Greece has long been an extremely popular destination for many British holidaymakers to head to. And if you are close to Heathrow you will be glad to know that Athens is within easy reach when it comes to booking a direct flight from Heathrow Airport.
From there you can go anywhere you want to in Greece – and there are plenty of places to choose from!
Where is Greece?
Greece is located in the south eastern corner of Europe. It consists both of the mainland and a number of islands, known collectively as the Greek islands. These islands form many of the most desirable locations that people fly to on holiday.
A plane from Heathrow will take you to the capital of Greece, Athens. This is situated towards the southern regions of the country, and it is steeped in ancient history.
Why should you visit Greece?
The Greek islands are a Mecca for fun loving youngsters looking for a holiday filled with sun, sea and sand. Some of the islands are particularly well suited for partying, as they have nightclubs and plenty of bars.
But there are plenty of locations offering a quieter time of it. And of course the thousands of years’ worth of history make sure that this country is never dull. It always has something to offer everyone who visits.
What main areas are there to stay in?
If you want to delve back into history more than you want to stay on a beach for two weeks, head straight for Athens. With sights such as the 5th century Parthenon to savour, you will never tire of the views and the majesty of the location. You can also visit the Acropolis and other ancient sites which are still dotted around the city.
As far as the Greek islands are concerned, there are actually thousands of them – but you should focus on the most popular ones as far as holidaymakers are concerned. Corfu is part of the Ionian Islands, and is a well known haunt among those who like a long night out!
Kos is another well known island. It’s long and thin, and the main centre of attention is focused on Kos the town. People also appreciate the port here, which offers grand views of sailing boats.
There is also Lesvos, a stunning island in the Aegean Sea which offers the delights of the main town of Mytilene as well as several resorts dotted along the coast. As with many Greek islands you can enjoy the use of some wonderful beaches, which also offer a great range of watersports. And if you pay a visit here, be sure to see the Petrified Forest of Lesvos.
If you are visiting the Greek islands for the nightlife and the sunbathing in equal measure, don’t miss out on a visit to Mykonos. It also boasts some wonderful beaches, and the rugged granite landscape is breathtaking.
What type of holidays is it good for?
Beach holidays are available throughout the coastal areas of Greece, as well as on the islands. If you like to alternate between sunbathing and dipping in the sea, you will find plenty of secluded beaches where the waves aren’t too overwhelming too.
There is clearly a whole business set up around offering wild and unstoppable nightlife on some of the main islands, but that isn’t what all of Greece is about. The ancient history that you can see at every turn is a must see for those who would like to know what Greece was like in centuries gone by, as well as seeing what it is like now.
Some people get the mistaken impression that when they head off to Greece on a flight from Heathrow, they are going to end up in a noisy, non stop party atmosphere. That could happen if you book your holiday without doing your homework, but there are lots of relaxed and quiet places to go that will appeal to those looking for something quieter.
And of course Athens itself offers a unique city based holiday if you don’t like getting your feet wet! Greece isn’t just about beaches – this city is an ancient one with lots of secrets to reveal. In fact it can be a good idea to book a flight from Heathrow directly to Athens and spend a day or two there before heading over to one of the islands for the rest of your holiday.
In conclusion
As you can see, it doesn’t matter what you want from a holiday abroad, Greece can offer it all. And with direct flights to Athens leaving Heathrow frequently, it’s easy to get to as well.
Greece is further away than some of the other popular destinations you can visit, such as France and Spain. But the extended journey time is well worth it, as you will see when you arrive.