Greece is officially the Hellenic Republic. It is located in the southeast of Europe, on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. The countries that surround it are Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. It also bordered by three bodies of water, the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean. There are also several islands that are part of Greece, but not connected to the mainland.

Athens, Greece is 718 miles from Lebanon, and 1203 miles from Baghdad. Even though Greek history indicates that Alexander the Great conquered parts of Afghanistan, Afghanistan lies 2525 miles from Athens, Greece.

Athens, Greece is 1486 miles from London, England, 1303 miles from Paris, France, 646 miles from Rome, Italy, 567 miles from Nicosia, Cyprus, 5919 miles from Tokyo, Japan and 4741 miles from Beijing, China. At certain times in history, it was recorded that Cyprus was one of the Greek Island, but it is its own country and not connected to Greece.

Greece is 5989 miles from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 6907 miles from Los Angeles, California, 4934 miles from New York, City, 9528 miles from Sydney, Australia, and 3110 miles from New Delhi, India.

Greece has over 150 different little islands and not all of them are inhabited. They are set apart in groups called complexes. These complexes are Cyclades, Dodecanese, Northeast Aegean Islands, Arg-Saronic Islands, Sporades, and the Ionian Islands. Greece covers an area of 131,940 sq km, 130,800 sq km of it is land and 1,140 sq km is water.

Marche’ aux puces in French translates to “market with fleas.” Flea markets may have originated in France. The first flea market (outdoor bazaar) is said to be the Marche’ aux puces located in Saint-Ouen, a town in northern Paris. Of course, flea markets (commonly referred to as swap meets) dot rural roads and highways all across the United States.

Much farther away from home, adventurous shopaholics and travelers to Greece will find no shortage of flea markets and open-air vendors hawking their wares. Monasteraki flea market in Athens, Greece, opens with a flourish every Sunday morning (8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.). Vendors sell a myriad of goods including books, jewelry, silverware, clothing and shoes. You can also find fabric, leather goods and even furniture. All the treasures are too numerous to mention here.

The Plaka flea market should be on your itinerary if you enjoy bartering. Plaka market (in addition to the regular flea market vendor stalls) has many tourist shops where you just might find the perfect gift or souvenir. Plaka is a very popular destination for both tourists and locals. It is located near many restaurants and cafes, the Museum of Greek Folk Art, the Benaki Museum and other popular attractions. The Piraeus flea market (open 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. every Sunday) is another one to add to your list. Some are a collection of stuff that have no common theme, but an interesting and pleasurable adventure. Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy browsing, shopping, sightseeing and eating.

Alexandros III Philippou Makedonon (Alexander the Great) was born in late July 356 B.C. in Pella, Macedonia. His parents were King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, an Epirote princess. His nurse, Lanike, raised Alexander. His first teacher was Leonidas, who was a very strict disciplinarian. His next tutor was Lysimachus who taught Alexander to play the lyre and gave him an appreciation of music, poetry and drama. At age 13 Aristotle from Athens became his personal tutor. Aristotle trained him in rhetoric and literature and gave him an interest in science, medicine and philosophy.

In 340 B.C.E. when Alexander was 16 years old his father, Philip, went to Byzantium to fight rebels, he was left in charge of Macedonia, to rule in Philips name. While his father was gone Maedi revolted. Alexander put down the revolt and captured the city.

After the murder of his father, Alexander ascended the throne. There was immediate trouble in the kingdom because the Greek cities were not sure if they wished to pledge their allegiance, as they had with his father, to a twenty year old boy.

Alexander was one of the greatest military geniuses in history. Alexander fought and conquered most of the world, as it was known.

Alexander died after twelve years of constant military campaigning on June 11, 323 B.C. in Nebuchadnazzar II of Babylon’s palace. He would have been 33 years old in one month. There were several theories as to the cause of his death including poisoning, malaria, typhoid fever, viral encephalitis or alcoholism.

Greek nightlife is filled with excitement, partying, drinking and music. Spectacular lights, numerous cafes and clubs and outgoing people makes a night out in Greece an unforgettable experience.

Cafes and night clubs offer a variety of music, carefully selected, from traditional music to international pop, rock, jazz, dance, and even Latin music. Unique decorations of each club make it welcoming for everyone. The music is non stop until earning morning, the drinks are endless and the places are crowded. Here are a few recommended places to visit at nighttime in Greece.

Start out with a popular tavern called Stou Xinou where you can enjoy traditional food and music. Popular bars are Inoteka, Astron, Stavlos, Banana Moon, City, Kallidromio, Galaxy, Exo, and Briki. If you're in the mood of a few drinks try these beer and wine bars: Vyni, Alpen Stube, Aspro, or Aisopou Mythos. If you're visiting Greece for the first time, don't forget to listen to live Greek music at Bio Bio, Asteria, Romeo, Neraida, Gorgones and Manges. Nightclubs are endless, but here are a few worth mentioning: King Size Arena, Tango, Kalua and Plus Soda.

The Greek islands have a dynamic nightlife. Paros, Mykonos and Ios are three of Greek islands where nightlife is entertaining. Paros offers a variety of entertainment from Greek music, night clubs, bars and restaurant to classical concerts. The most breath-taking place there at nighttime is the port of Parikia.

Greece is rich in nightlife entertainment. Next time you visit this country make sure you plan to enjoy everything that it has to offer. With so many places to visit, it will never be a dull moment in your schedule.

The Greek Islands have a long and very colorful history and they make a wonderful tourist destination. There are over 2000 islands that make up the Greek Islands. The biggest island in Greece is the Island of Crete. It not only has many beaches but has a great deal of history dating back over 3000 years to the time of Ancient Greece and the Minoan civilizations.
The Greek Islands are in three seas, the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Sea of Crete. The Aegean Sea islands are divided into the following groups, the Northwest Aegean Sea, the Southern Aegean Islands and the Northwestern Aegean Islands.

You can travel to most of these islands from the Greece mainland by either ferry or plane. The ferry system between the islands is one most extensive networks in Europe. Starting in the 90's and to an even greater degree over the last 5 years, the ferry system has gone through an extensive modernization program. The weather on these islands is always very pleasant which a reason why the islands are so popular. Many people from Europe take their vacations on the islands every year.

Some of the most popular islands to travel to are Crete, Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos and Naxos. These islands offer something for everyone from all night parties to little, quite villages. Some people will hop from island to island every year while other people will find a spot they like and come back to that same spot every year. You can also take cruises of the islands that port at a different island every day. This all helps to make the Greek Islands very popular.