Viator Travel Blog

Kostas Sakavaras has been guiding tourists around mainland Greece and the Greek Islands of the Aegean for more then 17 years, but for the past six years Kostas has made the stunning volcanic island of Santorini his home. Fluent in English, German and Greek, he is the perfect companion to introduce you to this breathtaking island.

While white sand beaches with azure waters and billowing palms are nice, they’re far from unusual. For those looking for a truly unique coastal experience, the following beaches provide just that. Barking sand, star-shaped fossils and natural underground hot springs are just a few of the strange experiences you can have on the following weird beaches.

You’ll find all kinds of activities listed below, including musical field trips in Austria, island-hopping in Scotland, royal history lessons in Russia, castle visits in Portugal and Ireland, and enjoying a little luxury in Monaco. Join us for this tour of the Top 25 Things to Do in Europe!

There are different ways people bring in the New Year around the world.

Let’s take a trip, shall we?

Meet Kapi Panou, one of Viator’s local experts in Athens, Greece with a license to provide private tours.

This year is likely to be one of the best times to visit the historical city of Athens, with great bargains on flights, hotels and transportation and if you’re lucky, a few less crowds at the many local sights. Just take a few precautions like carrying some extra cash and double-checking schedules and opening hours. While there’s plenty to keep you occupied in the center, with the money you’ll save you can afford to enjoy some day trips out of the city and explore the many sights a little further afield.

Two seasons, two routes, two destinations, with one basic idea: get to the Greek Islands for some sun. Specifically – the Cyclades, the archipelago closest to Athens, which includes some major holiday destinations.

Flying in the high season, ferrying in the off season (or shoulder, as it is sometimes known): I selflessly undertook both of these trips to determine the ideal Aegean getaway based on weather, price and availability as well as the more elusive qualities which define a great holiday. Here are the results.

There’s nothing so dispiriting than getting all psyched up for an idyllic beach holiday only to find the place a smorgasbord of domestic debris. From bottle tops to fizzy drink cans and take-away junk food peppering the soft sands, it can be a depressing sight and ruin a much needed holiday. Hopefully these beautiful and relaxing beaches in the Greek islands should restore sun seekers’ faith in discovering sunbathing havens, unscathed by Benidorm style developments. With unpredictable weather in the UK always threatening rain clouds, these are also destinations not too far away or taxing on the pocket.

The islands are an integral part of any visit to Greece. Some travelers even devote their entire Greek vacation to exploring them. But with more than 150 inhabited islands to choose from, as well as a few uninhabited ones, deciding where to go can be a bit bewildering.

Some islands are known for their comely beaches, some for their sunsets, some for their fascinating history, some for their drunken hedonism. It is fairly easy to hop back and forth between them via regular ferry services, but where to go? Where to begin?

These days travel pilgrimages are more likely to involve trekking across town to worship at the best temple of caffeine than trekking up a sacred mountain, but believe it or not, there are still travelers who go overseas with the sole purpose of making a spiritual pilgrimage.

Several of the world’s most sacred sites can only be reached by first undertaking an arduous trek, which tests a pilgrim’s devotion and is of itself, a spiritual awakening. For many faiths, this literal and symbolic journey is just as important, if not more important, than the destination itself.