastlines - when the total coastline of the country is 15.000 - make Greece an ideal destination for summer vacations and sea tourism.
The Greek islands have beautiful dentelate beaches, which present a big variety: beaches that are several kilometres long, small bays and creeks, sand beaches with sand-dunes, shingle and caverns by the sea, with steep rocks and the characteristic dark sand of the volcanic grounds. There is such a multiformity of beaches in Greece, that a particular type of morphology has been established that is known as "Greek type coasts". The Greek beaches have crystal clear waters and they hold a big number of the "Blue Flags of Europe", rewards for beaches with clear waters, for proper beach management, for the safety of the bathers, the provision of high standard services, and for the provision of environmental information. The Greek seas are ideal for swimming, diving, explorations with masks, sea skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and for all the other sea and underwater activities.
Apart from the beaches, the Greek islands have also archaeological sites, beautiful architecture and fascinating local traditions, which manifest an age-old and multiform civilization. The unique richness of the Greek seas in combination with the exceptional climate, the well known safety of the Greek seas and the small distances among the ports and the coasts make the visit to the G reek islands an easy and magic experience.

Visit Kastoria in Western Macedonia: http://www.toplink.gr/gr … index.html
East Macedonia and Thrace: http://www.toplink.gr/gr … index.html
North Aegian islands: http://www.toplink.gr/gr … index.html
Sailing and cruising in Greek islands: http://www.yachtinghomepage.com

Article Source: http://www.articleset.com