For the last few years I desired a visit to Greece. After seeing all the videos of the white sandy beaches, with back drops of white-washed buildings scaling the cliffs, I desired to be there. I also desired to be in the land that sets the historical backdrop of the Olympic games, Greek mythology and so much of western civilisation. Therefore, I designed my year to ensure that I could be there for my birthday.

If the heat does not deter you Athens is a great place to visit in the summer as there are many events happening across the city. Scattered with ruins, that take you back millennia as you walk along the cobbled streets towards The Acropolis. After enjoying the beautiful sunset, the street lights give a romantic backdrop as buskers play live music for passers-by. The city is also packed with mom-and-pop shops selling goods that have been produced by the family for years. On the outskirts of the city are multiple beaches to enjoy. One can visit a day/night beach party bar or more chilled beaches that take you away from most modern amenities to just enjoy the soothing sounds of nature.

If beach life is more your vibe, the islands are also very inviting in the summer as the sea-breeze reduces the feel of the heat by a few degrees, and one can always take a dip in the water. Each of the islands is catered to different tastes and interests, therefore one can choose from Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, Naxos, Paros, Kos, and over 3,000 others to choose from. I would highly recommend Crete for my food lovers though – there is a lot that grows there an therefore one is bound to get the freshest ingredients.

If you are one of the humans that loves to delve into history and stories in general, one has the opportunity to immerse oneself in the numerous museums around the country as well as the libraries to delve more into Greek mythology. Hear more about the lives of the Greek gods such as Athena, Zeus, Poseidon and Dionysus, amongst others. Hear stories of the Greek wars and Greek soldiers such as the Spartans and the Athenians.

Greek food alone is worth a visit to this Mediterranean country. Fruit is sweet, herbs are herbing, salads are fresh and crunchy, and if like me, you are a seafood lover – it is giving all you desire and more. Lamb is also a very popular meat and therefore one will not be disappointed with the souvlaki’s or moussaka available. Sidenote: do not sleep on the Greek dairy, honey and sesame seed combinations. The nuts too!!! Honesty, I think learning moderation is what keeps those Greeks healthy because I am sure I gained a few grams with all those pastries, and cheese. The Greeks usually have dinner quite late, at about 10pm. However, there are plenty of eateries that cater to tourists earlier than that.

Greek terrain is hilly. One needs to wear comfortable shoes so your feet don’t stop you from enjoying this paradise. Greek people are generally very friendly and welcoming of foreign travellers. If you go outside the main tourist track though, don’t be surprised to get a few stares of your glowing melanin. It is generally not sinister, just curiosity