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Spinalonga is an 8.5-hectare island in the Gulf of Mirabello, located close to the town of Plaka on the island of Crete. You may recognize the name of the island from Victoria Hislop’s record-selling book The Island (To Nisi). The rocky outcropping was once used as a military base during Venetian and Ottoman rule. The medieval citadel there is a testament to this phase of history. In 1904, the Cretans pushed out the Turks from Spinalonga, and the island was turned into a colony for lepers. In 1913, when Crete was added to the Greek nation, all people with the disease were sent to Spinalonga.

The islands of the Ionian are found in the Ionian Sea in the western area of Greece. They include Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Ithaca, Cephalonia, Zakynthos, and Kythira. These are the biggest islands in the Ionian chain, but there are also smaller islands like Antikythira, Antipaxi, Ereikousa, Mathraki, Othonoi, Meganisi and Strofades. These destinations are known for their temperate climate, beautiful beaches, and historical sights.

It’s not hard to see why Greece has some of the best diving in the world. Greece’s waters are a host to seals, turtles, and eels. You get the chance to swim in the ruins of cities that have been underwater for thousands of years, as well as a number of ancient shipwrecks. Up until 2020, diving was restricted in some areas of Greece. Only 3 years ago did Greek parliament vote to allow divers to visit shipwrecks over 50 years old. One reason for this was the fear of looting of valuable antiquities from the sea floor. Nowadays, thanks to new laws, you can visit underwater archeological sites, as long as you go with a certified guide. These new laws make it easier to access the wealth of stunning dive sites that Greece has to offer. We go through just a few of the top sites in this article.

The Peloponnese is Greece’s most fertile region and is found in the southern part of the Greek mainland. It is known for its ancient landmarks, varied landscape, faraway beaches, and quiet villages. Of course, the Peloponnese is the home of the cities of Kalamata and Sparta, and is one of the most famous areas in the world for olives. The mild, Mediterranean climate and fertile land make it great for growing olives. Driving through the Peloponnese, from Corinth to Sparta and on to Kalamata, you will almost never lose sight of the olive trees, some of which are hundreds of years old. They are the emblem of the region. In this article, we take you on an olive tour of the Peloponnese.

The Castle Town of Monemvasia is one of the most impressive and well-preserved places in Greece. It is found in the southeastern area of the Peloponnese on a sea rock, where a city was built in Medieval times. Back in those times, the city was built there because it was not visible to enemies on the mainland. The only way to visit at the time was by boat. The name of Monemvasia, for this reason, translates to “single passage.” The town of Monemvasia is one of the most romantic places in all of Greece. Some of the old mansions in the town have been converted into guesthouses and boutique hotels. Antique churches are scattered around the town, like the Agia Sofia from the 12th century and the Panagia Chrissafitissa, which combines Byzantine and Venetian elements.