Greece is one of those rare destinations that rewards curiosity, where every journey from north to south unveils a completely different side of the country. From coastal delights to mythical heights, few places on earth offer as many sights and landscapes worthy of year-round exploration across the country.
Don’t believe it? Then why not join our Director of Sales for Greece, Kostas Sourvanos, as he recounts his recent adventure from the sun-washed southern shores of Crete to the dramatic mountains of its northern mainland. Follow him as he reveals exactly why Greece never ceases to amaze its visitors, and why, even seasoned travelers like him never tire of exploring it.
Ready? Take it away Kosta!
The South of Greece: Chania & the Scenic Cretan Countryside
Crete has a way of grounding you, regardless of the season. In winter especially, Chania and its surrounding countryside reveal a quieter, more intimate rhythm, one that allows the island’s history, spirituality, and daily life speak directly to you. This is not Crete performing for visitors; this is Crete being itself.
One of my first stops was Agia Triada Monastery, whose grounds always echo with an everlasting sense of reverence. Set amid rolling olive groves, its balance of architectural elegance and monastic calm has a unique ability to press pause and let you feel every moment. Winter enhances that stillness, making every step through its courtyards feel deliberate, almost meditative.
Venturing deeper into Crete’s spiritual landscape, I experienced a humbler, more personal glimpse into the island’s soul. There, tucked quietly into its surroundings, St. George’s Monastery, with its famed arches, sees faith blend seamlessly with the beauty of the land. With the rustle of leaves and the sound of distant bells as the sole accompaniment, standing in its presence reminds you that heritage is not confined to grand landmarks, but thrives just as meaningfully in lesser-known sanctuaries.
I also got a chance to capture Crete’s rural soul, which awaited amid the quaint charms of Gavalochori. There, stone houses, quiet cafés, and locals who greet you like an old friend, reminding you that Greece’s quintessential appeal often lies in the smallest, most human moments.
Nature, too, plays its part. Lake Kournas, framed by mountains and softened by winter light, felt especially serene. The reflections on the water, the crisp air, the sense of space; this is a place that invites you to pause, breathe in, and truly reconnect with the most organic parts of being.
And then there is Vryses, where food becomes memory. A simple meal here, made with fresh ingredients, honest flavors, and love, says everything about Crete’s renowned sense of hospitality. This is cooking rooted in land and tradition, and it never fails to leave a lasting impression.
Crete, especially in winter, reminds me of why I fell in love with Greece in the first place. It’s layered, soulful, and endlessly rewarding for those willing to look just a little deeper.
The North of Greece & Meteora: Where Wonder Reaches New Heights
Traveling north through Greece always feels like a gradual ascent; not just in altitude, but in emotion. Even after countless journeys across this part of the country, Northern Greece continues to move me in ways that are impossible to predict and even harder to forget.
The transition begins through its cuisine. In the north, food reflects the land’s resilience and generosity through hearty, deeply flavorful, dishes that are meant to be shared. Sitting at a local table and savoring recipes passed down through generations, I was reminded once again that Greece’s soul is as present in its kitchens as it is in its monuments.
As the road climbs, so does the sense of anticipation, until the first silhouettes of Meteora appear on the horizon. No matter how many times I’ve borne witness to those towering rock formations, they continue to fill me with a sense of sheer wonder. Soaring high into the clouds, defying gravity and time, these iconic monasteries stand as testaments of faith and perseverance. Reaching their doors is part of the experience, with each step stripping away distraction, leaving only awe, and a sense of wonder suspended between stone, sky, and silence.
Vast, solemn, and profoundly moving, Meteora is of those rare places that never loses its power, no matter how familiar it becomes. Standing there, once again, I felt the same sense of exhilaration I did the first time I had visited. It is one of those destinations that simply refuses to lose its profound impact, and the next time I visit (and I most certainly will), I know the feeling will remain unchanged.
This is Northern Greece at its most powerful: a place where nature, history, and belief converge in harmony. And every journey here reaffirms why sharing Greece, in all its dimensions, is not just my profession, but my lifelong passion.
A Lifelong Journey Through Greece
Even after decades of exploration, Greece continues to surprise and move me; and this journey was yet another reminder of why. From Chania to Meteora, revisiting the places I know and love only reaffirmed what I’ve always believed: Greece is not a destination you visit just once.
From villages that feel like home to monasteries that lift your gaze skyward, Greece is a place you return to, again and again, each time discovering a deeper layer of its soul. And this is why I continue to share Greece with such passion. Because when experienced thoughtfully and authentically, it becomes far more than a place on a map; it becomes a feeling, a lasting memory, and the kind of journey travelers are drawn back to time and time again.