Just the mention of Greece conjures up postcard-perfect images of bright blue-roofed homes near aquamarine waters and awe-inspiring ancient ruins that tower above. But Greece is so much more than just gorgeous beaches and historic ruins. Think the country’s wildlife is limited to donkeys on Santorini or alley cats in Athens? You don’t know Prespa Lakes, one of Europe’s most important natural sanctuaries and home to more than 300 species of birds and mammals. And we bet you’ve never heard of the drakospita, ancient and mysterious stone structures that rival the marvel of Stonehenge.
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the culture of ancient Greece or island hop with your own skipper, stopping for meals of freshly caught fish on an isolated beach with no one else around, Greece has a multitude of extraordinary experiences just waiting for you to try.
Like the rest of the country, Athens is a city steeped in history, tradition and culture. Visitors can get an excellent introduction to all of this through museum visits and guided tours. But seeing an exhibit of traditional tableware and going to a Greek restaurant is not the same as eating a meal made with the same ingredients as an ancient recipe on a plate thousands of years old. Ditto for looking at displays of ancient Greek clothes through glass versus being able to touch them. Such immersive experiences are hard to find but do exist if you know where to look.
Greece’s golden sunshine, unspoiled beaches, and glittering sea views create the perfect setting to escape from the real world for a little while. For total physical and mental relaxation, why not practice your downward-facing dog pose on a beach as the sun sets over the Aegean?
Yoga retreats are offered in destinations across Greece, with many open to both beginners and more advanced yoga practitioners. In addition to daily yoga classes, retreats typically include fresh, healthy meals and plenty of free time to laze around on the beach or explore local villages.
Silver Island Yoga, located on its own private island, limits guests to just 10 per week for a truly intimate escape. Aegialis Hotel & Spa is a larger resort with an extensive thalassotherapy spa where you can treat yourself to body scrubs and hot stone massages in between yoga classes. Yoga Rocks in southern Crete hosts a rotating cast of instructors to lead weeklong retreats in a variety of disciplines, from Prana Flow to Ashtanga. See BookYogaRetreats.com for an extensive list of yoga retreats in Greece.
Whether you’re a birder looking to check off another species or you simply appreciate the beauty and serenity of a vast wildlife sanctuary, you’ll enjoy a visit to Prespa Lakes. The Megali (Great) and Mikri (Small) Prespa lie at the meeting point between Greece, Albania, and Macedonia, and are famous for their high level of biodiversity. More than 260 species of birds and 40 types of mammals, including brown bears, wolves, and wild boar, call these lakes their home. But you’ll also find Byzantine-era churches, monasteries and even cave paintings. One such church is St. Achilios, which can only be visited by walking across a floating bridge to an island in the Small Prespa.
There are multiple inns and bed and breakfasts in the Prespa Lakes region, so visiting on your own is not out of the question. However, English is not widely spoken, and signs are all in Greek. If you don’t feel the need for a tour guide but want some guidance, the Hotel Kinissi Palace, in nearby Thessaloniki, offers a two-night, self-drive Birding and Nature in Prespa Lakes tour. Want a guide? Tour operator Naturally Greece is located in the region and can put together a custom tour tailored to your needs.
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