Europe – Greece

In his poem ‘To Helen,’ Edgar Allen Poe immortalised the phrase, ‘the glory that was Greece’ more than 170 years ago. Yet, any visit to that country only confirms how enthrallingly the glory of Greece still thrives.

The capital city of Athens pulses with life as hip restaurants and boutiques join museums filled with priceless artefacts in streets where modern architecture stands side by side with ancient temples. From the bustling port of Pireaus, sleek ships carry visitors to sun-soaked Mediterranean isles—including such fabled destinations as Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini—where whitewashed villages and impossibly blue surrounding waters make every view a picture postcard for your memory. Pristine beaches invite you to sunbathe in blissful solitude. Casual cafes serve the freshest seafood, succulent lamb and chicken, fresh-baked breads, honey-drenched pastries, and refreshing local wines and beers. Warmhearted locals greet you with a hearty ‘Yassou!’ that makes you feel you belong.

That feeling of belonging grows stronger and deeper when you have the opportunity to spend some time actually living among the Greeks, easing naturally into the native lifestyle. Soon, you’ll find yourself spontaneously calling ‘Yassou!’ out to others, playing your own part in keeping the Greece’s glory alive today.