Greece's economy rests undoubtedly on tourism. Fri million foreigners annually in Greece, every part of it being promoted in brochures or online. But nothing compares with the Mediterranean islands, scattered chaotically through the great southern Europe. If you ask tourists who have returned from holidays spent in the country of Homer how nice it is living there, all praise one to talk in terms of what they saw and grimace at the nose when it comes to service. That on the mainland tarii.Pentru as soon as the subject moves to the islands, the tone changes.
Other landscapes, different atmosphere, other people. And to call one of the islands as the most suitable for holiday, already committing a sacrilege. Because none compare to the other. The few dozen islands are divided by different criteria, the most important being that related to the sea in which each group was.

The Cycle
Cyclades, called "pearls of the Aegean Sea, are in number 50 is significant for Cycle name their image seen by the height: seem to revolve around the center, Saint Dilos. Volcanic origin is "guilty" for the beauty of relief, the contrast between the rocks with soft red and green-blue water is magnificent. If you add the white houses scattered from place to place, the windows of which hang carelessly multicolored flowers, understand why many refuse to return to the mainland.
Each island has its own weapons Cycle whereby he conquers tourists from the nightlife of the Mikonos, and peace that reigns on Folegandros Anafi, and to show on Santorini. If someone wants to visit a large number, must use the ferry lines that leave from Piraeus. No route but fails to cover them all, so it is better to stop every year on each one.

Dodecanese Islands is named in their number (dodeca = 12) and were named as all have protested when the tribute imposed by Turkey. They last just a few steps from the coasts of Turkey and their history was always about luck - or misfortune - brought the nymph Rhodes, who was to give the name of the most popular islands of them. The history of this small group of islands has always been tumultuous, and they were permanently occupied by one of the great strengths of the time: the Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Crusaders of St. John and to the Turks in 1912, then replace the Italians that they have owned and operated until 1947, when they again returned Greece.
Obviously left testimonies of this struggle: the Temple of Apollo and the Roman Theater in Kos, Holy Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos, Monastery of Saint John. On the largest island, Rhodes (officially declared the sunniest place in Europe), once a real city-state, yet Masters Gran Palace, Ippoton Odos Street Knights or the Acropolis, but the biggest loss is undoubtedly destruction of giant, one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Today, tourism has flourished simply demonstrating the hospitality of the islands the world has never disappeared.

Ionian Islands are located in the west of mainland Greece, located in United with the same name, a few kilometers from the coast of Albania, known for its mild climate, rainy winter, with ever green mountains and clear waters and warm. Neither their history has been less tense than the rest of the country, but the Venetian occupation of XIV-XVIII centuries left behind beautiful architecture specific. Later, French and English have arrived and they in turn here, remaining prints deep in local culture. Since 1864, the islands were returned to Greece for ever, building and identity. Although full of artifacts and monuments, many of which were rebuilt in 1954 after the strong earthquake which devastated much.
Ithaka is the legendary island realm of Odysseus and Zakyntos - place of origin of Solomos, the poet who wrote the National Anthem. Over the beautiful beaches, linked to the mainland both on water and air, resorts offers almost everything he can like a tourist on holiday, day or night, for fun or rest. The most famous of the Ionian Islands remains Corfu, the island of 3 million evergreen olive green, with taverns so popular, fishing villages, Venetian architecture and lots of fun.

Saronic Gulf
Two steps are Athens Saronic Gulf islands, virtually an extension of Athens to the sea, being thrown in the way of all boats. Their history is tied to that of the city from the "dry", and even can be proud Navplion and Aegina were great capitals of Greece. What distinguishes them is the atmosphere of some islands, however, wild and clear, sometimes interrupted only by small fishing port, where you can find buildings built in neoclassical style and stone-paved streets. Western tourists are still amazed at the huge number of boats that stop in the port, the shops and cafes, not to mention the image created by horses and donkeys he was walking slowly through the center of town.
Kythera is one of the few islands that modern tourism has not managed to enter, remain on the "benefits" cram in big tourist centers.

Occasionally Islands
One of the less known group of islands Sporades general public are located in the northeast of Athens, up to the coasts of Turkey. Basically, they are quite scattered, half (North Sporades) being near the shore of mainland Greece and the other half (Eastern Sporades) - a few steps from Turkey.
The north had a really lush vegetation, small waterfalls that descend from the green hills and valleys that finally end up on beaches. The eastern enjoy architecture civilizations that have occupied the realms over the years. Their main feature is still a massive lack of tourists, which gives them a special charm, the view of those who want to discover the first places wild, unspoiled simple people and their traditions of civilization XXI century.

Crete has a special place both in Greek tourism, and in administrative division. Because of its size (it is the fifth largest in the Mediterranean), not part practically in any archipelago. Throughout history the state testimony about events that Europe, Africa and Middle, and many of those were spent as many have left a visible sign today. The island is only 260 km long and 30 wide, with an area of about 300 square kilometers. It is crossed by a mountain range as a backbone that traverses along its spine with the apex Oros Psiloriti which rises to 2456 meters. Residents here are known for their free spirit, the same who drove in many wars, starting from the time of King Minos and to the rebellions against the Turks. Beyond the mountains, rivers that descend to the shore is one of the island's attractions and cities built over centuries, means both museums, temples, castles, olive oil, delicious food, wine famous, unique vegetation, plenty of music, water sports, hotels of all kinds and much sun.