Fodor's Exploring the Greek Islands, 2nd Edition (Exploring Guides) [Paperback]

Fodor's (Author)

Book Description

Series: Exploring Guides | Publication Date: March 14, 2000

Fodor's Exploring The Greek IslandsPraise for Fodor's Exploring Guides

"Authoritatively written and superbly presented...Worthy reading before, during, or after a trip." -- Philadelphia Inquirer

"Absolutely gorgeous. Fun, colorful, and sophisticated."  --  Chicago Tribune

Fodor's Exploring Guides are the most up-to-date, full-color guidebooks available. Covering destinations around the world, these guides are loaded with photos, essays on culture and history, descriptions of sights, and practical information.  Full-color photos make these great guides to buy if you're still planning your itinerary (let the photos help you choose!), and they are perfect companions to general guidebooks, like Fodor's Gold Guides.

What to SeeExtraordinary coverage of history and culture
Itineraries, walks and excursions, on and off the beaten path
Architecture and art
Where to Stay
Quick tips in every price range
Where to Eat
Savvy picks for all budgets
The Basics
Getting there and getting around
When to go, what to pack

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Fodor's Exploring The Greek IslandsPraise for Fodor's Exploring Guides

"Authoritatively written and superbly presented...Worthy reading before, during, or after a trip." -- Philadelphia Inquirer

"Absolutely gorgeous. Fun, colorful, and sophisticated."  --  Chicago Tribune

Fodor's Exploring Guides are the most up-to-date, full-color guidebooks available. Covering destinations around the world, these guides are loaded with photos, essays on culture and history, descriptions of sights, and practical information.  Full-color photos make these great guides to buy if you're still planning your itinerary (let the photos help you choose!), and they are perfect companions to general guidebooks, like Fodor's Gold Guides.

What to SeeExtraordinary coverage of history and culture
Itineraries, walks and excursions, on and off the beaten path
Architecture and art
Where to Stay
Quick tips in every price range
Where to Eat
Savvy picks for all budgets
The Basics
Getting there and getting around
When to go, what to pack

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Islands Are... Geography

Island Landscapes

Geology, topography, and climate have combined in Greece to create some of the most stunning scenery in the Mediterranean -- helped, of course, by a legendary blue sea that is glimpsed at almost every turn. The Greek Islands are mostly the peaks of an otherwise submerged landmass. Their appearance is so varied that it is impossible to make generalizations: many of the larger islands have extremely fertile districts, as in the interior of Náxos, for example, while some smaller islands appear to have been worn down to the bare rock. Other small islands, such as Paxoí and its tiny neighbor Antipaxoí, in the Ionian Sea, are very fertile -- Paxoí is entirely given over to olive cultivation while Antipaxoí is dedicated to grapes.

The Islands Are... The People

Meeting the People

You might not be invited into people's homes, but even on a first meeting -- out strolling along the waterfront or lingering over a coffee or an ouzo -- islanders are usually welcoming and open. Their hospitality, like so much else on the islands, is shaped by the sea. History has taught islanders to be wary of invaders; you might be met with suspicion if you hint of any plans to settle, but otherwise you are welcome because you have stopped on their island, of which they are justifiably proud. On many occasions you will find yourself being shown around or told about the place with candor, wit, and humor.

The Islands Are... Festivals

The Greek year is punctuated by festivals. There are saints' days every day of the year, and many traditional festivals are maintained locally, celebrating everything from harvest to the arts. The Lent Carnival is a time of freedom and excess. If you are lucky enough to be on an island during a festival, join in for a glimpse of real island life.

The Islands Are... Food and Drink

Greeks love to spend evenings talking, laughing, drinking, and eating. A meal is always shared, wine flows freely, and bread is abundant as both body and spirit are satisfied. Mealtimes tend to be late, leisurely, and, above all, are there to be enjoyed by everyone.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Fodor's; 2nd edition (March 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679004769
• ISBN-13: 978-0679004769
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,383,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sufficient but not great, September 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Fodor's Exploring the Greek Islands, 2nd Edition (Exploring Guides) (Paperback)

Just returned from the Greek islands. I brought this Fodor's book and the Greek Islands book by Dana Facaros. While this book certainly had prettier pictures compared to the Facaros/Cadogan humble graphics, the Facaros book, hands down, had more AND BETTER information than this Fodor's book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Pictoral Trip to Greece, January 16, 2003

By 

D. R. Ransdell (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fodor's Exploring the Greek Islands, 2nd Edition (Exploring Guides) (Paperback)

This is a great book for the traveler on a medium budget interested in a pictoral trip to the islands. The book rates the sights and gives highlights in each town without getting you bogged down with too many details about specific museum exhibits or lists of every possible tourist attraction. Such an overview is especially valuable to the first-time traveler. Detailed maps of the different islands show main driving routes. The colored town maps are abbreviated, making it easy to check for key spots. Extra tidbits of information about writers and historical facts are given in sidebars. The small but generous number of pictures gives you a feel for where you might like to go.