Boasting a history stretching back almost 4,000 years, Greece is the Land of History, the cradle of European civilization. It is the country that produced giants in philosophy such as Socrates and Plato, leaders such as Pericles, Aristides and Themistocles, victorious army commanders such as King Philip of Macedonia and his son Alexander the Great. It is the land where the Cycladic, the Mycenean, the Minoan, the Spartan, the Macedonian, the Athenian and Corinthian civilizations thrived. This is the homeland of the legendary gods and goddesses, the prestigious Parthenon in Athens, the oracle of Delphi, where kings and notables from all over the ancient world came to consult Pythia's oracles and the Ancient Olympia where the first Olympic Games were held.
With the complete predominance of Christianity, the Greeks became conscious of their national identity and laid the foundations of the later powerful Byzantine Empire. Byzantine civilization is considered to be a continuation of ancient Greek civilization with many Roman and Eastern influences.
With its wealth of ancient monuments, fascinating museums and spectacular archaeological sites, such as Dion and Pella, Greece offers a unique opportunity for a historical adventure through the centuries, a chance to mentally relive myth, history and culture from classical times to our day.
Numerous travel agencies organize splendid tours with archaeological interest, lectures by notable scholars, visits to excavation sites or meetings with local residents for participation in joint cultural events.