Bright white buildings, clear blue sea and cloudless blue skies are the picture postcard images that initially attract many visitors to Greece. Alternatively it may be the pursuit of the ancient sites and archaeological treasures of Greece, such as the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus or the first Olympic Stadium.

Athens is a city that visitors and locals love to hate, the most common complaints being that it is too noisy, crowded and polluted. However, one minute you will find yourself complaining about the traffic and in the next, staring in awe at the Acropolis crowned by its Parthenon, visible from almost all of Athens. Beyond the smog of the capital there are also streets and squares lined with orange trees, shops, markets and street vendors, numerous cafes and bars, and of course many places of historical interest.

The Greek islands are for those wanting sun, sea and sand, which one to visit however, can be a difficult decision. The Cycladic islands such as Mykonos, Paros and Santorini are perfect examples of the golden beaches, blue seas and white buildings many visitors to Greece come to expect.

Mykonos is the most visited and expensive of the islands, while Santorini is thought of as being the most spectacular.

The Dodacanese islands include Rhodes, Kos and Patmos. Rhodes is the largest, with ancient ruins and great beaches, it also has the best nightlife outside Athens. Kos and Patmos are also popular and can get busy during peak times. For those looking for fantastic beaches but without the crowds try Lipsi and Tilos both of which are far less touristy.

Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefallonia and Lefkada are part of the Ionian group of islands along the west coast of Greece. Popular with tourists, and not in the Aegean Sea, they have a distinctly Italian feel about them.

The north-eastern Aegean Islands are situated quite a distance from each other, so island hopping is more difficult. Because they are larger however, they also have more distinctive characters; Samos, Limnos, Thasos and Lesvos to name a few.

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is host to the majority of all visitors to Greece. It is full of beautiful buildings, ancient remains, great beaches and rugged mountains