There are lots of good reasons to visit Greece in the winter. One very good reason is that it is a very different place, compared to the summer. Greece is beautiful – we’re all on the same page here. However, it’s this beauty that makes it one of the most crowded tourist destinations. Try the winter in Greece, for a vacation with a difference.
With sparkling waters and sandy white beaches. The place is ideally visited by most, during the summers. However, if you are looking for an opportunity to explore this country. Then try a time when it’s not crazed with tourists.
Try a holiday during the winter in Greece
Not sure what you could do there in winters? Here’s a guide from Deep Blue Yachting, to help you get started.
Plenty of sunshine
Greece enjoys appropriately 200 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures soar way up into the high thirty degrees centigrade during July and August. That’s way too hot for most of us.
Now in the winter it is a lot cooler and Greece gets its fair share of thunder and lightning. However, the climate is still much warmer than in Northern Europe. In fact, at times during the winter, the weather in Greece can be better than some of the summers I have had in the U K.
Island Hopping
With over 6,000 islands in the Greek archipelago, the country has tons to offer. Whether it’s the quaint towns or picturesque villages. Busy harbors or streets bustling with convivial locals. Each island has something unique that it brings to the table. Discover the warmth of Greek hospitality. Delve in the deliciousness of regional cuisines. Also take in the mesmerizing sights, that this country presents. Even under the temperamental winter skylines.
Millions of tourists visit Greece every year. The majority come for the warm summer sunshine. So during the winter months, some of the popular tourist spots, will seem deserted. You will not notice this so much in the cities, or on some of the bigger islands. Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete are some of the largest islands among the many, with the most effervescent surroundings.
Flora and Fauna
Two thirds of Greece, is covered in Mountains, Forrest, Lakes and rivers. The Mountains and Forrest are the natural habitat for fantastic amounts of Flora and Fauna. Large areas have now been declared as National Parks to protect endangered species. During the winters the mountain tops are covered in snow and there are several ski resorts.
Discover the History
A trip to Greece would be incomplete without a visit to the iconic historical sites of Greece. The summit-top monasteries of the Meteora. The Acropolis, the Delphi (the home of Oracle), or Poseidon’s Temple. There’s a plethora of ancient treasures that will give you a glimpse of the time when it all started.
What’s the charm in winters? You’d find all these places practically deserted!
The Festivals
Festivals happen year round in Greece. This time celebrate New Year and Christmas on one of the islands. Watch them convert into a spectacle of joy and celebration. With sparkling lights and decorated harbor fronts. If you choose to visit the islands somewhere between February and March. You can attend the Apokreas celebration. A traditional carnival with food, drinks, costumes, and a grand parade.
Just Take a Walk
You could do all that and much more. But when it comes to enjoying the serenity of the peaceful Greek islands surrounding you. There is nothing better than taking a walk down the trails that connect different villages. Lead the way to the nearest beach, or end at the scenic mountain churches. These islands are paradise for people who prefer walking. Especially in winter when the footpaths and tracks do not have the tourists crowding them.
Summer Mode
During the summer, the Greeks who work in the tourist industry, work flat out, day and night, every day of the week. Then at the end of the season when charter flights have taken the last tourist away, off home. They take a deep breath and go into winter mode. This involves very little work. The local tavernas become a meeting place, where Coffee and Ouzo is drank all day. While conversations, usually about politics are discussed and backgammon and cards are played. This is a good time to meet Greek people, while they are relaxed and have plenty of time. I love this relaxed atmosphere, when the smell of wood smoke from home fires, is in the air.
Flights
There are not so many cheap flights to Greece during the winter months. This is because the holiday companies stop the charter flights, which take the hordes of tourists during the summer season. Easy Jet and Ryan Air still fly to some of the larger cities like Athens and Thessalonica.
Chartering a yacht
To be perfectly honest with you, chartering a yacht in the winter is not a good idea. Even if you could manage to find one. During the winter in Greece, this is the time when we take our boats out of the water. During this time we paint the boats and carry out all the maintenance tasks ready for the summer season. Contact us though, for details on yacht charter next summer
Captain Cliff
I spend a lot of time working on our yacht Glaros, during the winter in Greece. It is worth considering, as it is a vacation with a difference. I will be happy to answer any questions, or comments that you may have. So please feel free to leave them.
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