Fodor's Exploring the Greek Islands, 2nd Edition

by FODOR'S

• ISBN13: 9780679004769
• ISBN10: 0679004769
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2000-03-14
• Publisher: Fodor's

Summary

Fodor's Exploring The Greek IslandsPraise for Fodor's Exploring Guides "Authoritatively written and superbly presented...Worthy reading before, during, or after a trip." -- Philadelphia Inquirer "Absolutely gorgeous. Fun, colorful, and sophisticated." -- Chicago Tribune Fodor's Exploring Guides are the most up-to-date, full-color guidebooks available. Covering destinations around the world, these guides are loaded with photos, essays on culture and history, descriptions of sights, and practical information. Full-color photos make these great guides to buy if you're still planning your itinerary (let the photos help you choose!), and they are perfect companions to general guidebooks, like Fodor's Gold Guides. What to SeeExtraordinary coverage of history and culture Itineraries, walks and excursions, on and off the beaten path Architecture and art Where to Stay Quick tips in every price range Where to Eat Savvy picks for all budgets The Basics Getting there and getting around When to go, what to pack

Table of Contents

How to Use This Book

Contents Pages Our Greek Islands

The Greek Islands Are/The Greek Islands Were

Discusses aspects of life and culture in the contemporary

Greek Islands and explores significant periods in their history

A to Z Breaks down the islands into regional chapters, and covers places to visit, including walks and drives

Within this section fall the Focus On articles, which consider a variety of subjects in greater detail

A-Z Athína (Athens) Kríti (Crete)

Focus On Cretan Painters Island Flowers Schliemann and Evans Kazantzákis and Zorba Walk

Old Chaniá, Crete Drive Réthymno to Irákleio, Crete The Cyclades

Focus On Greek Easter Ancient Religion

Greek Shipping

Greek Art

Greek Wine

Atlantis Earthquakes Pilgrims and Monastics Walk Ágioi, Apóstoloi and Potamiá, Náxos Drives

The Tragéa Valley, Náxos Thíra in a Day

The Dodecanese Focus On Sponge Diving Greek Medicine Knights of Rhodes Walks Diafáni to Ólympos, Kárpathos Rhodes Old Town Drive

The Knights Castles, Rhodes

The Ionian Islands Focus On Homer and The Odyssey Italian Influences Foreign Writers Walks

The Arethoúsa Fountain, Itháki Fríkes to Stavrós, Itháki Drive Palaiokastrítsa and Ágios Geórgios, Corfu

The Northern and Eastern Aegean

Focus On Greek Poetry Greek Theater Walk At the Foot of Mount Lepétimnos, Lésvos Drive To the Mastic Villages, Chíos The Saronic Islands

Focus On Greek Islands Wildlife Walk Spétses Pine Forests The Sporades and Évvoia

Focus On The Iliad Greek Music Walks From Skópelos Town Drive Northern Évvoia

Travel Facts Accommodations and Restaurants

Index

Acknowledgments

Maps and Plans

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

The Islands Are... Geography

Island Landscapes

Geology, topography, and climate have combined in Greece to create some of the most stunning scenery in the Mediterranean -- helped, of course, by a legendary blue sea that is glimpsed at almost every turn. The Greek Islands are mostly the peaks of an otherwise submerged landmass. Their appearance is so varied that it is impossible to make generalizations: many of the larger islands have extremely fertile districts, as in the interior of Náxos, for example, while some smaller islands appear to have been worn down to the bare rock. Other small islands, such as Paxoí and its tiny neighbor Antipaxoí, in the Ionian Sea, are very fertile -- Paxoí is entirely given over to olive cultivation while Antipaxoí is dedicated to grapes.

The Islands Are... The People

Meeting the People

You might not be invited into people's homes, but even on a first meeting -- out strolling along the waterfront or lingering over a coffee or an ouzo -- islanders are usually welcoming and open. Their hospitality, like so much else on the islands, is shaped by the sea. History has taught islanders to be wary of invaders; you might be met with suspicion if you hint of any plans to settle, but otherwise you are welcome because you have stopped on their island, of which they are justifiably proud. On many occasions you will find yourself being shown around or told about the place with candor, wit, and humor.

The Islands Are... Festivals

The Greek year is punctuated by festivals. There are saints' days every day of the year, and many traditional festivals are maintained locally, celebrating everything from harvest to the arts. The Lent Carnival is a time of freedom and excess. If you are lucky enough to be on an island during a festival, join in for a glimpse of real island life.

The Islands Are... Food and Drink

Greeks love to spend evenings talking, laughing, drinking, and eating. A meal is always shared, wine flows freely, and bread is abundant as both body and spirit are satisfied. Mealtimes tend to be late, leisurely, and, above all, are there to be enjoyed by everyone.

---

Excerpted from The Greek Islands
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.