| Vacationing in Greece is a pleasure in any season. | | | | off-season, is of course, the lower rates. |
| Most folks opt to visit Greece during the summer | | | | Traveling over seas is already costly enough, but |
| months, when the sun is high and the surf is | | | | if Greece is calling you, add lower rates on |
| warm. But little do people know that a visit to | | | | everything from airfare to hotel rates to the list |
| Greece during the winter months can be equally | | | | of positives. |
| as exciting and fulfilling, and even more steeped in | | | | Apokreas, or carnival season, takes place in |
| pure Greek culture. | | | | Greece around the end of February. The island of |
| The benefits of visiting Greece in the winter | | | | Skyros, Athens and Patras hold huge celebrations |
| months (considered December through March) are | | | | at this time of year. Apokreas refers to the time |
| that while most of the other tourists are off | | | | right before the 40 days of fasting before Easter |
| vacationing elsewhere, those who call Greece their | | | | begins. This involves feasting, celebrating, drinking |
| home embrace the off-season tourists with a | | | | and dancing - every night. What better way to |
| first-hand look at what it means to be Greek. | | | | see Greece than during this time, when many |
| For those of us who enjoy a little less of the | | | | locals are celebrating more than they do the rest |
| tourism factor in our vacations, Greece in the | | | | of the year? |
| winter is the ideal get-away. Hiking, biking, any | | | | More reasons to enjoy Greece in the wintertime |
| exploration of nature is easier now, with the | | | | is that ferries are always running to and from the |
| slightly cooler weather, and the number of other | | | | mainland to the islands. If the weather becomes |
| tourists at a minimum. Winter is the time to | | | | questionable or nasty, travel may become difficult, |
| delight in the food the locals savor, to enjoy the | | | | but for the most part, winter weather still tends |
| nightlife known only to the locals and to participate | | | | to be quite exceptional. |
| in some activities and celebrations the locals relish | | | | The ruins are much more enjoyable to visit during |
| only with their own. | | | | the winter. The crowds are not in place, and |
| Skiing in Greece is an after thought, or | | | | neither is the heat. So it is easy to linger among |
| nonexistent one for most looking to vacation, | | | | the ruins, such as the Acropolis, the monasteries |
| while in fact, Greece provides some of the best | | | | on top of the rock towers in Meteora or the |
| skiing mountains in the world. Macedonia, Pelion, | | | | Oracle of Delphi. One of the most amazing views |
| the Peloponnesus, Pelion and other cities to the | | | | of Athens can be seen from the Acropolis at |
| north have ski centers and chalet type buildings in | | | | sunset. Part of the reasoning behind visiting |
| the mountains that provide ski lifts for downhill as | | | | Greece is, no doubt, to explore the history of the |
| well as cross-country runs. | | | | native land, and the ancient ruins, so why would |
| Because Greece is blessed with such a temperate | | | | not someone want to take as much time as |
| climate and beautiful natural environment, sailing in | | | | possible? |
| the winter is also a preferred sport by some. The | | | | The picking of olives and production of olive oil is |
| cooler weather and less hustle and bustle from | | | | an important aspect of living in Greece. Homer |
| tourist crowds make it easier and even more | | | | referred to it as a "liquid gold" which is more a |
| enjoyable to sail and enjoy the natural | | | | true statement today then he could have ever |
| surroundings. Whether it is bird watching, or ruins | | | | believed. A full 60% of Greece's cultivated land is |
| exploration. | | | | devoted to growing olives. The fruit is hand picked |
| Island culture abounds in the winter months, when | | | | by families and even relatives and neighbors join in |
| tourists do not outnumber the locals. The usual | | | | on the fun. Since this process generally starts |
| tourist spots that are open in the summer | | | | toward the end of the year, those visiting Greece |
| months tend to close come wintertime. This | | | | during the winter can help pick olives themselves, |
| means that the establishments that are open, are | | | | and really be a part of Greek family traditions. |
| regular spots the locals visit. In turn, this generally | | | | With so many reasons to visit Greece during the |
| means better Greek food to enjoy, and better | | | | winter months, how could anyone who is thinking |
| yet, deeper, richer Greek culture including dog | | | | of planning a trip not be seduced by the history |
| slide races, river wild rafting, and Alpine skiing. | | | | and natural beauty that are in abundance in this |
| Another great positive for enjoying Greece in the | | | | amazing Mediterranean country. |