(Collaborative Guest Post) Known for its plethora of ancient sites, whitewashed villages, sunny beaches, delicious cuisine and hospitality, it is no surprise that Greece ranks among the top travel destinations in Europe. Both the mountainous mainland and the hundreds of islands offer stunning scenery, historic sites, nightlife and cultural options for all tastes. When planning a visit to this great and interesting Mediterranean country, what are those destinations that should consider in your holiday plans? Here are our top suggestions.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Athina, Greece

The Greek Islands

The beautiful and exotic Greek islands are a lure for thousands of tourists every year and make them one of the top travel destinations in the world. Beautiful beaches, archaeological sites, colourful ports and volcanoes; the Greek islands have it all.

Part of the Cyclades, Santorini is one of the most picturesque islands and definitely one of the most stunning places to visit in Greece. Also part of the Cyclades, Mykonos has a modern, cosmopolitan society with traditional whitewashed houses and winding streets. Rhodes is the capital and most significant island of the Dodecanese, famous for its enchanting beaches and historical significance. Corfu impresses with the architecture of the island, although with families you might want to avoid the clubbing area of Kavos.

Athens

Inhabited for more than 3,000 years, Athens is widely known as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of the democracy. The city presents an eclectic mix of historical and modern features. Athens is famous for its archaeological sites and monuments, such as the ancient Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Ancient Agora and the Theatre of Dionysus.

Crete

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has a lot to offer visitors. Full of history, you can explore the archaeological remains of many civilisations. Impressive ancient sites and excellent food can be found side by side with beautiful beaches, several of which have been voted the best in the world.

Meteora

Translated as "floating in the air" the name aptly describes the impressive rocks that are located 366 meters above the town of Kalampaka. Six of the original historic monasteries built on these rocks, dated from the 14th and 16th centuries, remain. They were built by monks seeking spiritual isolation and freedom from religious persecution and are an impressive site.

Delphi

Delphi is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Greece. It is located about two and a half hours from Athens. The ancient Greeks considered Delphi as the centre of the Earth. Dedicated the greek god Apollo, god of healing, medicine, archery, music poetry and the son. His oracle was found at Delphi in ancient times, people visited this sacred place to consult the priestess Pythia.

Peloponnese

Geologically shaped like a large leaf the Peninsula was called Morea, which means mulberry leaves. With classic Greek temples, Venetian castles, Byzantine churches and Mycenaean palaces, the Peloponnese has a long history of ancient civilizations and historical events. Among the ancient ruins is Ancient Olympia, where the first Olympic Games in honor of Zeus took place.

Chalcidice

Also known as Halkidiki and other variations this area forms part of Macedonia. the land formations which look like a trident on a Greek map are the most popular with tourists.  The three separate peninsulas are all interesting to visit with: Kassandra known for nightlife, Sithonia for it's beaches, and Mount Athos as an important centre of Greek Orthodox monasticism with 20 monasteries.

Zagori

Zagori is an area of remarkable natural beauty with impressive geology and two national parks. Dense forests and mountains grooved by vital rivers and dotted with traditional villages with stone houses dating back to the late eighteenth century. The most accessible and impressive is the beautiful ravine of Vikos.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. Lively festivals, social events and vibrant nightlife make this city the cultural capital of Greece. It consists of a historic centre and shopping district and offers both old and new attractions.

In summary Greece has countless options of things to do and is well worth visiting on holiday. You could visit for months and still not see everything.  From beautiful islands to picturesque mountain villages, this country contains endless natural beauty. Visiting any of the suggestions in this post will provide memorable moments of relaxation and calmness in one of the most beautiful countries of Europe. Book a villa or hotel using one of the search and price comparison sites, such as Hurry Greek, to ensure you have a great holiday combined with the best prices.