Greece

Greece is one of Europe’s most mountainous regions with an archipelago of about 6,000 islands. Bordering the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is praised for its eye-popping beaches, bustling islands, and rich culture. It might sound insane that one single country can have so many islands and islets, but only 227 are inhabited. One of the most famous Greek Isles, Santorini is iconic for its white buildings and blue accented features. Although aesthetically pleasing to the eye, these colors are believed to keep evil spirits away. On the mainland, the capital city of Athens has origins that date back as far as 3,400 years ago, marking this ancient city-state as Europe’s oldest capital. In Athens, where more than one-third of the population resides, tourists will find the most visited ancient Greek monument, the Acropolis. Beyond its natural beauty and ancient architectural wonders, Greece is home to a laid back atmosphere of free flowing wine, Ouzu, and welcoming locals.

Santorini is the world’s only inhabited caldera (volcano cauldron). The towns and villages sit densely on top of the mighty cliffs of the caldera.

High heels are illegal in certain parts of Greece. Weird rule for the birthplace of democracy? Not really, high heels can create cracks in the stone and damage places of ancient architecture with such a rich history.

Greece’s real name is not Greece! Greece’s official name is the Hellenic Republic, also known as Hellas.

Ancient Greeks had an unusual way of doing their laundry. They cleaned clothes with fat from sacrificed animals!

Eating beans in ancient Greece? Never! Many ancient Greeks believed that eating beans were a bad thing because the grains had the souls of dead people in them.