Archive for 'Must See Attractions in Greece'

Andros is the northernmost island of the Greek Cyclades archipelago and is a drop-dead beautiful place that is full of wonderful attractions and cultural institutions. One of the best of these cultural institutions is located in the capital city of Hora: the Museum of Contemporary Art. If you have found a vacation rental in South Aegean and are exploring this region's beautiful islands, this is one of the highlights of this, one of the most charming of all of those islands.

The Museum of Contemporary Art on Andros was inaugurated by the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation in 1979, which had built up a significant collection of artworks by important Greek and international artists of the 20th century and were in need of somewhere to show it to the public. Two wings of the museum exhibit part of this collection throughout the year to this day and it is the core of the collection of the museum. The permanent collection of the museum was further enriched by the bequeathal of works by local artist Michael Tombros. In addition there are also temporary exhibitions of the works of distinguished 20th-century artists held each summer.

Kavala is one of the most picturesque and little talked about cities in Greece. Historic, authentic, a natural beauty and fascinating, it has lots to offer and is devoid of tourist crowds and cliches.

Located on the coast of eastern Macedonia, in northern Greece, it is often quickly skimmed over in guidebooks and, yet, it is well worth a pause. In fact, it's worth far more than that. Just find a vacation rental in Greece and spend some time exploring this hidden gem.

Built on the slopes of Mt. Symvolo, facing out onto the sea, the city dates back to Prehistoric times but reflects the 20th century in its appearance.

It is characterised by red tile roofs, the bright green sea, a large aqueduct that bisects a large portion of the city, neoclassical mansions and big old tobacco warehouses.

In 1823, a nun from the Monastery Kehrovouniou, Sister Pelayia, had a vision in which the Mother of God appeared and told her to dig up a miracle-working icon that was buried nearby. The icon was recovered in a field and, as it was brought to light, a hard protective shield, like glass, covered it. The men who removed it from the ground penetrated the shield and everyone who touched it was healed. The Church of Panayia Evangelistria in Tinos is dedicated to this icon and its fame soon preceded it, particularly as the Greek War of Independence heroes Kolokotronis, Miaoulis and Makriyannis were among the first visitors to Tinos to see the sacred image of the Panayia.

The monastery of Hosios Loukas lies is located in a scenic position on the western slope of Mt. Helikon, below the acropolis of ancient Steirion and is a beautiful complex comprised of several buildings. It is home to some extraordinary mosaics and works of art, as well as the architectural gems that are the buildings themselves. A UNESCO site as part of the group called, “Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukasand Nea Moni of Chios” since 1990, it is a historic walled monastery and one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art.

Certainly, it is the largest of the only three surviving monasteries from this period in Greece. Located near the town of Distomo, in Boeotia, it is a must-see for those who have found vacation rentals in Central Greece as it is a beautiful Byzantine jewel box, set within an architectural gem, surrounded by natural beauty.

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city of Athens. Made up of several ancient buildings including the Parthenon, it is thought to have been inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, though written record only goes as far back as the fifth century BC. One of the most iconic clusters of buildings in the world, it is an impressive sight to behold and one of the most important attractions in all of Greece. Just find a vacation rental in Greece and see it for yourself.

The earliest artifacts found on site date to the Middle Neolithic era, though the structure that stands above the city of Athens today is not nearly so ancient as that. Little is known about the exact appearance of the buildings that stood on this plot before the 5th century BC, though there are records of what some of them where, who built them and what happened to them.