Picture from : Encyclopedia of Archaeolog

Greece is a small country and is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Greece possesses marked regional difference. Nearly three-quarters of the land is mountainous, uninhabited, or uncultivated. On the mainland, fertile agricultural land supports tobacco farming in the north east, with fruits and vegetables grown further south. A third of the population lives in the capital, Athens, the cultural, financial and political centre, where ancient and modern stand side by side. Of the myriad islands, only about a hundred are today inhabited.

From beaches to ancient archaeological sites, Greece boasts a wide range of attractions. The nation’s greatest ancient monuments are located in the capital, Athens, but relics of the Mycenaean, Mioan, Classical and Byzantine civilizations can be found all over. Temples were the most important public buildings in ancient Greece, largely because religion was a central part of everyday life. Greece’s greatest drawcard is its ancient sites, with no less than 16 that feature on the World Heritage List. The ancient landscape is riven by mighty gorges and towering mountains. There are plenty of opportunities for an adventure in the wilds of Greece. With over 1400 islands, Greece has more coastline than any other country in Europe. Inland, the scenery can vary dramatically, from the semitropical in lushness of the Ionian and Northeastern Aegean islands, to the bare, sunbacks rocks of the Cyclades. Northern Greece is a haven of forested mountains, icy lakes and tumbling rivers. In spring much of this breathtaking landscape is mantled with vibrant wild flowers.

Under the leadership of Khun Pikulkeaw Krairiksh, The Siam Society will travel to Northern Greece to explore natural beauty and the rich cultural heritage of the region, including Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and visit many of northern Greece’s finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the bustling city of Thessaloniki.

Central Greece; Athens, the city’s greatest glory was during the classical period of ancient Greece, from which so many buildings and artifacts survive. The city is dominated by the world-famous Acropolis and its theaters and temples. Beyond the endless urban sprawl of Athens, the vast expanse of central Greece has a little of everything for visitors, from sandy beaches and fishing ports, to one of the country’s most important archaeological sites, Ancient Delphi. In ancient times Delphi was believed to be the center of the earth. The site was renowned as a dwelling place of Apollo, and from the late 8th century BC people came here to worship and seek advice from the god.

The most visited island group, the Cyclades are everyone’s Greek island ideal, with their whitewashed, cliff-top villages, blue-domed churches, and a rich ancient history. Fabulous Santorini, officially known as Thira, is regarded by many as the most spectacular of all the Greek islands. Santorini is the southern-most island of the Cyclades, and is a major tourist destination. Santorini was part of a series of volcanoes over a million years ago, and the volcanic history is visible everywhere.