Greece is a country that tourists often visit with the intention of seeing its past rather than its present. Throughout mainland Greece and its many islands there are remnants of Greece's ancient past.
While Athens alone will give you a good impression of ancient Greece, there's still a great deal more to see. In order to fully experience the full spectrum of ancient Greece, visitors should ensure that their trip includes a visit to some of the picturesque islands.
STEP 1
Make a list of sites that you would like to visit. There are ancient sites that stretch from one corner of Greece to the other and then spread out to the islands, so you'll need to pick the sites that appeal to you the most in order to narrow things down. The location that comes up most often when reading about Greece's ancient history is Athens, but there are countless other places you could visit. Archeologists have spent centuries trying to match the ancient Greek myths with actual structures, many of which are at least partially open to the public.
STEP 2
Look for places with clusters of ancient sites. Starting in Athens is never a bad idea, as that city is home to the Acropolis, and close to the Oracle at Delphi and the Temple of Posiedon at Sounion. The peninsula west of Athens, known as the Peloponnese, has many restored amphitheaters and stadiums, and Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. You could easily string together an itinerary that included Athens, central Greece, and the Peloponnese, and then consider adding a side trip to the island of Crete to see the Palace of Knossos.
STEP 3
Research the specific locations you wish to visit. There are often different festivals or events taking place throughout the year to help bring ancient Greece back to life. Sites like the Epidauros amphitheater on the Peloponnese are still used during the summer months to put on plays and concerts.
STEP 4
Look for package tours that include your chosen destinations. There are tour companies that cater specifically to tourists who want to see Greece's ancient monuments and locations. Taking a packaged tour can be ideal since it means you don't have to figure out how you're going to get from one place to another.
STEP 5
Plan your transportation. There are many ways to get around mainland Greece. You can take a coach bus, go by train, or rent a car for the duration of your trip. Arranging transportation between islands is a bit more complicated since it's not always easy to travel between island chains. The Greek Ferries are the main means of transportation to and from the islands, so use their schedule to help you plan your trip.
STEP 6
Find accommodations. When booking hotels in Greece it's always a good idea to use a travel agency. This is especially important when you're visiting the Greek islands. Travel agents will help you to coordinate your hotel stay with the ferries while the hotel's main concern is getting you to book a room.
STEP 7
Book a flight to Greece once you've finalized your itinerary. There are airports scattered throughout mainland Greece and its islands, making travel to and from the country easy.
