PHOTO: Ruins of the Temple of Zeus in Ancient Olympia, Greece

Ruins of the Temple of Zeus in Ancient Olympia, Greece

Today the Temple of Zeus stands in ruins, its 34 massive columns toppled and scattered in pieces around the Sanctuary of Ancient Olympia. But in 457 B.C., it was one the ancient world’s great structures. Built to honor the Greek god Zeus, the temple stood 68 feet high and was crowned with sculpted front and … Read more

PHOTO: Hermes and Infant Dionysus, Archeological Museum in Olympia, Greece

Hermes and the Infant Dionysus, generally attributed to the sculptor Praxiteles, is the preeminent exhibit at the Archeological Museum in Olympia Greece

The itinerary for my Greek tour with Collette included a day in Olympia Greece, site of the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of the original race track and the ruins of the magnificent temples and shrines that once surrounded the sports facilities (read more about the earliest Olympics and … Read more

Falling in Love with the Fabled Blue and White of Mykonos, Greece

When I saw scenes like this one in Mykonos, the answer to the question, "Is Mykonos overrated?" was easy. No. It's not. It's spectacular.

I turned my nose up at the offer of a map. The narrow, stone-paved streets of Mykonos begged to be explored randomly. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. So far, my Greece tour with Collette had explored authentic sites on the mainland and the Peloponnese peninsula, but there were whispers among our group that … Read more

PHOTO: Lion Gate, Fabled Entrance to the Ancient Citadel of Mycenae, Greece

Lion Gate, the fabled and fearsone entrance to the ancient citadel of Mycenae, Greece

In the middle of the second century, the scholar Pausanius published his landmark Description of Greece. Among the many civilizations he documented was the kingdom of Mycenae, which reached its zenith during the late Bronze Age (circa 1650 B.C.). He referred to the “mythical history” of Mycenae, stating, “There still remain, however, parts of the … Read more

PHOTO: Tolo, Greece, A Popular Holiday Destination on the Greek Riviera

With its protected harbor and more than a mile of pristine sand beaches, the Peloponnese town of Tolo Greece has grown from a small fishing village to become the Riviera of Greece

With its protected harbor and more than a mile of pristine sand beaches, Tolo Greece has grown from a small fishing village to become one of the most popular Greece holiday destinations on what is thought of as the “Greek Riviera.” Families with children will especially appreciate the shallow water, which stretches at least 150 … Read more