When one sets out on a journey the first thing on ones mind are the beaches, the food, the sites and all the other good things that come along with traveling, however one never thinks to register with the local American Embassy of thecountry they are traveling to.  Why should one do this?  In the event of an emergency, civil unrest or a major crisis the Embassy can locate you and evacuate you and your family.  So while in Greece for instance U.S. Citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Athens

Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known.  While consular officers will do their utmost to assist Americans in a crisis, travelers should always be aware that local authorities bear the primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.

The U.S. Embassy in Athens is located at 91 Vasilissis Sophias,  Athens,
Greece 10160.  American Citizens Services: 210-720-2415, 210-720-2419 or
210-720-2420, fax. 210-725-3025 or Embassy Tel: 210-721-2951.

In case of an emergency when the Embassy or Consulate General is closed, an American in Greece can call 210-729-4444

Click Here for US State Department Country Specific Information on Greece

Santorini truly is one of the Greece’s gifts to the world.  A destination on almost any ones bucket list of things to do before one passes from this earth.

Of course why not have fun, explore the island and create your own top 10 list of the island; may just be what the doctor ordered.

Santorini is a volcanic island located in the Cyclade Group of Islands.  It is easily accessible by air or by ferry through out the year.  We present a list of the Top 10 Things you should do when you visit the Island of Santorini.

• Go up the Caldera on a mule ride
• Drive into the sunset
• Try Vinsanto chocolates
• Visit a Winery
• Go to Ammoudi for swimming and eating
  
• Buy packaged tomato paste
• ‘Maria Kallas’ and Caldera
• Vlyhada… as if in a moon landscape
  
• Try the local cuisine with Santorini products
• Stay in a yposkafo

For a Full description of the Santorini Top 10 List visit Greek Honeymoon

According to legend Leto gave birth to Apollo on the island of Delos bringing to this world the music of light.  This invisible harmony burst over the Aegean turning to stone and bringing the Cyclades to life.  Deriving their name from the word “kyklos” meaning circle they surround the uninhabited sacred island of Delos forming an island group that is known for its ability to enchant, entertain, and soothe the spirit of both man and god alike.

Uninhabited now, Delos is listed as an UNESCO world heritage site and receives multitudes of visitors who flock to admire  a very well organised archaeological museum, rich in very important exhibits (including collections of sculptures and ceramics, mosaics, frescoes and clay pottery).

The islands were the cradle of the Cycladic civilization (3000 – 1000 BC), which developed during the Bronze Age and since then have been inspirational to artists with their marble figurines, which are the legacy of the islands.  Considered crude and ugly when first discovered, this art has brought to bear a strong influence on the 20th century artists and sculptors such as Picasso, Modigliani, Henry Moore and Constantin Brancusi.

Click here for listing of Greece Archeological Sites

Click here to download brochure on Delos Archeological Site

According to a report on MSNBC, Newt Gingrich is riding high in the polls, addressed a variety of issues during a stop in the key caucus state, including the economy. Gingrich said his vacation early in the summer to Greece, a controversial break from the campaign trail that contributed a mass resignation of staff in June, was instructive for him given the Greek economy’s debt crisis. Gingrich and his wife went on a cruise.

“An observation strategically about where we are … was very much influenced when I visited Greece in June and talked to people what they were faced with in Greece. And I listened to them,” he said.

The UK Mirror reported according to polls released this week, Gingrich is experiencing a surge in popularity as rivals Rick Perry and Herman Cain lose ground in the Republican primary contest, largely thanks to their woeful lack of knowledge of international affairs. But they are unlikely to follow his example by taking to the sea, because opponents are using the Seabourn connection as an example of Gingrich’s supposed elitism.

Mount Pelion

Only a few kilometres away from the busy port of Volos in Thessaly stands mythical Mt. Pelion, which according to Greek mythology was the home of the mythical Centaurs, creatures who were half man and half horse. Ancient Greek heroes such as Achilles, Jason and Theseus came to Mount Pelion to master the arts taught by the Centaurs. Mount Pelion is home to 24 beautiful villages.  The unique combination of superb natural surroundings, dense greenery and cascading waterfalls make this a must see.

Zayorohória Villages

At the heart of Epirus, nestling among the steep and snowy slopes of the Týmfi mountain range.   A complex of 46 picturesque traditional villages built in a magical setting amidst pine and fir trees with one of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems in Europe. Its unique traditional architecture, impressive stone mansions, natural forest surroundings are the perfect ingredients for an unparalleled destination.

Arcadia

Among the steep slopes of Mt. Mainalo in the Peloponnese nestle the mountain villages of Dimitsána, Stemnítsa and Vytína.  Get a deeper insight into Greek history by visiting the places where the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Turks actually began; a place synonymous with legendary heroes, fierce battles and glorious achievements.

Arahova

A Mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern Greece.  It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favorite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities.  Aráhova is also famous for its bustling nightlife!

Karpenissi

A mountain village situated in Evritania, Greece, featuring towering snow capped mountains, deep ravines,  rivers and lakes; impressive gorges, Byzantine monasteries and tiny mountain villages promises to offer the ultimate winter experience!

For More information & resources on Greece’s Top Winter Destinations, go to Visit Greece

Greece offers a temperate climate that is ideal, especially in late spring and early autumn which are the best times to visit.   The temperature in Athens ranges from 55F in January to 92F in July and August. The country averages more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.

We can go on and on to describe how beautiful Greece and her Islands are, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so we list some videos that are worth taking a look at.

A sample of some Greek Island Videos

You in Greece Videos provided by Greek Tourism Office

New Upload this Week straight out of Athens by world famous DJ Chris Child.  Go To Mykonos X Music Section to listen to this amazing mix now.  You can also Download for Free with the new download feature on the Mykonos Music Experience.

Diafani is a small Greek seaside village situated in a bay on the north-east coast of Karpathos.  Karpathos is one of the Dodecanese islands in the Aegean sea between the islands of Crete and Rhodes.

The challenge of getting to Diafani only makes the arrival to this breath-taking village so much better, for locations like this one-off the beaten path are slowly but surely becoming a thing of the past as the much-anticipated road to Diafani is almost complete.

Click Here to View Photo Gallery of Diafani in Karpathos

Meganisi – a small and beautiful strip of land four miles south-east of Lefkada is where the Greek Reporter published the findings of archaeologist Nena Galanidou, professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Crete which stated that Neanderthal men and women  were the first inhabitants of the Ionian Sea over a 100,000 years ago in a period scholars call the Mid-Paleolithic Era.

”To understand the dynamic of the changes in the prehistoric landscape, we must take into consideration the short distance separating the islands from Lefkada to Etoloacarnania, as well as the shallowness of the sea in that area.”

There were also natural refuges, fertile valleys, water sources, and animals to hunt. ”Judging from the number of stone tools we have found here,” conclude Galanidou, ”we can say that the communities of the Paleolithic period returned to this region often, and that it was their favorite region for seasonal migration.”

So apparently even the Cave man opted to Vacation in Greece so what are you waiting for?   Try some Greek Island Hopping to bring out the caveman in you.