Greece is a paradise for different kind of tourists. It is far out for the beach bum, it is great for the lover of the classics and it is a must see for anyone interested in knowing where western civilization as we know it stems from. Greece , officially called the Hellenic Republic is a country in the southeast of Europe on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula . It has land boundaries with Bulgaria , the Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M.) and Albania to the north; and with Turkey to the east. The waters of the Aegean Sea border on Greece to the east and those of the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas to the west and south. Regarded by many as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of Democracy, Greece has a long and rich history during which its culture has proven especially influential in Europe, Asia and Africa .

Greece 's antiquity dates back to 3000 BC when the powerful Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations flourished here. The evolution of powerful city-states, especially Athens and Sparta , between 800 and 500BC produced the classical age of Athens which was the high point of the Grecian civilization. Under the leadership of Pericles, Athens ushered in an era of prosperity in all spheres: an era when Pericles himself commissioned the Parthenon, Democritus taught the concept of democracy, Sophocles wrote Oedipus Rex, and Socrates taught the intricacies of logic. Later, Alexander's conquest of the city-states was followed by the Roman invasions that began in 205 BC. Greece became a part of the Byzantine Empire in the 4th century AD. This was followed by the Crusades, and by AD 1500, Greece came under Turkish control.

The glorious history of Greece is reflected in the ruins and monuments that lie scattered all over the country. Although the capital Athens may seem a smog-filled city of high-rise flats, it has a special charm and grandeur. Besides the oft-visited Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Theatre of Dionysus, the National Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of antiquities.

The southern peninsula, the Peloponnesos, is known both for its picturesque scenery and rich history, and is made up of numerious distinct regions (such as Lakonia and Mani) that each have their own distict histories and appearances.

The islands of Greece such as Crete , Rhodes, and the Cyclades are also noted for thier picturesque scenery and rich histories.

In mainland Greece , you have the magnificent Meteora monasteries. The mountainous terrain of Greece is ideal for trekking, while Mt. Parnassus near Delphi offers opportunities for skiing.

In the east, Greece 's second biggest city of Thessaloniki is absolutely worth a visit. The city has many monuments most of them dating back to Byzantine times.

When you plan a trip to Greece try to visit at least the capital Athens , a bit of the Peloponessos and one or two islands. You will then get a general idea of what this fascinating country has to offer. Athens is a great city with many interesting street fairs.