The Greek Islands hold a wealth of possibilities for island-hopping adventure, sun-soaked relaxation and gastronomical indulgences. These isles—straight out of myth—are full of ancient culture, rugged landscapes and colorful history.
When a battered body washes ashore on the isolated island of Thiminos, police dismiss her death as an accident. Detective Hermes Diaktoros is not about to accept that.
Greece’s Islands
From the sun-drenched beaches to the awe-inspiring cliffs, each of Greece’s 227 inhabited islands possesses its own seductive beauty and story. Some have become synonymous with particular films and books (Boy on a Dolphin on Patmos, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants on Hydra), some are revered by scholars for their ancient history and others are haunted by the ghosts of mythology.
Whether you’re a seasoned island-hopper or just getting started, Ferry Tales from the Mediterranean: Greek Islands Edition will help you navigate your way through this enchanting landscape. The book covers all the major island groups – Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian and Sporades – as well as a few of the lesser-known ones.
Detailed maps and user-friendly listings make it easy to plan your trip. Learn the essentials of island hopping, from budgeting to luggage restrictions, and uncover the most secret spots for dining on fresh seafood and soft, tangy cheese. A comprehensive ’Contexts’ chapter provides fascinating insights into the islands, including historical background, religion and ethnicity as well as culture, literature and nature. A journalistic eye and a spirited humour bring this Rough Guide to life.
Greece’s Culture
Embark on a journey through the calming waters and quintessential characters that are synonymous with Greece’s culture. From awe-inspiring natural beauty, to the country’s delicious cuisine, this illustrated book offers a glimpse into life on the Greek Islands in an undisguised way. It is not aimed at the big tourist hotspots or Instagram shots, but rather reflects the everyday lives of the local inhabitants and their relationship to each other and the world around them.
A defining feature of Greek culture is its strong loyalty to familial and social groups. People tend to trust their friends and acquaintances and rely on them for support, which is evident in the country’s long tradition of’mespo’ or intermediating/connecting between people – from old school friends to former neighbors.
In the 18th century, Greek society experienced a period of political upheaval with a major ideological, philological and linguistic movement called Diafotismos (literally ‘translation of the Enlightenment’). This included Adamantios Korais and Rigas Feraios, who translated ideas from European Enlightenment philosophy into Demotic Greek.
Theatre was born in Classical Greece, with tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays being established as literary forms. Greece has also contributed to philosophical thought with Plato’s Dialogues and Aristotle’s Poetics, laying the groundwork for the idea of literary criticism. The country’s politics is currently a Parliamentary Republic, with the President taking on a more ceremonial role and the Prime Minister being elected from the majority party of the parliament.
Greece’s Cuisine
Whether on the islands or on mainland Greece, meals are a symphony of colour and flavour. Bread, olives (and oil) and wine have been staples for thousands of years. Many dishes can be traced back to ancient Greece – lentil soup, fasolada (beans and tomato stew), tiganites and loukaniko (smoked pork sausage); others come from the Hellenistic period – baklava and melomakarona cookies; and still more are of Roman and Byzantine origin – moustalevria cheese and avgolemono sauce.
A meal is not complete without a meze platter, a collection of small dishes that includes dips and spreads, salads and cheese. Variations are endless: sea fennel and capers on Santorini, xinomyzithra (sour ricotta-like cheese) on Crete and colourful cherry tomatoes in modern local restaurants.
Greeks also love their pies – both sweet and savoury. Classics include spanakopita – flaky phyllo (filo) pastry layered with spinach and feta; and tyropita, which is a crunchy version of the filling wrapped in a fried phyllo parcel. Lamb is a staple meat, especially in Crete and on the islands, and stifado – an understated but delicious lamb stew – is popular. The perfect end to a meal is the simple but exquisite chistopsomto, a loaf of bread drizzled with honey; or the delectable karythopita – a walnut spice cake.
Greece’s Adventures
A visit to Greece is a life-changing experience. Even after you return home, the beauty of the landscape and the warmth of the people will stay with you forever. Whether you’re looking for a book to read on your next Mediterranean getaway or a story that captures the essence of Greece, these books will transport you to a place where you can feel the sun on your skin and a breeze through olive trees.
Taking the reader beyond the big tourist hotspots of the Cyclades archipelago, this illustrated book portrays the Greek islands in all seasons. Lonely bays and half-ruined villages stand alongside high-life summer glamour and ancient traditions. It is precisely these discrepancies that make this book so special.
An unforgettable retelling of the classic tale of Achilles and Patroclus, this novel by a best-selling author captures the spirit of a land where you can hear a heart beating in the hills, smell the scent of wild flowers, and feel the breath of history. It’s also a reminder of how important it is to take time away from the hectic pace of modern life.
Unlike the fictional island of Daunia in Percy Jackson’s series, real-life Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is uninhabited. Temples, statues, and well-preserved artifacts give visitors a glimpse of what life was like in the 7th century B.C.