Worldwide 2024-25

EUROPE • GREECE
Discover Greece
Greece: where ancient colonnaded temples
and vibrant modern cities glisten under
the same sun. Considered the birthplace
of Western civilisation, this Mediterranean
destination is woven with a rich mythology,
and offers up a trove of celebrated art
and architecture.
Beyond mainland attractions such as
the Acropolis of Athens, there are some
1,400 islands to explore, including Crete,
homeland of the Minoans; the sandy
Cyclades; and oft-overlooked Evia. Cox &
Kings can pair a tour of mainland Greece
with an island-hopping itinerary to give you
an all-encompassing experience.
Meteora
Ancient theatre of Epidaurus
Sample the famous truffes • Visit Byzantine
monasteries
When medieval monks stumbled upon vast
sandstone pillars jutting out of Thessaly’s
green hills, they saw potential. The dramatic
precipices of Meteora (meaning ‘suspended
in the air’) became the base of some 24
monasteries – six of which survive today.
These rock-top complexes are now a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and a major draw. The
thick forests beneath, meanwhile, shelter
prized wild truffes, allowing you to combine a
visit to the monasteries with a truffe hunting
and tasting experience.
Crete
Meteora
Visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos • Taste
authentic Cretan honey
Crete is Greece’s largest island, and its
1,000-kilometre coastline is replete with
attractive bays, peninsulas, coves and sandy
beaches. It’s also historically important.
This is where Europe’s first civilisation, the
Minoan kingdom, arose during the Bronze
Age. The ruined Minoan city of Knossos and
its famous palace offer insights into these
mysterious people. Crete also preserves
Venetian fortresses, most strikingly the
16th-century Castello a Mare, as well as
medieval monasteries and Ottoman-era
mosques. The landscape is diverse, with
mountain ranges and gorges, Europe’s only
palm tree forest, and vast plains and plateaux
to explore.
Palace of Knossos
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View our full range of itineraries, hotels and experiences at CoxandKings.co.uk