Car Hire Greece - Mini guide to Greece

Once the centre of civilization more than 2000 years ago, Greece is now a popular tourist centre.

Most visitors arrive in Athens and spend a day or two exploring the gob smacking Acropolis, with its Parthenon, Erechtheion, Ancient Theatre of Dionysos and Propylaia gate, as well as an excellent view of the sprawling city. Other attractions include the enormous Zeus’ Temple, Panathenaic Stadium, National Archaeological Museum, Agora ancient market and lively Plaka district.

The closest islands to Athens are the Saronic Gulf islands - Salamis, Aegina, Hydra, Spetses and Poros are all over-visited. Further north, the Sporades, an archipelago comprising of Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos and Skyros are also popular and easy to get to.

A five hour ferry ride away are the picture-postcard Cycladic islands, epitomising the Greek islands atmosphere and image. Santorini is a spectacular volcanic caldera, Paros is central and family orientated, Mykonos is camp and lively, Ios is for a younger party crowd, while Andros, Kea, Serifos and Sikinos, Anafi and Naxos are visited infrequently.

Crete is somewhat remote and popular with package deals, flying directly there. Strung along the coast of western Turkey are the Dodecanese, rich in history and culture, particularly, Rhodes,Kos, Symi and Patmos. There are seven major islands in the northeastern group: Samos, Chios, Ikaria, Lesvos, Limnos, Samothraki and Thasos. Isolated and somewhat exclusive, they are lush and humid with mountains skirted by pine, sycamore and oak-forested hills.

By car you can explore the Peloponnese (south), Meteora monasteries and Mount Olympus (north), and Corfu.