Athens
Athens, the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. Athens was named after Goddess Athena because she and Poseidon were in a competition to have Athens. Athena won by creating the first olive tree. Located in Central Greece and a robust economic, cultural and administrative center of the country it is known throughout the world not only for its historical monuments but also for her importance of decision shaping for the economic situation in Europe. Athens is a fairly urbanized city with beautiful small parks and pine forests in the mountains. The capital's most famous sights and monuments including Acropolis, Plaka, Zeus Temple, Thission, Monastiraki Square, Ancient and Roman Market, Zappeion, Panathinaiko Stadium, Theatre of Herodes Atticus, Hadrian Arch. The oldest and socially most important square of modern Athens, at the epicenter of commercial activity during the nineteenth century is the Syntagma Square. Athens is the host city of the first modern Olympic Games opened in the first week of April 1896 and the host city of Olympic Gamesin 2004.
Kea
Kea, also known as Gia or Tzia, Zea, is a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea. Kea is part of the Kea-Kythnos regional unit. It is the island of the Cyclades complex that is closest to Attica (about 1 hour by ferry from Lavrio) and is also 20 km from Cape Sounio as well as 60 km, SE of Athens. Its climate is arid, and its terrain is hilly. Kea is 19 km, long from north to south and 9 km (6 mi) wide from west to east. The area is 129 km2 with the highest point being 560 m. Its capital, Ioulis, is inland at a high altitude (like most ancient Cycladic settlements, for fear of pirates) and is considered quite picturesque. Other major villages of Kea are the port of Korissia and the fishing village of Vourkari. After suffering depopulation for many decades, Kea has been recently rediscovered by Athens as a convenient destination for weekends and yachting trips. The population in 2011 was 2,455. The municipality Kea also includes the island of Makronisos to the northwest.
Kythnos
Kythnos is a Greek island and municipality in the Western Cyclades between Kea and Serifos. It is 56 nautical miles from the harbor of Piraeus. Kythnos is 100 km2 in area and has a coastline of about 100 km. It has more than 70 beaches, many of which are still inaccessible by road. Of particular note is the crescent-shaped isthmus of fine sand at Kolona. There is also a growing coastal settlement called Kanala on the east side of the island, and many of the larger beaches are settled by a handful of residents. Aghios Dimitrios, at the southern tip of the island, is a mostly modern settlement, with small vacation houses dotting the hillside above a wide beach that is dotted with sea daffodils. On the northeast end of the island lies Loutra, a village famous for its thermal springs, which are said to have curative properties. Although the large tourist hotel there has been closed for several years, the bathhouse is still functioning and visitors may soak in its marble tubs for a modest fee. The port town is called Merichas, its population significantly fluctuating during the year. Many residents of the port speak at least some English, the most popular second language. Merihas is connected to Piraeus and to Lavrion by ferry boat, and the ride takes one to four hours, depending on the speed of the ship and the weather. Construction of a new mole began in 2005 to accommodate larger ferryboats and was completed in 2008. Kythnos was until recently considered to be one of the last Cycladic islands unaffected by the impact of tourism, but this is inexorably changing. Still, the island has not yet been overdeveloped, and in the more remote areas of the villages, traditional ways live on relatively unchanged.
Hydra
A cosmopolitan, glorious and magnificent island, where tranquilityand relaxation is combined with an intensive night life. The impressive town is built amphitheatrically around the port and its main characteristic is that there are no wheeled vehicles allowed and the only means of transport is by donkey... or on foot. Enjoy authentic and traditional food at the tavernas & restaurants, romantic walks in the narrow paved alleys, or dance yourself out till the morning in the numerous bars, pubs & clubs.
Poros
Poros is the island of peace, romance and jauntiness. It is overgrown with pine trees which reach the rugged shores or the sandy beaches. The residents of Poros are like all islands, spontaneous, decent and hospitable. The houses by the sea are bigand neoclassical in contrast to the simple two - floored houses in Brinia, Mylos, Pounta and Kasteli. At the center of town you can find the archaeological museum, the library, reception rooms, and on the beach there's an open air cinema. Moreover the visitors can enjoy the wonderful view that the nature offers. Another picturesque church the visitors will meet until they finally arrive to Palatia where the Ancient Temple of Posidonas exists. After the canal bridge on the left, towards the West, there is Perlia. The road continues along the beach passing through Neorio, the love port, and the Russian Dockyard with the little island Daskalio. Today Poros with its traditional local color, its picturesque, its cosmopolitan life and modern facilities is the ideal holiday resort.
Epidavros
Epidaurus is a historic city of Argolida on its eastern side. It is situated at the foothills of Arachnaio, Top Tithio and where, according to mythology, Asclepius was born where his cult started there for the first time in the 6th century. Its strategic location, but mainly in Asklipio, contributed so that the city experienced unprecedented growth. The inhabitants occupied themselves mainly with shipping. The first settlement belongs to the prehistoric era. Located 12 km from the town of Old Epidaurus. It belongs to the homonymous municipality Epidaurus. The name of Epidaurus was the third consecutive lord, who was a hero of Epidaurus in Epidaurus, Argos and son of Evadnis.Famous throughout Greece on Asklipieio did, one of the greatest of antiquity, the sanctuary of Asclepius which is about 15 km from the city. Approximately the same places and worshiped Apollo, but there was a special honor of sacred little higher than the theater. Since the end of e century and the beginning of the fourth, Asclepius is the true master of the city.
Spetses
The verdant island of Spetses is an excellent destination for summer holidays and an alternative proposal for spring and autumn escapes as it is easily reachable from Piraeus or the Peloponnese. The island's name is a derivation from "Isola de Spezzie", which in Italian means the Island of Fragrance and was given this name from the Venetians due to the abundance of herbs growing on the island's mountainside. The island of Spetses has a long history and naval tradition, meanwhile in recent years, it has become a favorite destination for VIPs from all over the world. In Spetses car traffic is prohibited, which positively maintains the island's natural beauty.
Porto Heli
Porto Heli (also Porto Cheli) is a summer resort town in the municipality of Ermionida in the southeastern part of Argolis,Greece. It is situated on a bay of the Argolic Gulf, 6 km south of Kranidi and 40 km southeast of Nafplio. The island of Spetses is located 6 km south of Porto Heli. There are ferry connections from Porto Heli to the islands of Spetses, Hydra and Poros, and to Ermioni and Piraeus. There is a small private airport, Porto Cheli Airport, south of the town. The ancient city of Halieis (named Halike by Pausanias), excavated by Michael H. Jameson, is situated near Porto Heli. King Constantine II of Greece lives with his wife the Queen Anne-Marie of Greece in Porto Cheli.
Astros
Paralio Astros, is a port serving the inland town of Astros, Arcadia, Greece. It is part of the municipality North Kynouria and is considered a traditional settlement. Paralio Astros possesses beaches and a harbour (renovated im 2015) which can accommodate small ships. A medieval Frankish fortress commands the heights of a peninsula called "The Island" which juts out to form the harbour. The main square is at the foot of the castle mount. Today, Astros' principal industry is tourism. It is a popular vacation spot for inhabitants of Tripoli and other parts of Greece. As of 2011, the port had 1,043 permanent inhabitants.
Nafplion
Nafplion, is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolutionin 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.
