What do you know about Greece? We don’t mean the Acropolis of Athens or that it was home to world-known philosophers. Like any other country, people perceive Greece as a mix of stereotypes and fun facts. However, all countries and nations deserve more attention than a simple exchange of facts and tourist jokes.
Next time your teacher suggests you take a school or college trip to Greece, go for it! Why so? Because the land of Aristotle and the most expensive sculptures can change your life for the better. Keep reading to find out what Greece can teach you.
Greeks Will Add Beauty to Your Values
Everything from the turquoise hue of Aegean water to the ancient marble statues will stir one’s love for beauty even if you’ve never considered yourself a frequent museum visitor. Even if the only place you ever dealt with Greece was paper writing service PaperWriter.com while writing an essay on ancient philosophy. Once you enter the country, the cerulean blue of the sky and water will mesmerize your vision. Couple it with traditional white Greek houses called ‘spitaki,’ and you’ll get the picture.
Which are the most beautiful places in Greece?
- Santorini is one of the most famous Greek islands. Not for the historical battles or museums but for the beauty of mundane life. Looming cliffs and whitewashed houses make the Greek landscape an artist's dream;
- Historical monuments like the Parthenon Acropolis will show you the beauty of Classical Greece. Yes, that exact Greece so well-depicted in the world literature;
- UNESCO World Heritage sites like Meteora in Kalambaka attract crowds of tourists;
- Last but not least is nature. Because Greece is a country of 200 inhabited islands, each corner is beautiful in its own way. Whether you’re a fan of nature or not, Greek mountains and seasides will wipe your indifference away.
Greeks Will Show You the Roots of Western Civilization
Not everything is truly western that screams ‘English’ or ‘Spanish.’ As a result of a long bloody history, the western world has adopted great values and inventions. However, not everyone knows that the greatest innovations did not happen in the British empire. Things like democracy and a modern western political system have Greek roots. Yeap, Greece is the cradle of western civilization as we know it.
Which inventions did the world take from the Greeks?
- Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. Thanks to the Greek heritage, both western and Slavic worlds got unique scripts;
- Politics and other humanities. If you don’t believe that modern law wasn’t invented in Athens, mind your language (pun intended). Roots like ‘demo,’ ‘anthro,’ and ‘arch’ are Greek. Check them in words like ‘democracy,’ ‘anthropology,’ and ‘archeology;
- Theaters. We wouldn't have known Beckett if it weren’t for the ancient theaters. Greeks gave us the love for spectacles, the round shape of the audience seats, and the division of genres;
- Literature. The difference between comedy and drama was set by Greeks. Meanwhile, the best Greek literature pieces taught the western authors about writing canons;
- Olympic Games. We can trace the first mention of the Olympic games in the 8th century BC. Related to the Zeus cult, the games include sporting competitions in running and wrestling, among other activities;
- Weaponry. Things like catapults and Greek fire were invented here. No wonder the Byzantine empire expanded so quickly;
- Engineering and architecture. Greeks knew how to build spectacular pieces of architecture that mesmerize modern tourists. The birthplace of the lever, crave, and watermill, Greece surprises the world with tech inventions.
Greeks Will Show the Importance of Tradition
A pretty contradictory statement, considering that Greeks invented so many things. Nonetheless, to move into the bright future, one doesn’t have to forget about their past. Like the Balkans, Greece is an authentic corner where Eastern and Western civilizations get mixed. At the crossroad of different civilizations, the whole Balkan region was a tidbit for conquerors. No wonder, to avoid total assimilation, Greeks got a tight grip on their traditions.
- Shall we dance? Greeks are famous for their energetic dances. While most nations left the folklore dances far behind, Greeks didn’t. Nowadays, you’ll find Greeks dancing in circles during celebrations and holidays. We advise you to visit the Agora market where most music festivals and traditional dancing happen;
- Wedding and funeral traditions. Special occasions like weddings and funerals are times when one can find the best of Greek traditions. One of them is the so-called ‘bomboniera’ that includes sugar-coated almonds. It symbolizes the ups and downs that marriage has. During the ritual, all guests get the bittersweet treat and wish happiness to the couple.
- Cuisine. The best and the simplest way to get a quick taste of the culture (pun intended). Greek cuisine is a part of the Mediterranean legacy. Dishes like moussaka and dolmati are known all over the world. The cuisine is a perfect blend of lemons, olives, cheese, and greens. It is surely one of the healthiest cuisines globally.
Greeks Will Teach You the Essence of Leisure
Unfortunately, western capital-driven countries sell their citizens the idea of work. There is nothing wrong with having an amazing job and loving it. However, capitalism has invented the idea of long hours and zero vacation. God forbid you decide to put yourself first and your job meeting second. As a result, the chances of getting exhausted and spending all your savings on medical treatment are high.
When it comes to Greeks, their life-and-work balance is healthy. Think of Italians and siesta, another healthy nation when it comes to working. Greeks are the masters of leisure. They will surely teach you how to enjoy life.
Ways to start enjoying Greek leisure and worrying less:
- Dance! Greeks will readily teach you one of their ethnic dances;
- Laugh! Greeks are known for their warm welcomes and kindness. They will surely tell you how to express your emotions healthily;
- Eat! As we’ve already said, the dishes are scrumptious. We advise you to add a glass of wine and make Dionysus happy.
Final Thoughts
Greece is a great place for travelers who want to combine history studies and fun. The cradle of western civilization, Greece offers amazing opportunities to travelers. You can check all places of interest that have ever been mentioned in history books. Not a culture vulture? Opt for a sea walk! Or get a quick bite of the traditional Greek spanakopita.
We hope the article was helpful to you. Good luck!